MSP Transportation

[kkmauch]

Hello veteran MSPers!

I've traveled out of MSP a lot myself, but here is a new situation that I have not encountered yet. Need some suggestions...

I am flying out on a Monday morning at 7:30. My parents will be joining me on that flight and I will stay at their house the night before. My aunt, her husband, and their two kids will be joining us in Disney and they leave that same day at 8:00. We live about 15 minutes away from each other and about 30 minutes from the airport. We don't have enough other family members available to be able to take us to the airport seperately. To make matters worse, they fly out of HHH and we fly out of Lindberg.

So, we are thinking about getting a 15 passenger van to come and pick us up at our house, their house, then drop at the two terminals. The problem is, the cost for a local company is $165. I checked on Super Shuttle and I can't get two pick ups and two drop offs.

Here is my thought, I will pick up my aunt and her family early in the monring and bring them to our house. Then, Super Shuttle can pick us all up at our home and drop us at Lindberg. My aunt and her family would then have to take the tram/bus to the HHH terminal, which I am not sure they would want to do. They've not flown much and I don't know how comfortable they are with the transfer between terminals. But, that would save us some money as Super Shuttle would only cost $95.

The last resort, the crazy idea, is to rent a van from an airport car rental, pick everyone up in the monring and then drop the car at the airport when we arrive. Not my favorite idea.

Any other suggestions, companies, or ideas???

 

[zulaya]

I think each party should get its own transportation worked out. As you are finding, it's difficult to coordinate 2 different dropoffs and pick ups.

I'd share your information with your aunt and let her make the decision for her party. She'll know best what they can handle.

The other option, especially since Super Shuttle is $95 is to stay at a Park N Fly hotel the night before. Those hotels are usually around $99 for the night and you can park FREE for up to 10 days (some are 7 days). Those hotels always have a free shuttle to either terminal.

This may be a more convenient option and less of a hassle if you don't have people who can take you and pick you up.

There are also several park N fly parking lots that you could park your car there and they have a free shuttle. My friend from Alex. parks at one on 34th and 494 all the time and is pleased with their prices, service and security.

 

[dudspizza]

Park and Fly and Parn N Go are both around $65 for a week and I can send you link that will let you print out a free day coupon. This would allow both groups to drive to the lot and take the shuttle to their respective teminal. It is easy and a great way to go.

The Super SHuttle idea isn't bad, but involves some work on your part, which isn't always fun at the start of a vacation.

I personally love the park and fly hotels, but you would be looking at something like 3 rooms, so that cost is up there.

What about a couple of taxi vans? I think it ran about $35 from the airport to Fridley..... you could check in to them......

Have a great trip!

Duds

 

[kkmauch]

Park and Fly and Parn N Go are both around $65 for a week and I can send you link that will let you print out a free day coupon. This would allow both groups to drive to the lot and take the shuttle to their respective teminal. It is easy and a great way to go.

The Super SHuttle idea isn't bad, but involves some work on your part, which isn't always fun at the start of a vacation.

I personally love the park and fly hotels, but you would be looking at something like 3 rooms, so that cost is up there.

What about a couple of taxi vans? I think it ran about $35 from the airport to Fridley..... you could check in to them......

Have a great trip!

Duds

I thought about a taxi van too, but I don't know which company to go with. I am assuming that I would want to call ahead of time to get this all set up. The park and fly isn't a bad idea either, and we are all coming back within about 30 minutes of each other so we could all take my vehicle (the largest). I know it sounds stupid, but I am leary of the park and fly because my dad does the park and ride with the bus to Minneapolis every morning and recently his vehicle was stolen from the lot. Never recovered. I'm a bit leary of leaving it there for a whole week alone.

 

[zulaya]

Park N Ride lots aren't manned by anyone...it's just a convenience for commuters.

I can tell you that Park N Fly on 34th and 494 is manned 24 hours a day. There is a booth with personnel checking people in and out. I see you are in WBL, so it's not exactly a convenient drive by, but maybe you should go check it out. It's literally off the highway. Go south on 34th and it's the first right you can turn on. Take the frontage road to the right and it's right there. You can scope out the security for yourself.

 

[CarolMN]

We use EZ Air - which is near 35E and Lexington in Eagan. Here's a link to their web site:

http://www.ezairpark.com/

There is someone there 24 x 7, it's very well lit and it is completely fenced in. Their shuttles will take you to either the HHH or the main temrinal. We think their service is good and their prices reasonable. There is a coupon in the Entertainment Book for a free day.

Depending on how long your trip is, I think leaving your car(s) in an airport park 'n ride location is better & less expensive than van service or a taxi.

 

[jekjones1558]

There is a coupon in the Entertainment Book for a free day.

I will donate my coupon if you decide to go this route. PM me.

 

[kkmauch]

Thanks for all the suggestions! And thank you JekJones for offering the coupon! I don't buy the Entertainment book so I appreciate the offer. We are going to drive over and look at the lot this weekend.

 

[lsteadman]

I use Supershuttle everytime I need to get to the airport from my house (Maplewood/Minneapolis) recently moved. I have never had a problem with Supershuttle. They are prompt and will arrive on time so be ready if your pick up is at 5:15 a.m....you can bet that van will be there at 5:10 a.m.

The drivers are courteous and always comes out to help my daughter and I with our luggage. I aways tip the driver per bag coming and going. I like Supershuttle because I know my car in safe in the garage and not outside in the very frigid weather like it is today in Minnesota (-8 degrees). For you non-Minnesotians that's right I said minus eight degrees. It's been cold up here all week so we look forward to Florida.

Anyway....just wanted to give my vote of confidence for Supershuttle. Good luck in whatever you decide.