Late night transportation airport to hotel

KCarr2000 · May 2, 2015

I am just starting to plan for a last minute trip to Disneyland in early June. We are considering flying into LAX with an 11:27 p.m. arrival time or SNA with a 10:20 p.m. arrival time. I had originally thought we would rent a car. However, after a bad experience, I know that the car rental locations, at least in Nashville, close at midnight, so if your flight is late, you are stuck in the airport without a car.... Not sure if that is the same for Los Angeles, but I would expect so. Then I realized that the hotel I am looking at charges $17 per day for parking (we will be there three days). So I decided that a shuttle might be best. But the ones that I am looking at stop running before we would need to get on. Would it be best to fly into John Wayne and take a taxi - there will be three of us? So basically, if you are arriving at LAX or SNA late in the evening, what is the best way to get to the Disneyland resort area? Heading home shouldn't be an issue as far as shuttles are concerned because we will need to be at the airport around 5:30 p.m.

Geemo · May 2, 2015

SNA is low stress to navigate once you arrive. There is a taxi stand right out of the baggage claim area. Ask for the Flat Rate to DLR area. I believe it's $35 to $40 for the trip. At that time of night, it will take less than 1/2 hour to get there.

If you do fly into LAX, I'd take a taxi too.

Geemo

petals · May 2, 2015

We used Super Shuttle from LAX and had no problems with them and they weren't overly expensive either.

SMD · May 2, 2015

Primetime and Super Shuttle should operate 24 hours out of LAX. Also, the major car rentals are open 24 hours. Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz. What you could do is get a hotel at LAX with a free shuttle, then go back to the airport the next morning when your preferred shuttle or DL Express is operating. I would not take a taxi from LAX, it will be $100+

KCarr2000 · May 2, 2015

Thanks, you guys are awesome as always!! I was liking the times flying into John Wayne better anyway, so I am thinking we will fly into there and take a cab. For three of us, sounds like that is a cheaper option anyway. Oh, and I was liking that John Wayne is smaller and probably easier to navigate.

ParkHopper1 · May 2, 2015

SNA hands down...no car needed for DL...taxi is the quickest and easiest.

Uber also can pick up from SNA and is a tad cheaper than a cab.

dina444444 · May 2, 2015

One thing to be mindful of is that SNA has an 11pm curfew so if your inbound flight is delayed that could cause problems.

bcla · May 2, 2015

It was mentioned that most of the major car rentals at LAX are 24 hour. However, you need to be certain you're getting one that operates 24 hours (i.e. not opaque Priceline or Hotwire). I've flown into an airport where I was delayed well past midnight, and was glad that I chose a 24 hour rental counter. My other option would have been closed.

I did find one rental at LAX that closes at Midnight - Payless. There might be others, so I'd recommend checking before booking - especially if you need to pay up front.

https://www.paylesscar.com/locations/losangeles-lax/

lalasmama · May 3, 2015

SNA is our favorite too... As is taking a taxi to/from SNA.

Just to ease any potential freak-out, we've flown the last flight into SNA before, then been delayed for 3 hours, meaning we got in around 1am. There were still taxis there waiting. They said they purposely wait until every plane is "in for the night" before they stop taxi service. I didn't know this, so BFF and I were freaking out, knowing that we had been delayed so long, and fearing there wouldn't be taxi service. So, if for some reason, your flight is delayed, there will still be taxi service!

KCarr2000 · May 3, 2015

Wow, I did not know about the curfew. Since it will be a nonstop flight from Seattle and it is early June, I think the chance of the flight being delayed would be very small. I do like that SNA is a smaller airport and closer to the park. Thanks for the information.

Getting into Nashville late a few years ago, the car rental company that I had rented from closed up shop and left. However, Enterprise stayed open late, past their advertised closing time, until all of the late flights arrived, and they made sure that everyone was able to rent a car. They have earned my loyalty.

bcla · May 3, 2015

KCarr2000 said:
Wow, I did not know about the curfew. Since it will be a nonstop flight from Seattle and it is early June, I think the chance of the flight being delayed would be very small. I do like that SNA is a smaller airport and closer to the park. Thanks for the information.

Getting into Nashville late a few years ago, the car rental company that I had rented from closed up shop and left. However, Enterprise stayed open late, past their advertised closing time, until all of the late flights arrived, and they made sure that everyone was able to rent a car. They have earned my loyalty.

Most rental reservations have an optional place where you can note your flight number. However, you mentioned Enterprise, which in some locations may be franchised and how they handle individual situations is up to the manager. I don't know if they would do that at SNA.

You could try something like do two bookings - one at the airport and one near DL for a later pickup. Then cancel the one you don't use. There's typically no penalty for a no show unless you prepay. You could take a taxi if your flight is late.

squidlet · May 3, 2015

Geemo said:
Ask for the Flat Rate to DLR area. I believe it's $35 to $40 for the trip.

Asked for the flat rate last Feb and was told there wasn't one -- the fare was just over $40. Maybe, there used to be a flat rate or perhaps it's seasonal?

bcla · May 3, 2015

squidlet said:
Asked for the flat rate last Feb and was told there wasn't one -- the fare was just over $40. Maybe, there used to be a flat rate or perhaps it's seasonal?

I know this is sort of bone of contention around here that flat rates exist, but the Orange County rules say that only standard fares (i.e. metered) are allowed.

http://www.octap.net/passenger_fares.htm

Indiana Scott · May 3, 2015

A Taxi (no matter how many people you have) form SNA is just under $40.

ParkHopper1 · May 3, 2015

bcla said:
I know this is sort of bone of contention around here that flat rates exist, but the Orange County rules say that only standard fares (i.e. metered) are allowed.

SNA to resort is standard fare which averages $40-$44. If you are departing from a DL resort hotel, the valet can provide a voucher for the "flat rate" return to SNA which I believe is $35...not sure if off site hotels offer this as well.

bcla · May 3, 2015

ParkHopper1 said:
SNA to resort is standard fare which averages $40-$44. If you are departing from a DL resort hotel, the valet can provide a voucher for the "flat rate" return to SNA which I believe is $35...not sure if off site hotels offer this as well.

I've heard this. However, I've read the rules from OC's taxicab authority, and they say that no other fares are allowed other than standard metered fares. Granted, at least one company even publishes flat rates (none for Anaheim, strangely enough).

http://orangecountyyellowcab.com/frate.html?gclid=CPvOv9bHpsUCFQZbfgodWw4Ahg

However, some of the other taxi companies in OC repeat what the taxi authority says, but say that the meter must be running and the option given if the meter is lower.

http://www.santaanayellowcab.com/Santa-Ana-Yellow-Cab----Taxi-Cab-Rates.html

● $3.50 First 1/5Mile (flag drop)
● $.55 Cents Each Additional 1/5 Mile
● $32.00 Per Hour Wait Time (includes traffic delay time)
● No Extra Charge for Additional Passengers

No other fare is authorized for trips originating in Orange County

Flat rates for taxicab fares may be given. If a flat rate is given, the customer has the option of selecting the lower of either a meter fare or a flat rate. The driver must run the meter.

KCarr2000 · May 4, 2015

While I would prefer to pay $35 for a taxi, paying $45 won't break the trip. Sounds like for me in this case, SNA is the way to go. Next time I go, I'll be taking the younger son who will insist on at least one afternoon at Hollywood Beach. In that case, I'll be flying into LAX. Thanks all!

Angrose · May 5, 2015

We flew into SNA in March (love that airport) and asked for the flat rate for the taxi. The driver said there was no flat rate. It cost us around $45 with tip .

In a few weeks I'll be flying into LAX so will take Super Shuttle, but will fly out of SNA. I was going to do a taxi to the airport, but priced Uber and it gave me an estimate of $14-19 from the Tropicana on Harbor to SNA. I think I'm going to give it a try. Anyone ever use them? Their quote from LAX to Anaheim was like $90, ouch!

SMD · May 5, 2015

Angrose said:
We flew into SNA in March (love that airport) and asked for the flat rate for the taxi. The driver said there was no flat rate. It cost us around $45 with tip .

In a few weeks I'll be flying into LAX so will take Super Shuttle, but will fly out of SNA. I was going to do a taxi to the airport, but priced Uber and it gave me an estimate of $14-19 from the Tropicana on Harbor to SNA. I think I'm going to give it a try. Anyone ever use them? Their quote from LAX to Anaheim was like $90, ouch!

First, Uber pick ups at LAX are illegal and blocked by the app. Drivers who pick up on airport property risk being impounded whenever LAX PD decides to crack down. I used Uber once and the driver intentionally got lost and would not listen to me that he needed to turn, then that he needed to turn around because he missed the turn. He was Uber creepy. He picked me up down the street from my house (didn't feel comfortable getting picked up at home.) He asked me questions about where I lived, did I live alone, what do homes sell for, not what you want to hear outside your own home. But I also know a few people who drive for Uber for extra cash and don't think that they would do any of that. Still, I would not use Uber or Lyft again if I'm alone, I did not feel safe at all. Even $90 is still considerably cheaper than a taxi would be. And you're asking someone who likely lives near LAX to drive to DL with no guarantee that there will be another fare to take them even part way home, so then they'd likely lose out on more income just to get back to their regular route. Maybe Uber charges a premium for that.

Angrose · May 5, 2015

SMD said:
First, Uber pick ups at LAX are illegal and blocked by the app. Drivers who pick up on airport property risk being impounded whenever LAX PD decides to crack down. I used Uber once and the driver intentionally got lost and would not listen to me that he needed to turn, then that he needed to turn around because he missed the turn. He was Uber creepy. He picked me up down the street from my house (didn't feel comfortable getting picked up at home.) He asked me questions about where I lived, did I live alone, what do homes sell for, not what you want to hear outside your own home. But I also know a few people who drive for Uber for extra cash and don't think that they would do any of that. Still, I would not use Uber or Lyft again if I'm alone, I did not feel safe at all. Even $90 is still considerably cheaper than a taxi would be. And you're asking someone who likely lives near LAX to drive to DL with no guarantee that there will be another fare to take them even part way home, so then they'd likely lose out on more income just to get back to their regular route. Maybe Uber charges a premium for that.

Wow, that is uber creepy! Thanks for sharing your experience. I will definitely take Super Shuttle from LAX to Anaheim. I will be traveling alone, so maybe I'll just stick with the regular taxi from Anaheim to SNA.

Late night transportation airport to hotel

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