Village Airport Van

[salferg]

It took over an hour after I was picked up at my house to get out of TV enroute to the airport last Monday. The driver was unfamiliar with the area he was picking up passengers in an area south of 466A. I arrived at the airport 2 1/2 hours after I had been picked up. I had a return reservation but when I learned my flight would require me to pick up my baggage in Terminal B then lug it back up to the main lobby and proceed across the terminal and go back down to Terminal A baggage pickup I cancelled my reservation. I was able to get on a Villages Shuttle bus that picks up at either terminal and was back in TV at the shuttle station 1 1/2 hours later.

[Harleyman]

The last time we used it, we were longer getting from the Villages to Orlando, than we were flying from Orlando to Nova Scotia. We now go by limo which is basically the same price for two people.

[dalecrenshaw]

The last time we used it, we were longer getting from the Villages to Orlando, than we were flying from Orlando to Nova Scotia. We now go by limo which is basically the same price for two people.

What Limo service do you use? and how much? Thanks.

[Villageswimmer]

I just used them last week. They picked me up at exactly the scheduled time and I arrived at MCO one hour and five minutes later.

Never had a problem and I've used them six times in the last 2 years.

[ron122049]

I have used the Villages Airport shuttle on several occasions and it works great for me. HOWEVER, I live near Brownwood and usually get picked up last and dropped off first due to my closeness to Hwy. 44. I can understand why folks who live farther north might feel as stated in the above posts. Perhaps it's time for the The Village Shuttle folks to consider separate routes for the north and south sides to make the service more user friendly. I think it's a great service otherwise and will continue to support them!

[Villageswimmer]

I have used the Villages Airport shuttle on several occasions and it works great for me. HOWEVER, I live near Brownwood and usually get picked up last and dropped off first due to my closeness to Hwy. 44. I can understand why folks who live farther north might feel as stated in the above posts. Perhaps it's time for the The Village Shuttle folks to consider separate routes for the north and south sides to make the service more user friendly. I think it's a great service otherwise and will continue to support them!


Good point. I'm fairly far south, too, in St James.

[sunnyatlast]

If you're unlucky enough to get onto the van before it has enough passengers to pay the overhead costs of the run, they're going to dupe you into riding around for an hour in five other far-apart neighborhoods between Wildwood and Leesburg before getting onto the turnpike near Clermont, to pick up other fares.

Same thing happens when coming home from the airport. They'll wait at both A and B sides to round up more fares, and then they'll drive into 3 other golf communities, to drop people off before ever getting to TV. Our 2-hour flights have been shorter than these rides on the van.

The Villages Transportation runs its buses nonstop and they respect a customer's time, for the same price, and they pick up or drop off at the house with their taxi for a few dollars, well worth it.

[Lauren Sweeny]

Always looking for a cheaper way to get to the Orlando airport ,could use all input concerning limo,private drivers etc. Respond here or PM

[TidalWalkers]

I love the Village Airport Van service! Always has been very reliable, easy to find at airport right out door from baggage claim. Drivers are friendly and competent! A great service!

[RETIREDSFW]

i love the village airport van service! Always has been very reliable, easy to find at airport right out door from baggage claim. Drivers are friendly and competent! A great service!

i live on the north side & have no problem with the village airport van service. I have used them about 6 times. The drivers are friendly and even the side trips thru unknown villages have helped me learn the area better.

[kellyjam]

When it just me I use Villages Transportation my neighbor gives me a ride up to Lake Sumter. When it's my Wife and I I use Jan Coluccio, who is a Gilchrest resident, who will pick you up in a Lincoln Navigator door to door to MCO for $80. 352-643-0833

[PJOHNS2654]

You may be happy to hear that Village Airport Van has started "Express Service" that will route Villagers to avoid stopping in neighborhoods along wildwood and leesburg. Visit Villageairportvan.com (http://www.villageairportvan.com) for more information.

How about an "Express Service" for us that live near Spanish Springs?

[njbchbum]

You may be happy to hear that Village Airport Van has started "Express Service" that will route Villagers to avoid stopping in neighborhoods along wildwood and leesburg. Visit Villageairportvan.com (http://www.villageairportvan.com) for more information.

How does 'express service' turn into 'limited stops'? I thought express meant express once having left the villages? Transporting from one's home to the airport 'with limited stops in surrounding communities' seems hardly to be 'express service'.

Or am I missing something?

[Villageswimmer]

How does 'express service' turn into 'limited stops'? I thought express meant express once having left the villages? Transporting from one's home to the airport 'with limited stops in surrounding communities' seems hardly to be 'express service'.

Or am I missing something?


I, too, questioned that "limited stops..." verbiage. Now, though, it looks like it was removed from their site.

From their TOTV posting, it sounds like it stops no where outside TV (for Villages runs), which would be a change for the good. I do think clarification is needed.

[njbchbum]

I, too, questioned that "limited stops..." verbiage. Now, though, it looks like it was removed from their site.

From their TOTV posting, it sounds like it stops no where outside TV (for Villages runs), which would be a change for the good. I do think clarification is needed.

Dunno, naneibean! I clicked on the link in VAV's post and it took me to an ad form which I took my quoted phrases? It is a puzzlement!

[sunnyatlast]

It's a good first step, however, a lot of the riding around picking up more fares has been just within TV and south of 466. With massive the size of TV and slow speed limits, I've ridden around for a half hour before exiting TV, just going between Amelia, Hadley and then Buttonwood's farthest west corners.

There should be a couple of group pickup locations, i.e. at a rec center or two, where those who can get there can be picked up all at once, after the people who need at-the-door pickup have boarded.

[swimdawg]

I am a frequent passenger using Village Airport Van. I have used The Villages Shuttle and I would recommend Village Airport Van over TV Shuttle. I especially like the door-to-door service.

I was also confused by the ad stating express service with "limited stops". I contacted them and this was the reply:

"Express service is that the people in The Villages will be routed and picked up with maybe one stop at The Days Inn at Hwy 27 and the turnpike so you will not have to go to many different communities in Leesburg area. It is to expedite the travel time for all".

[njbchbum]

Thanks for following up with VAV, swimdawg! I think I'll stick with the private car concept for our friends. I guess I just have a different concept of express. :)

[NottaVillager]

Curious as to why so many people find using the vans & buses to the airport more convenient than taking their car? If we fly out we just take our car and park it. Never had any problem with leaving the car and we don't have to wait for buses to make multiple stops on the way to or from. We would never consider taking either the van or the bus. What do you find are the best reasons for NOT driving yourself?

[Topspinmo]

I like the Villages Airport shuttle. You know the hours and the times they run. IMO I like to support scheduled service. If not service will eventually be cut or lost.

[Lbmb24101]

I have used the Villages Airport shuttle on several occasions and it works great for me. HOWEVER, I live near Brownwood and usually get picked up last and dropped off first due to my closeness to Hwy. 44. I can understand why folks who live farther north might feel as stated in the above posts. Perhaps it's time for the The Village Shuttle folks to consider separate routes for the north and south sides to make the service more user friendly. I think it's a great service otherwise and will continue to support them!

I agree completely w your entire post.

[Buster46]

Who is the best company to use to get to the Sanford airport? Any suggestions on cost and company would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[shcisamax]

I like the Villages Airport shuttle. You know the hours and the times they run. IMO I like to support scheduled service. If not service will eventually be cut or lost.

I spoke to this earlier this week but no one commented. The Shuttle (Village
Transportation out of Lake Sumter)has been bought and my understanding from one of the drivers is that the schedule will be changed to have fewer departures and arrivals. There will no longer be the smaller buses so they need to fill the bigger equipment ergo fewer trips. I don't know when the change will occur but it will definitely affect traveling decisions.

[Chi-Town]

Called the Airport Shuttle at Lake Sumter to reserve three trips to the airport. The conversation was that they were sold and payment was due up front (there is a cancellation policy). The schedule was the same, but I did not ask for how long. A confirmation was sent to my email. BTW, I thought all the rides to the airport were the buses.

[njbchbum]

Curious as to why so many people find using the vans & buses to the airport more convenient than taking their car? If we fly out we just take our car and park it. Never had any problem with leaving the car and we don't have to wait for buses to make multiple stops on the way to or from. We would never consider taking either the van or the bus. What do you find are the best reasons for NOT driving yourself?

1] you have surrendered your driver's license
2] you no longer own a car
3] you are using the service for guest transportation

[Ecuadog]

4] you don't want to leave your car parked at the airport for 2 months

[Didiwinbob]

NottaVillager - Airport is hady when Spouse stays home to work needs car or spouse not able to drive.

[raynan]

NottaVillager......cost of airport parking, tolls and gas. For a single, van is a good deal. When it's a couple or family coming to visit, we go and get them.

[tadpoleKM]

So how does this work? I understand that they pick you up at your home but then does the shuttle stop at the different terminals/airlines?

How about getting back home? Where do you meet the shuttle?

[CFrance]

Curious as to why so many people find using the vans & buses to the airport more convenient than taking their car? If we fly out we just take our car and park it. Never had any problem with leaving the car and we don't have to wait for buses to make multiple stops on the way to or from. We would never consider taking either the van or the bus. What do you find are the best reasons for NOT driving yourself?
We do mostly very long flights. Coming home to Orlando or Tampa, grabbing luggage, and then facing an hour to hour and a half drive is just too much for us. Sometimes our total travel time exceeds 24 hours. It has been known to reach 30 hours. Frequently we don't get land till 8:30-10:00 pm. It's just too much.