Transportation to/from airports
 

Can anyone give information about transportation. I understand there is an airport shuttle that runs on a posted schedule, but how does one get to/from the shuttle point to one's home. Is there a taxi service in the villages?

Also do most people fly into Orlando or Tampa?

Thanks for any information

If you call Village Airport Van they will pick you up and drop you off at your house based on your flight time. They go to Orlando which is closer than Tampa.

Villages has a shuttle service to Orlando Airport. Can get a Taxi to and from shuttle station with Village Taxi.

Here is the link to the airport shuttle information

You can make your reservation online.

The Villages Transportation ? Orlando International Airport Shuttle Service

Thanks
 

This is what I love about this site... Post a question, and within a short period of time, lots of good information.

Thanks!

Take airport van, my son just left the other day to go back to Baltimore. He said it was the best way to go, you will love it .:agree:

There are two separate services that are often confused.

Villages Shuttle (owned by The Villages) operates from Orlando Airport to/from Shuttle Stations at Lake Sumter and Spanish Springs. This runs on a set schedule and it is not a 24 hour service.

Villages Van (not owned by The Villages) also operates from Orlando Airport and will take you to/from your home. This is a 24 hour service so it is especially helpful for late flights.

Transportation to and from TV - Swimdawg review
 

I have been meaning to write about this since my last trip. I am a "snowflake"....going back and forth from Buffalo to TV....via Orlando. I have used both The Villages Shuttle and Village Airport Van.

Both have their good points.

Here is my Swimdawg review:
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The Villages Transportation: The Villages Transportation ? Orlando International Airport Shuttle Service

Postives: Typical of what you would expect of something run by TV: Clean van, on time, friendly drivers who just couldn't do enough to help. There was a nice waiting area either inside or outside the airport area where you are to be picked up.

Negatives: The area where they pick you up is way down from the the Baggage Claim area. (I take either Southwest or JetBlue). I have two huge pieces of luggage (moving things from Swimdawg North to Swimdawg South)....so it was a long walk from Baggage to the area where TV Shuttle area is.....and I mean a long walk. Once I was on the shuttle, it took me to Lake Sumter Landing....and I waited for a cab to take me home. It was only a $5. charge (+tip) for the cab. Going from TV to Orlando airport was the same. A cab would pick me up and take me to LSL where I would get the shuttle.

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Village Airport Van: Village Airport Van

Positives: The area where you are to be picked up is directly below Baggage Claim. It couldn't be more convenient. You call the driver when you arrive and the wait is reasonable...not too long. Because I live in The Village of St. James, I am the first to be dropped off AT MY HOME....and the last to be picked up AT MY HOME when I return back to the airport. I like that!

Negatives: The van wasn't as clean or as organized as TV Shuttle. The drivers were "okay"....but one can tell when an employee works for TV. They look neat and clean.....and go out of their way to be friendly and help. The drivers for VillagesVan were nice but easy to see they didn't work for TV. Also, there was no nice waiting area inside or outside the area where you wait for the van. It was so convenient to have them so close to Baggage Claim but it would be nice to have a place to sit while waiting. I did complain about this and they said I can sit anywhere and just let them know I have arrived and they will wait for me.
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As far as prices go, they are pretty much the same. $35. one way.
(The Villages Shuttle gives you a $5.00 discount for round-trip but they charge $5.00 each way for the cab); Village Airport Van charges $35. to/from your front door and will give you every 10th trip for free.

So.......that is my Swimdawg review for the two major airport shuttle/van services. Hope it helps.

I love the idea of having Village Airport Van pick you up at your house, and drop you off at your house for 35 bucks!! There phone number is 352-241-2000. Coming in late at night, is nice when dropped off at home. To each their own, as long as you arrive safe and sound. :)

There are many private individuals who go the area airports.They advertise in the Daily Sun.

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Good post Swimdawg. The Villages Van picks up in the middle and the Villages Airport Van picks up at the far end - A or B 45. I think you switched the pick up in your post? I usually have someone who drives me but the few times I've taken the Villages Airport Van I have had a wait--especially late at night. That's another plus for the official Villages van - it leaves at the appointed hour.

No..exactly what I wrote. THE VILLAGES SHUTTLE was way down at the other end....far away from Baggage Claim. Village AIRPORT VAN picks you up directly below Baggage Claim...very convenient.

There are positives and negatives for both. I am not recommending one over the other. It depends on your needs. I just wanted everyone to know the differences.

The Villages Transportation picks up below baggage claim at A15/16 and B15/16. Although this company is perceived to be owned/run by The Villages, I believe they actually sold it a couple years ago to the woman who was their manager. Regardless, here is a link for their schedule which shows where they pick up. Departure and Arrival Schedule

I've never used the "Airport Van" and have no idea where they pick up and did not notice it mentioned on their website.

Honestly, I am a little disappointed in The Village shuttle. Not for their service but for not suggesting the other company when I called from the airport and was going to have to wait for another two hours because they only run every two hours. I explained that as I couldn't wait the two hours, I was going to have to rent a car, a big hassle and I would have to return by car for the drop. I asked if there were any other ways to get there and was told NO. and you would think they might have suggested the alternative. :( But now I know and it is in the nick of time. I was going to have to rent another car for the same timing issue. Voila. The Village Van. Thanks so much.

I had to get the Swimdawg archive notes out...not an easy task these days!

Yes, THE VILLAGES Transportation Shuttle (352-259-9398) picks passengers up at A15/16 which is a long way from Southwest/JetBlue Baggage Claim area.

Village Airport Van (352-241-2000) picks you up at A-45 which is very close to the Baggage Claim area.