Airport Shuttle Service or Taxi? The perception of a shuttle service is a connection in a convention center, or a hotel courtesy ride to the airport, but the industry has changed a lot in recent decades. The most recent evolution in airport shuttle service is a scheduled service in a privately owned 12 passenger van, that runs out of airports every hour or so, providing a connection to most local destinations of choice, either direct, or with very few, quick stops that do not require walking. In essence, the airport shuttle service captures the core need filled by a taxi service, providing reliable transportation to and from the airport, being simple, easy, and quick. But there are significant differences when we look at them both side by side.
Taxis are on a first come, first serve basis. Taxis in the airport are usually arranged and a line of passengers is formed to assure a cab. It can be very quick if there are few people, but can take a long time if there is a local event like a convention, boat show, or major concert. The airport shuttle service on the other hand, requires a reservation, and is a scheduled pick up for a party with an exact amount of passengers. People requiring transportation in a hectic airport who do not have a reservation, are usually not allowed to get into a shuttle. The taxi service is private, where the airport shuttle service is shared. 'Private' is an industry standard term referring to the fact that there are no other passenger parties in the vehicle. The shared shuttle service is not private because a party of 3 can take up 3 seats and another two or three parties can take up the other 9 seats of the shuttle. Shuttles normally transfer 2 or 3 passenger groups, and are often taking them to the scheduled destination. Depending on individual choice, this could be a drawback for those who likes to stay reserved, or it could be beneficial for those who have something in common with others to share, whether they are for a vacation, a cruise ship embarkation, or arrived in town for an event or show.