Ever found yourself stuck with a layover in Europe and itching to explore beyond the airport terminal? Or maybe you just want a speedy journey into the city so you can start your holiday.
Well, you’re in luck! In this article we’re giving the lowdown on European airports near city centres.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (formerly Portela Airport)
4.3 miles (7km) from Lisbon city centre
Lisbon Airport Bus to City Centre
Bus 744 (and bus 783 on weekdays) stops at the airport bus stop outside T1 Arrivals, and takes you into the city in 35 minutes. It costs £1.40 (€1.65) if you buy in advance or £1.70 (€2) on the bus.
Lisbon Airport Train to City Centre
The red metro line, from the metro station outside T1 Arrivals, takes you into downtown Lisbon in around 30 minutes for £1.40 (€1.65).
Lisbon Airport Taxi to City Centre
You can take a taxi from outside Terminals 1 and 2. It will get you to the city centre in about 20 minutes, for a fare of around £12.90 (€15).
Why Visit Lisbon?
Visit Lisbon for its winding streets, breathtaking viewpoints like Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, iconic landmarks such as Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, tasty seafood dishes, rich Fado music tradition and vibrant street art scene.
Check out our Lisbon guides
Browse Lisbon hotels for every budget, and for more Lisbon hotel, restaurant and activity recommendations check out our Lisbon destination guide.
2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
13 miles (21km) from Amsterdam city centre.
Amsterdam Airport Bus to City Centre
Bus 397 leaves from outside Schiphol Plaza (between B15 and B19) and reaches downtown Amsterdam in around 30 minutes, costing you £5.60 (€6.50). At night, the N97 bus does the same route.
Amsterdam Airport Train to City Centre
The Sprinter Train will get you to Amsterdam’s Centraal Station in around 20 minutes for £4.20 (€4.90).
Amsterdam Airport Taxi to City Centre
You can find the official taxi stand just outside Arrivals at Schiphol airport. The major taxi provider, TCA (Taxi Centre Amsterdam) will take you to the city centre in just over 20 minutes for around £39-£47 (€45-55).
Why Visit Amsterdam?
Cruise along its iconic canals, snap pics of those charming Dutch houses and soak up the relaxed vibes. Dive into the city’s diverse culture with visits to fun museums, like the Cheese Museum or the Sex Museum. And don’t forget to rent a bike and pedal around like a local.
3. Tallinn, Estonia
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport
2.5 miles (4 km) from Tallinn city centre.
Tallinn Airport Bus to City Centre
From Arrivals, take the escalator down to the airport’s lowest level, marked as the Lennujaam stop. Buses 2 and 15 take you to the city centre in around 20-25 minutes for £1.70 (€2).
Tallinn Airport Taxi to City Centre
The taxi stand is located right in front of the arrivals hall. Expect to pay around £13 (€15) for a 15-20 minute taxi ride into the city centre.
Why Visit Tallinn?
Step into Tallinn’s mediaeval Old Town, a fairy tale-like maze of cobblestone streets and ancient architecture. Then get a dose of history at Toompea Castle and savour local eats at traditional taverns – don’t miss the breathtaking views from Toompea Hill.
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup
5 miles (8 km) from Copenhagen city centre
Copenhagen Airport Bus to City Centre
You can catch the public bus, 5c, from outside Terminal 3. It will take you into the city centre in around 35 minutes for £4.15 (36 DKK).
Copenhagen Airport Train to City Centre
The metro will take you into Kongens Nytorv (Copenhagen’s main square) in around 15 minutes and costs the same as the bus – £4.15 (36 DKK). The overground train at Copenhagen Airport will take you to Copenhagen Central Station in 15 minutes for the same price.
Copenhagen Airport Taxi to City Centre
Taxi stands are located outside Terminal 1 and 3. You can get a taxi for around £29-40 (250-350 DKK) and it will take you into the city centre in 20-30 minutes.
Why Visit Copenhagen?
Explore the city on bikes, soak up the relaxed vibes at Nyhavn’s colourful waterfront, and dive into the foodie scene at street markets like Reffen. Plus, you’ve got castles, canals and some seriously stylish design to check out.
5. Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri International Airport
1.7 miles (3 km) from Akureyri town centre
Akureyri Airport Bus to City Centre
The airport bus will take you into the town centre in 25 minutes and costs £5.65 (990 ISK). It operates on request so you’ll need to book it in advance – enter your flight details when you book and your ticket will show you your pick-up time from the bus stop.
Akureyri Airport Taxi to City Centre
A taxi ride from the airport will take a speedy 5 minutes to reach the town centre for around £17.10 (3000 ISK). You cannot book this, but there should be a taxi at the airport. If it’s not, there’s a taxi phone that links direct to the office that you can call.
Walk to City Centre
When it comes to European airports near city centres, Akureyri may be one of the closest! You can walk to the town centre within 30 minutes, and there’s a scenic walking path along the coastline.
Why Visit Akuyeri?
Nestled in Iceland’s North, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and has a bevvy on happy hours to enjoy! Hit the slopes at nearby ski resorts, soak in geothermal pools and marvel at the beauty of Godafoss waterfall. Plus, you can now fly direct here from London with easyJet!
6. Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg Airport
2.5 miles (4 km) from Salzburg city centre
Salzburg Airport Bus to City Centre
Public bus 2 takes you to Salzburg city centre in around 25 minutes. Bus 10 (Mon-Sat only) takes you to Salzburg Main Station in around 15 minutes. The journey will take around 15-20 minutes and a one way ticket, which you buy onboard, costs £2.60 (€3).
Salzburg Airport Taxi to City Centre
The taxi stand is located in front of Salzburg Airport. A taxi ride to Salzburg Main Station will take 15-20 minutes and costs around £10 (€12).
Why Visit Salzburg?
Explore the city’s musical heritage with a visit to Mozart’s birthplace, stroll through the picturesque Old Town and soak in the stunning views from Hohensalzburg Fortress. Don’t forget to taste some Mozartkugel chocolates from the Confiserie Fürst shop!
7. Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius International Airport
3.7 miles (6 km) from Vilnius city centre
Vilnius Airport Bus to City Centre
You can take quite a few different public buses from the airport into the city. Buses 1 and 2 go to the train station and 88 and 3G (an express service) go to the city centre. The 88N runs at night. The bus journey to the city centre takes around 20 minutes with a one-way ticket costing just £0.85 (€1).
Vilnius Airport Train to City Centre
The Vilnius-Airport train runs to and from the airport and Vilnius railway station. The train journey takes 7 minutes and costs £0.60 (€0.70).
Vilnius Airport Taxi to City Centre
You can order an Uber or Bolt from outside departures for £4.30-6.90 (€5-8). The cab journey should take around 15 minutes.
Why Visit Vilnius?
Lose yourself in Vilnius’ enchanting Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with charming streets and Gothic architecture. Sample tasty Lithuanian cuisine at Žemaičių ąsotis and soak in the panoramic views from Gediminas Tower.
European Airports Near City Centres
Make the most of your holiday or stopover with these top European airports near city centres. Spend less time travelling and more time out and about exploring!
