Cities Where the Airport Train Easily Beats Highway Traffic
In London (Heathrow Express 15 mins / Elizabeth Line 32 mins), Tokyo (Haneda Monorail 13 mins / Keisei Skyliner 36 mins), Hong Kong (Airport Express 24 mins), Amsterdam (NS Train 15 mins), Zurich (SBB 10 mins), Copenhagen (M2 Metro 13 mins), and New York (JFK AirTrain + LIRR to Grand Central/Penn 28 mins), dedicated rail is far faster and more predictable than road traffic.
Cities with Fixed-Rate Regulated Airport Taxis
Paris CDG enforces legal flat taxi rates (€56 Right Bank / €65 Left Bank), Rome FCO enforces a €55 fixed fare inside the Aurelian Walls, Madrid MAD charges a €33 flat fare inside the M-30 ring, and New York JFK sets a flat $70 base fare (+ tolls/surcharges) to Manhattan.
Choosing Hotel Neighborhoods Near Direct Airport Rail Hubs
Staying within a 5-minute walk of an express airport train terminal—such as Paddington/Farringdon in London, Tokyo Station/Shinjuku in Tokyo, Roma Termini in Rome, or Wien Mitte in Vienna—eliminates costly transfers with heavy luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tap a contactless credit card or Apple Pay on airport trains?
Yes—London (Elizabeth Line/Tube/Heathrow Express), New York (OMNY + AirTrain), Amsterdam (OVpay), Copenhagen, Stockholm, Sydney, and Singapore all accept direct contactless credit card / Apple Pay tap-in and tap-out.
Where can I check airport transit times for my destination hotel?
Every city card in our Homepage Hotel & Stay Explorer and our /hotels/* and /airports/* guides lists the exact rail and taxi transfer times from the airport.