Getting yourself to the airport before a flight out of the city can be a challenge for most people, especially if they don’t have a car. Your thoughts may linger to getting a yellow taxi to transport you from home to the airport, but this tends to be an expensive activity. So what are some of the alternative ways that you can get to the airport, without costing you an arm and a leg? Let’s explore what you can try before your next trip, to help ensure that you have a bit of extra money in your pockets for the actual trip itself.
Alternative Ways To Get To And From The Airport
Try Friends & Family First
The best thing you can do, especially if you have a couple of weeks to go before your trip, is to ask friends and family if someone will be able to give you a lift to the airport. Asking someone the day before will definitely be more challenging than getting someone to lock it down in their diary ahead of time. Promise them that you’ll cook them a nice dinner to say thank you when you get back or offer a little bit of petrol money if it feels like the journey is going to set them back a bit. It certainly doesn’t have to be as much as you would have paid a cab, and more often than not they’ll turn the cash down and put it down to being a helpful member of the family.
Public Transport Options: Buses and Trains
If you’ve hit a dead-end or two with friends and family, explore local options like buses and trains, which could be a very cheap way to get from home to the airport terminal building. If you’re a seasoned user of public transport, this should be no problem. First-timers should do some research, and ask friends for their recommendations in terms of the timing of buses and trains. The last thing you want is to catch one of either too late and to miss your boarding time. Planning is important here.
Public Transport Options Buses And Trains
Uber and Other Ride Sharing Services
As a last resort, you can also explore Uber and other ride-sharing services, which will probably be cheaper than using a traditional meter taxi. You could even split your ride with someone else who is heading to the airport, or organize a lift with someone upfront at a discounted rate. Don’t be shy to ask around, and to explore those collective WhatsApp groups where people share rides back and forth between universities, schools, work, and more. At the end of the day, this is a more sustainable option as well, as both of you get to your destination in a single ride, rather than two separate cars.
Bonus Tip: Regardless of Travel Method, Travel Light
Regardless of whether you’re exploring any of the options we’ve talked about, you can always save yourself a bit of time and travel by traveling light. This includes only taking hand luggage on short visits, and remembering to take as little as possible when it comes to carrying liquids in your hand luggage. Utilizing only a travel bag means you can get out of the plane and head straight to your next destination, without having to waste any time at the baggage claim. It also helps in the event that you do run late ahead of boarding the plane: simply complete online check-in and head straight for the security check. You’ll be on your way in no time. Have a safe journey the next time you travel.