Taxi- WDW to Bush Gardens- Too difficult? Anyone ever done this...?

[Scott2tune]

We want to visit Bush Gardens and arrive at opening- from WDW and the Mears transportation van is available but the first vans don't even leave Orlando before 8:30 and say with several stops it could take up to 3 hours! Has any ever taxi'd it all the way to Bush Gardens. I know it could be costly ($75+?) but we do not want to rent a car and can take the Mears van back. Thanks

 

[Lewisc]

Try the car services. Happy limo charges $177 one way from Tampa airport to WDW resorts. Bush Gardens is a little closer.

Remember your rate includes the miles and time it will take the driver to get back to Orlando. The driver won't be getting a return fare.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We want to visit Bush Gardens and arrive at opening- from WDW and the Mears transportation van is available but the first vans don't even leave Orlando before 8:30 and say with several stops it could take up to 3 hours! Has any ever taxi'd it all the way to Bush Gardens. I know it could be costly ($75+?) but we do not want to rent a car and can take the Mears van back. Thanks

Scott, if costly to you is $75+ as you say, then taking a taxi to Busch Gardens is just not economically feasible. The Mears shuttle is the only way to go for an even halfway economic solution.

 

[vicki_c]

A taxi from the Orlando airport to WDW runs $50 or so - that's 16 miles, and Busch Gardens is close to 60-70 miles from WDW. Just a simple extrapolation would be a taxi fare close to $200 one way.

Either use the Mears or rent a car.

 

[Brian Noble]

There's just no way I would do this without a car.

However, there is a shuttle from Sea World to Busch Gardens. I don't know the timing, but it is an option.

 

[Lewisc]

Brian--The OP already researched the Mears shuttle and the hours don't work for him.

You can book a car service, one way, to the Port for a little over $100. You might find a car service willing to drive you to Bush Gardens for about the same.

 

[Scott2tune]

Thanks everyone- I'm be willing to pay $100 there- (too bad Mears does not offer an earlier trip i.e. 6:30am departure) but I think I'm passing on Bush Gardens. Really appreciate how this forum offers quick support.

 

[goofy4tink]

I, too, wish there were some kind of reasonable shuttle to Busch, but sadly it just isn't to be. I don't imagine the call for an early morning bus over there, from Orlando, would be very profitable for Mears. Not to mention the fact that you have to take a cab to wherever the shuttle is going to run from in Orlando.
It costs about $200 to do r/t from Sanford Intl to WDW...just under an hour's drive, with a car service. So, I would imagine that there is no way you would be able to find a way to get to Tampa for $100 or less. I wish there was...I could take it over there and visit my ds and ddil.

 

[fla4fun]

Yes, there's really no reasonably priced option to Busch Gardens. The cheapest is probably a one day car rental - which does give you the time flexibility you need. But you are looking at a minimum of a two hour drive each way, no matter who's doing the driving.

 

[gibsontrio]

You can catch a shuttle from Shades of green for roundtrip $10 per adult, $5 per child. It will drop you off at Sea World, and I'm guessing you could take a shuttle to Busch Gardens?! Sounds like a drag, especially if you arent staying at Shades, but it might save you money.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes, there's really no reasonably priced option to Busch Gardens. The cheapest is probably a one day car rental - which does give you the time flexibility you need. But you are looking at a minimum of a two hour drive each way, no matter who's doing the driving.

The shuttle Mears runs is $10 R/T, free if you purchased an Orlando flex ticket or any Busch Gardens combo ticket. Sound reasonable to me. They offer 5 different pickup locations, including Sea World and Universal Studios. Guests planning to visit SW, BG, US and/or IoA should consider a split stay. Book a hotel at SW or one of the Universal hotels.

Mapquest pegs the distance (from AKL) at 68 miles with a travel time of 1 hour 7 minutes.

 

[Scott2tune]

Thank you for contacting Busch Gardens. In response to your inquiry about transportation from Orlando. The Mears Shuttle service is the most economic. I believe taxi service is around $150.00 each way. The general bus system will take you at least a half a day, with the changes you would have to make. I am not sure of the cost of that.

If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Wishing you a wonderful visit to Busch Gardens.