Map your final destination
Start with the address of your hotel or home and locate the possible airports around it. Compare transfers at your actual arrival time, not distance alone. A shorter route may require more changes, while a farther airport may have a better transport connection to where you are staying.
Add the transfer budget
Record transport cost per traveller, any baggage fee and a taxi for the final stage if needed. Compare the complete options in one currency. For a family, individual transport tickets and one shared vehicle can produce different totals; calculate for your whole group rather than one person.
Operating hours constrain the choice
Check the last service after arrival and the first service on departure day. Allow for leaving the airport rather than treating the scheduled landing time as your train boarding time. If only one late-night option remains, include it in the budget or choose a time with more flexibility.
Check an alternative for disruption
Keep a practical backup, particularly for an early departure or a fixed appointment. Check official notices about engineering work and service interruptions close to travel. Time and money belong in the comparison together: a lower fare can lose value when the transfer threatens your schedule.
Check both directions
Verify the airport code for every leg before paying. A city-code search can include several airports, and the return selection may use a different one. Record arrival and departure codes and review change conditions so you understand the cost of correcting an unsuitable plan.