Advice for getting to airport - taxi vs Uber

elsmandino

Morning all.

I often leave my car at the airport, when we go on our annual holiday, but I have had a few car issues that have meant that I need to use some sort of taxi service, this year, for a return trip.

As a general rule, I would be grateful for any advice on whether Uber might be a sensible idea or whether I should use taxi services that specialise in airport runs.

The other thing, that might cause issues, is that I am travelling with a 9-year-old, so we would need a booster seat to be provided.

I do have an Uber account but I have only ever used it once, so I have no idea how expensive trips are, generally - my one use was expensive, but then it was for a New Year's eve party.

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

DE_612183

It depends on the time of day - if I get an uber home from town mid- morning on a Monday it's a Fiver - 2am Saturday morning - it's £20 ( at least ).

So when is your flight?

You can always try to book an Uber - it will give you a price, and you can also contact a local taxi firm who will do the same.

As for the booster seat - you'd need to tell both you need that ( do you need one I think there is a age or height requirement? )

DullGreyGuy

elsmandino said:

Morning all.

I often leave my car at the airport, when we go on our annual holiday, but I have had a few car issues that have meant that I need to use some sort of taxi service, this year, for a return trip.

As a general rule, I would be grateful for any advice on whether Uber might be a sensible idea or whether I should use taxi services that specialise in airport runs.

The other thing, that might cause issues, is that I am travelling with a 9-year-old, so we would need a booster seat to be provided.

I do have an Uber account but I have only ever used it once, so I have no idea how expensive trips are, generally - my one use was expensive, but then it was for a New Year's eve party.

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

With Uber these days you are given a set price when you request the vehicle however if the journey time or distance is materially longer than they estimated you will be charged on a mile/time basis like a black cab so if you hit major traffic its an open chequebook on the price. There is also a notable premium for prebooking a car and no guarantees that one will be available at the time you request. 

It's not clear by "taxi" if you mean a private hire vehicle or a black cab/hackney plated vehicle? Obviously the advantage of private hire is that it is a fixed price no matter if it's 1hr or 3 hrs to get you there on the day. In principle they are "guaranteed" but good luck in getting any compensation if they are a no show. 



For us, in central London, Uber tend to be on paper slightly cheaper than private hire if the roads are clear when you book it (obv if their systems know there are problems the price will spike), you dont pre-book and if that proves to be true then happy days but most the time we would book a private hire car because it gives more certainty on the price.

For example for me right now:

Uber no prebooking £62
Uber prebooked       £78
Private Hire               £74
Last black cab taken £110

However when I first started typing this the Uber without prebooking was at £78 and dropped £16 during typing. 

Dont think with Uber you have the options of a child seat but presumably you are bringing your own so you can use it whilst on holiday?

daveyjp

Depends on the airport, but some have a preferred taxi operator.  The airport website will tell you if this is the case.  I have however found airport taxi runs to be a rip off.   My local rugby club and the local airport are both 5 miles away.  A taxi to rugby is about £15, a taxi to the airport £25.

Neil49

Don't forget to plan for your return home. You can't just walk out of the terminal and expect to find a taxi with a child seat on hand. 

531063

Neil49 said:

Don't forget to plan for your return home. You can't just walk out of the terminal and expect to find a taxi with a child seat on hand. 

A black hackney cab has a child seat built in.

Neil49

531063 said:

Neil49 said:

Don't forget to plan for your return home. You can't just walk out of the terminal and expect to find a taxi with a child seat on hand. 

A black hackney cab has a child seat built in.

That rules out Uber then. There may be plenty of black Hackney cabs in London but they are a rarity elsewhere nowadays. 

twopenny

Depending which airport Uber have other designated places to drop off so you may have a walk. Airport taxis pay to have license to stop and wait near the departures/arrivals.

Also Uber aren't a guaranteed price as mentioned, don't always turn up on time.

So for me it would be an ordinary taxi, one you can rely on because if you are late you could miss your flight or start the holiday off in a panic.

It's your holiday, your treat to relax so go for the taxi and make it a good start. If money is tight save elsewhere when you return.

I'm going to have to get a taxi to an airport for the first time next holiday. I'm from a rural area so it's eyewatering - but it will be lovely not to stress about fog, traffic, parking etc - I plan to go the old fashioned way with a moneybox that's stashed somewhere in the garage and start saving towards it.

TELLIT01

I would use a company which advertises as doing airport transfers.  They are generally set up well to watch for flight delays etc so will be there when you need them.  A standard taxi will probably arrive at a set time and then leave but charge you if you don't appear.

nannytone_2

You can use a taxi without a car seat for kids.
The only rule os that you must use one if it's provided 

strawb_shortcake

We had a prebooked taxi to the airport this year, it worked out cheaper than parking for one car at Bristol Airport, and we would have had to take 2 cars.