How to get to the airport by public transport

Schedules, frequency and track maintenance work

Check precisely the schedules and frequency of the service you choose for the specific time slot of your journey: many connections drastically reduce services during night hours or very early morning hours. Also check, on the public transport operator's website, any scheduled maintenance work on the line you would use, to avoid the surprise of a diverted route on your departure day.

Luggage, turnstiles and accessibility

Not all metro lines have adequate space for standard-sized suitcases: narrow turnstiles and crowded escalators can make a short journey much more complicated than expected. If you travel with multiple suitcases or bulky luggage, check in advance for the presence of elevators or alternative routes to stairs along the way.

Tickets, payment and real-time updates

Check whether the ticket is purchased on board or must be obtained in advance via dedicated app or automatic ticket machine, and whether the latter accepts cash in addition to digital payment. If you travel in a country with currency different from yours, also verify that your card's contactless payment works on that specific transport system; downloading the official app of the local network also provides real-time updates on delays or cancellations, more timely than station announcements.

The final stretch and plan B

Some connections terminate at a station at a certain distance from the terminal, with a walking route or dedicated internal connection to calculate in the total time. Always prepare a ready alternative, such as the next available line or a route with a different means of transport, in case the scheduled trip experiences an unexpected delay or cancellation.

The most effective way to avoid arriving in a rush remains just one: find the time of the last trip compatible with your flight and depart at least 30–40 minutes earlier than the theoretical minimum, so that a single delay does not jeopardize your entire transfer.