Travel transfer: is it worth hiring this service?

Travel transfer travels between airports, takes you and picks you up at your hotel. Find out if it’s worth hiring this service.

When we are planning a trip, we have to think about everything: airfare, hotel, luggage, insurance… vice versa or take you to the next airport if you need to make a flight connection at another Istanbul Airport Transfers. In some cases it is interesting to hire this service, in others it is not so necessary.

What are the types of travel transfers?

Basically, there are three types of travel transfers: the so-called transfer in, responsible for taking the passenger from the airport to the hotel or resort where he is staying (generally these people hired as transfers are waiting for customers in the arrivals area with a sign with the company name, for identification); the transfer out, responsible for making the journey from the hotel/resort to the airport, on the last day of the trip; and the transfer in/out, hired to do both services.

There are also transfers that take people from one airport to another when the trip is very long (to Australia, for example) and the other flight needs to be caught at another airport, for example, if on a trip with a connection , a flight landed at Istanbul has airport and another flight needed to be caught at Guarulhos).

How to book a travel transfer?

You can choose any of the transfer modes mentioned above and each one will have a price. To hire one, it is interesting to analyze in detail the companies that provide this service and compare prices. A tip is to get referrals from friends, family, other people you know and even ask someone from the travel agency where you bought the tickets and the hotel, if you have done so. It is also possible to create a topic in our forum.

Another point to be analyzed is the type of transport used by the transfer (car, van, bus and others) and how it adapts to your needs. If you are on a business trip, you may prefer a private locomotion, but if you are with your family, you may not mind sharing space with other groups and, who knows, sharing intentions about which tourist spot to visit.

Also, make it clear what your landing and take-off times are so you don’t run the risk of running out of transport. The transfer will pick you up at a scheduled time between you, which will vary depending on the schedule and availability. Finally, don’t forget to check which languages ​​the transfer and you are able to speak.

Some transfer services may also be included in closed circuits of travel or airfare and insurance packages, check well before making the purchase.

Advantages and disadvantages of a transfer

Before hiring the transfer service, it is interesting to analyze its advantages and disadvantages, which are basically:

· Benefits:

· Convenience;

· Comfort;

· Safety.

Convenience because you won’t have to worry about figuring out how to take a taxi or public transport to get to your hotel, as you’ve previously hired the service. Comfort because you’re guaranteed a seat, and you don’t have to carry your bags and walk around with them. And, finally, safety, because the contracted companies must be certified by the Ministry of Tourism and their fleet must follow the regulations of the Transport Agency .

Disadvantages:

· Waiting time;

· Price.

One of the disadvantages of hiring a travel transfer is the time you may have to wait at the airport for it to arrive, if you have requested that you come by van or bus. This is because, in these cases, the transfer will leave not only you and your family at the hotel, but other groups (which will not necessarily be on the same flight as you). The company that offers the transfer will have to reconcile the schedules and you will have to be flexible at this time.

Another factor is the price: if you have little luggage, it might be more interesting to get to your hotel/resort/apartment by public transport, after all, a ticket is cheaper than the value of the service provided by the transfer. Doing this will also be an opportunity to experience the place you are in a little better and understand how it works.

Agency transfer service

In addition to the private transfer service, there is also what is included in closed travel packages, made through a travel agency such as Chauffeur Services in Istanbul

Additional agency benefits:

· You can still choose the private or shared transfer;

· Has wait tolerance;

· Guaranteed security.

Normally, in agencies, transfers have defined times according to the flight arrival forecasts and, when closing your complete travel package, you can choose a private one or shared with other people. When opting for shared, keep in mind that it will take an average of 30 minutes to leave, as it will be waiting for other passengers.

Another advantage is that if your flight is delayed for some reason, there are no worries. Transfers wait until a certain time beyond the agreed (generally tolerance is one hour) to ensure you use the service and some agencies even have a 24-hour phone for you to call in case there is a problem.

Finally, all the safety requirements mentioned above are still valid for agency transfers and some even have additional ones: Chauffeur Drive transfers, for example, in addition to being certified by the Ministry of Tourism, offer insurance on the service, so you don’t get stuck.

Additional downsides in agency:

You can’t choose the company.

The companies selected by the travel agencies that provide the transfer service vary according to the destination, so it is often not possible for the passenger to choose which one he wants to use, despite all being approved.

Transfer service on specialized sites

On websites specialized in hotel reservations, for example, the operation is a little different: you will have to check on the services offered by the hotel, on the price and accommodation comparison site itself, if this service is offered. And it is also there that you will see if the transfer is already really included or if it is necessary to pay an additional fee for it to be included.

has a user modality called “Genius member” (acquired when you stay in places through the site at least five times in a year), which guarantees exclusive discounts and gifts such as drinks and free transfer service (depending on of the hotel you choose), an interesting option for those who travel frequently for work or even pleasure.

Hotel transfer service

Last but not least, transfer services are also available that can be hired at the hotel where you are staying (when you do not book the service in advance).

Advantages of the hotel transfer service:

· It is possible to request more than once the same professional who served you previously;

· Low values;

· Transfer to the main tourist attractions of the destination.

The hotel transfer service is the one you request with the reception, usually to go to the airport after checkout. One of the advantages, especially if you travel frequently on business, is that you can request the same driver whenever he is available, ensuring a good conversation along the way.

Know that, normally, the service is available 24 hours, but it can be charged or not. There are hotels that offer transfers only for the journey to the airport, but there are others that take passengers to some tourist attractions closer to the location, which can be cheaper than a taxi, for example.

Disadvantages of hotel transfer service:

Little time flexibility.

However, the disadvantage of requesting a transfer only when you are at the hotel is the lack of flexibility in hours. They usually leave every hour, a period that may end up not fitting into the times when you plan to visit some tourist attractions or on your flight departure.

After all, is it worth hiring a travel transfer?

Yes, according to your needs, which will depend on your country of destination, how much luggage you are taking and who you are traveling with, in addition to the type of service you choose (private ones, those already included in the travel package — if you have closed one — or those at your hotel).

If you are going to a very different country and you are feeling a little insecure about it (which is totally normal), it is recommended that you hire a transfer package, so that you can stabilize yourself well at least on the first day and be sure that you won’t get lost (when you arrive at the hotel, then you’ll get useful maps about the region where you are and find the nearest transport stations and points).

In the same way, you cannot rely on public transport if you have a lot of heavy luggage (it is impossible to carry it around) and, in these cases, it is better to choose the transfer or taxi (it is worth checking if your hotel offers of transfers to tourist attractions).

If you are not traveling alone, you should also think about your Private Car Chauffeur Service in Bodrum. For example, if you are with elderly people or babies, the ideal is to hire the transfer, because the locomotion of these people is more comfortable and safe, as well as less tiring for them.