Airport Transfers

[bonniejoy03]

Question for community: When you arrive in a foreign city, do you tend to prebook your transfers to the hotel via the hotel or a guide or just "wing" it with a local taxi? Thanks for any input/suggestions. I am running into this situation and am asking for any opinions. (ps-local taxi is cheaper than guide or hotel, hotel can charge it to room.)

[Mountie]

Depends on the country. The lower down on the food chain and the less stability, the greater the probabilities a tourist becomes the target for a good pay day. If it is my first trip to the country and there are any questions in my mind, I usually deal directly with the hotel. May cost a few extra bucks, but it is better than ending up in the local garbage dump and becoming a missing person statistic.

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks Mountie! Scared me enoough to go through the hotel!!! Written beautifully!!

[kyshel]

In European cities, I would typically get the general price info thru tripadvisor, or use mass transit (CDG comes to mind--taxi is $50 euros but train/metro is less than $10 each) but Prague metro is a pain, so I use a specific taxi company...

Mountie has a point and sometimes hotel transfers are a good option--there are also plenty of transfer companies in many cities that are reliable and less than what the hotel arranges. I guess it's your comfort level and understanding of the local "customs" and shenanigans some taxi companies engage in to ripoff tourists. We had some transfers or private guides pre-arranged in Bali. One got confused and no-showed but drivers were plentiful and competitive at 3 am (I was surprised!!)

[Mountie]

Hey, bonniejoy03, I didn't mean to scare you.

[bonniejoy03]

no worries mate!

[shygirl724]

Onewebsite that helped me figure out price comparisons for transfers before recently heading to Europe was this site:



http://www.worldtaximeter.com(Web access)



http://www.worldtaximeter.com/m (Mobile access)





I found that their taxi estimates were right on with what I was actually charged.



Shy ~
Message Edited by shygirl724 on 09-30-2009 09:14 PM

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks S. The community has really helped me. I have contacted the hotel and in the process of re-contacting a local guide (used by Omega), so will prepare transfers prior to arrival. I agree....after a long flight, I want to know that my transfers are waiting for me!! Trip countdown is coming!!

[omegaet]

mountie...and kyshel couldn't agree with both of you more....totally depends on the arrival destination.



Believe bonniejoy03 is asking about Santiago, Chile....not really a 3rd or 2nd world destination. The airport operations and surface transportation set up at Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport is actually more functional than at MIA from which she will likely be departing.



The suggestions regarding arrangements for a private transfer rather than using a taxi were based on the fact this will be their first trip to the city and country and they will have completed a long (possibly tiring) overnight flight (possible in coach class). Why not be treated to a happy face holding a card with their name and promptly taken to a clean sedan or van.... also enjoy a brief orientation tour during the ride through the streets of Santiago on the way to their hotel? These were my thoughts.



Probably worth the few extra bucks.

[thepiranha]

My first question after I've booked my room at a hotel is whether or not there is a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. If there isn't, I ask the hotel directly what is the best way to get there. There's no way for a traveler who's never been in a new city to know the best way for them to get to the hotel. In some cities, there is great rail transport from the airport and I enjoy going that route if I'm not in a hurry or if I don't have too much luggage.