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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not know how to get to/from the airport?

279 replies

cjt110 · 09/03/2016 13:41

We go away in June. Me, DH, DS(will then be 20m), DF and DM.

I am totally stuck on getting to/from the airport.

Easiest option - Train £80 return for us all. Fine. But coming home, we land at 00.50 and the first train back is at approx. 04.22. Bollocks. So thats 3 hours from landing time to getting the train. Say 1 hour to collect luggage, still leaves us stuck in a cold train station at that time of night with DS.

We have an estate car but we cannot all fit in with the luggage etc. Plus, DH doesnt really fancy being knackered and having to drive home.

So, taxi. Probably the same cost-ish as the trains but no child seat for DS?

Any suggestions? I can't see any way other than the train :(

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 09/03/2016 14:13

I would drive and get your parents to sort themselves out.
Not very much in the spirit of a family holiday! lol

IMO the journey to and from the airport is a chore, not part of the holiday!

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 14:13

LuisSuarezTeeth Parents don't drive.

lists Gran Canaria - Last time we went it was E10 for a pack of about 30! Shock

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 09/03/2016 14:15

cjt
You can buy nappies when you get there, buy them airside or even preorder and pick up from the Boots airside if you are concerned they won't have the right ones rather than filling your suitcase. I've just checked the website and for the airside orders you have to order 5 days in advance.

Just take a day or two in your hand luggage.

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 14:16

LOCAL TAXI FIRM £80 AND THEY WILL STORE THE CHILDSEAT!!!!!!!!!!!! [GRIN] [GRIN]

OP posts:
HeyMacWey · 09/03/2016 14:16

That's a shame - assuming you're all regular sized adults can you not squeeze two adults in the back with the car seat?

yetanotherdeskmove · 09/03/2016 14:17

Why are you taking nappies? Take enough for 2 days and then buy them there. A car seat for a 10m old and 2 adults will easily fit in the back of an estate car for that length journey, I’d just drive personally.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 09/03/2016 14:17

x post about the nappies.

Good news about the local taxi firm.

LBOCS2 · 09/03/2016 14:17

But 10€ for nappies is still cheaper than the cost of multiple taxis/hotel rooms/etc.

I would be extremely surprised if you couldn't turn off the front airbags in your car. That would be my first suggestion, and then you could all drive - simple.

In fact, you could all drive, and stay overnight in an airport hotel on your way back, making use of their park and fly offers and not having to drive back late at night. That would be the easiest option.

RudeElf · 09/03/2016 14:17

You will fit two adults and a car seat in the back of an estate car fgs! Havent you even thought of getting in the car with DH to check? Confused

MaxPepsi · 09/03/2016 14:18

What estate car do you have?

2 adults and a car seat should easily fit in the back of one unless you are all very very big.

I have an estate. 2 bulky car seats and my fat ass fit comfortably in the back.

I'd get an overnight hotel deal so the bulk of the journey your DS is in your car then you need to request the hotel to airport transfer provides a car seat.

MaxPepsi · 09/03/2016 14:21

Ah, x post.

Took bloody ages for my post to post!

Footle · 09/03/2016 14:22

Airport Services will take you and meet you. If you can trust them to drive, you can trust them to look after your car seats while you're away. In my experience they are brilliant and reliable. If your plane is late on the return flight, there's a number for you to ring, but they check live arrivals anyway.

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 14:23

Bollocks - For 5 of us, just rang to check and it's £60 each way not £40.

Rude - I dont think we would. We have a Volvo, the doors are extremely bulky. I'm a size 8 and sat one side with DS on the other, you'd get maybe another size 8 in the middle, just.

My Dad is rather wide so thats not an option. FFS lol

OP posts:
AliciaMayEmory · 09/03/2016 14:28

It may not be your idea of a family holiday to travel to the airport together, but all this stressing about getting to the airport isn't great either, is it?

Butttons · 09/03/2016 14:28

Hire a people carrier/SUV for the way back? My parents always used to hire cars for the airport runs when we were little and it's not so expensive if you use one of the larger companies with a depot at the airport.

AliciaMayEmory · 09/03/2016 14:29

To not travel together

RudeElf · 09/03/2016 14:29

Your dad can sit in the front. I got two adults and a chunky carseat in the back of a 3 door saxo.

Try it. Dont assume you wont.

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 14:30

Alicia perhaps not but as I stated in my OP, my DH doesnt want to drive back so late at night so I guess that eliminates the use of the car full stop.

OP posts:
nephrofox · 09/03/2016 14:32

Why can you fit your luggage in a taxi but not your own estate car??

katienana · 09/03/2016 14:33

I would get a taxi. Car seat should be included as part of your ds luggage allowance so you could take it with you. Or do as others suggested and ask the taxi company to look after the seat or find one that has seats. Or you can legally travel without a seat in a taxi.

Linok · 09/03/2016 14:34

Prebook your taxi beforehand and ask for a car seat

TheFairyCaravan · 09/03/2016 14:35

Why doesn't your DH want to drive? He can sleep a bit on the plane. He's just coming back from holiday not 12 hours down the pit!

Seriously I think you're all making a mountain out of a molehill!

Original poster
cjt110 · 09/03/2016 14:37

Fairy* Because he doesnt want to drive on a motorway at night. He's the driver - it's upto him if he wants to drive or not and he has said not.

Is there a search engine for taxi companies who do airport transfers?

OP posts:
molyholy · 09/03/2016 14:37

Do you actually want to go? You seem to be putting all kinds of obstacles in the way.

One solution.

Travel seperately.

Problem solved.

Linok · 09/03/2016 14:37

Forgot to mention, do not book ordinary taxi, look for companies specializing in airport transfers ( they will have minivan or similar cars ), just google your area for them, they will come with the car seat, will meet you by the arrivals and take your luggage to the car for you.