Transportation options from SNA: good, bad, ugly?

[smartlabelprint]

Not the OP, but thanks for the reassurance on Uber/Lyft. Never flown into SNA before, but will be in 2.5 weeks. Was wondering and got concerned over whether Uber/Lyft options would be more limited, especially if arriving in the evening, given it's a smaller airport. Very helpful!

Just take a taxi if they’re limited. We tried Uber (didn’t have lyft installed on my phone) and it said we’d have to wait 30 minutes. I don’t know if something was going on to direct all the cars to an event or what. We were there on a Monday evening in March. We just took a taxi.

 

[Princess Katelet]

If you have any need for a car, we have been able to get a rental at SNA for $60 for 4 days.

Really?? How?? Which rental company? I recently rented from SNA Hertz in April for six days and it was almost $400 for a small SUV.

 

[lcp9]

Really?? How?? Which rental company? I recently rented from SNA Hertz in April for six days and it was almost $400 for a small SUV.

Sometimes we have to go to a continuing ed thing for my husband in Palm Springs before our DL trips, and when we do we can usually find pretty cheap rentals through Costco. In fact, it's rare Costco isn't the cheapest. I think usually $150-$200 for a week? ETA: midsize SUV or bigger to fit all the carseats

 

[GenGen22]

I prefer supershuttle. I've used karmel shuttle but the driver was very sketchy. He kept staring at my daughter, texting and driving, taking his seat belt on and off while driving and driving us down alley's on our way from LAX and we were alone with the driver the entire 2 hour trip to Anaheim.... We decided to take this company over supershuttle due to reviews that it would get to Anaheim faster as they don't pick up any other passengers. Now I only use supershuttle. Never has a bad experience, get a discount and feel much safer with others in the car.

 

[gillep]

I always use Uber of Lyft. Never had a long wait, usually about $20 for an Uber X or regular Lyft.

 

[tarheelalum]

Anyone ever take super Shuttle from SNA to the resort area? If so I was wondering how long you had to wait to leave the airport once your flight arrived. I mean did you have to wait until the shuttle bus filled up before you left SNA, or are you able to schedule a specific time to leave the airport?

 

[goooof1]

In the past we booked in advance with PrimeTime Shuttle, and they came and did not wait around to fill the shuttle, even though it was a shared shuttle. Other times there have been a few people who must have also booked and they joined us, again not waiting around.
That said, supershuttle and other "no name" shuttles are there in the shuttle area and they WILL wait around until filled. Though, it normally does not take too long. Last time was the longest we had to wait and it was about 15/20 minutes..... and then we were the last to get dropped off.

 

[avalon451]

Anyone ever take super Shuttle from SNA to the resort area? If so I was wondering how long you had to wait to leave the airport once your flight arrived. I mean did you have to wait until the shuttle bus filled up before you left SNA, or are you able to schedule a specific time to leave the airport?

I have taken Super Shuttle several times (before Uber/Lyft got to be a big thing). I got pretty sour on them. You can use discounts etc and whittle the cost down, but some of the issues I experienced included waiting a long time at the airport for the shuttle to fill before we left, or circling around the airport looking for more pickups... sharing with 6-7 other parties and being the very last to be dropped off so that it took over an hour... and twice when they picked up for the ride back to the airport they arrived more than fifteen minutes before my stated pickup window began, and were VERY impatient with me when I wasn't quite done checking out and gathering my bags from storage yet.

This is why I'll only do Uber or Lyft from here on out. No more ride sharing for me.

 

[tlcdoula]

We always used to take a taxi because they were right there when we walked out. Last trip I decided to try Uber and the pick up was fast. Maybe 5 minutes. When you walk outside there are pillars that have letters on them. When you go on to book your pick up on the Uber app it asks you to enter the pillar you are standing at. The app also shows you the type of car and license plate number so you can keep watch. We used Uber multiple times list trip and it was very convient.

 

[GenGen22]

Anyone ever take super Shuttle from SNA to the resort area? If so I was wondering how long you had to wait to leave the airport once your flight arrived. I mean did you have to wait until the shuttle bus filled up before you left SNA, or are you able to schedule a specific time to leave the airport?

I never have to wait long for pick up but I usually fly in, in the morning like 8-9am. Yes we have to wait for the shuttle to fill up most of the time but they are very organised and have most shuttles scheduled. I usually only wait like 10-15 minutes at the most.

 

[mvgiggles]

We typically use Uber, it's fairly quick, easy and cheap. The taxi's I feel are more convenient because you have them right there waiting for you and if you have a larger group or lots of luggage (suitcases, car seats and strollers) you can pick one that will suit your needs. Uber is sometimes a joke when they come pick you up and realize you have a suitcase with you. But we still manage. We have used the Disney Express. Its nice if you have kids and are staying AT a Disney Resort Hotel. Otherwise its a milkrun route and can be a very long wait to get to your hotel, also does not drop off at hotel entrance to most hotels in the area, very inconvenient. It's also not the most cost effective if you have multiple people since it charges per person not per ride like uber/lyft or taxis.

 

[Spyral]

In past trips out of SNA, we did Supershuttle. I don't think will use them going forward though. For a family of 5, cost is comparable to a taxi. Last time we used, we were pretty tightly packed with the shuttle being full. We were also the last to be dropped off, but first to be picked up.

On our last trip to WDW, we used Lyft to go to US which worked out well. I think for our next trip (whenever that may be.. hopefully sooner than late) to DL, we'll try Lyft from SNA to DLR.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I got a seven-day car rental via Costco for about $200, including everything, in late August. I have always preferred renting a car because I like to make side trips to Universal, an L.A. deli, and maybe some other places depending on energy level. Last year I got a totally excellent (see, I got the lingo down!) deal from Dollar for only $130 for an entire week. Not expecting that offer to repeat, however.

 

[tzeitel]

We have used taxis, Uber, shuttles and car rentals -

Taxis are $40ish (this past May we paid $44). There is a person by the taxi pick-up spot that will radio one for you is there isn't one there already.
Uber is $22 - never had to wait more than 10 minutes, we usually arrive at SNA around 10AM, and from hotel we usually leave around 2-4pm. Drivers have always been friendly and helpful.
Shuttle - $10pp, DD and I used these guys http://www.snashuttle.com/ They are a group of smaller shuttle companies that pool together. We waited maybe 10 minutes for a person that did not show up. We were the only ones in the shuttle and the driver was super fast and friendly.
Car rental we have rented a couple of times. One time we got a crazy deal from Budget and got a week for less than $50. Can usually find a car for less than $100 for a week. I book way in advance and keep looking for price drops and specials/codes right up to when we leave.

All of them are easy to find - Ubers/Lyft and taxis are right outside the door from baggage pick-up, shuttles are just a short walk (to the left) of the luggage p/u. Car rentals have counters by luggage p/up and some have them right by the cars in the underground parking. I like having a car but if we don't rent one then we like Uber the best.

 

[robinb]

I just booked at last minute trip to LA and I'm flying into SNA on Tuesday around 2:30pm. It's just me (meeting my DH in LA) and I'd like to take Uber/Lyft if but it looks like the fare is between $22-$26. I assume that I can hop on the Supershuttle app and grab a shuttle for $13 if Uber/Lyft is higher due to traffic. I don't have to make a reservation, do I? I don't mind paying a little more for an Uber/Lyft but not a whole lot more.