Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
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Discuss Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport, on the Car Hire and Taxis forum of FrequentFlyer.com.au, the home of frequent flyers.
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Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by serfty
I have a more cost effective way that takes about the same time when I have to cab it to the city or home; saving at least $25.
I take the skybus which runs every 10 minutes in peak times and costs $11-$15 one-way; then catch a cab from the rank at the bus terminal. This is balanced agaist the $2.00 tulla taxi fee & $3.00 citylink toll as well as a minimum $33 for distance/time.
I must admit Skybus is very useful. However, don't you find some of the music in the ads they play on the bus a bit repulsive?
Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by shillard
In most cities, private hire cars aren't that much more expensive than cabs (and often cheaper).
Cleaner, no hindi music firing through the speakers, and the dude is there waiting for you as you exit the sterile part of the terminal. Can't beat it.
Couldn't agree more. We have a fleet of hire cars on our company books, big italians, the head honcho is 'George' who has about 4 phones and orders the others around - so funny to watch. But they are brilliant, drive like racing car drivers (but really well) and have actively threatened other motorists with physical violence if they don't move to let us through.
They 'look after us' hahah its a running joke that they are probably mafia but who cares, with beautiful, immaculately clean cars and they know what coffee we like - have it waiting! (10 people in our department sometimes all flying together and they still get it right!).
Member of: Qantas, Asia Miles, Velocity, AAdvantage
Posts: 454
Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeseven7
They 'look after us' hahah its a running joke that they are probably mafia but who cares, with beautiful, immaculately clean cars and they know what coffee we like - have it waiting! (10 people in our department sometimes all flying together and they still get it right!).
This is the "tame taxidriver" idea writ large. Find your customers, serve them well, and they'll be loyal to you.
Another point, if you are faced with the pleasure of a choice of taxis, is that you don't have to take the one at the front of the rank (at least not in the ACT). If you don't think a cab is clean, or you don't like the looks of the driver, you can pick another one. For example, a female passenger might prefer a female cabbie. Or if you have bulky luggage, you might prefer a station wagon.
__________________
Peter in Canberra
QFF Platinum
"You know you travel too much when you have a favorite airport trolley."
Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyring
... Another point, if you are faced with the pleasure of a choice of taxis, is that you don't have to take the one at the front of the rank (at least not in the ACT). ...
Certainly true in Vic (although many Drivers do not seem to be aware of this).
I have been regularly travelling through Tullamarine for the last 12 years.
Living South of Mordialloc, I have seen the Home / Airport fare rise from about $60 to $100 and the City / Airport fare change from around $25 to $45. Factor in the 10% cabcharge cost and it's now over $110 to my home by the most direct route.
I have tried using used regular drivers, random taxis & Hire Car/Limousines. The regular drivers were good, but it seemed the better ones began to farm their jobs out to other drivers. In other cases it often felt like you were in a mobile call centre. The Hire Car/Limousines started cheaply enough but seemed to go up in price far too regularly. As for random taxis, there were some good drivers but the less said about most of them the better.
For air 'transfers' I now often use a rental car. I might collect one at 5pm on a Wednesday from the CBD and drive it home. Then drop it off at the airport in time for a 7am flight the next morning.
By doing this I get a car less than 1 year old, a drive home (saving train fare), never have to wait in the morning because of "the Night driver being late" & a driver who knows where they are going (moi). This is all for about $65 (once you add in Fuel & a City Link costs).
Generally, the only times I use a taxi for airport transfers these days if a situation dictates no other option and almost never from Tullamarine.
Member of: Qantas, Asia Miles, Velocity, AAdvantage
Posts: 454
Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by serfty
Certainly true in Vic (although many Drivers do not seem to be aware of this).
I have been regularly travelling through Tullamarine for the last 12 years.
Living South of Mordialloc, I have seen the Home / Airport fare rise from about $60 to $100 and the City / Airport fare change from around $25 to $45. Factor in the 10% cabcharge cost and it's now over $110 to my home by the most direct route.
The cabbies must have loved you! They'd be bragging about the fare for weeks.
Yeah, hiring a car in those circumstances sounds like a good plan. You'd be able to rack up a few partner points as well.
Canberra airport is five minutes away so it's not a winning strategy for me. If I took cabs I'd get a surly look from the driver, but my wife and teenagers are happy to drive me there and back.
I used to live on the patch at HMAS Cerberus south of Frankston. Picking up anybody from the airport was a major effort. Cut lunches and clothing changes.
__________________
Peter in Canberra
QFF Platinum
"You know you travel too much when you have a favorite airport trolley."
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Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by simongr
...The main advantages for me are the fact that he is there on time waiting for me on the way TO the airport and even if he is early he waits outside until exactly the time we agreed...
This is a huge advantage - even though I have a taxi rank outside the door of our office in Melbourne, I still get hire car man to take me. Works out about $5 more, but that's the thing - he's waiting, on time, and I don't have to say a thing if I don't want.
Quote:
...I am less concerned about faling asleep in the hire car than in a random cab...
And I am more confident that he won't fall asleep at the wheel than a random cab driver.
Re: Tip: How to avoid long taxi queues at MEL airport
Quote:
Originally Posted by serfty
Living South of Mordialloc, I have seen the Home / Airport fare rise from about $60 to $100 and the City / Airport fare change from around $25 to $45. Factor in the 10% cabcharge cost and it's now over $110 to my home by the most direct route.
Well not the only one's who have hiked up fees. Over the last 12mths the parking fee for 24 hrs & 10mins in short term parking has doubled from $37 to $74! (In addition to a $2 increase in the daily rate they subtly changed the fee structure that once you hit 24hrs you go onto a daily rate, so before you used to be charged for 24 hours + 10mins now you get charged 24 hours + 24 hours). Still, all this and the now quite substantial taxi fares makes Valet parking quite attractive, if you have a vehicle available to drive to and leave at the airport!
)
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