My daughter, Paris, and I traveled to Washington, D.C. over the weekend. After landing in Washington/Dulles, we headed for the taxi line. But we quickly decided to look for alternative transportation options to our hotel after discovering that a cab cost $55 to $58. With tip that's over $60. We ended up on a bus, the Washington Flyer, that cost only $10 (kids free) and dropped us at the Metro, where we paid another $1.65 to get to our hotel. We saved $50.
Yes, taxis are convenient but they'll break your travel budget. If you have the time, you'll pay a lot less by opting for public transit. Here's a rundown of what you'll save by taking public transportation from the airport to downtown in top U.S. destinations. For point-to-point trip planning on public transportation systems in 60 U.S. cities, check out the new Google Transit at www.google.com/transit.
Chicago, O'Hare
Taxi:$45 including tip
Public transit:$3.50 (bus and train)
Save: $42
Honolulu
Taxi: $45 inclulding tip
Public transit: $1 (city bus)
Save: $44
New York, JFK
Taxi: $45 including tip
Public transit: from $7 (AirTrain and subway)
Save: $43
Portland, Ore.
Taxi: $45 to $60 including tip
Public transit: $2.30 (Max light rail
Save: $57.70
San Francisco
Taxi: $55 including tip
Public transit: $5.35 (Bart underground)
Save: $50
Feel free to add to the list and comment on your favorite public transit options at U.S. airports.
3 comments:
Great tip! Add to the cost savings the fact that you won't need to lug a car seat with you & your trip might just get more enjoyable too!
Excelent strategy, I always use public transportation.
I would go one further - plan the vacation to places where you can get around on public transportation (and by foot). Like NY, SF, Chicago, Boston, even San Diego. You can certainly get to almost all the places to visit in New York City for what used to be called a subway token.
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