Winter Airport Transfers Index [2023]
As airport transfer specialists, we know how crucial it is to arrange your onward travel plans soon after booking your flight.
While average transfer fares depend on many factors, such as seasonality, availability and demand, there are things you can do to make sure you get the best value for your onward journey. To help Brits plan their next winter or ski holiday, we analysed our own bookings data to find out which sun and ski destinations are most popular at this time of year.
We’ve also explored the average cost of airport transfers (year-round and during December), to reveal the most and least expensive journeys on average, to help you plan. Rounding our index off, Matthew Hall, our Managing Director, has shared his advice on how to get the best deal on your next airport transfer.
What are the most popular winter holiday destinations?
First, we wanted to find out which destinations are especially popular during the winter months. Our analysis shows that people prefer a mix of sun and snow destinations – from ski resorts like Megeve (France) and Mayrhofen (Austria), to warmer destinations, such as Cairo (Egypt) and Puerto Del Carmen (Lanzarote).
Short-haul European city breaks in Amsterdam (Netherlands), or Bruges (Belgium) are also popular at this time of year, as Brits seek out festive experiences like Christmas markets.
For some travellers, winter is the perfect time to go even further with long-haul destinations like Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Sydney (Australia) also making the list of holiday hotspots at this time of year.
How much do airport transfers cost to the most popular winter holiday destinations?
Digging into our data, we explored the average cost of an airport-to-city/town transfer. We discovered that due to increased demand, many of the most popular locations for winter breaks abroad also have higher-than-average taxi fares this time of year too.
Where are the cheapest transfers in December?
Having looked at the cost of popular holiday destinations which have their peak price in the winter months, we also explored which destinations are the cheapest in December.
The list includes a diverse and international mix of destinations, with Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia all included in the list.
How much do airport transfers cost in popular winter ski destinations?
When it comes to booking ski holidays, airport transfer prices increase over the winter months as you may expect.
It’s important to note that ski transfers usually require larger vehicles for bigger groups (and more luggage), so the cost of these will naturally be higher per transfer, but on a per-passenger basis it’s more affordable.
Winter ski destinations with highest average airport transfer cost from their nearest airport:
- Val D’isere (France) - £768
- Chamonix (France) - £586
- Zermatt (Switzerland) - £549
- Les Gets (France) - £524
- Kitzbuhel (Austria) - £521
- Morzine (France) - £510
- Obergurgi (Austria) - £455
- Courmayeur (Italy) - £380
- Mayrhofen (Austria) - £346
- Lucerne (Switzerland) - £281
On the other hand, some of the cheaper ski options include Bansko (Bulgaria) with an average transfer cost of £150 and Courcheval (France) at £226.
Where are the cheapest destinations for airport transfers all year-round?
Travelling during peak times can get expensive, especially when bigger vehicles are needed for additional passengers or extra luggage like ski equipment.
The average airport transfer cost in January and February is £83 and £84 respectively, whereas December is the cheapest winter month at £76.
We know that holiday costs can quickly add up, but this doesn’t always need to be the case when it comes to airport transfers.
- Marrakesh: Currently, our data shows that Marrakesh (Morocco), also known as The Red City, has the cheapest average airport transfer fare all year round. You can catch a ride from nearby Menara International airport to the city centre for as little as £20 each way.The North African city also has the lowest price per kilometre at just 80p per kilometre. For comparison, this is less than half of the average taxi fare in the UK at £1.65 per km.
- Palma, Majorca: Ranking second, a transfer to the popular Spanish Balearic Island resort city of Palma costs £25 on average. But beware that it’s typically £29 in December.
- Dubai: Despite being known as a more expensive location in general, Dubai’s airport transfers via hoppa are the sixth cheapest overall with an average of £31 each way.
- Bangkok, Thailand: The biggest city in our top 10 is Bangkok in Thailand, with a population of more than 11 million in the metro area. Here, a one-way transfer cost £30 on average.
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: For those preferring a smaller, more intimate destination, Punta Cana Beach in the Dominican Republic could also be an interesting location to explore. A taxi to your hotel or resort from the airport is likely to set you back around £32, each way.
- Bansko, Bulgaria: A skiing option also features in the list, with Bansko (Bulgaria) being the cheapest, with a cost of just £0.88 per kilometre on average, or £38 overall (again, one way).
Popular winter destinations with the lowest average airport transfer cost (under £50):
- Marrakesh (Morocco) - £20
- Palma (Mallorca) - £25
- Cairo (Egypt) - £30
- Bangkok (Thailand) - £30
- Valletta (Malta) - £31
- Dubai (Dubai) - £31
- Punta Cana Beach (Dominican Republic) - £32
- Colombo (Sri Lanka) - £33
- Cape Town (South Africa) - £37
- Bansko (Bulgaria) - £38
Where are the most expensive destinations for airport transfers all year-round?
At the other end of the table, we also found out which are the most expensive destinations for airport transfers.
Don’t let the higher prices put you off though, as later in this blog we’ve also shared some tips on how to save money.
Overall, Bruges (Belgium) takes top spot, with an average fare of £278 from the international airport in Brussels. More local airports may be available, depending on where you fly from, so this could significantly reduce the cost.
Unsurprisingly, Scandinavian destinations also rank at the top end of the table for most expensive transfer destinations, with the Danish, Icelandic, and Swedish capitals all featuring in the top 10.
Other destinations with high airport transfer costs include New York (USA), where the distance between JFK airport and Manhattan is 25km. The most popular type of transfer is private cars (79%) with up to 4 pax pan average of £48 per passenger.
Another popular city to visit, Paris (France), has an average price of £31 per passenger from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, with a third of passengers opting for minibuses, which have up to 18 passengers, and the rest using private cars.
Popular winter destinations with highest airport transfer costs to the city centre:
- Bruges (Belgium) - £278
- Munich (Germany) - £217
- Copenhagen (Denmark) - £162
- Reykjavik (Iceland) - £150
- Rovaniemi (Finland) - £141
- Bergen (Norway) - £136
- Stockholm (Sweden) - £131
- New York (USA) - £125
- Paris (France) - £106
- Amsterdam (Netherlands) - £90
Which destinations have the biggest peak month price increases for airport transfers?
As part of our research, we also looked at where the cost of transfers changes the most over the year.
We found that for many popular tourist destinations, which month you travel has a big impact on average fares. For example, transfers in Zagreb (Croatia) are six times more expensive in November than in April.
In Ljubljana (Slovenia), heading there just one month earlier in June instead of July can save you as much as £84 on an average one-way transfer.
Destinations with the biggest average price difference between the peak cost and cheapest months:
How can you save money on your next airport transfer?
To help you save more on your next winter airport transfer, our Managing Director Matthew Hall has collected his top tips and best practices.
1. Book in advance
When it comes to airport transfers, it’s best not to wait, so book your transfer as soon as possible. By doing this, you can ensure that there will be availability for the right type of vehicle that suits your needs.
Last-minute bookings aren’t as cheap, and the last thing you want is having to figure out how you will reach your hotel in a foreign country after you land.
2. Travel on weekdays
When exactly you travel matters and prices tend to fluctuate depending on the destination. While it may seem intuitive to go for a cheaper early-morning or late-night flight, the saved cost can be lessened in the form of more expensive airport transfers. This is because some ride providers have night supplements making it cheaper to travel during the day.
Weekends also tend to be busier, so travelling on weekdays can get you a better deal and more availability.
3. Utilise off-peak travel seasons
As our research shows, some destinations have cheaper average fares in the winter compared to their peak travel months. It’s worth doing research on when people like to visit your chosen travel destination the most and adapt your dates to go during the quieter months.
You can use our airport transfer index to visualise the price differences for key tourist destinations and gather inspiration for new locations to visit instead.
4. Split the cost with others
It’s always cheaper to share the cost of an airport transfer with other travellers. Depending on your luggage and the type of equipment you are bringing, you could consider booking a shared transfer and save more on the price per person.
Low deposit options are available with hoppa if booking early, making it easier for you to secure your booking with a low initial outlay.
While you're planning your transfer, be sure to check out the Best Ski Resorts In Europe as well as the best time to go skiing.
