Windstart-Dundee port to airport transfer
Jun 25th, 2016, 07:54 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Windstart-Dundee port to airport transfer
We are scheduled to return home from a Windstar cruise on August 23. The Cruise finishes in Dundee, Scotland and we need an immediate transfer to the Edinburgh airport, which is further than we realized when the cruise indicated initially that it finished in Edinburgh (but at Dundee port). I am now very concerned we may not have enough time--ship shows 7 AM arrival, we have an 11 AM departure.
Has anyone taken the Windstar transfer? What is the quickest way to make this transfer? Do we need to make a change in our departure date?
All suggestions welcome please--I'm a wreck having just discovered the distance between the 2 locations. Thank you so much!
Has anyone taken the Windstar transfer? What is the quickest way to make this transfer? Do we need to make a change in our departure date?
All suggestions welcome please--I'm a wreck having just discovered the distance between the 2 locations. Thank you so much!
Jun 25th, 2016, 08:04 AM
#2
My feeling about all connections is to allow for the worst. In this case the worst could be an opportunity to visit, or revisit, a lovely city. So why not just change your flights to the next day if it won't be a hardship in any way. Worse things can happen than a day in Edinburgh.
Jun 25th, 2016, 09:49 AM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Edinburgh Airport is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Dundee. Quickest way will probably be by private car service.
First, you have to check with Windstar to see what is the earliest time you'll be able to disembark. We can only guess - the cruise line will know.
Usually, if a ship arrives in port at a certain time it takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for the local immigration & customs officials to "clear the ship" and for the ship's staff to unload any "non-carryon luggage" BEFORE you are allowed to disembark. If you ship actually arrives at 7AM I'm guessing it will be closer to 8AM before you'll be able to disembark. That means, the earliest you could possibly get to the airport would be around 9:30AM (90 minutes before your 11AM flight). That's cutting it close and leaves no room for error as most international flights require that you check-in 2 hour (sometime 3 hours) before take-off (check with your airline for their "time requirements).
Second, I'm guessing you made your own flight arrangements rather than booking through Windstar (with an included airport transfer). If so, then you might want to ask Windstar if you can arrange the airport transfer through them and if they can guarantee you an "on-time" arrival at the airport. If they can do it, that will probably be your best option. If not, you can book the airport transfer yourself but you'll bear the responsibility of getting to the airport "on-time".
Personally, with an 11AM flight I think you are playing with fire. If I were you, I'd call your airline and rebook yourself on a later flight, even if it means staying overnight in Edinburgh and incurring a "change fee". If you stick with your original plans and miss your flight you'll still be flying out on a later flight (maybe even the next day) and perhaps having the district pleasure of purchasing a full fare ticket home.
First, you have to check with Windstar to see what is the earliest time you'll be able to disembark. We can only guess - the cruise line will know.
Usually, if a ship arrives in port at a certain time it takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for the local immigration & customs officials to "clear the ship" and for the ship's staff to unload any "non-carryon luggage" BEFORE you are allowed to disembark. If you ship actually arrives at 7AM I'm guessing it will be closer to 8AM before you'll be able to disembark. That means, the earliest you could possibly get to the airport would be around 9:30AM (90 minutes before your 11AM flight). That's cutting it close and leaves no room for error as most international flights require that you check-in 2 hour (sometime 3 hours) before take-off (check with your airline for their "time requirements).
Second, I'm guessing you made your own flight arrangements rather than booking through Windstar (with an included airport transfer). If so, then you might want to ask Windstar if you can arrange the airport transfer through them and if they can guarantee you an "on-time" arrival at the airport. If they can do it, that will probably be your best option. If not, you can book the airport transfer yourself but you'll bear the responsibility of getting to the airport "on-time".
Personally, with an 11AM flight I think you are playing with fire. If I were you, I'd call your airline and rebook yourself on a later flight, even if it means staying overnight in Edinburgh and incurring a "change fee". If you stick with your original plans and miss your flight you'll still be flying out on a later flight (maybe even the next day) and perhaps having the district pleasure of purchasing a full fare ticket home.
Jun 25th, 2016, 11:13 AM
#4
That's a weekday and there will be traffic after you hit the M90 and across the Forth road bridge (and in Dundee but the port is near the Tay bridges so that end of your journey shouldn't be too bad)
Normally that is a little less than a 90 minute drive but on a weekday morning and at festival time I'd expect closer to 2 hours.
You really do need to change your flight.
Normally that is a little less than a 90 minute drive but on a weekday morning and at festival time I'd expect closer to 2 hours.
You really do need to change your flight.
Jun 25th, 2016, 01:49 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are all such a great help --I just changed our flights and paid the fees. Now the travel company says they will pay for private transfer to airport. I am in a quandary--don't know if I should try to change back and take the transfer or stay the night. What to do!
Jun 25th, 2016, 05:51 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Again I thank you--I have not booked a hotel yet but have decided to keep the changed itin. Too risky to attempt to get to airport in time. Will do my best to find a hotel we can pay for--although I plan to request the travel company to pay at least part--it was only because I insisted that they verify the actual location of the dock. They werde assuring me up until the last moment that the dock was 30 minutes from the airport.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
travelenthusiast
Caribbean Islands
5
Nov 4th, 2010 05:30 PM
drummer0002
Cruises
10
May 12th, 2004 03:26 AM
