Airport to the city centre: how to get into town, city by city

From Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the RER B train runs to central stations like Gare du Nord and Châtelet in about 30 to 40 minutes for roughly €12, the fastest value option. From Orly (ORY), Metro line 14 now runs directly into the city, alongside the Orlyval-plus-RER and the Orlybus.

Taxis from CDG and Orly to central Paris are a fixed flat fare (set by the city), which is predictable and worth it for groups or late arrivals, though slower in traffic.

Worth knowing: Paris taxis charge a fixed flat rate to the centre, so you know the price up front; the RER or Metro is far cheaper.

Source: Paris Aéroport (official)

Plan things to do in Paris

From Heathrow, the Piccadilly line (Underground) reaches central London in about 50 to 60 minutes and is the cheapest option with a contactless tap; the Elizabeth line is faster, and the Heathrow Express is fastest (about 15 minutes to Paddington) but costs much more. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express and regular trains reach Victoria in about 30 minutes.

Just tap a contactless card or phone at the gates rather than buying paper tickets, and a daily cap limits what you pay. Black cabs and rideshares are far pricier and slower in traffic.

Worth knowing: Tap a contactless card or phone for the cheapest fare and an automatic daily cap; avoid buying paper tickets.

Source: Transport for London (official)

Plan things to do in London

From Fiumicino (FCO), the Leonardo Express train runs non-stop to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes for around €14, the simplest way in. Cheaper regional trains also serve some city stations. From Ciampino (CIA), shuttle buses connect to Termini.

A taxi from Fiumicino to the centre is a fixed flat fare set by the city, which is fair for groups; ignore unofficial drivers touting inside the terminal.

Worth knowing: Rome’s airport taxis to the centre have a set flat fare, so agree it is the official rate and avoid touts in the arrivals hall.

Source: Aeroporti di Roma (official)

Plan things to do in Rome

From El Prat (BCN), the Aerobús express coach reaches Plaça de Catalunya in about 35 minutes for around €7, running frequently. The Metro line L9 Sud and the R2 Nord train are alternatives, with the metro needing a specific airport ticket.

A taxi to the centre takes 20 to 30 minutes and is reasonable for a group with luggage; the Aerobús is the easy default for most.

Worth knowing: The Metro L9 needs a special airport fare, not a standard single; the Aerobús is simpler for a first visit.

Source: Aena: Barcelona Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Barcelona

From Barajas (MAD), Metro line 8 runs to the city with a small airport supplement on top of the normal fare, and the Cercanías C-1 train serves some central stations. The yellow Airport Express bus runs 24 hours for around €5, to Atocha by day and to Plaza de Cibeles overnight, handy for late or early flights.

A taxi from the airport to the centre is a fixed flat fare set by the city, predictable and fair for groups.

Worth knowing: The Metro charges an extra airport supplement; the 24-hour Express bus is a cheap option for odd-hour arrivals.

Source: Aena: Madrid Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Madrid

Schiphol could hardly be easier: trains run from the airport directly to Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 to 20 minutes for around €6, several times an hour, including overnight. The station is right under the terminal.

A taxi or rideshare takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs far more, only really worth it with heavy luggage or a group.

Worth knowing: The train is so quick and frequent that it beats a taxi for almost everyone; the station is directly beneath arrivals.

Source: Schiphol Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Amsterdam

From Brandenburg Airport (BER), the Airport Express (FEX) regional train and the S-Bahn line S9 run into the city in about 30 to 50 minutes. You need an ABC-zone ticket for around €4 to €5, since the airport is in the outer C zone.

A taxi to central Berlin takes around 30 to 45 minutes and is much pricier; the trains are the value option.

Worth knowing: The airport sits in fare zone C, so buy an ABC ticket, not the standard AB city ticket.

Source: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Berlin

From Vienna Airport (VIE), the City Airport Train (CAT) reaches Wien Mitte in 16 minutes for around €14, while the S7 suburban train takes a bit longer (about 25 minutes) for roughly €4, much cheaper for the same destination.

A taxi or rideshare into the centre takes around 20 to 30 minutes; the S7 is the budget choice and the CAT the fastest.

Worth knowing: The cheaper S7 train goes to the same station as the pricey CAT in only a few more minutes, so it is the better value.

Source: Vienna Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Vienna

Prague Airport (PRG) has no rail link yet, so the usual route is the trolleybus (line 59) to Nádraží Veleslavín and then Metro line A into the centre, around 40 minutes total on a standard transit ticket for a couple of euros. The Airport Express (AE) bus runs to the main train station.

A taxi or pre-booked transfer takes around 30 minutes; use the official airport taxi desk rather than touts to avoid being overcharged.

Worth knowing: No train to the airport; the bus-plus-metro combo on one cheap ticket is the standard way in. Book taxis at the official desk.

Source: Prague Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Prague

From Budapest Airport (BUD), the direct 100E airport bus runs to Deák Ferenc tér in the city centre in about 40 minutes. It needs a dedicated airport-bus ticket (not a standard single), bought from machines at the stop.

A taxi via the airport’s official taxi partner (Főtaxi) is a fair alternative, especially at night; avoid unmarked cars. The miniBUD shuttle is a shared-van option.

Worth knowing: The 100E bus needs its own special ticket, not a normal single; buy it before boarding.

Source: Budapest Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Budapest

Lisbon’s airport is close to the centre, and the Metro (red line) runs directly from the terminal into the city in about 20 to 30 minutes for a couple of euros, after you buy a reusable Navegante card. City Carris buses are an alternative, and taxis or app rides (TVDE) are cheap for the short hop.

A taxi or rideshare takes 15 to 25 minutes and is inexpensive by European standards, a reasonable option with luggage.

Worth knowing: You need to buy the reusable Navegante card (a small one-off charge) before tapping into the Metro.

Source: Lisbon Airport (ANA, official)

Plan things to do in Lisbon

From Porto Airport (OPO), the Metro line E (violet) runs directly into the city in about 30 to 40 minutes for a few euros, after buying a reusable Andante card. It is the simple, cheap way in.

A taxi or rideshare takes around 20 to 30 minutes and is affordable, handy if you are staying away from a metro stop.

Worth knowing: Buy the reusable Andante card and the right zone fare; the violet line E goes straight to the centre.

Source: Porto Airport (ANA, official)

Plan things to do in Porto

Marco Polo Airport (VCE) has no rail link. Express buses (ATVO and the ACTV line 5) run to Piazzale Roma, the road gateway to Venice, in about 20 to 25 minutes for around €10, where you switch to the vaporetto water buses for the islands.

For a scenic (and pricier, slower) arrival, the Alilaguna water bus goes from the airport directly to stops like San Marco in roughly 60 to 90 minutes. A private water taxi is fast but expensive.

Worth knowing: You cannot drive into Venice itself: buses reach Piazzale Roma, then you continue on foot or by vaporetto water bus.

Source: Venice Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Venice

Florence Airport (FLR) is linked to the centre by the T2 tramline, which reaches the main station area (Unità) in about 20 minutes for a couple of euros, running frequently. It is the easy, cheap option.

A taxi to the centre is a short ride with a fixed flat fare set by the city, reasonable for a group with bags.

Worth knowing: The T2 tram is quick and cheap; Florence taxis from the airport use a set flat fare to the centre.

Source: Florence Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Florence

From Athens Airport (ATH), Metro line 3 (blue) runs directly to Syntagma in the centre in about 40 minutes, on a dedicated airport fare of around €9. The cheaper X95 express bus also runs 24 hours to Syntagma.

A taxi to the centre has a fixed flat day rate (higher at night) set by the city, fair for groups; agree it is the flat fare before setting off.

Worth knowing: The Metro and X95 bus use a special airport fare; Athens airport taxis run on a set flat day/night rate.

Source: Athens International Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Athens

Dublin Airport (DUB) has no rail link, so coaches are the way in: the Dublin Express, Aircoach and Dublin Bus services run to the city centre in about 30 minutes for under €10. They are frequent and stop at the main hotels and O’Connell Street.

A taxi takes around 25 to 35 minutes and is metered; fine for a group or late arrival but pricier than the coach.

Worth knowing: There is no train to Dublin Airport; the express coaches are the standard, inexpensive way into town.

Source: Dublin Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Dublin

From JFK, the AirTrain connects to the subway (the A train, or the E via Jamaica) and the Long Island Rail Road; the subway is the cheap route into Manhattan (around an hour) and the LIRR the fastest. Newark (EWR) has its own AirTrain to NJ Transit trains, and LaGuardia (LGA) relies on buses plus the subway.

Yellow cabs from JFK to Manhattan use a fixed flat fare plus tolls and tip; convenient but much pricier than the train, and slow in rush hour.

Worth knowing: JFK yellow cabs to Manhattan charge a fixed flat fare (plus tolls and tip); the AirTrain-and-subway combo is far cheaper.

Source: JFK Airport (Port Authority, official)

Plan things to do in New York City

Harry Reid Airport (LAS) sits right next to the Strip, so a taxi or rideshare to most hotels takes only 10 to 15 minutes. There is no rail link; rideshare pickup is from a designated airport area.

The RTC public bus is a budget alternative to the Strip and downtown, but for most visitors a short cab or rideshare is the practical choice given the proximity.

Worth knowing: The airport is so close to the Strip that a quick taxi or rideshare usually makes more sense than the bus.

Source: Harry Reid International Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Las Vegas

Dubai International (DXB) is on the Metro Red line, which runs directly into the city (Downtown, Burj Khalifa and beyond) in around 30 minutes for a few dirhams, after buying a reusable Nol card. It is cheap, fast and air-conditioned.

Official airport taxis are inexpensive by international standards and run on the meter, a good option late at night or with luggage when the Metro is closed.

Worth knowing: The Metro needs a reusable Nol card and does not run very late; official metered taxis are cheap and fill the overnight gap.

Source: Dubai Airports (official)

Plan things to do in Dubai

Istanbul Airport (IST) is far from the centre (around 40 km). The M11 metro now links it toward the city, and the Havaist airport buses run to central districts like Taksim, with the whole trip taking roughly 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic and your destination.

A taxi is faster door-to-door but can be expensive given the distance; agree on the meter. Note the older Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) airport is on the Asian side and has its own metro and bus links.

Worth knowing: The airport is a long way out; allow plenty of time and use the M11 metro or a Havaist bus, paying with an Istanbulkart.

Source: Istanbul Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Istanbul

From Narita (NRT), the far airport, the Narita Express (N’EX) reaches Tokyo Station in about an hour and the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in around 45 minutes; limousine buses are a comfortable alternative. From Haneda (HND), much closer to the centre, the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu line reach the city in around 30 minutes for a few hundred yen.

Check which airport you are flying into, as it makes a big difference: Haneda is far quicker and cheaper to reach than Narita. A rechargeable Suica or Pasmo IC card makes all of these seamless.

Worth knowing: Haneda is much closer than Narita; know your airport, and use a Suica or Pasmo IC card to ride without buying tickets.

Source: Narita Airport (official)

Plan things to do in Tokyo

Milan has three airports, so check which you fly into. From Malpensa (MXP), the far main airport, the Malpensa Express train runs to Cadorna and Centrale stations in about 37 to 52 minutes for around €15 one way. From Linate (LIN), the closest, the M4 metro line now runs directly to San Babila in the centre in about 12 to 15 minutes, alongside city buses.

Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY), used by low-cost carriers, is the furthest out; shuttle buses connect it to Milano Centrale in roughly 50 to 60 minutes. Always confirm your airport, as the journey differs a lot.

Worth knowing: Know your airport: Linate is on the M4 metro and quickest; Malpensa needs the Malpensa Express; Bergamo is a bus ride away.

Source: Milan Airports (SEA, official)

Plan things to do in Milan