Airport transportation is one thing many trips have in common. No matter where you are going, you need to get to and from the airport. Many people ask me for my advice about airport transportation.
One thing I do not like to do is to ask someone to take me to the airport or pick me up. I don’t know why, I’m just not comfortable doing it.
If it’s a short trip, I drive my car to the airport and park it in economy parking. I like the convenience of having my car there when I get back. My break-even point is about ten days for the pricing to be the same to park my car as it is to pay someone for transportation.
I don’t mind taking the slower and cheaper way to get to the airport, a shared van. I’m OK with the early pickups and multiple stops. I am one of those people who like arriving to the airport early, so saving money by using a shared van works for me.
That all changes when I arrive at my destination. Ease and comfort are key. I don’t want to think much after I land.
When I arrive home after an extended trip, I pay for a car service to meet me at the baggage claim, help me with my luggage, and drive me straight home. After being away for several weeks, all I want to do is be home, so the extra money is worth it to me. I learned this lesson the hard way when it once took me almost three hours to get home from the airport at 2 am since there were so many stops. It should take about 40 minutes.
Spending a few extra dollars, Euros, shekels, kuna, rupee, pesos, or whatever is also worth it to me when I land in a foreign country. I want to know exactly how I am going to get to my hotel or wherever I’m going.
I know trains and buses are usually much cheaper than taking a taxi or having the hotel arrange transportation. I also know myself. Sometimes, after a long flight, I don’t even know my own name by the time I land, much less have the ability to figure out trains or buses to get me to a hotel.
I also have luggage and I don’t want to wrestle with it. I don’t want to worry about getting on and off a bus, finding the right stop, carrying my luggage up the stairs at a metro station, which way to exit the station, and where to walk when I get on the street. I just want someone to drive me from the airport to my hotel and I’m willing to pay extra for that ease.
My advice… take the easy way from the airport, especially in a foreign country. You’re spending a lot of money on a trip, you might as well spend a bit extra to start it off right. You can save money later.
What are your thoughts about airport transportation?