How to Choose a Convenient Airport and Transfer

When you search for flights to a big city, you often see fares to more than one airport. The cheapest option looks tempting, but the airport you land at can add an hour or more of travel and a noticeable transfer cost. This guide explains how multi-airport cities work, what to compare beyond the ticket price and how to pick the airport that really saves you time and money.

Why some cities have several airports

Large metropolitan areas often grow beyond what one airport can handle. As a result, different airports may serve different airlines, types of flights or parts of the city. Some are close to the centre, others are far outside it and connected by longer bus or train rides. Which airlines use which airport, and what routes they fly, changes over time – always check the details of the specific flight when you compare.

Examples of multi-airport cities

Istanbul

Istanbul has two main airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, north of the city, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. Choosing the right one depends largely on where you will stay. If your hotel is on the Asian side, SAW may be more practical; for many European-side districts, IST can be the better fit. Istanbul traffic can be heavy, so the transfer time varies a lot by time of day.

London

London is served by several airports, including Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City. They are in different directions from the centre, and the transfer options and costs differ considerably. A cheaper flight to a more distant airport may be offset by a longer and pricier train or coach ride.

Milan

Milan's main airports are Malpensa (MXP), Linate and Bergamo (Orio al Serio). Linate is the closest to the city, while Malpensa and Bergamo are further away, so the journey into central Milan takes noticeably longer from them.

Paris

Paris has Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly as its main airports, and Beauvais, which is much further from the city. When a fare to Beauvais looks very cheap, factor in the long transfer before deciding.

Compare total time, not just flight time

To compare options fairly, calculate door-to-door time for each one:

Time from your home to the departure airport.
Recommended arrival time before departure.
Flight time, including any connection.
Time to get through arrival – passport control and baggage.
Transfer from the arrival airport to your hotel.

A flight that is one hour shorter can still lose if the transfer adds two hours. Arrival time matters as well: a late-night landing at a distant airport may leave you with only a taxi as a realistic option.

Compare total cost, not just the fare

Add the transfer to the ticket price for each airport. Consider:

Train, bus or shuttle fares for every traveller in your group.
Taxi or ride-hailing prices, especially at night.
Baggage fees, which may differ between the airlines serving each airport.
An extra hotel night if a very early departure or late arrival makes it necessary.

For two or more people, a taxi from a nearer airport can sometimes cost about the same as several train tickets from a distant one. Check current transfer prices on the official airport and transport websites.

Plan the transfer in advance

Once you have chosen your flight, find out exactly how you will get to the city: where the bus or train leaves from, how long it takes and until what time it runs. Our guide on getting from the airport to the city centre has practical tips on choosing between public transport, taxis and pre-booked transfers.

Practical checklist

Check which airport each fare uses before comparing prices.
Look at where your accommodation is relative to each airport.
Calculate door-to-door time for every option.
Add transfer and baggage costs to the ticket price.
Check transport hours if you land late or leave early.
Confirm transfer details on official airport websites.

On mibilet you can compare fares from partners to different airports of the same city, then book the option that suits you directly with the partner.