Know Before You Go
Airport Arrival Tips
The first hour after landing, handled well: immigration, connectivity, cash and transport.
5 min read
Arrival
Airports & Arrival
The first few hours set the tone. Know your airport, how you'll reach your first bed, and how long it really takes.
Compare arrival airports
A cheaper flight into a distant airport often costs more in time and transfers.
Plan the first night
Arriving late? Stay near the airport or arrange a transfer in advance.
Check official sources
Airport websites list current transport options; operators publish live timetables.
Build in buffer
Leave generous connection times, especially when changing terminals or airports.
By destination
Italy
- Rome Fiumicino FCOMain international gateway for central and southern Italy, with a direct express train into central Rome.Official airport website
- Milan Malpensa MXPBest for northern Italy, the lakes and onward rail travel across Europe.Official airport website
- Venice Marco Polo VCEClosest airport to Venice; water transfers reach the historic centre directly.Official airport website
Greece
- Athens International ATHMain gateway, connected to central Athens by metro and airport buses.Official airport website
- Santorini JTRSmall airport with seasonal European flights; transfers are short but busy in summer.
- Heraklion, Crete HERBest base airport for eastern and central Crete.Official airport website
France
- Paris Charles de Gaulle CDGMain international gateway with direct rail into central Paris and onward high-speed trains.Official airport website
- Paris Orly ORYOften used for domestic and short-haul European flights; connected by light rail and metro.Official airport website
- Marseille Provence MRSPractical entry point for Provence and the Luberon.Official airport website
Iceland
- Keflavík International KEFMain gateway, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík by road. Most road trips start with a car pickup here.Official airport website
Alberta, Canada
- Calgary International YYCPrimary gateway, roughly 90 minutes by road to Banff. Most visitors rent a car here.Official airport website
- Edmonton International YEGAlternative for Jasper-first itineraries, about four hours by road.Official airport website
British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver International YVRMain gateway, connected to downtown by rapid transit in about 25 minutes.Official airport website
- Victoria International YYJUseful if you start on Vancouver Island rather than the mainland.Official airport website
Aruba
- Queen Beatrix International AUASingle airport, close to the main resort areas; US-bound passengers typically pre-clear before departure.Official airport website
African Safari
- Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International NBOMain gateway for Kenya; bush flights often depart from Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL) nearby.Official airport website
- Kilimanjaro International JROCommon entry point for northern Tanzania and the Serengeti circuit.Official airport website
Flight schedules, fares and airport transport change. Check official airport and operator information close to your travel date.
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