Tips

Arriving late at night: getting from airport to town

MTR Airport Express train running on Lantau Island — MTR Airport Express train · Photo: LN9267 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Landing late at night? City guide examples of night buses, 24-hour services, official taxi ranks, fixed-fare counters and pickups, and what to check first.

Published Oct 12, 2026 · Updated Oct 13, 2026

If you land late at night, plan the last leg first

If you arrive late at night, the trip from the airport to your bed is the part most worth planning ahead. Last trains, night buses, official taxi ranks and fixed-fare counters all differ by city, and once you're tired in the arrivals hall it's much harder to compare options.

Below are examples from this app's city guides, grouped by type: buses and trains that run at night, official taxi ranks, fixed-fare counters and coupons, and pickups or a night near the airport. It's not a complete list. The values are what the city guides show and can change, so check official information before you go.

For a general comparison of transfer options, see the airport-to-city transfer guide; for avoiding touts and overcharging, see the taxi scam post. This post focuses on what you can take when it's late.

Check whether trains or buses still run at your arrival time, and whether a night bus takes over
Save your hotel address in the local language (in Chinese for cities in China, as the guides advise)
Find the official taxi rank or taxi counter in the guide or on the airport's information
If you want a pickup, book it before you fly and tell your accommodation you'll check in late

Buses and trains that keep running at night

If you arrive late at night, first check whether your airport has a night bus or a 24-hour service. The guides for these cities mention one. Routes, stops and times can change, so check the timetable officially.

As in Madrid and Prague, night services can follow a different route or end at a different stop than daytime ones. Check where the night service actually goes before you board.

Chengdu: Night Bus 1 links the airport with Chunxi Road in the city center after the metro closes. It leaves the airport 21:00-04:30 every 40-70 minutes, about 2 CNY.
Madrid: The Airport Express Bus runs 24 hours to Cibeles and Atocha (Cibeles only at night). About 40 minutes and about €5; pay the driver by card.
Ulaanbaatar: According to the airport, public buses run to the city 24 hours a day. The airport is about 50 km from the city; check routes, timetables and fares officially.
Auckland: The AirportLink bus runs to Puhinui Station about every 10 minutes (4:30am to 12:40am, daily); change to the train there for the city centre.
Amsterdam: Bus 397 and the night bus N97 link Schiphol Airport and the city.
Budapest: At night, bus 200E runs on to Határ út to connect with night buses.
Prague: At night, buses 910 and 907 run instead of bus 100, so check the timetable officially.
Warsaw: From Chopin Airport, night bus N32 runs to the center. A 75-minute ticket is PLN 4.40 (zone 1), and a ticket is required on all lines.
Taipei: Airport buses run to Taipei Main Station and major hotel areas, with some late-night services.

Official taxi ranks that work late

If the trains have stopped, the next safest choice is the official taxi rank. Several guides say a taxi is handy late at night or with heavy luggage, and tell you to use the official rank rather than drivers who approach you.

Some cities add charges for luggage, night rides or the airport. Make sure the meter is on before you set off, and ask for a receipt.

A line of taxis waiting for passengers at an airport taxi rank at night. — Airport taxi rank (Hong Kong International Airport) · Photo: Nicolas1981 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Guangzhou: Taxis run 24 hours from Door 75 on the T3 arrivals level. Have your hotel address in Chinese.
Delhi: According to the airport, prepaid and fixed-rate taxis are available 24/7 outside arrivals at all three terminals. At T3 the pickup area is Level 0 of the Multi-Level Car Park.
Hong Kong: Red urban taxis go anywhere in the city, with extra charges for luggage and tunnels. Handy late at night or in a group.
Taipei: From Taoyuan, a taxi is convenient late at night; use the official taxi rank. About 40-60 minutes, metered.
Lisbon: Use the official taxi rank at arrivals and make sure the meter is on. Luggage and night supplements apply; about 15-30 minutes to the center.
Singapore: A taxi is easiest late at night. An airport surcharge applies and fares vary by time of day; about 25-40 SGD.
Budapest: Official taxis at the ranks by the Terminal 2A and 2B exits accept cards, and fares are set by regulation. Never accept rides from touts.
Ninh Binh: Noi Bai airport taxis run from the first to the last flight every day, including holidays, and use meters.

Fixed-fare counters and coupon taxis

At some airports the fare is set by destination at a counter or rank before you ride. If you arrive late at night and tired, a price settled before you get in means one less thing to negotiate.

Even with a fixed fare, check whether tips or other charges come on top. In Vancouver, for example, the tip is extra.

Venice: According to the airport, taxis run 24 hours a day at fixed rates: Piazzale Roma EUR 40, Mestre centre EUR 35, cruise terminal EUR 45.
Kota Kinabalu: Buy a fixed-fare coupon for your destination at the taxi counter in arrivals. About 30-50 MYR and about 15-25 minutes to the city; handy late at night.
Vancouver: Taxis from the airport charge flat zone fares, plus tip. Board at the designated taxi stands.
Madrid: A flat taxi fare of about €33 applies between the airport and anywhere inside the M-30 ring road.
Ulaanbaatar: Official taxis from the taxi service counter on the terminal's first floor go to the city centre at set fares, about MNT 120,000-170,000. The airport advises against unauthorized taxi touts.
Pattaya: Airport limousines are booked at Level 2 counters; public taxis leave from Level 1 between Gates 4 and 7 and charge the meter plus an airport surcharge of about 50 THB. The ride takes about 2 hours.

A pre-booked pickup, or a night near the airport

If your destination is far from the airport or you arrive very late, a pickup booked in advance or a night near the airport can be easier than a long ride in the dark. These guides suggest one or the other.

When you book a pickup, give your arrival time and confirm the fare and the meeting point in advance.

Cebu: A resort or hotel pickup is easiest if you stay on Mactan; if you arrive late at night, booking ahead is reassuring. About 15-30 minutes to Mactan resorts.
Ubud: Booking a pickup through your accommodation or a licensed transport provider is easiest for late arrivals (about 1.5 hours). The Bali provincial government asks tourists to use only licensed transport services.
Siem Reap: With a late arrival, a taxi or a car pre-booked through your accommodation or an operator takes you door to door. Confirm the fare before you get in.
Ninh Binh: It's a long ride from Noi Bai, so a pre-booked car is easiest with a late arrival.
Interlaken: If you land late at Zurich, stay a night in Zurich and continue the next day. Trains to Zurich HB run about every 10 minutes and take about 15 minutes. Rail works sometimes bring night-time replacement buses on the Interlaken line.
Maldives: Hulhumalé, linked to the airport by road and about 15 minutes away, is a handy place to stay if you land late.

Before you fly: a late-arrival checklist

If you know you'll arrive late at night, a few minutes of checking before you leave makes the arrivals hall far less stressful. The details for each city are in the airport section of its guide.

Do trains or buses still run at your arrival time, and is there a night bus or 24-hour service?
Where is the official taxi rank or fixed-fare counter, and are there night or luggage charges?
Can you pay by card, or will you need cash?
Ignore anyone in the arrivals hall offering a ride and go straight to the official rank or counter
Save your pickup or airport-hotel confirmation and address on your phone
Tell your accommodation in advance that you'll check in late

FAQ

What if I miss the last train from the airport?

First check whether a night bus or 24-hour service runs, as in Chengdu, Madrid or Ulaanbaatar. If not, use the official taxi rank, a fixed-fare counter or a pickup you booked in advance.

Is it safe to take a taxi from the airport late at night?

Use the official taxi rank or counter, not drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Before you set off, make sure the meter is on or the fixed fare is clear, and ask for a receipt.

Are taxi fares higher at night?

It depends on the city. The Lisbon guide mentions night supplements, and the Singapore guide says fares vary by time of day. Check the airport's official fare information.

When is a pre-booked pickup worth it?

When the ride is long or you arrive very late. The Ubud, Siem Reap and Ninh Binh guides suggest a pre-booked car in these cases. Confirm the fare and meeting point when you book.