Best/Cheapest way to arrive at hotel from John Wayne Airport?

[mcmac4]

How much will it cost our family of 4 to get to our hotel (Desert Inn and Suites)? Do I purchase one way or roundtrip? Do we use a shuttle service? Taxi? Bus? I would like to go straight to our hotel without taking a long scenic route - is that a factor in cost?

Thanks for your help!

 

[aliciameo]

When we went for Halloween we used Zippy shuttle and it cost $130 roundtrip from John Wayne to the DLH for 6 of us. You can call or email them and they can give you a quote. They were really nice and prompt.

 

[haydeecm]

Last time we went to John Wayne we used supershuttle, booked online with code UYR59 for $3 off, so ended up being $7/person over 3 years old. You do have to book each person separately cause the code seems to take $3 off per reservation, not per person. We rented coming in so dont know how fast they are coming from the airport, but going to the airport they got there at the right time, and we made no extra stops, there was another family in. A great experience.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Ditto what haydeecm said. I've used Super Shuttle several times. If you go this route definitely book each person separately with the code UYR59 so you can get the $3 off per person EACH way. It's nice to pay the tip online when you make the reservation as well. So 4 round trip rides plus an 18% tip would be $70.40. When I used them last week we were the first ones dropped off at our hotel, and then the last ones picked up to head back to the airport. Very nice.

 

[mcmac4]

When I make the reservation with Super Shuttle, do I print off each confirmation? Is this what I show the driver? Do I have to contact Super Shuttle the day of/day before trip?

 

[deejdigsdis]

I printed off each confirmation (one for me and one for my 11 year old son) and had them ready to show the driver. He only asked for mine, looked at it and matched it up with the names on his list, and then handed it back to me. He then had each of us sign a paper since we had paid ahead of time online.

You do not have to contact them after making the reservation. When you land at the airport, you will exit by the baggage claim. Walk across the taxi area to the last "island" -- not a far walk at all. There is a little booth, and you'll probably see a Super Shuttle employee wearing a bright blue shirt (matches their bright blue vans!) and carrying a clipboard. Give them your name and they will find you in their system. You hop in the van and wait until it is loaded with the 7 or 8 people. This has never taken very long for me. We are always pleased with how quickly we get to our hotel. When it is time to return to the airport, they call you the day before (recorded message) letting you know what time they will be picking you up.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We never pre-arrange rides, and for us that is the beauty of John Wayne Airport (SNA). We simply get our luggage, then walk out front where there are cabs lined up. Since we are a family of 5, we usually require a cab van. If there isn't one there, they radio for one, and we are in it in 5 mins. The price is 45.00 each way. When we are dropped off at our hotel, we get the driver's card--and we call him for our return trip from the hotel. We obviously tip him (20%) for our ride.

This has always been cheaper and more convienent than supershuttle for us.

 

[DahliaRW]

With a family of 4 a taxi will be your cheapest option, though if your kids are young enough you will have to bring car seats.

When we went with 7 of us (one under 3, so we didn't have to pay for her), the Disneyland Resort Express was the cheapest all together. And no car seats needed, which was really nice. We would have needed 2 taxis which was much more money wise.

 

[Dobie]

The three Dobies find that the complete convenience of taking a cab far outweighs the few dollars more than it costs...when visiting Disneyland, time is money/. It comes out to about 30.00 each round trip, plus tip. . .

 

[QueenDoOver]

Harolds Limo is $65 one way, plus tip. Not much more than a taxi, for a fun surprise.

 

[GrandBob]

Here's the sticky for Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation

 

[5goridersgo5]

Do any of the taxis/shuttles provide kids car seats if requested? I would rather not bring a booster seat just for the rides to and from the airport.