Best Taxi Alternatives in 3 Of The Busiest Cities In Europe

1. London

As the capital and the most populous city of England, London naturally has plenty of taxi alternatives to offer with its advanced rail and bus network. Three of its six major airports have dedicated express train services into central London, and some also have convenient coach transfers to and from central London.

Heathrow Airport

- Heathrow Express

Fares: A one-way ticket on the express train costs around 25 GBP (31.73 USD).

Duration: The average journey time from Heathrow Airport Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to London Paddington Station is 15 minutes.

Frequency: The service runs every 15 minutes from just past 5am to around midnight.

Pros: It is the fastest way to get from the airport to central London, not to mention that it is much cheaper than taking a cab. A taxi ride from Heathrow to the city center will set you back between 45 GBP (57.12 USD) and 99 GBP (125.67 USD). Travelers can also check in for their return flight at Paddington Station and avoid the lines at the airport counter.

Cons: It is less budget-friendly than other options. Also, a London cab ride can be a great experience as it is an iconic representation of the city.

- London Underground

Fares: The single cash fare to central London (Zone 1) is 6.70 GBP (8.50 USD), and if you pay using an Oyster card, fares start from as little as *5.60 GBP (7.11 USD) * during off-peak hours.

Duration: The journey to central London (Zone 1) takes up to 70 minutes.

Frequency: You shouldn’t have to wait longer than two to seven minutes for a train, even during off-peak hours. The Tube operates from 5am in the morning to nearly midnight.

Pros: If you find the Express option a little out of your price range, the Tube is a great alternative as it is the cheapest way to get from Heathrow Airport to central London. If this is your first time taking the London Underground, check out these top ten tips that will make your navigation a breeze.

Cons: The journey to central London takes up to 55 minutes longer than that on the Heathrow Express.

- National Express coach service

Fares: Fares start from as low as 5 GBP (6.35 USD).

Duration: The fastest route will get you to central London in 25 minutes.

Frequency: With over 100 services per day running from multiple pick-up points across the UK, you won’t have to wait long for a bus.

Pros: It is the only alternative that can compete on cost with the Tube. Moreover, coach transfers are available at all airport terminals, so you don’t have to travel between terminals with your bulky luggage in tow.

Cons: The bus journey will take 10 minutes longer than that on the Heathrow Express.

Gatwick Airport

- Gatwick Express

Fares: Fares start from 19.40 GBP (24.63 USD) when booked online in advance.

Duration: Central London is just 30 minutes away.

Frequency: With the service running every 15 minutes between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal train station, you will be amongst the action in no time!

Pros: It’s a much more cost-effective option as compared to a cab ride, which costs a minimum of 60 GBP (76.16 USD) for a journey that will inevitably take over an hour.

Cons: If you are tight on budget, this option is probably not the most pocket-friendly one.

- EasyBus coach service

Fares: A one-way ticket starts at approximately 1.99 GBP (2.53 USD) when booked online in advance.

Duration: The entire journey takes about two to three hours.

Frequency: Buses arrive every 15 minutes, and the service operates almost round the clock.

Pros: It is a pocket-friendly option. Not to mention that the Victoria Coach station provides easy access to the London Underground network and the National Rail, in case visitors need to travel further to reach their accommodation.

Cons: The bus journey takes about two hours more than that of the Gatwick Express.

Stansted Airport

- Stansted Express

Fares: Fares start from 9.90 GBP (12.57 USD) per person each way when booked online in advance.

Duration: Passengers arrive at Liverpool Street in just 48 minutes.

Frequency: The service runs every 15 minutes from 5:30am to 12:30am.

Pros: Since Stansted Airport is a whopping 40.9 miles (65.82 kilometers) away from central London, the Stansted Express will be the fastest and most cost-effective option. It is more economical than a cab ride, which can cost anywhere between 65 GBP (82.51 USD) and 75 GBP (95.20 USD).

Cons: There’s almost nothing to be picky about - this option is the most economical one yet.

- EasyBus or National Express coach service

Fares: Fares start from as low as 12.10 GBP (15.36 USD).

Duration: It is about an 85-minute bus journey from the airport to central London.

Frequency: It operates every 15 to 30 minutes from 12am to almost midnight from Stansted Airport, so you don’t have to worry about arriving at odd hours.

Pros: Although the coach service costs just slightly less than the Stansted Express, it is still the most affordable transfer option available at Stansted Airport.

Cons: The bus journey takes twice as long as the time Stansted Express takes to reach London.

Luton Airport

- East Midlands Train

Fares: Fares start from as low as 17.50 GBP (22.21 USD).

Duration: The train whisks you to London St Pancras Train Station in just 35 minutes.

Frequency: Trains run at a frequency of every 30 minutes.

Pros: It is cheaper than a cab ride which can cost up to 112.8 GBP (143.18 USD).

Cons: It is slightly more expensive than a coach transfer but is still the most cost-effective option.

- Greenline or National Express coach service

Fares: Fares start from as low as 5 GBP (6.39 USD) to 11.50 GBP (14.70 USD) when you book in advance.

Duration: It takes approximately 90 minutes to reach the end of the line at Victoria.

Frequency: It runs every 10-30 minutes, so you don’t have to fret about arriving at odd hours.

Pros: Coach transfers are always the most reliable option when you are on a tight budget.

Cons: With London’s unpredictable traffic, passengers will need to factor in a comfortable contingency in case of traffic delays.

London City Airport

- Docklands Light Railway

Fares: Fares start from as low as 2 GBP (2.54 USD).

Duration: It takes about 7 minutes to reach Canning Town or Woolwich Arsenal, and 18 minutes to reach Stratford International, where passengers will have access to the London Underground to travel to their destination.

Frequency: Trains depart every 4 to 10 minutes from 5:30am to midnight daily (except for Sundays when it starts at 7am).

Pros: It is a whopping 21 GBP (26.66 USD) cheaper than a cab ride.

Cons: It is the only available connection from the airport to central London, aside from a taxi transfer. Although there are frequent London red bus services that visit London City Airport, they are only for the immediate local area.

2. Moscow

Moscow, the political, economic, and cultural center of Russia, has brutal peak-hour traffic that you won’t even want to get close to. So why not make use of its large and well-developed public transport network to travel around the city?

Sheremetyevo International Airport

- Aeroexpress + Metro

Fares: You will only have to pay 450 RUB (5.10 USD) for a one-way ticket.

Duration: The trip would take only about 50 to 65 minutes.

Frequency: Trains run every 30 to 40 minutes from 6am to 12am, so you don’t have to worry about running late as the departure and arrival times are highly predictable.

Pros: The combination of low fares and comfort makes the Aeroexpress the most efficient mode of transport for those looking to travel to the city center from the airport.

Cons: Since the Aeroexpress does not have a direct route to central Moscow, you will most likely have to switch to Moscow Metro to get to your lodging.

- Shuttle buses + Metro

Fares: Tickets are priced around 61 RUB (0.69 USD) depending on the route you are taking.

Duration: Shuttle buses only go as far as the outskirts of Moscow, so it can take up to 98 minutes for passengers to get from the airport to central Moscow.

Frequency: Buses depart from the airport every 13 to 20 minutes starting from 6:15am.

Pros: A shuttle bus transfer is easily the cheapest option available.

Cons: The transfer can be tedious and exhausting after a long flight. Not to mention, the duration of the trip depends heavily on the traffic conditions.

Domodedovo International Airport

- Aeroexpress + Metro

Fares: A one-way ticket is priced at 550 RUB (6.24 USD).

Duration: The trip would take about 45 minutes.

Frequency: Trains run every 30 minutes from 6am to 12am.

Pros: Without a doubt, Aeroexpress is the fastest and most comfortable mode of transport in the heart of Moscow. Unexpected delays due to traffic conditions are highly unlikely.

Cons: Since the train only stops at one station, travelers have to continue their journey on the green metro line.

- Shuttle buses + Metro

Fares: Tickets start at around 100 RUB (1.12 USD) each.

Duration: It takes about 90 minutes to reach the city center from the airport.

Frequency: Buses depart every 15 minutes between 6am and 12am.

Pros: The shuttle buses offer the cheapest mode of transport into the city center.

Cons: There are no direct bus routes that connect Domodedovo Airport to downtown Moscow, so travelers will most likely have to take the Metro after they alight from the bus to get to their lodging. The combined travel time is about an hour and a half, which is rather lengthy considering the fact that passengers have just gotten off a long flight.

Vnukovo International Airport

- Aeroexpress + Metro

Fares: Each ticket is affordably priced between 470 RUB (5.25 USD) and 525 RUB (5.99 USD).

Duration: The trip will take only about 35 minutes.

Frequency: Trains depart every 60 minutes

Pros: Aeroexpress is the fastest way to get to the city center given the unpredictable traffic conditions in Moscow.

Cons: Aeroexpress heads to the central Kievskaya Metro Station, where passengers have to alight and transfer to the Metro to get to their hotel. This may be a little inconvenient for those with bulky luggage in tow.

- Shuttle buses

Fares: Tickets are priced at less than 500 RUB (5.58 USD).

Duration: The journey takes approximately 38 minutes, including Metro transfer.

Frequency: Buses are expected to arrive every 7 to 35 minutes.

Pros: Shuttle bus transfers are the cheapest option available.

Cons: Though affordable, buses are usually the least favored mode of transportation from Vnukovo Airport to the city center, mainly due to the lengthy travel time and limited luggage space.

3. Barcelona

Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is an ornate part of the world with architectural and artistic gems abound. It also boasts a wide range of public transport options for you to take advantage of, so read on if you want to find out more.

Barcelona International Airport

- Aerobus

Fares: A single ticket is priced at 5.90 EUR (6.46 USD).

Duration: It takes approximately 35 minutes to reach the city center.

Frequency: The service normally runs between 5 and 10 minutes from around 5am to 12:30am every day.

Pros: There are two bus lines with stops at Terminals 1 and 2 of Barcelona International Airport, so you won’t have any issues finding a bus to take you to the city center.

Cons: Unexpected delays due to traffic conditions might affect the duration of travel.

- RENFE Train

Fares: When you travel within a designated zone, a ticket will cost about 4.60 EUR (5.04 USD).

Duration: It takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the city center.

Frequency: Two airport trains run every 30 minutes to and from the airport, and the service operates from 5:42am to 11:38pm.

Pros: It is the fastest way to reach the city center.

Cons: There is no allocated space for luggage storage on the train, so those with a lot of luggage in tow will probably struggle a lot to store their bags by their feet. However, you can pay for a secure luggage drop-off, storage, and transfer service at the airport for your baggage to be transferred safely to your final destination.

- Metro

Fares: A single ticket is priced at around 5.15 EUR (5.64 USD).

Duration: It takes about 32 minutes to reach the city center from the airport.

Frequency: The metro to the airport runs every seven minutes.

Pros: It is the cheapest transfer option available.

Cons: Since the L9 line does not directly pass through the major transport hubs such as Plaça de Catalunya, Estacion Sants, or Plaça d'España, you have to transfer at one of the metros stops to reach the city center from Barcelona International Airport. If you add the transit time to the total traveling time, the journey might be longer than the two transfer options above.

Make the most out of your travel fund

With a limited travel fund and so many sights to visit around Europe, it will be difficult to keep within your budget while having fun. However, with these cheap airport transfers in London, Moscow, and Barcelona, it would be a breeze to get to the center of it all without busting your wallet.