Airport shuttles and transit systems come in all shapes and sizes, from monorails to Maglevs. These unsung heroes are vital to the efficient operation of some of the busiest airports in the world. Where is your favorite?
Cover photo: Wasim Choudhury, JetPhotos.
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-768x378.jpg)
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22 Responses
It has got to be Washington Dulles-IAD for me. The iconic “smokestack” busses (even though most no longer have smokestacks, unfortunately) are still one of the best, consistent ways to get really close to some awesome planes. The Lufty 747 was always a favorite of mine to go right behind.
In Zurich we have a really nice underground monorail where there is no driver so you can be in the very front. Sadly your just able to take it when you are flying an international flight. (To Dock E)
SIN also has that but to all terminals @Oscar
DFW. The skytrain can get you to any gate in 15 minutes
ATL
Seattle, our beautiful red trains have been running since the 90s, and have a 99.9% on time rate, with 3 lines and 6 stations, it’s one of the largest automated airport transit systems in the world, and is quite litterally better than Seattle’s own rapid transit light rail system.
HAN
AMS byfar my favourite. I live in BOD and need AMS to get around in this world instead of CDG.
I have transited Schiphol many times but I do not recall any Transits.
I like KLM and my collection ot Dutch houses.
My last visit involved interminable walks between terminals as always but worth it if you can locate the KLM lounge and I had to get the buggy for the return as I had a 10 hour transit due to a cancellation even though it was LHR but I ended up in LCY!
50% of the moving walkways were out of service.
Tampa Airport. Great hub and spoke design that is easy accessible for travelers.
Tampa, the best for several decades. Atlanta, is the worst in the US.
Sheremetyevo airport
Hong Kong’s rapid transit system, whisks you from the Hong Kong airport to Kowloon. It’s clean, fast and efficient!
Singapore Changi is simply awesome. Wonderfully efficient between terminals and aesthetically beautiful.
It must be the Heathrow POD system connecting directly into T5 from a long term car park.
Simply excellent and very green!
Atlanta’s airport,,in my estimation, as the best rail system, within its own airport. Consistently on time and prompt.
SYD Intl to dom or visa versa.
Taxi not, Uber not, Qantas bus good, public bus public roads can be bad often, train expensive.
I was at Bologna, Italy last year and they had an amazing monorail from centrail train station right into the airport in 11 mins, leaving every 10 mins. Beautiful views and fun transportation. I think it was around 7 euros.
PDX is great. DCA is also good as is BOS
‘Welcome aboard the plane train’
In ATL lol
The Bombardier APM at PEK
Fiumicino FCO.