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Airport shuttle recommendations

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Marney1, Jan 12, 2014.

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  1. Marney1

    Marney1 Tourist

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    Please can anyone help with Shuttle recommendations for two passengers from Terminal 3 to Planet Hollywood.
    Many Thanks.
     
  2. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    NONE. Not sure what you have taken on past trips.

    I would take a taxi. Less than $15 for both of you vs whatever the shuttle charges each, plus extra stops, etc.
     
  3. Ty

    Ty ?

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    I agree with nostress. Shuttles take up too much of your time, waiting at the airport plus the other stops it could make. The is especially true when you arrive and your super excited to get to the casino.

    Sometimes we take the hotel shuttle to the airport if it's about ready to leave when we are.
     
  4. Marney1

    Marney1 Tourist

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    Thanks for both replies.
    In the past we have used taxis but have found them a bit intimidating. Have always politely specified 'no tunnel' and received some fairly grouchy responses to this request!
    Maybe we are just too sensitive....:eek:
     
  5. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    I would also go with a taxi, but if you are set on a shuttle don't worry about recommendations, what shuttle is best or prebooking a shuttle:

    When you finally arrive in Las Vegas and get out to where the shuttles are you would just want to take the next one that is going. You don't want to be booked for a certain company or a "this company is best" because when you get there they might have an hour long wait until they can board you while the other companies might have shuttles that are ready to go now.

    Also since you are arriving at Terminal 3 does that mean you are coming straight from the UK? If so then you'll have to go through customs and that can take over an hour if you arrive at a busy time, by the time you get out of there you would probably just want a taxi to get you to the hotel as soon as possible and to take a shuttle you might have to go all the way to the other terminal and then through that before you can get to the shuttles.
     
  6. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    I now take the WAX but took shuttles for years. It is not as cost effective for two as if you were alone. I am not doubting anyone's experiences but I had good experiences with all but Belle and never had to wait long. After 5-8 hours on a plane, relaxing and stretching on a shuttle bus for ten minutes is not horrible for me and I have never had to wait while they "filled" a bus and never had more than a couple stops before arriving at my hotel. I rather like to see the shortcuts and back ways to the hotels. Likewise I always bought round trip tickets and called the night before. If they are 10 minutes late I call with my call and am told where they are and est time of arrival. On the other hand I don't book a pickup 30 minutes before my flight and panic when the shuttle is late. Like everything they have advantabes and disadvantages but worked well for me. I have also used the bus and taxis.

    Jimbo338
     
  7. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    take a cab .it will only be a few dollars more and save alot of time
     
  8. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    Exactly, last time and THE LAST TIME we used a shuttle it never came. We had about an hour or hour and fifteen minutes to get to the airport. We called the shuttle company twice and both times it said they were running behind, but should be there in a few minutes. Never again, by the time we got through security and to the gate, they were already boarding!
     
  9. Paulie_D

    Paulie_D Tourist

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    I have to recommend these guys:

    Bell/Presidential Limo

    Perhaps more than you are willing to pay as it's more of a deal for an individual but you get a town car / limo which, I will grant, might be shared with another couple but it's a cut above a taxi or shuttle van.

    It's not a personal limo but the drivers I've had really make you welcome and they're not interested in long-hauling you because they're on a fixed price.
     
  10. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    Shuttles are okay from airport to hotel, but I would never chance it from hotel to ariport.
     
  11. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Last time I had a shuttle set up to get me from the hotel to airport it never came, and I paid in advance. I tried to board two of them and the driver said mine was on the way. I took a cab, as far as I know it still has not came vas that was in 2002
     
  12. bluerider

    bluerider Low-Roller

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    Add me to the 'No Shuttles' list.

    I simply don't want to waste precious vacation minutes waiting on the shuttle, be it the departure or stops prior to mine.

    Even alone it isn't that much of a savings dollar-wise to be worth it, in my opinion. I just simply budget my vacation funds accordingly...:beer:
     
  13. Jane42

    Jane42 Low-Roller

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    We have taken the Bell/Showtime shuttle to and from the airport on two occasions, both to downtown hotels.

    First trip - quick load and on our way with a few stops on the strip. Probably on it around 20 mins. For return to airport - the shuttle was early and we were on our way.

    Second trip - first person in the Showtime shuttle....and then waited for at least 15 mins to load up. Total time in the shuttle on the way to hotel - probably 45 mins. For return to airport - the Bell shuttle was early and we were on our way.

    So, it could go either way. We did not pick up anyone at the hotels on the way...only dropped off.
     
  14. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    I would consider first your cost on the shuttle as the base-line. If it is 8.00 $ for each of you + tip.....and
    say---22 $ (which I would think is high) for the cab + tip....you are looking at an additional 6.00 $ + tip to take a taxi ONLY because you were spending 16.00 $ either way.

    As far as the uncomfortable factor, I tell them everytime to take surface roads and not the tunnel please as it greatly impacts my ability to give you a good tip. They usually say they NEVER take the tunnel (?) but it is not a big deal after they realize they know you know they know. Going to the Orleans is about 18 - 20 $ depending on traffic so you should be no more than that I would think.....Good luck!!
     
  15. Marney1

    Marney1 Tourist

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    Thanks again everyone. Will definitely opt for a cab and spend the 11 hour flight rehearsing an assertive request to avoid tunnel!
     
  16. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    Marney...try this - it has worked out for me:
    "XXX please, oh and no tunnel."
    The driver then tries to convince you that the tunnel is "better" using whatever excuse he thinks will work.
    Your reply: "Oh really? Well, the surface-street fare should only be about $XX and I usually tip 10%...so, you may take the tunnel & I'll pay you no more than that amount, regardless of the meter. OK?"

    I actually had one driver take me up on that, and agreed that I was right, once we got to the hotel. Didn't matter though. I only paid our previously-agreed upon amount...which was "average fare" per taxi authority + 10%, rounded up to the next dollar.

    http://taxi.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/taxinvgov/content/Rider_Info/36inx60inv4Terminal3.pdf
    You'll notice on this link that the paradise (swenson) fare to Rio is $19. I told my driver I'd pay $25 total, whether he took surface streets or the tunnel - so if he still wanted to take the tunnel, that was ok with me, so long as he understood that I would not pay more than $25. He took the tunnel. Meter showed something like $24.50. He got $25. (He spent HIS tip on the tunnel...his choice).
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2014
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  17. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    We did that also on our earliest of trips.....got in the cab and said "Can you get us to (destination) for X $'s? including tip" It would be a fair price we could live with and they accepted with a smile each time. Twice the meter was turned off during the ride......this was before cameras and microphones in the cab though......

    Also, is it strange to anyone else that there is a 20 cent surcharge for fuel PER MILE? If you only get 17 miles per gallon (I have seen some Prius taxis also)...that totals 3.40 $ which is close to a gallon of gas in Vegas in December 2013. It seems to be more of you paying the fare and buying the gas as well.....just another rant on cabs and their apparent "influence" to have ridiculous add-ons.
     
  18. elmo2227

    elmo2227 Tourist

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    6 trips, used Bell Trans both ways, never a problem
     
  19. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    I have done shuttle on solo trips since its cost effective. Pho shuttle pickup area is a short walk from lobby entrance and can be a bit scarey in wee morning hours. I have useda couple of shuttles and only had a complaint with greyline. I agree with another poster in that getting to airport from hotel can be a mixed bag. Many times the shuttle company will tell you to be picked up two to two and a half hours before your flight. Only to have you dropped off in 15 mins and sitting at airport for 90 mins waiting for flight. Getting to hotel on shuttle has never been excessive wait and going downtown it can be a money saver. I have used airport express recently and they were great. They seemed to do a better job at grouping dropoffs and it never took me more than 30 mins door to door.

    That being said I would not take a shuttle for two or more people if I wasn't staying downtown, on a super busy weekend, or if I had an early morning flight. The savings to me do not justify the inconvience. However for solo trips I find it perfectly acceptable, and it gives me an extra 10 bucks to spend on something else.
     
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