The arrivals hall is designed to sell you the most expensive option first. Deciding your route before you land is the simplest way to protect both your budget and your patience.
The four options
- Rail. Usually the fastest and most predictable, and often the cheapest per person.
- Bus or coach. Slower but very cheap, and it usually stops at several central points.
- Official taxi. Best with luggage, at night, or with a group. Use the marked rank.
- Ride hailing app. Convenient if it is legal at that airport, with a designated pickup zone.
Before you fly, write down the name of the station or bus you want, the approximate fare, the journey time and the last departure of the night. Three lines of notes solve nearly every arrival problem.
Paying for transport
Many cities now accept contactless cards directly at the gate or on the bus, which is easier than buying tickets. Others still use a stored value card or paper tickets that must be validated before boarding. Check which system applies, since travelling with an unvalidated ticket is a fineable offence in a lot of places.
Taxis without surprises
- 1Join the official rank rather than accepting an offer in the hall.
- 2Ask whether the fare is metered or a fixed airport rate before getting in.
- 3Confirm the driver will accept card if you have no cash.
- 4Show the address on your phone rather than pronouncing it.
- 5Keep the receipt, which usually has the vehicle number if you leave something behind.
Arriving late at night
Rail links often stop before midnight, and night buses can be infrequent. If your flight lands late, plan a taxi or a prebooked transfer, and tell your accommodation your expected arrival time so reception is staffed or you get access instructions.
Luggage considerations
Public transport is great with a cabin bag and unpleasant with two large suitcases and a change of trains. Factor stairs and interchanges into your decision, not just price. If the hotel is a fifteen minute walk from the station over cobbles, a taxi from the station may still be worth it.
Finally, download an offline map and your route before you leave the airport wifi. Doing it on the platform with one bar of signal is how people end up on the wrong train.
Common questions
- Is the airport express always worth the extra cost?
- Not always. A normal commuter train is often only slightly slower for a fraction of the price. Compare both.
- Should I prebook a transfer?
- It is worth it for late arrivals, large groups, or destinations where taxi scams are common. Otherwise the official rank is fine.
- Can I use ride hailing at every airport?
- No. Some airports ban it or restrict it to specific zones. Check the airport website before you land.
Still stuck on something?
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