Travel can be a very positive but very stressful experience. The positive is that you are on a new adventure somewhere you likely have not been to before.
The negative is that you have to get familiar with the area on the fly because you do not know it well. One of the first times you experience this is right out of the airport.
About 2.9 million people fly in the United States every day. So, how do they figure it out? Some use airport shuttles, which can make your travel experience more accessible and less stressful.
How? Read on to find out.
Private Shuttles
These are shuttles that you can book in advance. The pros to this are certain companies can accommodate larger parties, and most others will show up at the exact time you ask them to.
If you try to book an impromptu ride with an app like Uber, there is no guarantee that a car will be available to take you to an airport. A private shuttle gives you more room for preparation, and in some cases, more ways that a large party can travel together.
Car service to the airport can allow you to relax, find a ride there, and take away the stress of figuring out how to get there.
Hotels
Hotel transfers are a big part of the shuttle industry. This is because those located right by the airport will generally provide you with a shuttle to get to and from the airport for free as a service you are paying for by booking a room with them.
With hotel shuttle services, you generally just tip the driver at the end of the ride.
However, some hotels may go the extra mile and provide you with a shuttle even if their location is further away. This is generally for fancier hotels such as all-inclusive resorts.
Your mileage may vary when you start getting outside the local airport area, but some of those shuttles are included as well. You might have to pay an add-on for others, but you do get the convenience of direct transportation to the hotel.
Public Shuttles
These are either provided by a third-party company or a general resort area to transfer people to and from the airport. Think of Disney with their Magical Express to and from Orlando International Airport.
This is a bus that can be considered a shuttle in this situation that you have to share with other people that is dropping people off in more than one location. Because Disney has so many hotel properties, they can drop people off in several different final destinations.
You may have to book in advance, especially if the service is free, in case the seats on the shuttle sell out.
Enjoy Airport Shuttles
In general, airport shuttles are meant to be a convenience that is supposed to ease a stressful experience traveling to a new destination. Take advantage of them.
Read more of our Travel articles for even more travel tips.