7 Top tips for a stress-free Airport Transfer
Even though flying to your next destination should be something to be excited about and look forward to, there’s no denying that there’s always one part of the journey that will inevitably cause you a great deal of stress and panic – the airport transfer!
Whether you’re travelling for the start of an important business trip or a special family holiday, the hardest and most drawn out part of any flight is often the trip to the airport, when the traffic, parking costs and terminal transfer will become just a few of the issues you’ll experience.
Whilst there are a number of experienced airport taxi companies that will get you to the departure lounge without any headaches, only an experienced chauffeur service will help you to relax and unwind before you even get off the ground. As one of Banbury and Oxfordshire’s most service driven and luxurious chauffeur driven car providers, we know exactly what it takes to get you to the airport in the best possible way, whether it’s for business or pleasure.
To help give you a taster of this airport transfer service and lead you through the many potential pitfalls of your next transfer, Parker James Chauffeurs have created a brief guide that will provide you 7 top tips towards ensuring you arrive in stress-free style without any of the customary turbulence.
1. Book Ahead
Just as you’d typically book your flight and hotel with plenty of time to spare, it’s essential that you do the same with your transfer. This way you can give your chosen chauffeur plenty of prior notice of your requirements, and can arrange the perfect pickup time to make your journey to and from the airport as relaxing as possible.
2. Choose the right vehicle
Whether you’re travelling alone or as part of a group, choosing the right vehicle can play a massive part in your transfer. If you’e flying alone then a conventional saloon car will be perfect, but if you’re flying with others then you need to make sure that you select a car or people carrier that will give you and your luggage plenty of room. After all, the last thing you need as part of your stress-free journey is a last minute struggle to get yourselves or your bags on-board.
3. Give plenty of instructions to the driver
From providing detailed information of your flight times and meeting locations to giving the driver prior warning of any important requirements, it’s essential that you give your chauffeur plenty of instructions for your journey to and from the airport. Whilst many dedicated chauffeurs will also keep an eye out for flight delays, it’s also recommended that you keep in contact with your transfer provider to ensure they’re ready and waiting when you arrive home.
4. Leave with plenty of time to spare
No matter whether you’re flying out for a short business trip to Europe or a long haul flight to the other side of the world, it’s essential that you plan your journey with plenty of time to spare to accommodate for any unnecessary hold-ups. For European flights always ensure you’re at the airport with 2 hours to spare, and for international flights (to locations such as USA and Australia), always arrive 3 hours before your dedicated departure time.
5. Book extras that will make your journey even more relaxing
From a sparkling glass of champagne to start your journey to a selection of your favourite magazines and newspapers, selecting a few additional extras for your journey will ensure that your transfer to the airport is a lot more enjoyable and luxurious.
6. Select a service with a clear cancellation policy
Whilst we all hope that we’re never going to need to cancel an airport transfer, there are sometimes eventualities such as sickness and bereavement that will mean you have to cancel your journey. With this in mind, it’s extremely important that you choose a chauffeur or transfer provider that has a clearly defined cancellation policy. This way you’ll know exactly where you stand in the event of any issues.
7. Select a local provider that won’t struggle finding you
When you next travel to the airport, the last thing you need to do is select an airport transfer agency from miles away that will inevitably struggle to find your address. To avoid this, it’s essential that you select a local company that knows the local area around you so that they have no problems in getting to you.
For more information on booking your next airport transfer or for further areas to look out for, please contact us on 01295 700046 or email info@pjchauffeurs.com.