Guide: airport to city public transport around the world

[MEL_Traveller]

Doesn't cover everywhere but I thought this was a handy guide for public transport options from major airports around the world. Also covers US domestic airports.

How to use public transportation to get into the city from U.S. and international airports

 

[Himeno]

I like using public transport to/from the airport and location in relation to public transport stations/hubs is one of the factors which goes into selecting accommodation. The only times I've gone for alternative transport where an airport train/bus exists is when I don't want to deal with train connections when I have an extra bag (well, large box) of checked baggage and dealing with all my bags becomes unwieldy on the train.

I have around 20 of the smart payment cards for public transport networks around the planet now. I just swap out cards when I go back to a city. (Canberra, Melbourne, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, London, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Washington, etc)

 

[leadman]

As a person that has never sat in the drivers seat of a car, Public Transport across the world is a big key to my travels. Whilst i like to see these articles i would also like to see them expanded in giving the pro's and con's too. For example at Oakland the BART is good to use, but it takes effort to get across to the station, up and over, then have to transfer at the BART line. BKK is good example where someone with a lot of luggage should understand it can be a bit of a nightmare getting off at Phaya Thai. Getting out of the station its only steps and I've seen many people struggle getting their bags down those stairs (in 100% humidity and 40C heat). Then the march across to the BTS, many of those stations are not bag friendly (Victory Monument can be a big challenge). If I'm travelling will little luggage and bit of time i will do the airport link, but generally a taxi to Sukhumvit saving a lot of time and only 200 baht more.

 

[SFSC]

I found To and From the Airport.com a big help over the years.

To and From the Airport.com - Transportation from and to airports

 

[leadman]

This looks like a brilliant site. I know I'm asking too much but as you get older it would be good to see a type of a "degree of difficulty" added and it would almost be the complete travel guide via public transport. Victory Monument in BKK almost killed me the other week.

 

[JohnK]

Victory Monument in BKK almost killed me the other week.

I remember once coming back with the minibus from Hua Hin to Victory monument and getting to the BTS which is on the other side of Victory Monument with 20kgs luggage, golf bag in golf travel bag without wheels and also carry bag. No lifts. Hot. Tired from the squashed seats in the full minibus. Took me more than 30 minutes. I had to stop 3-4 times. The stairs were a killer. People walking past me thought I was going to die.

I don't mind carting luggage around but can get difficult at times.

 

[serfty]

I'm an avid PT user. I've been researching getting to Town from AKL without paying the AirBus tax. Looks like the iHop may be my friend ... (I have time).

I'll be using my Myki to get to and from MEL for that trip.

 

[moa999]

I've been researching getting to Town from AKL without paying the AirBus tax.

Bus + train is quite easy, particularly if staying around Britomart (and often quicker than SkyBus). Papatoetoe on South/East line plus 380 has most frequent services, but 380 and Onehunga also possible.

You do want to have an AT Hop card though to get the transfer benefits ($4.80 total) versus over $10 cash fare.

Decent journey planner -
Journey planner

The downside is the card costs NZ$10 with no credit...
(Making Myki look cheap)

 

[dajop]

Doesn't cover everywhere but I thought this was a handy guide for public transport options from major airports around the world. Also covers US domestic airports.

How to use public transportation to get into the city from U.S. and international airports

Good guide, although perhaps a little light on. Maybe we could create an AFF (wiki) version where we can share tips and experiences? I am sure we could collectively cover many cities.

 

[codash1099]

IHateTaxis.com: A Travelers' Safe Ground Transportation Guide

 

[drross]

Couldn’t find a forum about getting around airports, so posted here and hopefully a moderator will repost in the correct thread.

just transitted from T1 at CDG to T2F. Rapidly through immigration; bags out quickly; and transit train between all the terminals was excellent - rapid, clean, not smelly. We expected 90 minutes+ plus but only took 25minutes from deplaning to seeing our bags go on the convey belt for our flight to Budapest…awesome

 

[SYD]

The BART between SFO and the City (eg Union Sq/Powell) is currently US$10 each way but you can now get a Clipper card on your Apple or Google Pay wallets for free. Can also be used on MUNI buses and trams/lightrail.

The Bay Area's all-in-one transit card

Clipper is the all-in-one transit card used for contactless fare payments throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

www.clippercard.com

Gone are the days of arriving at SFO schlepping to the Info desk to buy a US$3 physical Clipper card before catching the BART.

There‘s also the ability to load a $5 MUNI day pass. I’m still using a physical card from years ago so I haven’t worked out how to buy and load one but it would be good value if doing a lot of trips around in one day (although there are free timed transfers).