Airport Transfers in Europe are Really Expensive!!!

Mebert · March 24, 2007

Rat,

I'm beginning to realize that I may protest too much. The $300 round trip bus ride just seemed a wee bit expensive by U.S. Standards. It also used to be such a bargain to travel in Europe. I hope those days come back soon.

Rat · March 24, 2007

Melbert, you are not protesting too much. We have the same thoughts and feelings. I am resigned to the fact that I will have to pay much more $$$$$$$$ for services and goods purchased in Europe. Sad but true! :sad2: But heck, you're going to Europe on a cruise in a few weeks and all of us will be so jealous! Have a great time!

Mebert · March 24, 2007

I just checked the exchange rate for Euros from U.S. Dollars. It's about 75 cents to the Euro and the units are like dollars in Europe. In other words a cap that you would buy for $10 US is 10 Euros in Europe, actually costing the U.S. consumer a little over $13 US. On big ticket items this will really add up. That means 100 Euros will cost over $130 and 1000 Euros will cost $1300.

My transfers from Rome to Civitavecchia are actually costing about 225 Euros or about 56 Euros each way. I guess in Europe it doesn't look as expensive. :biggrin:

JohnG · March 25, 2007

Check out http://romelimousines.com/airportshuttles.html

I used Bob's services for a day driving us from Civitavecchia to Rome and touring the day in Rome and back. I also used them in Livorno to go through Tuscany and Florence. Outstanding services. Give them a call or email and request a quote for the airport to ship transfer. I believe it may be less than the cruieeline price for transfers. I only paid $500 for a whole day.

SMB · March 26, 2007

Rat,

There is a direct train (hourly) from Gatwick to Southampton for $40-$50 one way. Round trip is usually a price break. Also direct trains from London. More complicated from Heathrow, but still about the same price.

That means three of you can go to Southampton for about $150. Hope this helps.

Mebert,

I'm still checking on Civitavecchia. I know the train from Fiumicino requires a change in Rome and takes 1:40-2:00 hrs depending. The Ferrovia site will not give me prices right now... that is Italy... but I'll let you know if I find out. The problem is not so much getting a taxi to the docks in Civitavecchia as it is getting FROM the docks when a few hundred people are trying the same thing. The haul up the hill to the station is no fun either, esp. with bags.

zebra · March 26, 2007

56 Euro isn't too bad - relatively speaking. It is a long trip from Rome to Civitavecchia but at least it picks you up at the airport and drops you off at the ship.... one has to pay for convenience. Both times we have been there we have used Claudio of Limo in Rome to take us one our tours - and he charges $500 for a full day's travel and sightseeing. Buy hey - I'm all about convenience.

Now from London to Southhampton I would rather rent a car - but then again we are used to driving on the left side of the road... no big deal, and much kinder on the pocket. It's an easy drive too... we did it about 10 years ago.

SMB · March 26, 2007

Mebert,

I'm not able to get the exact price for tickets online, but the train from Fiumicino to Rome is 10 euros and the train from Rome to Civitavecchia is about 7 euros. So, I would say you could get from the airport to Civitavecchia for less than 20 euros per person. Taxi in Civitavecchia can be as much as 20 euros. For two people, that would be a total of less than 60 euros one way. That is around 120 euros vs. the 225 by private means. I guess it all depends on how much you are willing to pay for convenience. $140 savings can get me another night in Italy.

In any case... will you take me with you? :rolleyes2:

Mebert · March 26, 2007

SMB,

Thank you for the research. That route sounds like it's right up my alley.

Unfortunately for me, I have non-refundable transfers. This information may help in the future or some other Cruise Crazies.

You are one dedicated Cruise Crazies member.

zebra,

$500 for the day is a little steep for me. I'm used to paying that amount for a week in the U.S.

I noticed that private car rentals in Europe are really expensive so I won't be doing that very much.

The trains seem to be a real bargain but one has to leave early to make it back to the ship.

Joanandjoe · March 27, 2007

Don't they have a boat train from London to Southampton or Dover? If you don't have too much luggage, a train, then a local cab, may be the way to go.

We understand the idea of using the cruise line airfare and transfers: we did that in Montreal for our 9/2005 Montreal to NYC cruise. For our Dutch tulip cruise, we booked today for a 4/25 cruise; so cruise line air is no longer available. We'll probably take the train into Amsterdam, then a taxi to our hotel. For a cruise from Civittavecchia, you either pay the big bucks to the cruise line, or look around for alternatives. Have you looked at the Easy Jet web site to see if they do transfers in Rome? We used Easy Jet transfers in Nice, even though we had flown on Delta, and it worked great: low fare, and an English speaking driver who gave us a brief city tour on our way to the hotel.