Last updated: October 30, 2026. Public transport and taxi prices are the official 2026 fares published by transit agencies and city authorities, checked on October 30, 2026. Fares change, so confirm before you travel.
Short answer: at most big airports, public transport costs $1–17 per person, while a taxi costs about $45–100 per car. For one or two travelers with light bags, the train is almost always the best value. For families, groups, late-night arrivals or lots of luggage, a fixed-price taxi or a pre-booked private transfer often costs about the same per person and is far easier.
6 airports compared
| Airport to city center | Public transport (per person) | Taxi (per car) |
|---|---|---|
| New York JFK – Manhattan | $11.75 (AirTrain $8.75 + subway $3) | $70 flat + surcharges, tolls and tip (often $90–110) |
| Boston Logan – downtown | Free (Silver Line SL1 bus from the airport) | Metered |
| London Heathrow – central London | £5.90 Piccadilly line; £15.50 Elizabeth line; £25 Heathrow Express | Metered, usually much more |
| Paris CDG – Paris | €14 (RER B / airport ticket) | Fixed €56 (Right Bank) or €65 (Left Bank) |
| Rome Fiumicino – center | €14 Leonardo Express; regional train cheaper | Fixed €55 inside the Aurelian Walls |
| Istanbul IST – Sultanahmet | A few dollars by metro and tram (about 75 minutes) | Metered; private transfers cost much more |
Sources: MTA/Port Authority, MBTA, Transport for London, Île-de-France Mobilités, Paris taxi fares set by decree, Roma Capitale, Istanbul transit fares; checked October 30, 2026.
More detail for each city: Boston, London, Rome and Istanbul.
When public transport wins
- You travel alone or as a couple.
- You have a carry-on and maybe one suitcase each.
- You arrive during the day and your hotel is near a station.
Example: two people from Heathrow to central London pay £11.80 on the Piccadilly line, compared with a much higher taxi fare.
When a taxi or private transfer wins
- Groups and families: a fixed €56–65 taxi from Paris CDG for four people is about €14–16 each, the same as the train, and door to door.
- Late-night arrivals, when trains run less often or not at all.
- Lots of luggage, strollers or child seats. Many pre-booked transfers can provide child seats; taxis usually cannot.
- Destinations outside the fixed-fare zone, where taxi meters can run high.
How to compare transfer prices properly
- Compare per person and per car. Public transport is priced per person, taxis and private transfers per vehicle.
- Check what is included: waiting time if your flight is late, luggage, tolls, night surcharges, meet-and-greet.
- Know the fixed taxi fares where they exist (Paris, Rome, New York JFK). A private transfer only makes sense if it is cheaper or adds something you need.
- Read the cancellation and delay rules before you pay.
- Never take a ride from someone who approaches you in the terminal. Use the official taxi rank, a ride app or your pre-booked driver. More in our guide to avoiding tourist traps.
Rental car instead?
In big cities, rarely: parking is expensive and public transport is good. For road trips, such as the Turkish coast or a US national park trip, picking up a rental car at the airport replaces the transfer entirely.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way from JFK to Manhattan?
The AirTrain plus subway: $8.75 + $3.00 = $11.75 per person in 2026. A yellow taxi is $70 flat plus surcharges, tolls and tip.
How much is a taxi from Paris CDG to the city?
A fixed €56 to the Right Bank or €65 to the Left Bank, per car, in 2026.
Is a private airport transfer worth it?
For three or four people, late arrivals, lots of luggage or child seats, often yes: the per-person cost can be close to the train. For one or two travelers with light bags, public transport is usually much cheaper.
Is there free transport from any airport?
Yes, for example the Silver Line SL1 bus from Boston Logan to South Station, which is free from the airport.
