Most airport transfer problems trace back to information that was never passed on at booking. This is the short list that prevents almost all of them.
An airport transfer is a simple job done well or a stressful one done badly, and the difference is almost always the information exchanged at the time of booking. None of what follows takes more than two minutes to provide, and each item prevents a specific problem.
The essentials
- Flight number — so your driver can monitor the flight and adjust for early or late arrivals.
- Terminal — airlines move between terminals, so confirm rather than assume. At Gatwick this determines whether you want North or South.
- Departure or arrival — the two require completely different planning.
- Full pickup address, including the door number and any access notes such as a locked gate or a car park barrier.
- Passenger count, including children and infants.
- Luggage count and type — four large cases is a different vehicle to four cabin bags.
- A mobile number you will actually have with you on the day.
Worth mentioning if it applies
- A wheelchair or mobility aid, so an accessible vehicle is assigned rather than requested on the day.
- A pushchair, sports equipment, golf clubs or a bike.
- A pet travelling with you, which needs to be agreed in advance.
- Whether you would like a meet and greet in arrivals.
- Whether you would like the driver to wait, for example if you are collecting someone.
- Whether you need the return journey booked at the same time.
Working out your pickup time
Start from your airline's check-in closing time and work backwards. Add the drive, then add a margin for traffic. A useful habit is to think in terms of arriving at the terminal, not arriving at the airport boundary — the terminal approach and the walk to check-in take time in themselves.
On the day
- Have your bags by the door before the pickup time rather than starting to pack when the car arrives.
- Keep your phone on and reachable — your driver may call to confirm they are outside.
- For the return leg, turn your phone on as soon as you land so any messages from the driver reach you.
- Check the back seat and the boot before the car pulls away. Lost property is the most avoidable problem of all.
What your taxi company should confirm back to you
A well-run booking gets confirmed with the driver details and the agreed fare, by phone, SMS or email. If you have not received confirmation, it is worth a quick call to check the booking exists — particularly for early-morning departures when there is no time to fix a problem later.
Western Cars confirms bookings with the driver details and the agreed fare. If anything changes, call 01903 500600 and we will adjust the booking.
Arrange your transfer
Western Cars Worthing Ltd runs airport and seaport transfers from Worthing and across West Sussex, with fixed prices, flight monitoring and meet and greet available. Call 01903 500600 at any hour, or book online.