For many, the holiday begins not when the plane takes off, but during the private transfer to the airport. As international travel continues to bounce back and evolve to the new ways of the world, so do the booking habits of those using airport transfers.

Whether it’s pre-booked private rides, ride-hailing services or local public transport, their choices tell us a lot about what matters to them – cost, convenience, reliability and safety.

Delving into the booking data from Brits arranging their airport transfers with Welcome Pickups, we have identified which travellers plan ahead, sometimes months in advance, and which ones prefer to book last minute, even on the day of their flight.

Business or Leisure?

When looking at the information captured when travellers book their airport transfers, we can see that Brits choosing private airport transfers when abroad are travelling for leisure rather than for business, no matter their age.

Travellers aged 31 to 45 are the most likely to travel for business, accounting for 15% of all airport transfers booked for work trips abroad. On the flip side, the over 55s are the age group who travel the most for pleasure, with a minuscule 4% saying their airport transfers are booked for business travel.

Last Minute Millennials

According to the booking data from the past year, those aged 31-45 are the most likely to book their transfers at the last minute, with 35% of bookings made within 12 hours of airport departure or arrival coming from this age group. Millennials also account for 33% of bookings made between 12 hours and 24 hours from departure or arrival, making them the generation most likely to book their airport transfers on the same day as they travel.

In contrast, people over 55 years old are the least likely to book on the same day as their holiday. Only 18% of bookings made within 12 hours of departure, and 24% of those made between 12 and 24 hours before arrival, come from this age group. In fact, this generation is the most likely to book well in advance, with 49% of bookings made a month or more in advance.

Frantic Family Planning

When it comes to understanding which travellers are planning ahead and which aren’t, the Welcome Pickups booking data shows that couples are the most likely to leave organising their airport transfers to the day of departure.

The insights show that of those booking less than 12 hours in advance of travel, 46% are people travelling with their significant others and only 19% are travelling with their friends. Then there are the families travelling together, who account for 36% of all bookings made within 12 hours. 

Despite many families being forced to plan travel around term time and school holidays, there seems to be no intent on booking transfers as soon as possible, with 39% booking between 12 and 24 hours before travel and 35% booking more than a month in advance.

There are financial benefits to booking in advance, as booking a transfer in the last 48 hours before a trip is likely to result in a more expensive fare, due to limited driver supply. Transfers booked last minute can be 15-30% more expensive, depending on the destination and booking window.

Top Drop-off Destinations

The cities that Brits are booking airport transfers in the most have also been uncovered amongst the Welcome Pickups booking data, and the Grecian city of Athens is the top destination across all generations of travellers.

Photo by David Tip on Unsplash

1. Athens

According to our airport transfer booking data, the number one destination for British travellers is one of the oldest in the world, Athens. In 2024, Athens reportedly saw a 17% increase in travellers to the Greek capital, and this year, the ancient city sees more than 74,000 Google searches by Brits keen to visit the 5th-century landmarks every month.

Things to do in Athens:

• The best of Athens in 2 hours
• Athens by night tour
• Athens chauffeur service

Photo by Logan Armstrong on Unsplash

2. Barcelona

The second most popular destination amongst British travellers based on their airport transfer booking habits is the Catalonian capital, Barcelona. Across the UK, travellers seek out information on the Spanish city famed for its iconic architecture more than 673,000 times per month, and the cultural hub also saw a 16% increase in travellers to the city in 2024.

Things to do in Barcelona:

• The best of Barcelona in 2 hours
• Half day sightseeing tour of Barcelona
• Full day tour of Barcelona

 Photo by Alexander Kagan on Unsplash

3. Paris

Paris is the third most popular destination amongst travellers from the UK according to our booking data, and sees more than 201,000 monthly Google searches from Brits interested in the French city. In 2024, the fashion capital also saw a 4% increase in travellers keen to immerse themselves in all the art, gastronomy and culture the iconic city has to offer.

Things to do in Paris:

• Disneyland Paris private transfers
• Paris airport layover tour
• Paris by night tour

Photo by Henrique Ferreira on Unsplash

4. Seville

The transfer booking data shows that the Spanish city of Seville is the fourth-most popular destination for British travellers, and the Andalucian capital also sees around 110,000 monthly Google searches from those looking for year-round sun from the warmest city on the continent.

Things to do in Seville:

• Half day sightseeing in Seville
• Day trip to Cordoba
• The best of Seville in 2 hours

Photo by David Köhler on Unsplash

5. Rome

The fifth most popular destination amongst travellers from the UK, according to our booking data, is the capital city of Italy, Rome. In 2024, Italy’s most populous city saw a 15% increase in visitors to the Eternal City. While in the UK, the ancient city sees more than 110,000 monthly searches from Brits looking to visit the popular destination themselves.

Things to do in Rome

• Half day sightseeing in Rome
• Day trip from Rome to Tivoli
• Rome highlights private tour

No matter which city is your own personal favourite to visit, check out our extensive Travel Guides for inspiration and find out more about booking your airport transfers with Welcome Pickups.