So you’re going on a dream vacation. Five star hotels, unforgettable sights and magical memories. There’s just one thing you’ve forgotten: the horror of the foreign airport - where it is and more importantly how to get to and from it hassle-free. Don’t panic: we’ve put together your ultimate guide. Whether you’re in London, Sydney, New York, Paris, Athens or Rome, keep this little pathfinder in your pocket.

NEW YORK | LONDON | ATHENS | SYDNEY | PARIS | HONG KONG | ROME

New York JFK Airport

Taxi
Collected outside the airport. Prices are negotiated between driver and passenger, so for a tourist this can be an expensive option.

Underground
Subway A goes from the airport to different parts of the city for $1.50. A journey from the city centre to the airport is ±60 to 75 minutes.

Bus
Q3 and Q10 buses operate between airport and Queens, $1.50; B15 between airport and Brooklyn, $1.50. Buses require exact change.

Limousine
Booked at the Ground Transportation Centre, limos cost $30 to $50.

Airport Express
Various shuttles connect to different parts of the city and cost $10 to $20.

Car
The Van Wyck Expressway and Belt Parkway are two highways through New York State taking you directly to the airport.

Web
Visit the virtual JFK

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London Heathrow Airport

Train
The Heathrow Express leaves from Paddington Station every 15 minutes, taking only 15 minutes to terminals 1, 2, 3 and 20 to terminal 4. Cost £12.

Underground
Tubes run every five minutes at peak times and every nine minutes off-peak. From Picadilly, an average journey is between 50 and 60 minutes.
Go to The Tube for prices and timetable details.
(Tip: give yourself at least 90 minutes - the tubes are notorious for hold-ups.)

Car
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 can be reached via the M4 (junction 4), M25 (junction 15) and A4 motorways. Terminal 4 can be reached via the M4 (junction 3), M25 (junction 14) and A30. Parking costs £30 a day. If your car is left unattended at the terminal drop-offs it will be towed away - £105 to reclaim.
Phone 0800 844 844 for parking information.

Bus
Bus services connect with different destinations throughout the UK. Bus terminals are found throughout the city and outside underground stations.

Taxi
London Black Cabs are the most popular form of tourist transport in the city. An average taxi ride to Heathrow will cost between £40 and £45. See BAA for info.

Web
Visit the virtual London Heathrow

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Athens International Airport

Taxi
Operate from Doors 1-4 on Arrivals level of the airport, prices all single digit.

Public transport
Tickets cost Euro 2.93, valid for 24 hours. They can be used for buses, trams and the underground:

Bus
Three buses, operating on a 24-hour basis, go to and from airport: E94 - Ethniki Amina to airport; E95 - Syntagma to airport; E96 - Piraeus to airport.

Underground
The Attica Metro network is not very efficient but is currently under construction to improve airport access.

Train
The Suburban Rail is to be completed in 2003.

Airport Express
Airport express buses operate on a 24-hour basis from the centre of Athens and the Port of Piraeus.

Limousine
Collected outside Door 1 of the Arrivals level.

Web
Visit the virtual Athens International Airport

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Sydney International Airport

Airport Express
Travels between domestic and international terminals of the airport and the city. A one-way ticket costs AUS$7, and a return AUS$12. Buses are green and gold.

Train
Airport Link is the fastest way to travel to the city from the airport. A journey to the city takes 15 minutes, trains run every 10 minutes. Rail is the most convenient and economical way to travel to the city’s suburbs. For fares and timetables go to The Airport Link.

Car
1 900 parking bays at airport. Quickparks provided for drop-offs and pick-ups directly outside terminals.

Taxi
Collected outside both terminals. A ride to the city costs AUS$25, and a ride to the outskirts of Sydney AUS$50.

Limousine
Must be pre-booked, collected in front of Arrivals Hall.

Bus
Shuttle buses run between city and airport. They must be pre-booked and are expensive.

Web
Visit the virtual Sydney International Airport

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Paris Charles de Gaulle

Airport Express
Every 15 to 20 minutes, cost 40F. Goes from airport to city. Travel time 25 to 60 minutes.

Train
Every 35 minutes from a station outside the airport. Cost 35F from airport to city centre.

Bus
The Roissy Bus departs every 15 minutes. Cost 30F, travel time 45 minutes from airport to city.

Car
Rental cars available outside airport, but try avoid car travel. Paris roads are a nightmare.

Web
Visit the virtual Paris Charles de Gaulle

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Hong Kong International Airport

Airport Express
Operating at 10-minute intervals, the Airport Express is the fastest, most direct way to get from the centre of Hong Kong to the airport. Cost, HK$50 to HK$100, depending on passenger’s age.

Ferry
Ferry transport to and from the airport is fast and cheap. One-way ticket, HK$15.

Bus
Use of either ‘A’ or ‘E’ bus: ‘A’ buses provide quick transport to different parts of Hong Kong, HK$15-HK$40; ‘E’ buses are more reasonable for everyday transport, HK$10-HK$20.

Taxi
Collected outside the Arrivals Hall. Different taxis for different needs: red taxis travel to all areas of Hong Kong including the airport; green taxis travel only to the New Territories of the city and the airport; blue taxis commute between the airport and Lantau. Taxis are the most expensive form of transport in the city, HK$200-HK$300.

Car
Five car parks outside the airport provide free parking for the first 30 minutes.

Limousine
VIP passengers can order a limo from counters in the Arrival Hall and the Ground Transport Centre.

Web
Visit the virtual Hong Kong International Airport

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Rome Ciampino Airport

Car
The airport is 20 minutes from the centre of Rome and can be reached on the Via Appia Nuova highway.

Bus
The easiest and most convenient way to travel around Rome. Tickets available from vending machines outside airport terminals and in city stores.

Train
Linked to the bus system. Use the same ticket for bus, train and underground.

Underground
Not very efficient mode of transport. (You’re in Italy - land of love and lethargy.)

Taxi
About 20 minutes from airport to centre of Rome, cost ITL 68 000. Prices go up on public holidays and Sundays.

Web
Visit the virtual Rome Ciampino Airport