Airport transfers can destroy your travel budget before you've even left the terminal. A taxi from JFK to Manhattan costs $70+ (before tip). A cab from CDG to Paris runs €55-70. And don't get me started on London's Heathrow Express at £25 one way.
But here's the thing: locals almost never take these options. They know the budget routes—the ones that cost a fraction of the price and often aren't much slower. Here's what we've learned.
The Golden Rule: Public Transit First
Almost every major airport has a public transit connection. It might take a bit longer, but the savings are dramatic:
| Route | Taxi/Express | Public Transit | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK → Manhattan | $70+ | $8.75 (AirTrain + Subway) | 87% |
| CDG → Paris | €55 | €11.80 (RER B) | 79% |
| Heathrow → London | £25 (HEX) | £5.60 (Elizabeth Line off-peak) | 78% |
| Bangkok Suvarnabhumi → City | 400฿ | 45฿ (Airport Rail Link) | 89% |
Night Buses: The Insomniac's Friend
When you land at 1am and the trains have stopped, you don't have to take a €70 taxi. Many airports run night bus services:
Paris CDG: The Noctilien N140 and N143 run all night to Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est. Cost: €2.50 with a Navigo card.
London: Night Tube on the Piccadilly Line now serves Heathrow 24/7 on weekends. The N9 night bus runs from Heathrow to central London for £1.75.
Berlin: The X9 and TXL buses run until late, and night buses take over after midnight. A single ticket (€2.80) covers you.
Shared Shuttles: Split the Cost
If you're traveling solo or as a pair, shared shuttles offer private-car convenience at bus prices. The trade-off: you'll make stops at other passengers' hotels.
Where they work best:
- Airport to city center with multiple hotel stops
- Late-night arrivals when public transit is limited
- When you have heavy luggage
Where to book:
- SuperShuttle (US and international)
- Go Airlink NYC
- Terravision (Europe)
- Airport Bus Express (various European cities)
The "Locals Only" Options
Every airport has that one option tourists never find:
Bangkok: The A1 bus to Mo Chit BTS costs just 30 baht (under $1) and takes you directly to the Skytrain network. Tourists take the 450-baht Rail Link; locals take this.
Mexico City: The Metrobús Line 4 goes from Terminal 1 to downtown for 30 pesos ($1.50). Taxis quote $20+.
Istanbul: The Havaist bus network connects both airports to dozens of city destinations for around 130 TL ($4). Same route by taxi: $50+.
Singapore: Public bus 36 runs from Changi to the city for $2.50. The train (MRT) is even cheaper at $2.
When to Actually Take the Taxi
Sometimes the budget option isn't worth it:
-
You're in a group of 3-4. Split a taxi and it's often cheaper than individual transit fares.
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It's 3am and you have a 7am meeting. Sleep is worth more than $40 savings.
-
You have mobility issues or heavy luggage. The Paris Metro at rush hour with two suitcases is not a vacation.
-
The airport is actually close. Mexico City's airport is 5 km from downtown. Berlin Brandenburg is 20 km. Know the geography.
Pro Tips for 2025
Book in advance: Many airport buses and shuttles offer online discounts. Rome's SIT Bus Shuttle is €6 booked online vs €8 at the stop.
Use the official taxi apps: In Bangkok, Grab. In Spain, FREE NOW or Cabify. In China, Didi. Fixed prices, no negotiation, no "broken meter" scams.
Get a local SIM or eSIM: You'll need data to navigate transit apps and book rides. Many airports have vending machines for tourist SIMs.
Check for tourist cards: Some cities offer tourist transit passes that include airport transfers. Vienna's 72-hour Vienna Card includes the S7 train from the airport.
The best airport transfer is the one that gets you to your hotel without stress or regret. Sometimes that's a taxi. Usually, it's the train the locals take.