You will most likely arrive into one of Europe major airports from America. Upon landing in a country you will have to go through boarder control or customs. You will need your passport and landing card completely filled out. Flight attendants will hand these out on the flight before you land. Some airports are adding automated security gates so you may not need to fill out a landing card. After deplaning, follow signage to baggage claim and border control.
At boarder control follow signs for non-EU or non-citizen travelers. There you will hand your passport and landing card to a border control agent, they may ask you questions about your travel, such as how long you plan to stay, is this business or pleasure, etc. They’ll stamp your passport and you may proceed to claim your baggage. If you need to change planes for another destination you may go to directly to that boarding area, providing the flight is is on the same ticket as your arrival flight and you have checked your baggage through to your final destination.
If you arrive at a Schengen member country and are going to another Schengen member country you will not need to go through boarder control again at the departing or upon arriving at your final destination airport. It is just like flying from California to Illinois. For Schengen countries check our page on ➾ Schengen Agreement.
Obtaining Local Currency …
Shortly after your arrival at your final destination, you will need local currency. You have several options to either get local currency from your bank before you depart or upon arrival. Check with your local bank about their currency rates and foreign transaction fees. If you wait until you arrive at the airport you may use an ATM or or Currency Exchange booth. Please go to our ➾ Money & Banking page for more detailed information on exchanging for local currency. For information on ATM’s go to our ➾ Credit and Debit Card page. You can locate ATM’s at airports by going to our ➾ Airports in Europe page and click on the country and city airport to open their web page. Open terminal maps where you’ll find the locations for all these services.
Public Transportation from the Airport…
You may have multiple choices for transportation from your arrival airport to your hotel or other destination. That choice could depend on the location you are traveling to. In major cities public transit like the metro, tram or bus will get you very close to minimize your waking with baggage. If no transit stops are close there are always taxis and ride share services.
Express
Express services can typically be a train or bus with no stops until they reach the center of the city. This is the quickest way into the city but, more costly than other forms of public transit and may not drop you close to your final destination.. The waypoint is usually a main train station or city center.
Rail Service, train, subway or tram
Depending on which airport you’re at this could be your best option as many cities have extensive services. Travel time and cost is very good.
Bus
This is usually the lowest in cost but you may need to transfer to another bus depending on your final destination. Many buses serving airports have racks for luggage, others do not.
Rede Share
Services like Uber, Lyft, are available in most areas but, check prior to your arrival as some airports have a ban on them picking up and dropping off on airport property.
Taxi
Always a good choice for door to door deliver but, is more costly that other transportation. There are usually flat fees from most airports to the city so ask your driver before you enter the taxi. There are scammers that will over charge you. Heavy traffic will mean a longer travel time. Try ➾ Taxi Fare Finder for cost.
Shuttle
This a good door to door option but, you will have to share a mini van with others passengers. Shuttles will try to coordinate all the passenger stops to the same area of the city. You may be the first or last one dropped off at your destination. Heavy traffic will mean a longer travel time.
Limousine
This is the most comfortable and plushestbut, also the most costliest. Again, heavy traffic will make for longer trip but, who cares your traveling first class door to door. Airport web sites can provide contacts for reserving a service.
After claiming your baggage signs should be visible for transportation services. Follow those signs for trains, buses, metro, shuttles, taxis, etc.Transportation information for some Europe’s largest arrival airports are listed below. Levels of transportation services and their cost, travel times into the city are provided. We have omitted private shuttles and limos from the listings as you will need to contact those services directly to establish accurate travel times and cost. For information please go to our ➾Airports in Europe page, scroll down to find the country and city airport and click to open their web page were you will find all transportation information.
(approximate travel time in minutes / cost in local currency) Bus and taxi time are with normal traffic flow. Times will be more during congested traffic periods.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam – Schipol (AMS)
- Train: NS Sprinter (to Amsterdam Centraal station)16-18 min. €5,20 ticket/ €4,20 w/OV card/
- Bus: Airport express bus #397, (to Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, and Leidseplein). 15 min. €6,50/ w/OV car €3,55. Night Bus #97, 39 min.
- Taxi: (to city center) 25 min. €40 – 50
- Shuttle: Connexxion Shuttle hours 6:00-21:00 €15,50/25,00 one-way/return
- Airport Web Site
🇬🇷 Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)
- Train: Trainose towards Piraeus, 41 min. €11,00
- Metro: Metro OASA 3 blue line (to central Syntagma and Monastiráki stations). 42 min. €11,00 one-way
- Bus: AOSA X 95 (to Syntagma Square) 1 hr. 10 min. €7,00, X93 (to Kifissos Coach Station, X96 to Piraeus Port).
- Taxi: 36-40 min., €40-80
- Airport Web Site
🇪🇸 Barcelona – El Prat (BAC)
- Train: Rodalies R-2 North (to Passieg de Gràcia station), 27 min. €4,10. Train station located across from terminal 2.
- Metro; TMB LS9 (to Zona Universitària) 26 min. €4,00. Stations located at terminal 1 main floor & across from terminal 2, floor 1.
- Bus; Aerobus shuttle buslines 1 & A2 (express to Plaça Catalunya). Also line #46 (to Plaza España) 35-40 min, €5,90-10,20 single/return
- Taxi; (to city center) 15 – 20 min. €29,-39,
- Airport Web Site
🇩🇪 Berlin – Tegel (TXL)
- Train / Metro; No direct service
- Bus; VBB TXL (to Berlin Hbf) 28 – 40 min. €2,80. TX 9 (to Zoologischer Hbf) 16-20 min. €2,80. Bus stops are located right outside Terminal A and B.
- Taxi; (to city center) 30 – 40 min. €25,00.
- Airport Web Site
🇧🇪 Brussels (BRU)
- Train: 6 Belgium IC trains departures every hour.(to Nord, City Center & Midi stations) 15-19 min / €8,90. The train station is located directly under the departures and arrivals halls, at level -1. The platform is easily reached by lift or escalator.
- Bus; De Lijn bus lines 12 & 21 ( to City Center) 30 min. €4. Bus line 272 & 471 (to Brussels Nord Station). The bus station is located one floor down from the Arrivals Hall, at level 0. The escalator or elevator provides easy access to the bus station.
- Taxi; (to city center) 18-30 min. €45.
- Airport Web Site
🇩🇰 Copenhagen – Kastrup (CPH)
- Train: DSB trains (to Copenhagen Central station) 13 min. Kr 36) Orensundståg trains (to Malmö, Sweden). 24 min. 122 kr. Station located in front of terminal 3
- Metro: Metro M2 (to Nørreport Station) 15 min. Kr36) The metro station is located in a covered, direct extension of Terminal 3. The Metro runs at 4–6 minute intervals during the day and evening hours, at 15–20 minute intervals at night.
- Bus: DOTLine 5A (to Copenhagen Central & Nørreport stations) 30-25 min / 36. Bus terminal located outside terminal 2.
- Taxi: (to city center) 20 min. Kr 250-300
- Airport Web Site
🇮🇪 Dublin (DUB)
- Bus: Airlink (to City center, Heuston and Connolly stations.) 50 min. – 1 hr. €6,10 – 9,15) Air Coach to Trinity College/Grafton St.) 30 min. €8,00 oneway / €13,50 return. Buses pick up out in front of terminal 1, past parking structure.
- Taxi: (to city center) 20 min.€20,00 – 30,00
- Airport Web Site
🇩🇪 Dusseldorf (DUS)
- Express Train: VRR(to Düsseldorf hbf) 6 min. Sky Tain connects railway station to terminal.
- Train: DB Regional (to Düsseldorf hbf) 12 min. €7,50.
- Metro: S11 train (to Düsseldor-Wehrhahn station) for Rheinbahn U-Bahn #73 (to Düsseldorf Benrather Straße or Heinrich-Heine-Allee) 5 min. €2.50
- Bus: Line #721 Gother Weg(to Düselldorf hbf) 21 min. €3,00. The bus station is located in front of the main Arrivals hall.
- Taxi: (to city center) 20 min. €30,00 – 40,00.
- Airport Web Site
🇩🇪 Frankfurt am Main (FRA)
- Train: RMV S-Bahnlines S8 & S9 (to Frankfurt Hbf) 15 min. €14,50. S9 (also westbound to Mainz & Wiesbaden) Regional Express lines #RE59, RE2 & RE3 (to Frankfurt Hbf) 10 min. €14,50.
- Bus: FlixBus (to Frankfurt Central Station). 20 min. €6,00. Bus station opposite terminal 1 arrivals level and terminal 2 on level 2.
- Taxi: (to city center) 20-30 min. €30,00
- Airport Web Site
🇩🇪 Hamburg Fuhlsbuettel (HAM)
- Train: S-Bahn S1 (to Hamburg hbf) 25 min. €3,00. The station is directly in front of the terminals and is quick and easy to reach by elevator, by escalator, and by stairs.
- Metro: U-Bahn U1 (to Hamburh hbf)
- Bus: HVV #606 (to city center) 42 min. €5,00.
- Taxi: (30 min / €25.)
- Airport Web Site
🇫🇮 Helsinki – Vantaa (HEL)
- Train: HSL Line I (to Helsinki ) 56 min. min. €2,80-€5,00. Departs from platforms 1 & 3. Line P (to Helsinki) 63 min. €2,80-€5.00. Departs from platforms 16 & 18. Train station entrance is between terminals 1 & 2.
- Bus Finnair City Bus (Eliel Square – Central Rail Station) 35 min. €6,80/€12,60 oneway/return.Departs from bus platform 51 at T2. HSL Line #415 (to Elielinaukio) 61 min. €4,60. #615 (to Rautatientori) 35 min. #617 (to Hakaniemi) 38 min. Departs from bus platform 52 & 53 at T2.
- Taxi: (to center center) 30 min. €30,00 – 40,00
- Airport Web Site
🇹🇷 Istanbul (IST)
- Metro: Metro Istanbul future Line M11.
- Bus: Havaist İST 1(to Aksaray-Istanbul) 110 min. ₺ 18.00. All buses depart from -2 level which is one floor below the arrivals level.
- Taxi: (to City Center) 35 – 53 min. ₺ 25.00- 45.00
- Airport Web Site
🇵🇹 Lisbon (LIS)
- Metro: Lisbon Metro Red line (to Alameda station for green metro transfer/ to Saldanha station for yellow metro transfer / to São Sebastião station for blue metro transfer) 16 – 20 min. €1.90.
- Bus: Aerobus 1(to Lisbon Martim Moniz) 20 min. €3,50
- Taxi: (to city center) 20 min. €10,00 – 15,00
- Airport Web Site
🇬🇧 London – Heathrow (LHR)
- Express Train: Heathrow Express (to Paddington station) 20 – 15 min. £20. Transfer to Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City underground or bus lines from Paddington. Departs every 15 min. from terminals 5 and 3 only.
- Metro: Picadilly Line ( to Picadilly Curcus) 67 min. £3. – 6. Transfer to multiple underground and bus lines from stations.
- Bus: National Express (direct to Victoria Station) 1 hr. 20 min. £5.00
- Taxi: (to central London ) 60 min. £45.-70.
- Airport Web Site
🇬🇧 London – Gatwick (GTW)
- Express Train: Gatwick Express (to Victoria station) 30 min. £18.-35. Transfer to Victoria, Circle, District underground or bus lines from Victoria Station.
- Bus: National Express (to Victoria Station) 60 min. £ 8 Transfer to multiple underground and bus lines from stations.
- Taxi: (to central London ) 60-70 min. £70. – 90.
- Airport Web Site
🇪🇸 Madrid – Barajas International (MAD)
- Express; Renfe C1 (30/€2.25-4.80)
- Train / Metro; Metro L8 (12 min / €5)
- Bus; Aeropuerto Exp. (15-35 min / €5)
- Taxi; (15-20 min / €30)
- Airport Web Site
🇮🇹 Milan – Malpensa (MXP)
- Express Train: Malpensa Express (one to Milano Centrale & one to Milano Cadorna every 15 min.) 45 – 50 min. €13,00. Train stations are located in both Terminal 1 & 2.
- Bus: Malpensa Shuttle, Terravision, STIE buses (to city center) 50 min. €10,00 – 12,00. Buses pick up outside arrivals at both terminal 1 & 2.
- Taxi: (to city center) 45-50 min. €90,00.
- Airport Web Site
🇷🇺 Moscow – Domodedovo (DME)
- Express; Aeroexpress (45-50/400 ₽)
- Train / Metro; Moscow Paveletskaya (70 min /92 ₽)
- Bus; ExpressBus (25-30 min /80 ₽)
- Taxi; (90 min /1500-2200 ₽)
- Airport Web Site
🇷🇺 Moscow – Sheremetyevo (SVO)
- Express; Aeroexpress (35/400 ₽)
- Train / Metro; Metro #7 or #2 (60 ₽)
- Bus; Buses 949 to Panernaya or
- #817 to Rechniy vokzal(10 min /75 ₽)
- Taxi; (90 min /1500-2200 ₽)
- Airport Web Site
🇩🇪 Munich – Franz Josef Strauss (MUC)
- Train: MVV DB regional (to Munich Hbf station) S1 west side of the city with stops at Neufahrn & Laim. S8 to the east side of the city with stops at Ostbahnhof & Marienplatz. 45 min. €11,60. Trains depart alternatively every 10 minutes from terminals 1 and 2. Station located in T1 level 3.
- Bus: Lufthansa Airport Bus (to Munich Hbf station) 35 min. €10,50 – 17,00. Buses located at level 3 in buildings T1 & T2.
- Taxi: (to city center) 40 min. €50,00. Taxis at T2 level 3.
- Airport Web Site
🇳🇴 Oslo – Gardermoen (OSL)
- Train / Metro; Airport Express Train (19 min /Kr160)
- Bus; Flybussen (60 min / Kr 160 – 250)
- Taxi; (30-40 min / Kr 610-720)
- Airport Web Site
🇫🇷 Paris – Charles De Guell (CDG)
- Light Rail: RER “B” (to Châtelet – Les Halles) 35-39 min. €11,70. This suburban train has a stop in Charles de Gaulle Airport which connects the airport with Gare du Nord and Paris-Châtelet located in downtown every 10 up to 20 minutes. You can board the RER at Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2 TGV Station and at both Terminal 1 level 5, Terminal 3 and Roissypôle.
- Bus: Le Bus Line 2 Tour Eiffel (to Porte Maillot//Place de l’Etoile/Torcedoro) 45-60 min. €18,00. At terminal 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F and also Terminal 3 SNCF Line N143 (to Gare De L’Est & Gare Du Nord) 32 min.
- Taxi: 35-50 min. €60,00-70,00.
- Airport Web Site
🇫🇷 Paris – Orly (ORY)
- Train: Orlyval (go to Antony station) transfer to RER “B” at Antony station. Orlyval station located at terminal 4.
- Metro: RER “B” (to St-Michel-Notre Dame from Antony Station) 38 min / €11.65)
- Bus: Le Bus Line 1 Place de l’Etoile (to Gare Montparnasse/ Trocedero) 45-60 min. €18,00
- Taxi: (to city center) 35-50 min. €50.00-70.00
- Airport Web Site
🇨🇿 Prague – Václav Havel (PRA)
- Express; Airport Express AE (32/Kč 60.)
- Train / Metro; Metro A to Dejvická to Bus 119
- Metro B to Zličin to Bus 100 (14-20 min / Kč 32)
- Bus; Night Bus 510 (42 min / Kč 32)
- Taxi; ( / Kč 650-850)
- Airport Web Site
🇮🇹 Rome – Leonardo Da Vinci Fiumicino (FCO)
- Express Train: Leonardo Express ( to Rome Termini) 30 min. €16.00. Train station is 400 meters straight in front of terminal 3.
- Train: Trenitalia Freece FL1 Regional trains stop at Rome Ostiense, Trastevere and Tiburtina stations only. Transfer to metro or bus lines from these stations.
- Bus: Cotral, Terravision & Sit Bus Shuttel(all service to Rome Termini Via Marsala) T.A.M. bus & Rome Airportbus ( both to Rome Termini Via Giovanni Giolitt) 1 hr. €5,00 – 6,90 The buses stop at the BUS hub adjacent to the Terminal 3 exits.
- Taxi: (to city center within Aurelian Walls) 40-60 min. €48,00.
- Airport Web Site
🇷🇺 Saint Petersburg – Pulkovo (LED)
- Express; No
- Train / Metro; None
- Bus; #39 or 39ex (45 min / 40 ₽)
- Taxi; (24 min / 1050 ₽)
- Airport Web Site
🇸🇪 Stockholm – Arlanda (ARN)
- Express; Arlanda Express (15/ SEK 260-490)
- Train / Metro; SL 38 (30 min /Kr125)
- Bus; Bus 583 to train SL 36 (65 min /Kr 60)
- Taxi; (40 min / Kr 450-520)
- Airport Web Site
🇮🇹 Venice – Marco Polo (VCE)
- Water Taxi: Alilaguna Blue, Orange and Red Lines ( stops at various docks in Venice) €8,00-15.00 oneway / return. 58 min.t0 1 hr 12 min. depending on final destination. Departs from airport Dock (on exiting from the Arrivals hall, look for the covered walkway on the left and follow the walkway for 7 minutes until you reach the dock)
- Bus; ACTV Line 5 (to Piazzale Roma) 23 min. €8,00. Departs in front of the terminal
- Taxi: (to Venice) 20 min. €40.- 55. Departs in front of the terminal
- Airport Web Site
🇦🇹 Vienna (VIE)
- Express: City Airport Train (to Landstraße / Wien Mitte Station) 16 min. €19,00. Tran station is located in front of terminal 1 level 0.
- Train: ÖBB regional train (to Wien Mitte ) 55 min. €6,00.
- Bus: Vienna Airport Lines (to Wien Mitte or Wein hbf stations) 40 min. €8,00. Bus stop located on level 0 in front of terminal 3.
- Taxi: (to city center) 20 min. €40,00 – 55,00.
- Airport Web Site
🇨🇭 Zürich (ZRH)
- Express: Swiss Federal (to Zürich Hbf station.) 10 min. CHF 6,60 Follow signs to train station and down escalators from shopping mall.
- Train: SBB S-Bahn S2, S16, S24 (makes stops before Zürich Hbf station) 12 min. CHF 3,30
- Tram; VBZ Tram #10 (to Zürich Hbf station) 37 min. CHF 6,60. Tram #11( to Stettbach station)
- Bus: Bus line #10 (to Zürich Hbf station) Night Bus 29 min. Covered bus station is located outside terminal check-in-areas.
- Taxi: (to city center) 20 min. CHF 75,00.
- Airport Web Site