lcuy

My 19 yr old daughter is arriving at Newark at 2 am and going to the dorms at Coloumbia Univ. Any thoughts as to the safety of a cab (from the official taxi line) vs pre-ordering a car service?

Thanks!

nytraveler

Definitely get a car service organized in advance. After about 11pm cabs can be very scarce at Newark - we once waited over 40 mins - no cabs at all - and had to organize a limo eventually.

Cassandra

I assume she's made absolutely certain she can get into the dorms at that hour, too. Would not want her wandering around, pounding on doors, at that hour.

lcuy

Hopefully her boyfriend will be waiting for her in his lobby.

I was hoping he could meet her at the airport, but I guess the trains stop many hours before her arrival.

Hmmm, would it be cheaper to pay for a cab for him to meet her there and cab it back? Or is one way car service still the way to go?

I read a much earlier post that Carmel is a decent service. Are they still?

Cassandra

Yes. At least in my experience. And they aren't all that much more than a cab even one-way -- a 2-way cab would be ridiculous. As long as both daughter and BF have a cellphone to coordinate, it should work out. The last time I used a car service, the driver actually refused to leave until he saw that I'd gotten IN the door at my destination -- she can absolutely ask the driver to stay and watch until she's in (and/but tip the driver well).

lcuy

Just wanted to report back on my daughter's experience.

I made online reservations with Carmel to pick her up at 2am on Wednesday morning. For night pickup it $50 + tolls and tip, but there was a $4 off coupon on the web site.

Her flight was cancelled and she was booked on another, so I called to reschedule about 4 hours before her original pickup time. They were very nice, and even switched her to the day rate since she arrived at 6:30 -$43 instead of $50!

Once she got her luggage, she called and they were outside the numbered door nearest her baggage area within 5 minutes! She said the car and driver were both nice, and despite rush hour traffic she had a pleasant trip in.

Thanks Fodorites! I never would have known about this service if it wasn't for you all!