Usually rail: dedicated airport trains (Heathrow Express, Airport Express HKG, Narita Express, KLIA Ekspres) are fastest; metro and commuter rail are cheapest. Taxis win late at night, with heavy bags, or in cities without rail (LAX, MIA). Check flat-fare taxi rules before you queue.
Rail first: most big airports have a train that beats traffic — Zurich (10 min), Heathrow (15 min express / 35 min Elizabeth line), Frankfurt (12 min S-Bahn), Hong Kong (24 min), Kuala Lumpur (28 min), Tokyo Haneda (20 min), Sydney (13 min), Atlanta (15 min MARTA).
Metro/commuter: cheapest option at CDG (RER B), LIS, MAD, IST (M11), BKK (Airport Rail Link), DXB, SIN.
Taxi/rideshare: best late at night, with a group, or where rail is weak (LAX, MIA, GRU, ORD at 3 a.m.). Many cities have flat fares to the centre — confirm before you get in.
Airport buses: good value with luggage (Munich, Narita limousine bus, Istanbul Havaist).
Every airport guide here has a transport table with realistic times.
Related questions
How early should I get to the airport?
Two hours before a domestic flight, three before an international one, and add 30–45 minutes at mega-hubs, on holiday weekends, or if you're checking bags. PreCheck/Fast Track lets you trim about 30 minutes. Full answer →
Can I leave the airport during a layover?
Often yes, if you can legally enter the country, your bags are checked through, and you have enough time — usually six hours or more. Subtract immigration, transit both ways and a 90-minute return buffer before deciding. Full answer →
Airline, airport and government rules change without notice. Treat this as a starting point and confirm with the airline or authority for your specific trip. Request a correction if something is out of date.