Live large; take a limo

Airport transfers

You’re exhausted from your overseas flight. You stagger through Customs, struggle with comprehending the heavily accented English and now you need to find some way to get to your hotel. 

The taxi driver speaks little to no English and you simply point to the address on your confirmation voucher.  You settle back and hope that you arrive in the right place safely.

Sound familiar? You can avoid the stress of on-the-spot negotiations and price gouging by pre-arranging your arrival transfer.

There are several different options to choose from. Each has its advantages and setbacks.

Shared shuttle

This option has you sharing the cost of a vehicle. The shuttles usually run every 30 minutes and if you miss one, you simply wait for the next. 

This option is the most economical, but you generally must wait until the shuttle is full before departing the airport and you are likely to make many stops along the way before reaching your personal destination.  Prepaying allows you to budget in advance and be prepared to find the correct shuttle company by name at the airport.

Private transfer

Ahhh, the indulgence of exiting the Arrivals Hall and finding a driver with your name on a sign.

This option is less expensive than what you’d expect and is a wonderful way to travel if sharing the cost with another couple. The driver will help with your luggage and you depart when you’re ready. Your transfer is a direct, nonstop ride. 

Disadvantage is if your flight is cancelled or re-routed for some reason. The drivers monitor your flight number and are aware of delays, however if you have been re-routed to another flight and are now arriving at a different time altogether, it is your responsibility to contact the supplier. 

This can, of course, be difficult without international call service or if you are not connected to wi-fi. I always recommend that you have the airline service desk that is re-routing you call or email the arrival transfer company.

VIP transfer

Like the private service, but with a higher level of service and amenities. This is for those lifetime memory trips.  The 50th wedding anniversary or honeymoon vacations. A full limo or luxury vehicle is detailed to include special inclusions such as champagne or toiletries. 

The driver is in uniform and speaks excellent English. Your transfer can include stops along the way to pick up additional refreshments, etc.

Each International airport has its own rules and security measures when it comes to driver access. There are times when the drivers are not allowed to be in the Arrivals Hall. They must wait with their vehicles in a designated parking area. 

In situations such as these, the traveller must have their own cell phone with international service to advise their arrival or be willing to approach the Info Desk and have one of the airport staff make the call for you. 

A prepaid arrival transfer is a wonderful peace of mind accessory to any trip. Sit back, relax and let your first impression of a destination be a good one.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.