Transportation from John Wayne/Orange County to hotel

pixleyyy · Jul 28, 2015

I did read up the transportation thread but it seems like the info could be older. Does anyone have recent experience about getting from John Wayne/Orange County (SNA)? We are a family of 5 traveling in mid-September and are trying to find the most economical way to get from the airport to the Fairfield Inn (and back at the end of our stay, of course).

Thanks for your help.

ADLFAN · Jul 28, 2015

I think the consensus is that the cheapest way for a larger group to go is a van sized taxi. The situation gets more complicated with car seats, which might make the Disneyland buses a better though more expensive option. We use Super Shuttle which is about 11.00 per person per direction, and it has always worked great for us.

pixleyyy · Jul 28, 2015

All teenagers so no car seat issues. It did seem like taxi was a fair bet. I'm a country girl and don't think I've ever ridden a taxi before, but I'm guessing you just call and schedule one for the ride back to the airport?

Geemo · Jul 28, 2015

pixleyyy said:
All teenagers so no car seat issues. It did seem like taxi was a fair bet. I'm a country girl and don't think I've ever ridden a taxi before, but I'm guessing you just call and schedule one for the ride back to the airport?

Once you arrive at SNA and have your bags, go right outside and cross the street from Baggage Claim. There you'll see a long line of taxi cabs waiting for their turn. This area has shuttle buses too.
We find it really easy and economical to take a taxi from SNA to DLR and back. I ask for the flat rate, which is generally around $40+/-.
If you need a mini van just ask the director at the taxi area. I've found regular size taxi's and mini van taxi's are the same rate.

Geemo

Imdboss · Jul 28, 2015

We always use Uber. DH travels a lot for work and likes to use Uber for the nicer vehicle and better service so we now use it for family travel. Plus you just pay through the app so no need to deal with paying a taxi driver with cash or credit card. If you go with a taxi they are readily available at the airport and very easy to locate. SNA is a nice small airport so it makes it very easy to navigate. When you are ready to leave your hotel they can call a taxi for you, I'd allow appx 15 min for them to arrive to your hotel before you plan to leave there.

nikkislaght · Jul 28, 2015

Yup as Geemo said, get your bags and head out toward the taxi area.. ask for taxi van, flat rate when we go is $45. plus tip..
depending on the hotel you stay at, they will use different taxi services... and return trip is always a little more.. when we left for airport in April return trip was $60, due to something about different tax area.. not sure what that meant.. but still cheaper and faster than walking . right??

DizMe · Jul 28, 2015

I thought Uber wasn't allowed at the airport?

Imdboss · Jul 28, 2015

DizMe said:
I thought Uber wasn't allowed at the airport?

Uber Black and Uber SUV are, I think Uber X isn't.

kappyfamily · Jul 28, 2015

Yep like others have said taking a taxi is super easy. It was $40 last time for us too. I tipped $5 on top of that. The taxi director will let you know what taxi to get in and they will relay what hotel you are going to. Nothing for you to do but climb in. Super super easy. Shuttle will cost you roughly $55 ish but will make other stops. Cheaper and quicker to taxi. Have fun!

ParkHopper1 · Jul 29, 2015

I love Uber but it may be a bit ambitious for:

"a country girl and don't think I've ever ridden a taxi before"

UberX, Black and SUV are all permitted at SNA.

Mini Van Taxi is the way to go for the OP which should be in standby at the airport. For you return trip, just ask the front desk if your hotel to line line up for you.

pixleyyy · Jul 29, 2015

Thanks for all the replies. I think taxi will work well for us.

chrisaman · Jul 29, 2015

pixleyyy said:
Thanks for all the replies. I think taxi will work well for us.

We ride uber black. It is 44 dollars one way which is the same as a taxi and u ride in a nice new car or suburban and the driver gives u water and everything. A great experience

gmi3804 · Jul 29, 2015

UberXL will hold five and luggage, and is considerably less than Uber Black. Doing a Fare Estimate on Uber's App to Fairfield Inn from SNA, I get $31-41. The range depends on traffic and transit time, but I've found most fares come in on the lower end of the estimate.

BobearQSI · Jul 29, 2015

What are the options for kids who need carseats but don't have them? Party of 4 adults, and 2 kids who need carseats.

I'm currently planning to use the Disneyland Resort Express (from greyhound), as that was the only thing I found online that said carseats are not necessary, and we've used it before with zero issues - they were on time and very courteous for everything. But I've been reading a lot of people online saying they are regularly very late or no shows.

Jkpark · Jul 29, 2015

Can I tack on a question? Are taxi vans readily available when you land later at night (10:30 pm)? I do have Uber on my phone so that is an option, too. Would I just use that app while I'm grabbing my bags? I also have 5 in my group. TIA.

bumbershoot · Jul 29, 2015

BobearQSI said:
I'm currently planning to use the Disneyland Resort Express (from greyhound), as that was the only thing I found online that said carseats are not necessary, and we've used it before with zero issues - they were on time and very courteous for everything. But I've been reading a lot of people online saying they are regularly very late or no shows.

While they aren't my fave, I haven't heard of them being no-shows or even being very late. They have a schedule; in the past at least (I haven't checked in a good while) they have a PDF on their site giving their schedule. Find that, check it, follow it.

And it's Grayline, not Greyhound. Two entirely different bus companies. Might not be important to most, but daughter of a former Greyhound driver here, it's important to me.

adalsolica · Jul 30, 2015

BobearQSI said:
What are the options for kids who need carseats but don't have them? Party of 4 adults, and 2 kids who need carseats.

I'm currently planning to use the Disneyland Resort Express (from greyhound), as that was the only thing I found online that said carseats are not necessary, and we've used it before with zero issues - they were on time and very courteous for everything. But I've been reading a lot of people online saying they are regularly very late or no shows.

If you purchase through getawaytoday.com, the Disneyland Express from SNA to Anaheim hotels is $15.75/adult (age 15 and up) and FREE for kids under 15, each way. This is what we're doing in September. We have 2 adults and 3 children in our group and are not bringing carseats, so it's the best option for us.

BobearQSI · Jul 30, 2015

bumbershoot said:
And it's Grayline, not Greyhound. Two entirely different bus companies. Might not be important to most, but daughter of a former Greyhound driver here, it's important to me.

You are right! I knew this, the brain just went on autopilot.

bumbershoot said:
While they aren't my fave, I haven't heard of them being no-shows or even being very late.

adalsolica said:
If you purchase through getawaytoday.com, the Disneyland Express from SNA to Anaheim hotels is $15.75/adult (age 15 and up) and FREE for kids under 15, each way. This is what we're doing in September. We have 2 adults and 3 children in our group and are not bringing carseats, so it's the best option for us.

I was initially scared from some reviews that said they were late (hours in some cases), and also people who said the CMs at GCH told them it was a regular occurrence. But many disboards and micechat reviews (including recent ones) seem to think they are fine.

I used them in 2013 and it was great, had zero issues. They told us we didn't need to reserve a return trip, they regularly make the rounds to the hotels, and sure enough, they showed up 2 minutes before the scheduled time and waited about 5 minutes past before leaving.

I found an online coupon code from somewhere (don't remember) to enter into their site for $30 round trip SNA (per adult). That's what I'll be doing.

bumbershoot · Aug 2, 2015

For those who don't need carseats and can take any shuttle, we just used Karmel yesterday. Hilton to SNA, AAA rate, for just under $30 for me and my 11 year old. (plus tip) He got there VERY early*, which was great because I was weirdly anxious (it wasn't a good DL visit and I wanted to leave on the first day...sad sad sad). He could tell I was waiting for him, and just needed to run in to use the restroom then came back out! Dealt wonderfully with the traffic, a very patient driver, and got us there safe and sound.

*I've had that happen with Karmel before. They weren't there calling and trying to get me to the van early...they were just there early for their own reasons. Since I was ready, too, it was perfect!

DizMe · Aug 2, 2015

bumbershoot said:
For those who don't need carseats and can take any shuttle, we just used Karmel yesterday. Hilton to SNA, AAA rate, for just under $30 for me and my 11 year old. (plus tip) He got there VERY early*, which was great because I was weirdly anxious (it wasn't a good DL visit and I wanted to leave on the first day...sad sad sad). He could tell I was waiting for him, and just needed to run in to use the restroom then came back out! Dealt wonderfully with the traffic, a very patient driver, and got us there safe and sound.

*I've had that happen with Karmel before. They weren't there calling and trying to get me to the van early...they were just there early for their own reasons. Since I was ready, too, it was perfect!

bumbershoot, I'm so sorry you had a bad visit! I hope it got better :flower3:

Transportation from John Wayne/Orange County to hotel

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