Fares & Booking
Getting from the airport without overpaying
The transfer is where short-break budgets leak, and the options are usually clearer than they appear.
There is a settled way of talking about airport transfers. It is worth asking how much of it survives contact with the detail.
The argument in brief
- Express trains are fast and often much pricier than ordinary services.
- Official taxi ranks and app-based rides differ sharply in price by city.
- Airport buses are usually the cheapest and are frequently perfectly adequate.
Know the options before you land
Most airports have several routes to the centre at very different prices and speeds. Deciding while standing in the arrivals hall favours whichever option is marketed hardest, which is rarely the cheapest. Two minutes of research before departure removes the decision entirely.
Express versus ordinary
Dedicated airport express services are quick and can cost several times the ordinary suburban train on the same corridor. The ordinary service often takes a little longer and stops more, for a fraction of the price. On a short break the time may be worth it — but it should be a decision rather than a default.
Taxis and apps vary by city
In some cities official taxis are fixed-price and reasonable; in others they are the expensive option. Ride apps are frequently cheaper and occasionally banned or restricted at airports.
Unofficial drivers approaching arriving passengers are best declined everywhere.
Buses are underrated
Airport buses are usually the cheapest option and often drop centrally. With hand luggage only they are entirely comfortable, and the time penalty is smaller than expected. They are also the most reliable option late at night in many cities.
Count the transfer in the fare comparison
A cheaper flight to a distant airport can cost more once two transfers are added, in money and in hours. Adding transfer cost to the fare when comparing airports is the honest calculation. On short trips the time cost usually matters more than the money.
The takeaway
Decide the transfer before you fly, and add its cost to the fare when comparing airports.
The version you keep doing is the version that works.
Questions readers ask
Should I pre-book a transfer?
Rarely necessary in cities with good public transport, and useful for very late arrivals or with heavy luggage. Pre-booked private transfers are usually the most expensive option.
Are airport trains always fastest?
Not always — in some cities traffic-free bus lanes make the bus competitive, and the train may require a further connection.
