Travel essentials
Airport arrival guide
Arrival-zone guidance for the major international gateways across all 13 countries this site covers: the specific taxi-scam pattern operating at each airport, the official transport options and their costs, SIM-card availability, and currency-exchange recommendations. The first 30 minutes after immigration are the highest-friction surface for new arrivals — knowing the pattern at your specific airport eliminates most of the risk.
Three universal arrival rules
- Never follow anyone who approaches you inside the arrivals hall, before you reach the official transport desks or kerbside rank.
- Verify ride-hail pickups: match the licence plate shown in the app to the physical vehicle before getting in.
- If a driver quotes a flat fare significantly above the posted zone rate or the ride-hail app estimate, decline and walk to the next option. There is always another option.
How to use this page
Each airport entry below covers five practical areas: the specific scam pattern at that airport (not the generic regional pattern), the official and app-based transport options, SIM-card availability, currency-exchange strategy, and a cost band for the trip to the city centre. Cost bands use local currency; for conversion context, see the money page. For onward transport within each country, see the transport page.
SIM cards purchased at the airport cost slightly more than city-centre options but eliminate the navigational dependency on airport WiFi. For most travellers, buying a SIM at the airport is worth the small premium. All airports below have counters from the major national carriers in the arrivals hall.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Touts on the arrivals level (Floor 2, inside the hall) offer pre-arranged rides at flat fares. The legitimate Public Taxi rank is on Floor 1, kerbside, where metered taxis queue under supervision. Drivers who refuse the meter or quote flat fares at the rank must be declined — flag the next vehicle. Expressway tolls (฿25–฿75) are paid by the passenger on top of the meter.
- Official transport options
- Public Taxi rank (Floor 1): metered, ฿250–฿400 to central Bangkok plus tolls. Airport Rail Link Suvarnabhumi: ฿45 to Makkasan, ฿45 to Phaya Thai (BTS interchange). Grab pickup zone is on Floor 2 exterior. BKK Bus service 551/554 available for budget travellers.
- SIM cards
- DTAC, AIS, TRUE Move H kiosks in Arrivals Hall, Floor 2 and in the B-gate transit area. Tourist SIMs (7-day, 15-day, 30-day) available immediately after immigration.
- Currency exchange
- Exchange booths in arrivals offer competitive rates; Super Rich orange booths are generally the benchmark. Airport ATMs (Krungsri, Bangkok Bank) carry standard 220 THB foreign-card fee; use for small amounts only if needed urgently.
- Cost to city centre
- ฿250–฿400 by taxi + tolls; ฿45 by rail to Phaya Thai.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Don Mueang has a documented pattern of taxi touts inside the terminal who approach travellers before they reach the official rank. They claim the queue is 'too long' or that the train 'is not running' — both are typically false. The official metered-taxi rank is outside Door 6, Domestic Terminal 2 side. The ฿50 airport surcharge on top of meter is legitimate; tolls are extra.
- Official transport options
- Official metered taxi rank: Door 6 (international terminal). Grab pickup: ground floor exterior. Train: Don Mueang station is a 5-minute walk — State Railway of Thailand commuter trains to Hua Lamphong/Bang Sue, ฿5–฿15 but slow. A1 airport bus to BTS Mo Chit, ฿30.
- SIM cards
- AIS and TRUE Move kiosks in Arrivals Hall. Same tourist SIM range as BKK.
- Currency exchange
- Fewer exchange options than Suvarnabhumi. ATM cashback via 7-Eleven (airside, once through immigration) sometimes cheaper than counter exchange for small amounts.
- Cost to city centre
- ฿200–฿350 by taxi + tolls to central Bangkok; ฿30 bus to BTS.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Phuket has no metered taxis at the airport — officially only fixed-rate 'limousine taxis' and minibuses. The fixed rate to Patong is ฿700–฿1,000; to Kata/Karon slightly more. Unofficial touts near the exit offer the same trip for ฿1,200–฿1,500. Grab operates at the airport (pickup outside the car park) at lower rates than the official limousine queue and is the recommended option where surge pricing is absent.
- Official transport options
- AOT Limousine counter (fixed-rate taxis) inside arrivals: ฿700 to Patong. Smart Bus: ฿100 to Phuket Town bus terminal, then local connections. Grab pickup: designated area outside the terminal car park, follow signs.
- SIM cards
- AIS, DTAC, TRUE Move kiosks inside arrivals — well-stocked, competitive tourist SIM packages.
- Currency exchange
- Exchange booths inside arrivals are at bank-rate minus margin — reasonable for immediate needs. SuperRich and Kasikorn booths are the better options. ATMs work but carry the ฿220 foreign-card fee.
- Cost to city centre
- ฿700–฿1,000 fixed-rate taxi to Patong; ฿100 Smart Bus to Phuket Town.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Chiang Mai Airport has fixed-rate taxis operated by a cooperative — ฿160 to the Old City (posted on a board at the rank). Touts outside the exit sometimes quote ฿300+. Grab is active in Chiang Mai and is typically ฿100–฿130 to the Old City if surge is absent. Songthaew (red pickup truck) from the street outside arrivals negotiates around ฿150–฿180 to the centre.
- Official transport options
- Official taxi cooperative counter inside arrivals (fixed rates, posted board). Grab pickup: roadside outside terminal. Red songthaews: kerb-side, negotiated fare. No rail connection.
- SIM cards
- AIS, DTAC, TRUE Move kiosks in arrivals. Coverage across northern Thailand is good with any of the three.
- Currency exchange
- Airport exchange booths are adequate for immediate needs. Better rates are available at exchange booths along Tha Phae Road in the Old City. Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank ATMs in the terminal carry the ฿220 fee.
- Cost to city centre
- ฿160 fixed-rate taxi to Old City; ฿100–฿130 Grab.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- NAIA is the most documented airport-taxi-scam site in Southeast Asia. Yellow NAIA coupon taxis (Terminals 1 and 3 taxi counters inside) charge a fixed rate printed on your coupon — these are legitimate. White metered taxis outside will claim the meter is broken, refuse to use it, or have a tampered meter that jumps abnormally fast. Never take a white taxi from NAIA unless you can verify the meter starts at ₱40 and runs normally. Touts who offer a 'special price' outside arrivals are to be refused completely.
- Official transport options
- NAIA accredited yellow taxis (coupon-based, Terminals 1 and 3): ₱500–₱800 to Makati or BGC. Grab: designated pickup zones, well-signed at Terminals 1, 2 and 3. No rail connection to NAIA (planned but unbuilt as of 2026). PITX bus terminal (15 min by taxi) for provincial routes.
- SIM cards
- Globe and Smart kiosks inside arrivals at all terminals. Tourist SIMs available immediately after immigration. Data coverage across Manila metro is strong on either network.
- Currency exchange
- BDO and Metrobank exchange counters in arrivals offer reasonable rates. Independent exchange booths (look for accredited BSFI signs) slightly better. ATMs in arrivals carry standard ₱200 foreign-card fee per withdrawal.
- Cost to city centre
- ₱500–₱800 yellow taxi to Makati/BGC; Grab typically ₱300–₱550.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Cebu airport taxis have a documented pattern of refusing the meter and quoting flat rates to tourists. The meter must start at ₱40; if it does not, or if the driver quotes ₱500 to the IT Park when the metered fare would be ₱150–₱200, decline and take the next taxi. Grab operates well at Mactan-Cebu and is the lower-friction option.
- Official transport options
- Metered taxis from the official rank (outside arrivals, posted rate-card). Grab pickup: designated zone on the ground floor exterior. No rail. Ferry connections to other Visayan islands via Mactan Port (taxi required).
- SIM cards
- Globe and Smart counters in the arrivals hall. Coverage on Cebu island is strong with either.
- Currency exchange
- Exchange booths in arrivals. BancNet ATMs in the terminal. Rates are moderate — change enough for a day and find a better exchange counter in the IT Park or Ayala Centre.
- Cost to city centre
- ₱150–₱250 metered taxi to IT Park; ₱300–₱400 to Colon/downtown.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Lookalike taxis with livery resembling Mai Linh (beige) or Vinasun (green-white) but with slightly different logos and phone numbers park near the exits and charge non-metered flat fares. Verify the dispatch number printed on the door matches the official numbers: Mai Linh 38 38 38 38, Vinasun 38 27 27 27. Grab pickup is in a designated zone marked by blue signs on the ground floor exit — this is the lowest-friction option. Budget ₫250,000–₫400,000 for the metered taxi trip to District 1.
- Official transport options
- Mai Linh or Vinasun taxi rank (ground floor exits, check livery carefully). Grab pickup zone: ground floor, follow blue Grab signs. HCMC Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh direction) stops at Tan Son Nhat — opened Dec 2024, ₫15,000–₫20,000, 30 min to Ben Thanh.
- SIM cards
- Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone counters in arrivals. All three cover the country well; Viettel has the widest rural reach.
- Currency exchange
- Vietcombank and ACB exchange counters in arrivals offer standard rates. ATMs (Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank) carry VND 66,000 foreign-card fee — avoid high-value withdrawals at airport if possible.
- Cost to city centre
- ₫250,000–₫400,000 taxi to District 1; ~₫20,000 Metro to Ben Thanh.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Same lookalike-livery pattern as SGN: verify Mai Linh or Noi Bai Taxi door numbers before boarding. The airport is 35 km from the Old Quarter, so the fare is higher (~₫350,000–₫500,000 metered) and the distance makes the scam more valuable to operators. Grab works at Noi Bai with a pickup zone on the ground floor. Airport Bus 86 (Vietnam Airlines bus, ₫40,000) runs to the Kim Ma terminal near the Old Quarter — slow but reliable.
- Official transport options
- Mai Linh or Noi Bai Taxi rank (ground floor, check livery). Grab pickup zone, ground floor exterior. Airport Bus 86 to Kim Ma/Hoan Kiem. No direct rail to the city.
- SIM cards
- Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone counters in international arrivals.
- Currency exchange
- Vietcombank exchange in arrivals, or ATMs (Vietcombank preferred). Slightly better rates at Old Quarter exchange booths for larger amounts.
- Cost to city centre
- ₫350,000–₫500,000 taxi to Old Quarter; ₫40,000 bus.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- CGK's primary arrival scam involves unofficial drivers approaching inside the terminal before passengers reach the official counters. Blue Bird taxi — light blue with a blue bird logo — is the only reliable metered brand at CGK. The Blue Bird counter inside arrivals (not kerbside touts) is the reference point. Gojek and Grab pickups are in a designated ground-floor zone that requires a short walk from the arrivals hall.
- Official transport options
- Blue Bird counter (inside arrivals, Terminal 2 and 3). Gojek / Grab designated pickup zone (ground floor exterior). Airport Rail Link (Railink) to Manggarai Station and Sudirman, Rp 70,000, 35 min — the most reliable and scam-free option.
- SIM cards
- Telkomsel, XL, Indosat Ooredoo counters in arrivals. Telkomsel has the widest coverage nationally.
- Currency exchange
- BNI and Mandiri exchange counters in arrivals are the official options. ATMs inside arrivals carry ~Rp 50,000 foreign-card fee. Better exchange rates in the city.
- Cost to city centre
- Rp 350,000–Rp 550,000 Blue Bird taxi to central Jakarta; Rp 70,000 by rail to Sudirman.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Bali airport taxis operate a fixed-rate zone system (rates posted inside arrivals on a large board) — there is no metered option from the airport. The fixed rates are set by a taxi cooperative and are non-negotiable at the official counter. Gojek and Grab cannot legally pick up inside the airport perimeter; passengers must walk 2 minutes to the public road outside the terminal to hail ride-hail (this is explicitly enforced). The walkout to the public road is worth it: savings of Rp 100,000–Rp 200,000 are typical.
- Official transport options
- Official taxi cooperative counter inside arrivals: fixed rate board by destination zone (Kuta: Rp 100,000, Seminyak: Rp 130,000, Ubud: Rp 250,000). Gojek/Grab: walk 2 min to the public road outside the airport perimeter. No rail.
- SIM cards
- Telkomsel, XL, Smartfren counters in arrivals. Telkomsel recommended for island-wide coverage including remote areas.
- Currency exchange
- BNI counter in arrivals is adequate for first-night needs. Avoid money-changers on Kuta high street who quote inflated-looking rates — some use 'minus machine' devices; use licensed exchange counters only.
- Cost to city centre
- Rp 100,000 official taxi to Kuta; Rp 65,000–Rp 85,000 via Gojek/Grab from the public road.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Japan has virtually no airport taxi-scam culture — drivers are metered and honest. However, touts in the arrivals hall do sell 'limousine taxi' packages at ¥20,000–¥30,000 for a trip that the Narita Express covers for ¥3,020. The sole transport fraud risk at NRT is overpriced car services sold at kiosks positioned near the baggage hall before passengers reach the official transport desks.
- Official transport options
- Narita Express (N'EX) JR train: ¥3,020 to Shinjuku/Shibuya/Tokyo Station (60–90 min). Limousine Bus: ¥2,000–¥3,600 to major Tokyo hotels. Taxi to central Tokyo: ¥20,000–¥30,000 — only for groups or late-night emergencies.
- SIM cards
- IIJmio, Softbank, Docomo counters in both terminals — tourist SIMs (data-only or voice+data) available immediately. SIM-vending machines in arrivals for basic packages.
- Currency exchange
- Narita has Travelex and Japan Post Bank counters; rates are below best but adequate. 7-Eleven ATMs inside the terminal accept foreign cards with the standard ¥110 fee — the most convenient option for small cash.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥3,020 by N'EX to Tokyo Station; ¥2,000–¥3,600 by limousine bus.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Same pattern as NRT: no serious taxi scam risk, but kiosk-sold 'private transfers' are sold at multiples of the train fare. The Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Line are the standard options; taxis are honest but expensive. Haneda is considerably closer to central Tokyo than Narita.
- Official transport options
- Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho: ¥500, 15 min. Keikyu Line to Shinagawa/Asakusa: ¥290–¥650, 13–25 min. Taxi to Shibuya: ¥5,000–¥7,000 (legitimate, metered). Limousine Bus to multiple hotel areas.
- SIM cards
- Docomo, Softbank, IIJmio counters in International Terminal. Slightly less variety than NRT but fully adequate.
- Currency exchange
- 7-Eleven ATMs (International Terminal, Arrivals Level) accept foreign cards. Exchange counters in the terminal.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥500 by monorail to Hamamatsucho; ¥290–¥650 Keikyu to Shinagawa.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- No serious taxi scam pattern. The primary tourist-oriented mis-spend at KIX is booking overpriced shuttle services at arrival-hall kiosks when Haruka Express or the limousine bus cover the same route cheaper. Staff at the JR and Nankai counters in the arrival hall will advise on the correct ticket.
- Official transport options
- Haruka Express (JR) to Osaka/Umeda: ¥1,870–¥2,860 (30–75 min depending on destination). Nankai Rapi:t Limited Express to Namba: ¥1,450, 38 min. Limousine Bus to central Osaka and Kyoto hotels. Taxi to Namba: ~¥12,000.
- SIM cards
- Docomo, Softbank, Rakuten Mobile counters in International Arrivals.
- Currency exchange
- 7-Eleven ATMs in terminal; Travelex and Bank of Osaka exchange counters.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥1,450 by Nankai Rapi:t to Namba; ¥1,870+ by Haruka to Osaka.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- No significant scam pattern. Fukuoka Airport is uniquely close to the city centre — the subway from the terminal to Hakata Station takes 5 minutes. Taxis are metered and professional but unnecessary for most central destinations.
- Official transport options
- Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line: ¥260 to Hakata, ¥300 to Tenjin (5–11 min). Taxi to Hakata: ¥1,000–¥1,500. Bus to other Kyushu cities.
- SIM cards
- Docomo and Softbank counters in International Terminal arrivals.
- Currency exchange
- 7-Eleven ATMs in terminal. Travelex exchange counter.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥260–¥300 subway to Hakata/Tenjin; ¥1,000–¥1,500 taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Tuk-tuk and taxi touts outside PNH arrivals quote $10–$20 for trips that PassApp covers for $3–$5. A fixed-rate airport taxi counter inside the terminal posts $9 to the city centre — legitimate but overpriced versus app options. Drivers frequently volunteer introductions to guesthouses or bars; these are commission relationships.
- Official transport options
- PassApp tuk-tuk or car (app-based, pickup outside arrivals): $3–$6 to riverside. Official airport taxi counter inside: $9 fixed rate. Grab available. No rail.
- SIM cards
- Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone counters in arrivals. Smart has the best 4G coverage across the country.
- Currency exchange
- USD is universally accepted at face value in Cambodia. Exchange booths convert Thai baht or euros at reasonable rates; ATMs dispense USD with a $4–$5 foreign-card fee per withdrawal. Carry USD from home if possible.
- Cost to city centre
- $3–$6 PassApp to riverside; $9 airport fixed-rate taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Techo Airport (opened October 2023, replaced the old REP terminal) is 50 km from the city centre — a 40–50-minute drive, making it the most expensive airport-to-city transfer in Cambodia. Fixed-rate taxis at the airport quote $30–$40; this is approximately the market rate given the distance. Drivers offering $15–$20 outside the terminal are likely cutting the trip short or running a meter-scam variant. Pre-book a hotel pickup or use the PassApp car option for slightly lower rates.
- Official transport options
- Official taxi rank at terminal exit: $30–$40 to Siem Reap centre. PassApp or pre-booked hotel pickup: $25–$35. No public transport between Techo and the city.
- SIM cards
- Smart and Metfone counters in new terminal.
- Currency exchange
- USD exchange and ATMs in arrivals. Same USD-dominant economy as Phnom Penh.
- Cost to city centre
- $30–$40 official taxi; $25–$35 app-based or hotel pickup.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Incheon has no significant taxi scam culture. All taxis are metered, colour-coded (orange for standard, black for premium), and regulated. The one documented nuisance is unlicensed drivers at the kerb offering rides in personal vehicles — decline these and use the official taxi rank or the AREX train. The premium black K-Taxi tier is worth the slight premium for late-night arrivals.
- Official transport options
- AREX Express Train to Seoul Station: ₩11,000, 43 min. All-stop train: ₩4,150, 66 min. Taxi (orange metered) to central Seoul: ₩80,000–₩110,000. Premium black taxi: ₩100,000–₩130,000. Airport Limousine Bus to major hotel districts: ₩16,000–₩17,000.
- SIM cards
- SKT, KT, LG U+ counters in Arrivals Floor (1F), Terminal 1 and 2. Tourist SIMs (7-day, 30-day) or pocket-WiFi rental available.
- Currency exchange
- KEB Hana and Shinhan exchange counters in arrivals offer competitive rates. Woori and IBK ATMs in the terminal carry ₩3,000 foreign-card fee — standard and transparent.
- Cost to city centre
- ₩11,000 AREX Express to Seoul Station; ₩80,000–₩110,000 taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Taiwan airport taxis are yellow, metered, and professionally operated. Taxi touts solicit inside the arrivals hall offering flat-rate 'private car' services at NT$1,500–NT$2,000 for a trip the metered taxi covers for NT$1,000–NT$1,200. The Airport MRT eliminates the taxi decision entirely for most Taipei destinations. The scam risk at TPE is minimal by regional standards.
- Official transport options
- Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station: NT$160, 35 min. Metered yellow taxi: NT$1,000–NT$1,200 to central Taipei. National Highway Bus to various city terminals: NT$125–NT$150.
- SIM cards
- Chunghwa Telecom, FarEasTone, Taiwan Mobile counters in both terminals, arrivals level. Taiwan tourist SIM packages are among the best value in Asia.
- Currency exchange
- Bank of Taiwan exchange counters in arrivals — one of the better airport exchange rates in the region. 7-Eleven and FamilyMart ATMs in the terminal accept foreign cards.
- Cost to city centre
- NT$160 by Airport MRT to Taipei Main; NT$1,000–NT$1,200 by taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Changi has essentially zero taxi scam risk — all taxis are metered, regulated, and professionally operated. The MRT is the practical choice for most central destinations. The main arrival-zone irritation is the airport surcharge added to taxis (SGD 3–5 depending on terminal and time) — this is legitimate and posted on signs at the taxi rank. Touts do not operate at Changi.
- Official transport options
- MRT (East-West Line) to City Hall: SGD 2.50, 30 min. Taxi to Orchard Road: SGD 25–35 plus airport surcharge and possible peak-hour surcharge. Grab: pickup at Basement 2 of each terminal. Airport Shuttle to hotels: SGD 9.
- SIM cards
- Singtel, StarHub, M1 counters in arrivals (all terminals). Singapore tourist SIMs offer fast LTE across the island.
- Currency exchange
- Changi's exchange rates are among the best of any Asian airport. Arcade Money Exchange (Terminals 2 and 3) is competitive. POSB ATMs carry SGD 2 foreign-card fee — low by regional standards.
- Cost to city centre
- SGD 2.50 MRT to City Hall; SGD 25–35 taxi to Orchard.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- KLIA coupon taxis (Airport Limo) are pre-priced by zone — the rate is printed on your coupon from the counter inside arrivals and is non-negotiable. This system prevents meter fraud entirely. Touts outside the terminal who offer cash-for-cash rides at lower prices are unlicensed. Grab operates from both KLIA and klia2 at rates lower than the Airport Limo coupons.
- Official transport options
- KLIA Ekspres train to KL Sentral: MYR 55, 28 min (fastest, cleanliest option). KLIA Transit (slower all-stop train): MYR 55. Airport Limo coupon taxi: MYR 90–MYR 150 to central KL. Grab from designated pickup zone.
- SIM cards
- Maxis, Celcom, Digi (CelcomDigi post-merger), U Mobile counters in arrivals of both terminals.
- Currency exchange
- CIMB and Maybank exchange counters offer fair rates. Maybank ATMs carry MYR 12 foreign-card fee.
- Cost to city centre
- MYR 55 by KLIA Ekspres to KL Sentral; MYR 90–MYR 150 airport limo.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- HKG operates a colour-coded taxi system with fixed jurisdictional coverage: red taxis cover Hong Kong Island and Kowloon urban areas; green taxis serve the New Territories; blue taxis serve Lantau Island only. All are metered and regulated. The single documented nuisance is unlicensed drivers near the bus terminus approach who offer Kowloon trips in unlicensed vehicles — decline and proceed to the metered rank. The Airport Express eliminates the taxi decision for most visitors.
- Official transport options
- Airport Express to Central: HKD 115, 24 min. Airport Express to Kowloon: HKD 105, 20 min. Red taxi to TST (Kowloon): HKD 270–300. Citybus routes A11/A21/A31 to Kowloon, NT, Hong Kong Island: HKD 40–50.
- SIM cards
- 3 HK, CMHK, SmarTone counters in arrivals. Hong Kong Visitor SIM available with immediate LTE activation. In-Town Check-In counters also in terminal for hotel logistics.
- Currency exchange
- HSBC, Hang Seng, and Bank of China exchange counters in terminal. JETCO and HSBC ATMs carry no standard foreign-card fee beyond issuing-bank charges. Octopus card sold at the Airport Express counter — load it immediately and use it on all transport.
- Cost to city centre
- HKD 105–115 Airport Express to Kowloon/Central; HKD 270–300 red taxi to TST.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- DEL has one of the most documented airport-taxi scam ecosystems in Asia. Pre-paid taxi touts immediately outside customs approach arrivals with 'pre-paid' vouchers that are not issued by any official body — these are scam entry points. The only legitimate pre-paid taxis are from the Delhi Traffic Police (DTP) Pre-Paid Taxi booths inside the terminal, staffed in uniform. Ola and Uber operate at DEL with designated pickup zones (Terminal 2: P1 pickup; Terminal 3: Level P). The Delhi Metro (Blue Line + Orange Line to Aerocity) costs ₹60 to central Delhi and eliminates the taxi decision.
- Official transport options
- Delhi Metro: Orange Airport Line to New Delhi/Shivaji Stadium (₹60, 20 min to Aerocity for interchange). Ola/Uber pickup zones: Terminal 3, Level P. DTP Pre-Paid Taxi booth inside arrivals: ₹300–₹500 to central Delhi.
- SIM cards
- Airtel, Jio, Vi counters in arrivals (Terminal 3 has the most options). Foreign-passport SIM activation requires passport + visa documentation — allow 15–30 min.
- Currency exchange
- Thomas Cook and UAE Exchange counters in arrivals; standard airport rates. HDFC and Axis ATMs carry ₹200 foreign-card fee. Currency exchange outside the airport (Thomas Cook city branches, authorised money-changers) offers better rates for large amounts.
- Cost to city centre
- ₹60 Metro to central; ₹300–₹500 pre-paid taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Mumbai airport has licensed pre-paid taxi booths inside arrivals (Terminal 2) operated by Maharashtra government. Fares are metered-equivalent and printed on the receipt. Outside the terminal, touts position themselves before passengers reach the pre-paid counter and offer private cars at ostensibly lower rates — these are unlicensed. Ola and Uber work from BOM with pickup areas well-signed in T2.
- Official transport options
- Pre-paid taxi (Government of Maharashtra counter, inside T2 arrivals): ₹400–₹700 to South Mumbai. Ola/Uber pickup: designated zones, T2 exit. No direct metro to the terminal as of 2026 (Metro Line 3 extension planned).
- SIM cards
- Airtel, Jio counters in T2 arrivals. Same documentation requirement as DEL.
- Currency exchange
- HDFC and ICICI exchange counters and ATMs in T2 arrivals. Better rates available at authorised exchangers in South Mumbai.
- Cost to city centre
- ₹400–₹700 pre-paid taxi to South Mumbai; ₹250–₹400 Ola/Uber.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Unlicensed 'black taxis' (hēi chē, 黑车) approach arrivals before the official taxi queue outside. They target travellers who have luggage and appear uncertain. The Maglev train to Longyang Road (then Metro Line 2 to People's Square) is faster and cheaper than any taxi for central destinations. Didi is the dominant ride-hail app and has a pickup zone at T1 and T2; it requires a Chinese phone number for registration but international cards are accepted.
- Official transport options
- Maglev to Longyang Road: ¥50 (8 min at 431 km/h), then Metro Line 2 ¥5 to People's Square. Official metered taxi rank (outside arrivals, queue marshalled): ¥160–¥200 to People's Square. Didi pickup zone inside the car park.
- SIM cards
- China Mobile, China Unicom counters in both terminals. Foreign-passport SIM available (China Unicom international tourist SIM is most accessible). VPN installation before arriving in China is strongly recommended — many apps (Google Maps, WhatsApp, Line) are blocked.
- Currency exchange
- Bank of China exchange counter in arrivals. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant payment methods in China; linking a foreign Visa/Mastercard to either app is now possible (2024 reform) and recommended before relying on cash. ATMs carry ¥25–¥30 foreign-card fee.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥50 Maglev + ¥5 Metro to People's Square; ¥160–¥200 taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- PEK has a well-documented 'black taxi' tout problem at the exits of T2 and T3. The official metered taxi queue (marshalled by uniformed officials, green vests) is outside each terminal. Black taxis quote flat fares of ¥150–¥300 for trips the meter covers for ¥90–¥130. The Airport Express (¥25, 30 min to Dongzhimen) eliminates the need for a taxi entirely for most central Beijing destinations.
- Official transport options
- Airport Express to Dongzhimen/Sanyuanqiao: ¥25, 30 min. Official metered taxi rank (marshalled, green-vest officials): ¥90–¥130 to central Beijing. Didi pickup zone designated in the car park.
- SIM cards
- China Mobile counter in T3 arrivals. Same documentation as Shanghai.
- Currency exchange
- Bank of China counter in T3. Alipay/WeChat setup recommended before arrival.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥25 Airport Express to Dongzhimen; ¥90–¥130 metered taxi.
- Arrival-zone scam pattern
- Same black taxi pattern as PEK and PVG. The Guangzhou Metro Line 3 (North Extension) has a stop at the terminal — ¥7–¥12 to central Guangzhou, making it the definitive option. Official taxi rank is marshalled.
- Official transport options
- Metro Line 3 to Tiyu Xilu/Zhujiang New Town: ¥7–¥12, 35–45 min. Official metered taxi: ¥80–¥120 to central Guangzhou. Didi pickup designated zone.
- SIM cards
- China Mobile counter in arrivals. Same as PEK/PVG.
- Currency exchange
- Bank of China exchange counter. Alipay/WeChat setup recommended.
- Cost to city centre
- ¥7–¥12 Metro to central; ¥80–¥120 taxi.
Airports not listed here
Secondary airports — Clark (CRK) in the Philippines, Goa Dabolim (GOI) or Manohar International (GOX) in India, Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Gimpo (GMP), Taipei Songshan (TSA), Kaohsiung (KHH), Penang (PEN), and Johor Bahru (JHB) — follow the same national pattern as the primary hub in their country. Gimpo and Songshan serve primarily domestic routes; Daxing is Beijing's secondary international hub with identical Metro connectivity. Consult the transport page for per-country general guidance.
Japan's New Chitose (CTS) serving Sapporo has the Rapid Airport train to Sapporo Station (¥1,150, 38 min) and no meaningful taxi scam risk. Busan Gimhae (PUS) in South Korea connects directly to Busan Metro Line 2 (₩1,500, 40 min to Seomyeon), making it one of the most transit-friendly airport connections in Asia.
See also: Transport & taxis for within-country safe transport, Money & ATMs for per-country ATM and exchange guidance, and Scam catalogue for patterns beyond the airport zone.