4 Reasons to Pick a Taxi Over a Train When You're Heading to the Airport

Unless you have a friend willing to drop your off or don't mind leaving your own car in long-term parking, you're probably going to have to take either a taxi or a train to the airport to catch your next flight. Most major airports have their own train stations, so this can seem like a good option. That said, there are plenty of reasons why it's well worth booking a taxi instead, and here are just four.

1. Reliability

When it comes right down to it, the main thing to consider when choosing between train and taxi is which one is going to get you to the airport on time. Arriving late could mean anything from sprinting through the terminal to missing your flight altogether. Trains are generally quite reliable, but there's always the possibility of some incident seeing your train cancelled or delayed. A taxi service is more reliable; sure, roads can get blocked, but your driver will know other routes and should be able to predict and plan around traffic, so you're far more likely to arrive in good time.

2. Door-to-Terminal Service

You probably don't live right next door to a train station, which means that you're going to need to get from your home to the station before even setting off. This can be tough if you need to leave early in the morning or late at night, and it's far nicer to simply be picked up at your door. It's also nicer to be dropped off right outside the terminal – some airport train stations are quite a walk away from the terminal.

3. Made to Measure

Some people are lucky enough to travel with only a backpack, but most will have to take at least a small suitcase. If your train is crowded, it can be tough to squeeze inside with all your luggage, and taking your luggage onto a crowded train always risks some kind a theft. When you order a taxi, they'll ask how much you need to bring with you and then send a vehicle to accommodate.

4. Timed Around You

One of the main problems with trains is that they have fixed schedules, and those schedules are rarely going to line up with your own timetable. You may need to get to the airport by 18.00, only to find that trains arrive at either 17:30 and 18:30; take the first one to be early or the second one to risk arriving too late to fly. Taxis are perfectly flexible. If you know you need to leave at a certain time, you can count on having the taxi arrive exactly then.