nyer

I get what everyone is saying, but I still think that no company would have a driver wait at the airport (even staying put at a "cell phone lot" rather than cruising around wasting gas)without charging for that time. I think that the cars that are hanging around the airport are there because they had recently dropped someone off, not because they were specially called to be there. My opinion, for what it's worth!

I would definitely NOT suggest that anyone try to get a car TO the airport at the last minute, but since so many of the pre-arranged trips go to airports, you can feel pretty confident that you will be able to snag one of the cars for a trip back to the city.


The bottom line is that the car services mentioned by people here have generally been reliable and we feel comfortable recommending them.

Skiergirl

Nyer-with total respect I disagree. I am not comfortable recommending some of these services as I've been screwed in the past. With at least 2 of them they failed to pick me up in the AM in a timely manner, and did not even have the courtesy to call to tell me! I waited for 15-20 minutes and finally called, only to be told there was a delay. When I said "why did you not call to tell me?" they had no excuse. Also, I usually pay cash so I can use the coupons and have NOT had trouble when getting picked UP at the airport. You get off the plane, get your luggage, and then call to say you are there. I do believe that these companies monitor flights to see if you are going to be arriving on time or not (the one my father uses does). Or you can call from your departing airport to say you will be late if you know there is a delay. In any case, I personally have not had a problem getting picked up at the airport. I usually have to wait 10-15 minutes after I get my luggage for the car to come around, but NEVER have I been charged for a "waiting time" if I got in later than expected and wanted the car to pick me up. I also plan both the trip to and from the airport BEFORE my trip and would not, like mp, leave it up to chance to just hope to call a service once arriving back in NYC that a car is available. If I were going to do that I'd take a cab or the Air Train if at JFK or EWK.

nyer

No offense taken, Skiergirl

Maybe I should have said something like "Those of us who do recommend these car services feel comfortable doing so, regardless of whether they actually reserve cars in advance or just dispatch the ones that they already have at the airports".

People are pretty passionate about the Supershuttle and similar services too. I think (without having actually counted) that more people here find them unreliable than reliable, but it is an option that people might consider.

As I said in my first post, it's all anecdotal. So many people ask about how to get to/from the airports that I hope this and other posts have helped them make their own best choices.

Skiergirl

I totally agree about Super Shuttle. It sucks big time. One time I was on it for about 1.5 hours, going from Midtown East to the Bronx to Harlem and somewhere else before going to JFK! It was ridiculous. I realized then and there that sometimes you have to pay more money for the convenience and haven't looked back since.

I don't know who they are (livery cabs?) but those guys who come up to you at the airport and ask if you want a cab are bad news. There is no set rate-I think-so they prey on tourists and set their own rates, which I would assume to be higher than normal. I could be wrong on this but they ask me all the time and I always say NO THANKS!!!!

PaulRabe

> don't know who they are (livery cabs?)
> but those guys who come up to you
> at the airport and ask if you want a cab

"Who they are" is very simple. They're criminals. Soliciting customers for rides in a NY airport is completely illegal. The reason these people don't just wait in line at the airport is because they can't legally operate a cab in NYC, either because they don't (1) have safe cars or (2) charge fair rates.

starrs

Car service.
Definitely.

sf7307

One time I was on it for about 1.5 hours, going from Midtown East to the Bronx to Harlem and somewhere else before going to JFK! It was ridiculous.

this happened to me in LA once - it took more 1-1/4 hours to get from LAX to Santa Monica (about 8 miles). That was the one and only time I've ever used SuperShuttle, anywhere.

In NY, we recently called for a car (Carmel) to pick us up in midtown to go to LGA and it was great. We came downstairs and there he was, trunk open and ready to go. Anecdotal evidence, again. We've always taken cabs (from LGA) or AirTrain (from JFK) INTO Manhattan.

TYGER

I have used Carmel Limousine Service every time arriving/departing N.Y. with 100% satisfaction. I have always booked at least a week in advance of arrival/departure; they are very professional. If someone has had poor experience with them, let them advise on this board as well.

joebear

WHere do you access the discount coupons for car service?

mp

discount coupons come in local val packs, or sometimes the drivers or dispatchers will give them out to frequent customers. You could also try the websites. Car services I have used are:
www.carmellimo.com
www.dial7.com
www.dial4limo.com
www.allstatelimo.com