What is a hotel transfer and what types of transfer are there?
A transfer service is a service for transporting tourists from the airport or train station to the hotel and back. The most common way to transport people to their destination is by bus, but in rare cases cars, boats and even seaplanes are used for this purpose. An official representative of the tour operator meets tourists at the airport, assists them in finding the necessary bus and accompanies them until they check into the hotel.
Regarding the return flight, everything is the same - the same representative meets tourists at the hotel, takes them to their destination and escorts them to the airport. In most cases, the bus arrives at the hotel a few hours before the plane departs.
What does the service include?
Transfer services include:
Two trips by vehicle - from the airport to the hotel and in the opposite direction.
Transportation of transported luggage and assistance in unloading it.
Useful tips for finding your way around a city or area.
Also, in some cases, especially on a long journey, the price includes the services of a guide who talks about interesting places and famous sights of the city or country. The guide usually speaks English, but not always. It all depends on the country, local language and type of transfer.
Types of transfer
There are several classifications of tourist transport, each of which has its own distinctive features and is better suited to certain people and situations. To make the right decision, you need to familiarize yourself with each of them.
Group transfer
This type of transfer is the most economical in financial terms, but the most costly in terms of time spent. Despite this, the option remains the most widespread and popular.
The essence of a group transfer is that the official representative immediately picks up all the travelers with whom he cooperates - meets them at the airport and escorts them to the bus, where other people are already sitting and waiting to arrive at their hotel. The bus travels along a specific route, dropping off people step by step and continuing the journey to the very last destination. The main disadvantage of a group transfer is the need to adapt to other people.
The vehicle will only start moving when everyone is assembled, and this can take a very long time. Someone got lost, someone didn’t come, someone got stuck - on average it takes from half an hour to two to get ready.
This option is perfect for those who like long roads, are not in a hurry, want to see the city and do not regret their time on vacation, while losing a minimal amount of money.
Private transfer
With individual transportation like from KiwiTaxi.com, everything is a little different - the vehicle is selected in advance. The service costs an order of magnitude more, but it also has plenty of advantages. First of all, a private transfer is very convenient for those who travel with children, pets or carry a lot of luggage with them.
In addition, it is an ideal solution for time-saving people. There is no need to wait for everyone to gather, no need to stop by anywhere. But it is important to note that several more people can be put in the car if they need to get to the same hotel.
VIP service
Premium class service is a type of transfer that requires separate consideration. This service is a direct transfer from the plane's landing point to the hotel. In the case of VIP service, the boarding of unauthorized passengers who are on their way is excluded.
The vehicle is included in the increased comfort class and is selected individually for the situation, based on the number of people and the size of the cargo. The services and conditions of such a transfer must be discussed in advance.
Among other things, a premium class transfer provides the following services:
Musical accompaniment during the journey to the hotel.
A bouquet of flowers or other gift during a meeting at the airport.
A glass of expensive champagne or other drink.
It is worth noting that for each of the listed services an additional monetary fee will be charged.
How to use the service
In the vast majority of cases, the transfer service like transfer from Fiumicino airport to Rome is included in the cost of the contract that a person enters into with a travel agency. Despite this, you can always use the services of private companies for which transfers are the main activity.
An agreement with a specialized company must be concluded on its official website. To arrange a transfer to the hotel you will need some information:
Transfer classification – individual or group.
Time and date of departure and arrival.
Number of people (especially in case of group transfer).
Presence of pets.
Dimensions of transported cargo.
All potential problems and difficulties will be resolved by the company providing the services.
Conclusion
Transfer is an excellent service for tourists who are poorly oriented in the area and do not know a foreign language. Thanks to this service, anyone can easily reach their destination and receive some tips for their stay in the city or country.
It is up to the tourist to decide which type of transfer to choose, based on the situation and personal preferences. Each option has its advantages and has its place.