Your journey through an airport is just as important as your journey through the air. Navigating large airports can be a daunting part of travel, especially in global hubs that handle millions of passengers each year. To streamline movement between terminals and connect travelers to mainline transport options, many airports have invested in efficient transit systems—from sleek monorails and light rails to innovative automated people movers and eco-friendly pod systems.
Here’s our global countdown of the most effective (and most interesting) airport shuttle and transit systems by passenger numbers.
1. Pod System, Heathrow Airport – London, UK – Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)
This innovative Pod System named ‘Ultra’ (urban light transit) connects London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Terminal 5 with parking facilities, using autonomous, electric-powered pods. While this isn’t the highest-capacity entry on our list (and is less eco-friendly because, by definition, you have to drive to it), this transit is a quiet, efficient, and novel alternative to shuttle buses, offering a modern and unique experience for travelers. Some sources claim the system carries around 1 million passengers per year.
2. Orlyval, Orly Airport – Paris, France – Light Rail
Carrying around 33 million passengers per year, Paris Orly Airport (ORY)’s “Orlyval” connects terminals with the RER B train line, offering a fast way to reach central Paris. With a direct connection to the city’s main transit network, Orlyval ensures Paris’s second airport remains a viable option for tourists and locals alike.
3. The PHX Sky Train, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – Phoenix, USA – Automated People Mover (APM)
The automated people mover at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) offers a 24-hour service that connects all terminals, the rental car center, and nearby light rail. Running on an elevated track, it provides scenic views of Phoenix and offers travelers a smooth, efficient way to get around the airport. The PHX Sky Train is estimated to carry around 44 million passengers per year.
4. MIA Mover, Miami International Airport – Miami, USA – Monorail
Miami’s “MIA Mover” provides a seamless link between Miami Airport (MIA) terminals and the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), connecting travelers with rental cars and Metrorail. It’s a convenient way to switch between air and ground transport. The MIA Mover transports around 45 million passengers per year.
5. The Gatwick Airport Shuttle, Gatwick Airport – London, UK – Automated People Mover (APM)
The unglamorous but efficient shuttle at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) connects North and South Terminals in minutes and links directly to Gatwick’s rail station for convenient travel to London. This service is a quick, free, and reliable solution for travel between the terminals, carrying around 46 million passengers per year.
6. AirTrain, JFK Airport – New York City, USA – Light Rail
Love it or hate it, there’s no doubt that JFK’s AirTrain is an absolute essential in a city where airports are generally quite poorly connected by public transit. AirTrain links New York’s JFK Airport (JFK) terminals to key transit hubs like Jamaica Station and Howard Beach, allowing fairly long but easy transfers to New York’s subway network. The AirTrain carries around 61 million passengers per year.
7. Skytrain, Changi Airport – Singapore – Automated People Mover (APM)
The Skytrain at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) provides effortless travel across Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and offers scenic views of Jewel Changi Airport’s lush gardens and iconic indoor waterfall. Carrying around 68 million passengers per year and known for its efficiency and aesthetic appeal, it’s one of the most celebrated airport transit systems worldwide (though not one of the largest).
8. Denver International Airport – Denver, USA – Automated People Mover (APM)
Denver International Airport (DEN) is home to an Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS), often referred to simply as the “Train to the Gates.” This underground people mover connects the Jeppesen Terminal with Concourses A, B, and C, ensuring efficient transit across the sprawling airport. Operating at high frequency, the train features wide, open cars designed for travelers with luggage. Denver’s train system is integral to the airport’s function, as the concourses are physically separated from the main terminal. With DEN serving around 69 million passengers annually, the AGTS plays a critical role in maintaining smooth operations and minimizing passenger transfer times. It’s also a great way for the illuminati and the Lizard People to get around the airport.
9. Maglev Train, Incheon International Airport – Seoul, South Korea – Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Train
Ah, Maglev—the cutting-edge rail revolution that almost never happened. Except it did at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN). Incheon’s Maglev is a fast, eco-friendly option that provides a smooth, near-silent ride from Terminal 1 to local stations. It serves nearby areas and exemplifies advanced transit technology at Incheon Airport, carrying around 77 million passengers per year.
10. The Plane Train, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Atlanta, USA – Automated People Mover (APM)
The Plane Train operates in a simple underground loop, linking all seven concourses at two-minute intervals at Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This quick and frequent service helps passengers make tight connections between multiple terminals in the world’s busiest airport, carrying around 93 million passengers per year.
These airport transit systems highlight how advanced technology and thoughtful design can enhance the travel experience, even in the busiest global hubs. While they’re often not the most glamorous part of your journey, they are essential for getting you where you need to be.
What do you think of our top 10? Let us know in the comments!
Cover photo: Wikipedia Commons
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