Getting Around in Every Destination
TerhalGetting Around in Every Destination
https://trhal.app/en/transit.html
Public transport networks, transit cards, and ways to move between neighborhoods in each city — full details inside each city's page.
Getting around Istanbul
Getting around Dubai
Getting around Bangkok
Getting around Kuala Lumpur
Getting around London
Getting around Baku
Getting around Riyadh
Getting around Paris
Getting around Tbilisi
Getting around Istanbul
IstanbulkartA single card for the metro, tram, buses, and ferries, with a one-time issuance fee then top-ups; recent restrictions apply to anonymous cards (a monthly top-up cap and no refunds on some lines).
Metro and tramAn extensive network covering most tourist areas; the T1 tram runs directly through Sultanahmet.
FerriesA comfortable, scenic way to move between the European and Asian sides, and a worthwhile tourist activity in its own right.
Taxis and ride-hailing appsWidely available; it's best to make sure the meter is running or use a trusted app to avoid haggling over the price.
From Istanbul airports into the city
Istanbul Airport (IST)
The most used for international flights, about 50km from the city center (European side).
M11 metro to Gayrettepe station then M2 to the center — about 50-70 lira, 60-90 minutes
Havaist buses to areas like Taksim and Sultanahmet — about 300-426 lira, 75-90 minutes (price varies between sources)
Official taxi from the airport rank — roughly 300-500 lira, 45-90 minutes depending on traffic
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Serves the Asian side, the better fit for those staying in Kadıköy or the Asian-side areas.
Havaist buses or taxi — the most practical option for most arrivals
M4 metro to Bandık then the Marmaray train — possible but longer and needs walking with luggage
Getting around Dubai
Nol CardA single card for the metro, tram, buses, and abra ferries; bought and topped up at metro stations and multiple outlets.
Dubai MetroTwo lines (Red and Green) covering most of the main tourist areas including the airport, Downtown, and the Marina; driverless, fully air-conditioned.
Tram and monorailThe Dubai Tram serves the Marina and JBR; a separate monorail (a ticket separate from Nol) reaches Palm Jumeirah.
Taxis and ride-hailing appsOfficial RTA taxis with a unified meter are widely available; Uber and Careem are available with fixed fares shown in advance.
Abra and water ferriesA cheap traditional way to cross Dubai Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai, and a worthwhile tourist activity in its own right.
From Dubai airports into the city
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
The main and most-used airport, only about 5km from the city center; 3 terminals (T1 and T3 are connected and served by the metro, T2 is not metro-served). Notice: there is a second airport (Al Maktoum International, DWC) south of the emirate serving some airlines; make sure your airport code is DXB, not DWC, before booking transport.
The Red Line metro from T1 or T3 goes directly to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station — about AED 5-7.5 with a Nol card, 25-35 minutes (T2 has no metro station)
An official RTA taxi from each terminal's rank — the meter starts around AED 25 + about AED 2.5/km, a trip to Downtown is roughly AED 50-70, 15-25 minutes off-peak
Uber or Careem from designated pickup points — a price close to a taxi, with a fixed fare shown in advance in the app
RTA buses (route 33 from T1, route 20 from T2, route C01 from T3) with a Nol card — the cheapest option (AED 3-8) but slower (40-60 minutes)
Getting around Bangkok
Rabbit CardMainly used for the BTS lines (and some buses); purchased and topped up at BTS stations.
BTS SkytrainTwo lines (Silom and Sukhumvit) covering the main tourist areas like Siam, Sukhumvit, and Silom; elevated above street level, fully air-conditioned.
MRT (underground)Complements the BTS network, reaching areas like Chatuchak and Huai Khwang; separate ticketing unless the card is enabled for it.
Chao Phraya Express BoatAn affordable, scenic way to cross the river and reach landmarks like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.
Taxi & GrabMetered taxis are widespread; the Grab app shows an upfront estimated fare and is usually preferable to negotiating directly with drivers.
From Bangkok airports into the city
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
The main international airport, about 25km east of downtown; served directly by the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai station (connecting to BTS).
Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai — about THB 45-100, ~30 minutes
Official metered taxi from the airport rank (plus a fixed airport surcharge) — about THB 300-400 to downtown, 45-70 minutes depending on traffic
Grab (local ride-hailing app) from designated pickup points — similar price to a taxi with an upfront estimate
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
Serves most low-cost carriers, about 30km north of downtown; double-check your airport code (BKK, not DMK) before booking transport, a common mix-up.
Shuttle bus or official metered taxi from the airport rank — taxi about THB 300-400 to downtown, 40-60 minutes
Grab from designated pickup points
Getting around Kuala Lumpur
Touch 'n Go cardThe unified payment card for the whole Rapid KL network (LRT/MRT/Monorail/buses) as well as toll roads and parking; top up at train stations or shops.
KL MonorailA short elevated line running straight through the heart of Bukit Bintang and downtown; stations are closely spaced (about 800m apart), very useful within the central tourist area.
LRT lines (Kelana Jaya, Ampang, Sri Petaling)Cover most major tourist destinations such as KLCC (Kelana Jaya line) and connect to the suburbs; interchange with the Monorail and MRT at several stations.
MRT lines (Kajang and Putrajaya)Two newer, longer lines running through downtown and connecting to farther suburbs and the secondary airport; interchange at KL Sentral and Titiwangsa.
KL SentralThe major central hub where every network meets (LRT/MRT/Monorail/KTM Komuter/airport rail); an almost mandatory starting point coming from the airport.
Grab (local ride-hailing app)Very widespread with an upfront estimated fare in the app; a practical alternative to a traditional taxi, especially at night or for areas farther from train stations.
From Kuala Lumpur airports into the city
Kuala Lumpur International Airport - KLIA (Main Terminal T1)
The main airport for major international carriers, about 45km south of downtown; connected directly to KL Sentral by the KLIA Ekspres/KLIA Transit rail lines.
KLIA Ekspres (non-stop) to KL Sentral — about 28-33 minutes
KLIA Transit (stops at intermediate stations) to KL Sentral — cheaper, about 35-40 minutes
Official taxi from the airport rank or the Grab app — usually 45-70 minutes to downtown depending on traffic
klia2 Terminal (low-cost carriers)
Serves most low-cost carriers (e.g. AirAsia); served by the same KLIA Ekspres/KLIA Transit lines, and the inter-terminal transfer between T1 and klia2 takes only a few minutes — double-check which terminal your ticket uses.
Same KLIA Ekspres/KLIA Transit lines from the klia2 station to KL Sentral
Official taxi or Grab from the airport rank
Getting around London
Oyster card / contactless paymentThe easiest payment method for the whole public transport network (Tube, buses, DLR, Overground); international contactless bank cards work directly at roughly the same fares as Oyster, with an automatic daily/weekly cost cap.
The Tube (Underground)London's core transit network, 11 lines covering most tourist landmarks; rush hour (8-9:30 AM, 5-6:30 PM) is very crowded.
Elizabeth LineA relatively new east-west line through central London, useful for quick access to/from Heathrow.
Red buses (London Buses)An extensive network covering areas the Tube doesn't reach directly; card payment only, no cash accepted on board.
Thames Clippers (river taxi on the Thames)A scenic and practical alternative for getting around parallel to the river, passing landmarks like Tower Bridge and The Shard; also paid with the same Oyster/contactless card.
WalkingCentral London (Westminster, South Bank, City of London) is relatively compact, and walking between major landmarks along the riverside is often practical and enjoyable.
From London airports into the city
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London's largest and most important international airport, about 24km west of central London; connected by the Piccadilly Line, the Elizabeth Line, and the Heathrow Express.
Heathrow Express (non-stop) to London Paddington — about 15 minutes, the most expensive option
Elizabeth Line to Paddington and central London — cheaper and relatively fast
Piccadilly Line Underground to central London — the cheapest, about 50-55 minutes
Taxi or Uber — depends on traffic, usually 45-75 minutes
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London's second-largest airport, about 45km south of central London; serves many low-cost carriers.
Gatwick Express (non-stop) to London Victoria — about 30 minutes
Regular National Rail trains — cheaper, slightly longer
Getting around Baku
BakuKart cardThe unified transit card required for the metro and buses in Baku; sold at kiosks at the airport or metro stations (the card itself costs about 2 manat, then topped up with ride credit).
Baku Metro3 lines and about 27 stations covering most of the city center and surrounding areas; Icherisheher station sits right at the Old City walls.
Public busesAn extensive network complementing the metro, also paid with the BakuKart card; no cash accepted on board.
Taxi and Bolt/Yango appsWidely available around the clock; look for an official meter or use the apps to avoid fare negotiation.
WalkingCentral Baku (Old City, Fountains Square, the Boulevard) is relatively compact and walkable, especially along the Baku Boulevard seafront.
From Baku airports into the city
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
The only airport serving Baku internationally, about 20-25km northeast of central Baku; there is no metro station at the airport itself — it connects to the metro network via the Aero Express (H1) bus to 28 May Station.
Aero Express bus (line H1) — the cheapest option, to 28 May Station (the entry point to Baku's metro network), runs 24 hours (every 20 minutes by day, every 45 minutes at night), needs a BakuKart
Official Baku Taxi booth inside Terminal 1 — metered fare, the most direct option but pricier than the bus
Bolt/Yango apps — often cheaper than a traditional taxi with an upfront fare
Pre-booked private transfer — fixed price with a driver waiting on arrival
Getting around Riyadh
Riyadh Metro (6 lines)A driverless metro network that opened in phases from December 2024, with all six lines (Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Purple) fully operational by January 2025; covers most major business and residential areas including KAFD, Olaya, downtown, and the airport. A 2-hour ticket costs about SAR 4.
Riyadh public buses (SAPTCO)A complementary bus network reaching points the metro doesn't cover directly; usually paid with the same transit card (darb card).
Darb appThe official app for planning metro/bus connections and checking arrival times — useful for avoiding congestion.
Traditional taxis and Uber/CareemWidely available across the city; the apps (Uber/Careem) are generally preferred by visitors for upfront pricing and a clear pickup point.
Car rentalA practical option given Riyadh's large geographic sprawl, especially for reaching Diriyah or moving between spread-out districts; driving is on the right, and an international or GCC driving license is usually accepted.
Getting between the main areasDowntown Riyadh (Deera/Al-Murabba) to Olaya: a direct metro ride or taxi, about 20-30 minutes. To the Diplomatic Quarter: faster by car from Olaya (about 15-20 minutes); the metro doesn't serve directly inside the DQ itself. To Diriyah: about 20km from downtown, needs a car, taxi, or ride-hailing app (no direct metro station at At-Turaif as of this check), roughly 25-35 minutes depending on the starting point. To/from the airport: direct metro (Yellow Line) or taxi/ride-hailing, about 30-45 minutes.
From Riyadh airports into the city
King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
Riyadh's only operating airport, about 35km north of the city center (roughly 30-45 minutes by car depending on traffic and destination); 5 passenger terminals after a February 2026 terminal reshuffle — double-check your terminal before travel, as assignments changed. Note: the new King Salman International Airport is still under construction and has not begun commercial operations as of this check.
Riyadh Metro (Yellow Line / Line 4) directly from the airport terminals to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) — about SAR 4 for a 2-hour ticket, journey roughly 30-35 minutes; transfer at KAFD for other lines (e.g. the Blue Line toward Olaya and downtown)
Official airport taxi (green/turquoise cars) from the designated rank outside each terminal — about SAR 70-150 to the city center, roughly 30-45 minutes
Uber or Careem from designated pickup points inside the airport — similar price to a taxi, with the fare shown upfront in the app
Pre-booked private transfer — convenient especially at night or with heavy luggage, usually starting around SAR 120-220 depending on vehicle type
Getting around Paris
Unified metro/RER ticketA unified ticketing system across the metro, RER, and buses within Paris; a Navigo pass (weekly or daily) is worth it for stays of more than two or three days.
Paris MétroA very dense network of 16 lines covering nearly all of central Paris; stations are close together, but many older stations have stairs only and no elevators.
RER (regional express train)Faster for longer distances within Paris and for airport access; lines B and C are the most used by visitors.
Buses (RATP)An extensive network useful for destinations the metro doesn't reach directly, with better city views than the underground.
TramwayLines around the edge of the city, mainly useful for reaching some nearby suburbs and Orly Airport.
WalkingCentral Paris (roughly the 1st-8th arrondissements) is relatively compact, and walking along the Seine between major landmarks is often practical and enjoyable.
From Paris airports into the city
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Paris's main international airport, about 25km northeast of central Paris; directly connected by the RER B line.
RER B train direct to central Paris stations (Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Denfert-Rochereau) — about 30-35 minutes, with a recent unified flat-fare airport ticket
Official flat-fare taxi (higher fare to the Left Bank) — the fastest door-to-door option but the most expensive, still subject to traffic despite the fixed price
Express bus 9517 to the Saint-Denis Pleyel hub (direct connection to Metro Line 14) — a newer alternative after the Roissybus service was permanently discontinued in March 2026
Uber/Bolt apps — price varies with traffic and time of day
Orly Airport (ORY)
Paris's second-largest airport, about 13km south of central Paris; geographically closer but with more varied and changing access options.
Metro Line 14 extension directly from the airport — the fastest option to central Paris and the Right Bank (Châtelet), with a unified flat fare
Automated Orlyval shuttle to Antony station, then the RER B — a practical alternative for Left Bank destinations
Tramway T7 to Villejuif-Louis Aragon (the terminus of Metro Line 7) — the cheapest option, but a much longer ride with a line change
Official taxi — usually cheaper than from Charles de Gaulle given the shorter distance, fare varies with traffic
Getting around Tbilisi
Tbilisi Metro (2 lines, 23 stations)The red line (Akhmeteli-Varketili) runs through downtown and the Old Town, and the green line (Saburtalo) serves the western residential areas; they cross at Station Square. Operates roughly 6:00 AM to midnight.
Metromoney / Travel CardThe unified transit card for the metro, buses, and the Rike-Narikala and Vake-Turtle Lake cable cars; the card itself costs about 2 GEL, and a ride is 1 GEL with a free transfer within 90 minutes to any other public transit mode (metro, bus, or minibus). A contactless bank card also works directly, at a slightly higher fare (about 1.5 GEL).
Public buses (Tbilisi City Transport)An extensive network covering nearly every neighborhood, complementing the metro; same 1 GEL fare with the same Metromoney card, running roughly 7:00 AM-11:00 PM.
Marshrutka (minibus)Small minibuses on fixed routes that stop on demand, useful for destinations the metro doesn't reach directly; usually accept Metromoney and sometimes cash (0.8-1 GEL).
Ride-hailing apps (Bolt and Yandex)The easiest option for visitors to avoid needing a local transit card; Bolt is the most widespread (Uber is not available in Georgia). Most rides within downtown run 3-6 GEL.
From Tbilisi airports into the city
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
The only airport serving Tbilisi, about 17-22km southeast of downtown (20-30 minutes by car outside rush hour, up to 45-60 minutes during it). A single passenger terminal serves both international and domestic flights.
Bus 337 (formerly signed as 37) — the cheapest option, runs to Freedom Square via Isani and Avlabari metro stations and Rustaveli Avenue; about 1 GEL with a Metromoney card or contactless bank card (no cash on board), 45-60 minutes, runs roughly 7:00 AM-11:00 PM only
Official taxi from the airport rank — typically 35-50 GEL to downtown (about $13-19), around 20-30 minutes
Bolt app (the most widely used; Uber does not operate in Georgia) — usually cheaper than a traditional taxi with an upfront fare, roughly 15-25 GEL to downtown
A limited train to the central station — only two departures per day each way at a token fare of about 0.5 GEL, impractical for most arrivals given the limited schedule
Pre-booked private transfer — a convenient option for late-night arrivals or heavy luggage, at a fixed pre-agreed price
Before you rely on public transport
Fares and travel-card rules change periodically, and the figures above are tied to the verification date shown on each city page. Always count the airport transfer inside day one rather than outside it, and remember that peak hours can double the times listed. If you are travelling as a family or with heavy luggage, compare the cost of one taxi for the whole group against individual fares before assuming public transport is cheaper.