Getting to Town From the Airport
Immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks, airports made security changes that placed strict limitations on ground transportation companies. In some cases, limousine service was curtailed; in others, shuttle locations were altered and bus schedules changed. Travelers found it more difficult than ever to figure out how to get from the airport to downtown.
Many of the new rules have since been relaxed. But the situation is evolving, so it’s important to contact companies in advance to confirm your ground transportation plans.
Here is some basic information for a sampling of major airports, adapted from Salk International’s 2002 Airport Transit Guide,
ATLANTA
Atlanta (Hartsfield) International Airporthttps://www.atlanta-airport.com.
Shuttle: $14 downtown; (770) 932-9127.
Train: MARTA train from the South Terminal to downtown, $1.75; (404) 848-4711.
CHICAGO
O’Hare International Airport
Taxi: $33 to $40; share-a-cab, $19 each.
Shuttle/coach: Continental Airport Express to downtown hotels, $20; (312) 454-7800.
Train: CTA Blue Line train from terminal inside O’Hare (follow rail-car signs) to the Loop (downtown), $1.50. Often faster than cabs during rush hour; a good choice for travelers with carry-on luggage; (312) 836-7000.
HONOLULU
Honolulu International Airport
Taxi: $15 to business district, $22 to $26 to Waikiki.
Shuttle/coach: Waikiki Express drops off at most hotels in Waikiki, $8; (808) 566-7333.
Bus: No. 19 or No. 20 to downtown and Waikiki, $1.50. Baggage must be small enough to place on lap or under seat.
LAS VEGAS
McCarran International Airport
Taxi: $9 to $18 to the Strip, $18 to $25 to downtown.
Shuttle: Several companies stop at all major hotels; $4 to $5 to the Strip, $5 to $7 to downtown.
Bus: $1.25. LONDON
Heathrow Airport
For all public transit information, 011-44-20-7222-1234.
Taxi: Fare to central London, 38 pounds ($54).
Shuttle (coach): Airbus A1 to Victoria Station, Airbus A2 to Russell Square, Euston Station; 8 pounds ($11.50).
Train: Heathrow Express (15 minutes) to London Paddington Station, 12 pounds ($17.50);
Underground: Heathrow terminals are stations on the Piccadilly line. Moving walkways accommodate baggage carts to Underground stations, but there may be stairs at some exits. Buy ticket at counter or from machine, 3.60 pounds ($5.20) to Piccadilly.
MEXICO CITY
Benito Juárez Airport
Taxi: Fare to Zona Rosa, 150 pesos ($16). Buy ticket at Authorized Taxi Service booth in baggage claim area. Authorized cabs are white and yellow with an airplane logo. Authorities caution against using unauthorized cabs.
Shuttle: Hotel van service, 200 pesos ($21.50).
Train: Subway entrance is one block to left outside terminal, marked by an “M”; 1.5 pesos (17 cents). NEW YORK
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Airport transit information, (800) AIR-RIDE (247-7433).
The Port Authority advises travelers not to accept rides from anyone who approaches you in the terminal unless you have made prior arrangements.
Taxi: Flat rate (one way only) from airport to Manhattan, $35 plus tolls.
Shuttle/coach: SuperShuttle Manhattan ($15) or Express Shuttle USA ($14) to Manhattan on demand. See Ground Transportation Information counter in terminal or use courtesy phone to arrange a ride.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
Newark International Airport
Taxi: To Manhattan, $34 to $55 plus tolls.
Bus: Olympia Trails Express Bus to midtown Manhattan (Grand Central Terminal, 41st Street and Park Avenue, or Penn Station, 34th Street and 8th Avenue), $11; (212) 964-6233.
Express Shuttle USA to Manhattan on demand, $14. See Ground Transportation Information counter in terminal or use courtesy phone to arrange a ride. OAKLAND
Oakland International Airport
Taxi: To San Francisco, $45 to $50.
Train: Air-BART shuttle from center island outside terminal to BART station, $2. (Use ticket machine inside terminal; drivers do not accept cash.) BART fare to downtown San Francisco, $2.75 (use ticket machine); (510) 465- BART. Bay Area transit information, (510) 817-1717.
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco International AirportGround transport information, (650) 817-1717.
Taxi: About $32 to downtown, $38 to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Shuttle/coach: SFO Airporter to downtown hotels, $12; (415) 495-8404. Several firms operate door-to-door service by prior arrangement from courtesy phones. Fare to the city, $10 to $17; to Marin County, $20 to $75. Marin Door-to-Door, (415) 457- 2717.
Bus: SamTrans No. 292 North to 1st Street at Mission terminal, downtown; fare, $1.10.
Train: SamTrans No. BX bus to BART station; fare, $1.10. BART fare to downtown, $2.25. SEATTLE
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Taxi: To downtown, $28 to $32.
Shuttle/coach: Gray Line Airport Express to downtown, stops at hotels, $8.50; (206) 626-6088. Shuttle Express door-to-door van service on demand; to downtown, $21. Customer service counter is on the third floor of the parking garage; (206) 622-1424.
Bus: Metro No. 174/194 to downtown, $1.25 to $2.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Kingsford Smith AirportGround transport information:
Taxi: Fare to city center, 25 Australian dollars ($13.50).
Train: Airport Link service to city center, 10 Australian dollars ($5.40).
TOKYO, JAPAN
New Tokyo International Airport (Narita)
Taxi: To downtown, a one- to two-hour ride, 20,000 yen ($153).
Train: Skyliner Express from Keisei Station (under Terminals 1 and 2) to Keisei Ueno Station, 1,920 yen ($15); purchase tickets at airport counter. WASHINGTON
Dulles International Airport
Taxi: $50 to downtown; for other destinations call Washington Flyer Taxi, (703) 661-6655.
Shuttle/coach: Washington Flyer bus to West Falls Church Metro Station; $8 one way, $14 round trip; (703) 685-1400. Super Shuttle van service, $22 to downtown; (703) 416-7873.
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