Last month, we concentrated on the four airport rail connections that are difficult, inconvenient, or completely useless. Here are five great airport to city trains, perhaps the best, that make the trip from the plane to the city center easy.
__5. __Frequent, cheap, and direct: Chicago O'Hare:
Chicago O'Hare is known for air traffic delays. Any storm that passes through the midwest grounds hundreds of flights bound for Chicago. If you actually make it to Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority provides a frequent and direct rail line from O'Hare to the Loop (downtown). Both domestic terminals have underground walkways to the train platforms (international terminal has an automatic people mover to the station), where Blue Line trains depart every 5 minutes at peak hours, every 8 minutes during the day, and every 10-30 minutes during the night. Once in the downtown area, Washington, Monroe, and Jackson stations are in walking distance to most destinations in the Loop area. The trip takes 45 minutes, since the train makes local stops, but during rush hour, the 'L' becomes very competitive with cars. For only $2 (or $1.75 with a ChicagoCard), it's a deal!
4. Multiple express routes for more convenience: Tokyo Narita
Two train routes provide Narita with express service into the city. The Narita Express, also known as the N'EX departs every 30 minutes for Tokyo station (and continuing service to other cities such as Yokohama and Kamakura). All seating is reserved, so you are guaranteed a seat for the hour ride from the terminal to Tokyo. ¥2,940 ($26.4 USD) seems overpriced for the N'EX trains, but taxi fares could cost over to ¥15,000 ($134 USD) or more. The Keisei Skyliner trains, for travelers bound for Ueno, Nippori, and Aoto stations in Tokyo, cost ¥2,000 ($18 USD) and also have reserved seating. Both trains stop in terminals 1 and 2 at Narita. If you are on a budget, commuter trains stop in Narita, but be prepared to be squished at rush hour.
3. Way too expensive, but very fast: London Heathrow
TheBAA Heathrow Express takes only 15 minutes from Heathrow airport to Paddington. Ironically, the time possibly spent waiting for the train to arrive is just as long as the trip itself. £14.50, or $30 US, is definitely overpriced, so many resort to the Piccadilly Tube. Piccadilly Line trains take 37 minutes to Gloucester Road or 55 minutes to King's Cross, and tickets are only £4 ($ USD) for single cash fare, or as low as £2 (4 USD) when using an Oyster Card.
2. Easiest connection to multiple destinations: Paris Charles de Gaulle
London Heathrow, which has two rail lines from the terminals to the center, was beaten by Paris Charles de Gaulle because of its connections by TGV to other areas. Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2 has dozens of trains departing towards various regions in France. Several airlines code-share their flights on a TGV, since the train provides fast and direct service to the city centers of several cities in France and Belgium. The TGV, however, does not travel into Paris itself. The RER, the suburban rail network, provides local and express service to Paris. Both cost the same price, €8.20 ($12 USD). Once in Paris, you can connect to other RER or Métro lines with the same ticket. Expect live entertainment on the train (accordion players) and a lot of walking up stairs once in the central area.
1. The most convenient, door-to-door rail service: Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Airport Expressis the world's premiere airport connection. Trains depart from the terminal building every 12 minutes and stop at both Kowloon and Hong Kong stations (also at Tsing Yi station for the Tung Chung line). At both stations, there are several free Airport Express shuttle buses that will take travelers to the main hotels - no need to connect to another train, ride a taxi from the terminus, or walk with luggage through the crowded streets. Airport Express also rewards frequent travelers with 200 Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific / DragonAir) for every four rides. Check-in ticket kiosks for major airlines (to print boarding passes only) are also available at the Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. Trains take only 24 minutes to Central on Hong Kong Island. Single tickets cost $100 ($12.9 USD) for Hong Kong station and $90 ($11.5 USD) for Kowloon station. Octopus Card fares are almost half the price.
