flying in a day early

[drewmisha]

For those that arrive a day earlier (ie flying in on thursday when abd starts on friday), what does ABD do for them? Will ABD arrange for the earlier shuttle? How about the hotel / meals? Thanks.

 

[jjb52]

For those that arrive a day earlier (ie flying in on thursday when abd starts on friday), what does ABD do for them? Will ABD arrange for the earlier shuttle? How about the hotel / meals? Thanks.

We went in a day early for both our Germany and Ireland trips. Both times an ABD rep and shuttle were waiting as we exited customs. We booked our air and extra night w/ ABD. The hotels we were in all had breakfast included each day. It was nice to arrive early, (we got into our rooms right away but I know this doesn't always happen) get cleaned up or take short nap and then explore that day and the next before the welcome dinner. We asked at the concierge desk for ideas on what to do as well as researching each area.

I would highly recommend going a day early. We always do this for any cruise we take or group trip. We also stayed an extra day in Germany which was great because we got to see more of Munich. I would actually recommend going 2-3 days early if you can afford it as time changes are a factor especially if traveling w/ kids. I would have loved more than 1 day at the beginning of each of my trips. There is always more to see than you will do with ABD. Enjoy.

 

[drewmisha]

Was the price for the extra nite reasonable if booked thru abd? (for a party of four)

We went in a day early for both our Germany and Ireland trips. Both times an ABD rep and shuttle were waiting as we exited customs. We booked our air and extra night w/ ABD. The hotels we were in all had breakfast included each day. It was nice to arrive early, (we got into our rooms right away but I know this doesn't always happen) get cleaned up or take short nap and then explore that day and the next before the welcome dinner. We asked at the concierge desk for ideas on what to do as well as researching each area.

I would highly recommend going a day early. We always do this for any cruise we take or group trip. We also stayed an extra day in Germany which was great because we got to see more of Munich. I would actually recommend going 2-3 days early if you can afford it as time changes are a factor especially if traveling w/ kids. I would have loved more than 1 day at the beginning of each of my trips. There is always more to see than you will do with ABD. Enjoy.

 

[Tozzie]

For those that arrive a day earlier (ie flying in on thursday when abd starts on friday), what does ABD do for them? Will ABD arrange for the earlier shuttle? How about the hotel / meals? Thanks.

If you book your pre/post days through ABD they are supposed to arrange the transportation. On my ABD Ireland trip the rep wasn't at the airport so I had to take a taxi, I did call the ABD emercgency number and they told me to take a taxi, for which ABD reimbursed me. Meals you are on your own.

I recommend flying in a day early I have encountered delays and really stressed about making my trip so it is always a day early for me now.

 

[jjb52]

Was the price for the extra nite reasonable if booked thru abd? (for a party of four)

It is spendy-just like the price of ABD but what is a few hundred more when you've spent thousands? I am paying for the convenience of being at the hotel where my ABD starts and for a high quality lodging in the center of the action to a place I will probably never go again so it is worth every penny to me. I was traveling with my 80 year old Mom and wanted everything taken care of and no moving from a prestay to the ABD hotel and I wanted their shuttle and luggage service-I am on vacation and did not want to have to worry about moving us and our luggage in an unfamiliar location.

 

[Tozzie]

Was the price for the extra nite reasonable if booked thru abd? (for a party of four)

I did two pre nights on my Ireland ABD and after I got the quote from ABD for the pre nights I checked the cost on the hotel website and the cost was a little less with the hotel than with ABD but not enough of a difference to book it on my own.

 

[jjb52]

I did two pre nights on my Ireland ABD and after I got the quote from ABD for the pre nights I checked the cost on the hotel website and the cost was a little less with the hotel than with ABD but not enough of a difference to book it on my own.

And the hotel's website price did not include transfers and may not have included breakfast like the ABD price.

 

[WeLoveABD]

We have always booked a pre-night, and have started adding post-nights too; on our first ABD to Italy we booked our own hotel near the airport and did Rome for a day on our own, then the next day took the hotel shuttle back to the airport and met with the ABD rep for our trip to the ABD selected hotel. We did this with Knights also--but after that, and after hauling bags around etc, we decided it was well worth the extra money to book through ABD, get transported the day before to the hotel, have the same room for an extra night, have breakfast included and see the guides earlier for advice re activities to do on our own while others are arriving on the official first day. Better still--gives us that extra day in case there are travel delays (we went in a day early for a Christmas Market Germany trip with ABD, and were just ahead of snow storms in the US and in Europe--at least two families were delayed and caught up with us later in the trip).

If you can swing the time and cost, a post-day or two is nice--but also a bit of a let down as you are back on your own during that day or two (no guides to get you around, give you water and snacks, entertain the kids!)--but it was great to have the transportation to the airport in place.