Uber or Shuttle Service???

[BrianL]

I am seeing some information that it is the case that SS no longer makes loops and that once you are picked up, it will stop at other terminals then exit. I saw this on a Super Shuttle website, though not the main one (http://www.sfvsupershuttle.com/). I am not sure if there is a distinction between "SFVSupershuttle" as in the URL, but the web page states:

"NEW ! NO MORE LOOPS AT LAX

Once you board our vans, our driver will stop at the remaining terminals and exit the airport. You will be safely on your way to your destination."

Now, if this is not the case, then that is clearly false advertising. I read another article that indicated this was relatively new. The main SS page does not mention this though.

I am thinking of switching to Karmel which makes the same promise and is only marginally more expensive.

 

[row]

Lyft. It's usually a little cheaper than Uber.

 

[BrianL]

So I've been (obsessively) doing research on this and my opinion is that while Super Shuttle is extremely hit or miss, so are the all other shuttle options. It seems that for every horror story there are people who had no issues. Know that it will take longer than a cab or an Uber, but also cost much, much less. The looping the airport problem seems prevalent, but some sites claim not to do it. Karmel is one that says they don't, but then I read reviews where riders waited up to 45 minutes for their assigned van to arrive in the first place.

So, I dunno, I just don't think you can guarantee you will win with this stuff and I'm just going to hope I get lucky. I hope you have good luck to, mjallemand. I'll report back with my experience after my trip.

 

[BrianL]

I thought I would update with my experience with Super Shuttle, which was actually excellent. Better than that even. Using the app I was able to check in after exiting the plane, then go curbside where I waited about 5 minutes for my shuttle. I was at Terminal 1 so he had to make the loop, but he knew his stops and filled the van. Then we were off and it took less than 30 minutes to get to the Anaheim resort area. It was very quick and easy. Pick-up was even easier, as I was texted that my van was on the way, what number it was and a link to track it. I knew when it pulled up, and got right in. I had an excellent and engaging driver who made the ride easy.

I don't know if things have changed or I just got lucky, but my experience was fantastic and for the price, easily the best option for one person.

 

[MillauFr]

I prefer Lyft over Uber. Most of the drivers I've talked to said Lyft offers them a better deal.

 

[Keels]

I thought I would update with my experience with Super Shuttle, which was actually excellent. Better than that even. Using the app I was able to check in after exiting the plane, then go curbside where I waited about 5 minutes for my shuttle. I was at Terminal 1 so he had to make the loop, but he knew his stops and filled the van. Then we were off and it took less than 30 minutes to get to the Anaheim resort area. It was very quick and easy. Pick-up was even easier, as I was texted that my van was on the way, what number it was and a link to track it. I knew when it pulled up, and got right in. I had an excellent and engaging driver who made the ride easy.

I don't know if things have changed or I just got lucky, but my experience was fantastic and for the price, easily the best option for one person.

You lucked out - that's like hitting the LAX and LA traffic lottery. I've done it multiple times, and my best time is about 55 minutes - I was last to be picked up at the terminals and last to be dropped off. Normally, it's around 90 minutes. It's 33 miles from LAX to Disneyland, so it's usually a 40-minute drive WITHOUT traffic (I've done it - the first time I went to DL).

That was the last trip I flew into LAX (March of this year). I prefer to spend the $$ difference, fly into SNA and take an Uber. A much different and more enjoyable experience.

LAX is the worst.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I am not the biggest Uber/Lyft fan, and based on the news that Uber is losings billions, changes are coming.

Lately, I have been opting for the "private" vehicle option that Prime Time (Go Sedan) offers, and there is a similar service that SuperShuttle offers, Execucar.

Benefits of Go Sedan, non-stop, can book in advance with a specific time to pickup, and a fixed price when you book (no surge pricing), cheaper than a taxi. And they have been black "town cars" (not guaranteed), but it is nice to have that service.

Last time I came back from Hawaii to LAX, the driver actually parked in the central parking area, and came in with the "sign" when we entered the baggage claim area, helped us with the luggage and got home quickly and easily back to Anaheim. (and yes, he did get a good tip

 

[2003Eeyore]

Hi- j have done both SS and Uber from LAX to DLR. When we did SS the issue wasn't really the circling of the airport but the fact that there were 4 people that were dropped off at their houses all over the place. With the traffic and stops it took 2 1/2 hours for us to get to DLR. I know someone has to be the last one dropped off

We went sat 7/30/16 and I decided to brave Uber for the very first time. It actually turned out great! It was only $42 the guy picked us up in 3 min, it was me and my Dd we felt safe.

We are going back in October and I am using uber both was to and from lax.

 

[BrianL]

You lucked out - that's like hitting the LAX and LA traffic lottery. I've done it multiple times, and my best time is about 55 minutes - I was last to be picked up at the terminals and last to be dropped off. Normally, it's around 90 minutes. It's 33 miles from LAX to Disneyland, so it's usually a 40-minute drive WITHOUT traffic (I've done it - the first time I went to DL).

That was the last trip I flew into LAX (March of this year). I prefer to spend the $$ difference, fly into SNA and take an Uber. A much different and more enjoyable experience.

LAX is the worst.

Well, I'm not sure of the exact time the drive took, but we flew. Traffic was light except for one accident that only held us up for a couple of minutes. It might have taken a little longer, but it didn't feel like it. I think around 30 minutes after leaving the airport. The loop did take a little time, but he had all his pickups scheduled and there was none of the dreaded looping or waiting for anybody. I was the second stop for SS, but the other hotel was very close to mine. It took no time at all.

 

[mjallemand]

Thanks for the impressions, BrianL.

Our trip is five months out so I still have time to think it over but I'll likely be sticking with our SuperShuttle plan. We're in no particular rush and it's the cheapest.

 

[22Tink]

We used Lyft from John Wayne airport. Our driver was a former cast member so we had an awesome chat on the way to the hotel!! It was fast and cheap.

 

[minniegirl25]

We just did Uber for the first time this past weekend to & from SNA to Disney. LOVED it! Will only being doing Uber or possibly trying Lyft too. Will not be doing the shuttle thing for sure. Uber for 4 of us was approx $18 each way plus tip. Sooo worth every penny, never waited more than 5 minutes upon requesting. Even with the 4 of us only every used UberX always got a large enough car.

 

[figment_jii]

I've used SuperShuttle to get from LAX to DLR twice now and it was fine, but not what I would recommend if you're in a hurry. Both times, it took about 90 minutes to get from LAX to DLR. I was at the first stop (so the van arrived empty both times) and it took about 45 minutes to get out of LAX. We didn't circle the airport, but we did stop at several other SS stops and left the airport with a full van. It took about 45 minutes to get to DLR (we stopped to drop one group off near Knott's) and then I got off at the first stop in the DLR area (it happened to be PPH both times). For the price ($17 plus tip), it's a good deal, but it's not the quickest option.

 

[jlima]

On New Year's Day my son took SS from the GCA to LAX. We paid $17 and he gave the driver a $2 tip, even when the driver dropped him off at terminal 2 when he needed terminal 1! The driver was on time and lucky for him, he was the last one to be picked up before the van left Anaheim. Only took 35 minutes at 6:30 in the morning.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I love Uber but understand some people can be uneasy about the rideshare concept of just some random person in a personal car.

For those that are considering a hired car service...FYI, you can select Uber Black or Uber SUV when requesting a car with the Uber app and you are actually getting a licensed commercial operation and driver, not a random joe-shmoe. It is basically limo service on demand!