Holiday airport transfers

Doshwaster

zagfles said:

TELLIT01 said:

zagfles said:

But generally pre-booked transfers are expensive. Might be better to get a taxi on arrival or possibly public transport or a combination. 

That's exactly the opposite of my experience.  Pre-booking direct with a private transfer company is normally cheaper than just getting into a taxi at the airport.

It will vary, some airport taxis are a rip-off but you can usually use Uber etc. Public transport is also usually an option, even if just to get you most of the way and then a short hop taxi if necessary. 

The only time I've prebooked transfers is for shared shuttles which can be cheap as long as you are prepared for them to take longer. You may have to wait for other flights to arrive before departure and you often get a tour of every hotel in the area before you are, inevitably the last drop off.

Easy of access to public transport is an important factor when deciding where to go. May be daunting the first time in a new location but if you've been there before then it is a lot easier. 

TELLIT01

@Doshwaster what you have posted is precisely why we always book private transfers.  Just as an example, one place we stay regularly was used by one of the major tour operators.  We spoke to somebody who had used their free transfer and it had taken over 4 hours.  That was exceptional, but the norm was over 3 hours.  We checked their noticeboard and pickup for the return flight was 5 hours before flight time.  The rep simply said they had a lot of places to pick up.  The trip by private transfer is typically 50 minutes.  We leave 3 hours before flight time and are always there before the hoards on coaches.  I'm happy to pay for the convenience.

zagfles

TELLIT01 said:

@zagfles I agree that public transport will be cheaper, but will also potentially take a heck of a lot longer than either taxi at the airport or private transfer.  There's also the hassle of getting suitcases etc onto public transport.  A personal thing, but I'd rather pay for private transfer in the knowledge that I'll be at my destination in the shortest time possible.

I'm not sure talking in generalities makes much sense, this will all be very destination specific, so OP is best using TA. Sometimes public transport will be quicker if say the airport is on a train line and the roads are busy, sometimes taxis whether airport or Uber etc will be cheaper than pre-booked transfers, there is no general rule about these things

Doshwaster

TELLIT01 said:

@Doshwaster what you have posted is precisely why we always book private transfers.  Just as an example, one place we stay regularly was used by one of the major tour operators.  We spoke to somebody who had used their free transfer and it had taken over 4 hours.  That was exceptional, but the norm was over 3 hours.  We checked their noticeboard and pickup for the return flight was 5 hours before flight time.  The rep simply said they had a lot of places to pick up.  The trip by private transfer is typically 50 minutes.  We leave 3 hours before flight time and are always there before the hoards on coaches.  I'm happy to pay for the convenience.

Really depends on location and the size of your group. As a solo traveler, public transport is always my first choice. I go to Tenerife regularly and I'm happy to jump onto the local bus (€2.80) when everyone is is waiting for their transfer bus or standing in a long taxi queue. If you were a couple with children then a private taxi works every time.

Worst transfers I've had was are Turkey. Resorts are a long way from the airport and hotel are spread out. Not too bad if you book a transfer as part of a package as the bus will only be good to a handful of hotels at most but on some of the independent transfers you get a grand tour of the whole area with a lot of drop off/collection points. 

Mishomeister

Not much luck on Trip Adviser forum, unfortunately. Only one person responded, and the response wasn't too useful

elsien

I would suggest getting a quote from the big companies (holiday taxis, sun transfers etc) then look at the recommended local companies on tripadvisor and get a price from them. Then you can compare and decide what to go for. There isn't always much to choose between them. 
Rhodes Attractions | Tripadvisor