Airport Transfers Between Terminals

Terminal links come in a few forms: automated people mover trains, shuttle buses on the airport roads, long indoor walkways and, at some airports, regular rail or metro services. Most are free. Some run inside the secure zone, others outside it.

Airside or landside?

This is the key detail. An airside link keeps you behind security, which is ideal for connections. A landside link means you leave the secure area, travel to the other terminal and pass through security again, possibly immigration too.

How long to allow

Airport websites often publish typical transfer times. Treat them as best case. Add time for walking from the gate, waiting for the train or bus and any security checks. Late at night some links run less often, which can be a surprise.

• Same terminal, airside: often under 15 minutes.
• Different terminal, airside train: around 15 to 30 minutes.
• Landside bus plus security: 45 minutes or more at busy times.

Following the signs

Look for signs saying Flight Connections, Transfers or the name of the terminal link. Colour coding is common, so note the colour for your destination terminal. If in doubt, ask at a transfer desk, they deal with this question all day.

With checked baggage

On a single ticket, bags are normally transferred automatically. On separate tickets you may need to collect your bags, go landside, and check them in again at the other terminal. That adds a lot of time and is worth planning for.