Getting to and from the airport can be a tall task, no matter the age of the traveler in question. However, for seniors who may be returning home to Southern California after holidays, family visits, or a big vacation, safe, reliable transportation from the runway is critical to ensuring that travel plans go off without a hitch.
Some of the best forms of senior airport transportation are ones that can be booked ahead of time and will suit the individual traveler’s needs and wants. Here, we’ll lay out your options when it comes to booking a safe ride to and from the airport for senior travelers.
Rideshares
When it comes to catching a ride, ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are usually the go-to. They’re inexpensive and easy to order right from the comfort of your smartphone, meaning the seniors themselves can also hail their own ride if they’re familiar with the process.
Many rideshare apps also allow for scheduling ahead of time, which can be convenient for getting to the airport on time without waiting for a ride to be booked.
Rideshares also usually include options for accessible vehicles, allowing for easier transportation of seniors with disabilities or mobility limitations.
However, one con of rideshares is their availability at airports. For example, at LAX, travelers must first walk to a bus that will bring them to a secondary destination where rideshare vehicles are meant to be called and met. This may be strenuous for a traveler already worn out from hours of flight and navigating the airport, or one with limited mobility. It may also be a confusing process, as even younger passengers do not usually know where to go or where they’re meant to board the bus to find their rideshare.
Additionally, one of the bigger cons with rideshare services is the quality – because the drivers are different every time, there’s no guarantee of the driver themselves, the vehicle’s quality, or the route and efficiency of the ride.
Taxis
The classic taxi is a usually reliable service that older riders will be familiar with. Modern taxis have adapted to the ridesharing experience, providing senior airport transportation through the use of mobile apps and online booking systems – no need for phone calls, hand waving, and traditional systems of hailing a taxi. It’s a step far above public transportation, and they’re available 24/7, even very late at night.
However, taxis have grown more expensive in recent years as a way to compete with the likes of Uber and Lyft. This can be challenging for seniors who are living on a fixed income, and multiple taxi rides can easily add up.
Shuttles
A premium airport shuttle from many Southern California airports can often facilitate curb-side pickup directly at the terminal, without the need to travel to another location. Shuttles can be booked ahead of time, and allow for easy senior airport travel through various shapes and sizes of vehicles, easily used by a group or an individual.
While the upfront cost may be slightly higher, the convenience of a shuttle and the security in knowing that a professional driver in a sanitized vehicle will be keeping senior travelers safe is worth the expense. It’s even perfect for day trips throughout California.
Shuttle for Seniors – And Everyone else
If you need to travel for yourself or a loved one to Los Angeles, we can help arrange fully sanitized, private vehicles from Palm Springs, Phoenix, Las Vegas, or parts of Northern California. A car will pick you or your loved ones up and deliver you to your desired destinations.
For longer trips, another vehicle with a well-rested, healthy driver, will meet passengers at a halfway mark to continue the trip to their homes without an overnight stay.
The most susceptible group of Americans to coronavirus are those over 60. Xpress Shuttles is coordinating transportation to help get them home while keeping them away from crowds. We take safety and comfort seriously and can also offer discount prices to help minimize the financial impact of having to change your travel plans.