Airport Beacons 2.0

You've heard of Bluetooth, but what are AltBeacon, iBeacon and Eddystone? They are all part of what is called proximity technology, and they are working hard to make your airport experience less painful and more connected. But just what are beacons and how they impact your travel experience?

You could call Steve Statler a beaconologist. Formerly of Qualcomm, Steve was part of the team responsible Gimbal, one of the industry's leading Bluetooth beacons.

Steve's new book, Beacon Technologies: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Beacosystem, is creating buzz and interest in the transportation technology community, so we thought we'd bring you some highlights.

Our digital and physical worlds collide - beacons

We’re witnessing the collision of our digital and physical worlds at the airport terminal as Bluetooth beacons begin to change customer experiences at venues around the globe. So what are the implications for airports? By Steve Statler, author of ‘Beacon Technologies: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Beacosystem’ [read the full article on Air Transport IT Review].

Beacons at San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport has over a long period of time worked to integrate the infrastructure into the airport and has deployed 300 beacons around the campus, highlighting different areas for deployment; check-ins, retail, parking... [read and listen to the interview on Proxbook].

Beacon pioneers "light up the way" - Hong Kong Airport, Miami Airport, Nice Airport

Beacons are lighting up the way for better airport operations and passenger experiences, as a building block in the Internet of Things. Many airlines and airports have been forging ahead with SITA to harness the potential... [read the full article on Air Transport IT Review].

10 Airports Using Beacons to Take Passenger Experience to the Next Level - Bologna Airport, Hamad Airport, Hong Kong Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Miami Airport, Mumbai Chhatrapati Airport, New York JFK Airport, Nice Airport, San Francisco Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport

Given the huge promise of iBeacon technology, leading airports across the globe have already invested in the technology. We have compiled a list of 10 airports that are leveraging iBeacon technology in order to deliver enhanced passenger experiences and improve operational efficiency... [read the full article on Beaconstac].

More from Steve Statler on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Beacosystem

The book

The book trailer

The website

The podcast


Related resources
Unacast Writes About Beacon Networks in the Definitive Book on Proximity - Unacast
Beacons, Beacons, Everywhere: Airports - RadiumONE
Aeroporti di Roma CEO turns focus to self-service, beacons and mobile wayfinding - Future Travel Experience
Chiltern Railways to pilot Bluetooth beacon mobile payments - The Drum
Airports and Airlines Using Beacon Tech to Send Location-Based Messages to Travelers - Samsung Insights
Beacon Technology will transform how we travel through airports - Skift

Resources from IHateTaxis
The Burning Man 747 - IHateTaxis blog
Brexit and the impact on travel: news stories - IHateTaxis blog
Ray the Parking Robot Valet (at Dusseldorf Airport) - IHateTaxis blog
Heathrow's Slick New Transport Screens - IHateTaxis blog

Travel in the time of Ebola

Perhaps a fitting symbol for worldwide sadness about Ebola
Photo: John LeGear, creativecommons (more info)

With all the buzz about Ebola and airport screenings, what's a traveller to do? Is it really OK to be "out there"? In a word, yes.

 If you already travel saavy, you know about - and hopefully practice - road warrior street smarts: wash your hands (frequently, with soap), wipe down surfaces, carry sanitizer (but don't overuse it), drink plenty of sealed bottled water, get plenty of sleep and enjoy your journey.

Weighing in on the subject, is Robert L. Quigley, MD, D.Phil, Regional Medical Director and Vice President of Medical Assistance, Americas Region, International SOS. In his piece, Ebola Outbreak Spreads Across Three Countries: What Do Travelers Need to Know? for @HuffPostTravel, Quigley advises, "For travelers, it means staying away from affected areas, and avoiding contact with people who are sick as well as practicing strict attention to hygiene."

Unless you are travelling to one of the Ebola hot zones in Africa (it's a big continent), then these actions will serve you well. Of course, pay attention to travel advisories for your destination, and check for updates periodically. Common sense will get you further than panic.

DON'T be alarmed if you see overt health screening in an airport. Rather, see this as the authorities taking the necessary measures to protect everyone.

An excuse to buy gloves?

If you tend towards the panic end of the spectrum, then add some face masks and disposable gloves to your backpack. Hopefully, knowing they are there, will help you relax. Heck, pick up a lovely pair of gloves on your travels and wear them whenever you feel like it (who cares how silly you look?). They won't necessarily protect you how you imagine they will, but if they keep you from giving in to panic, then fine, whatever it takes.

And if you do feel yourself starting to get run down, take it as a sign to take time out - get a decent place to stay, curl up with a book, eat well and rest. Then hit the road again. Your immune system will thank you.

In her piece for @Forbes, Ebola, Erupting Volcanoes, Terrorism: Travel Tips For Scary Times, author Lea Lane brings much needed perspective, "The bottom line is to keep traveling: using your head, trusting your gut, controlling as much as you can — and realizing that you can’t control everything."

We couldn't agree more.

"Travel should continue and be an exciting adventure. With the right precautions in place, it should also be a safe endeavor," says Quigley. 


Related resources:

• What the Ebola Outbreak Means for Travelers - Travel+Leisure  
• Ebola Outbreak: Know the Facts Before You Travel 
• Isis and Ebola in Europe: Am I still safe to travel this half-term?  
• Why The Ebola Outbreak Shouldn’t Keep You From Traveling in Africa 
• Ebola and Why I Am Still Travelling to West Africa
• Overseas Travel Medical Considerations - advice from IHateTaxis

We are now blogging about the Amazing Race Canada

The action has begun with Season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada, and we are busy blogging about it on our IHateTaxis Amazing Race Canada blog.

We've gotten creative, and are now blogging information on how to go where the teams went, and how to do what they did - in addition to information on the airports visited (Calgary, Victoria). Read more on our Week 1 blogpost...

Check out our Amazing Race airport quiz

We're having some fun over on our IHateTaxis Amazing Race Canada Blog.

We created a quiz about all the airports that the Amazing Race Canada teams visited in Season 1.

If you are a fan, or an #avgeek or just love airports, then check it out.

Our Amazing Race Canada Blog is back!

The Amazing Race Canada is back!

The 2nd season of The Amazing Race Canada is back, with action kicking off on July 8th.

So, we are happy to announce that our IHateTaxis Amazing Race Blog is back! Our first blog post of the season was just posted: Amazing Race Canada Season 2 - starts July 8th!

As there are so many great blogs sharing news about The Amazing Race Canada teams, we take a different approach: our blog posts are about the destinations the teams visit, the airports and transportation in particular. Be sure to follow along to learn about the airports that the teams will visit along the way - great information if you think, "Hey, I want to go there!".

Visit the

IHateTaxis Amazing Race Canada Blog

Airport Parking Wars

USA airport parking will put a dent in your pocketbook. Why not leave the car at home?

There was an interesting article in the most recent Travel + Leisure, about the Most Expensive Airport Parking in America.

Curious, T+L wondered which airports in the United States have the most expensive parking lots, and posed the question to BestParking (the company monitors parking rates at 100+ airports in North America, and suggests alternatives).

We commend the researchers; it's a good study, with traveller-friendly information, and a well-researched, specific alternative for each airport. If you live near one of the worst offending airports, and tend park your car at the airport when you travel, check out the full story here.

Here, IHateTaxis seeks to complement the study with our take on alternatives to taking your car to the airport in the first place. Who needs more cars on the road anyways?

Plus, if you leave your car at home, you don't need to worry about theft, dings, hail damage, a dead battery, a flat tire, or skyrocketing costs if your return is delayed. And, unlike parking, our transportation suggestions won't increase in price if you are away for an extended period.

No. 1. Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

• What they found on-site: $19-40/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the CTA Orange Line train
• More MDW transfer options: Chicago Midway Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 2. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

• What they found on-site: $9-35/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $8/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the CTA Blue Line train *
• More ORD transfer options: Chicago O’Hare Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 3. New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• What they found on-site: $18-33/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a JFK shuttle, or the JFK AirTrain
• More JFK transfer options: John F Kennedy Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 4. New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)

• What they found on-site: $33/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $22/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a LGA shuttle
• More LGA transfer options: LaGuardia Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• What they found on-site: $12-30/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $7/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a LAX shuttle
• More LAX transfer options: Los Angeles Airport Transportation Guide
• Or, better yet, try an alternate LA area airport. Learn more in our blog post, Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)

 

No. 6. San Diego International Airport (SAN)

• What they found on-site: $11-28/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a SAN shuttle
• More SAN transfer options: San Diego Airport Transportation Guide

No. 7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• What they found on-site: $18-28/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: take BART (unless it is on strike, that is)
• More SFO transfer options: San Francisco Airport Transportation Guide

No. 8. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

• What they found on-site: airport garage at $28/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $11/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Link train
•  More SEA transfer options: SeaTac Airport Transportation Guide

No. 9. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

• What they found on-site: $18-$27/day
• What they suggest off-site: valet parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Silver Line bus
• More BOS transfer options: Boston Logan Airport Transportation Guide

No. 10. Newark International Airport (EWR), serving New York City

• What they found on-site on-site: $18-27/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Newark AirTrain
• More EWR transfer options: Newark Airport Transportation Guide

So, that's our take on the top 10. The T + L article goes onto the 11th to 20th worst, which we'll review in an upcoming blogpost.

* Our hearts go out to those injured or traumatized by the train accident at O'Hare. We make our recommendation in the context of the value and convenience that this service offers, on the assumption that safe changes and repairs will be made.

Related content:

• Types of airport parking
• Types of Airport Hotels with Parking
• Think twice before you park at the airport (and get clamped)
• Kelowna airport parking attendant adds insult to injury
• Sydney high on airport parking rankings
• Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)
• Smart fortwo parking spot challenge (YouTube)

Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)

The Greater Los Angeles region relies on a multiple airport system because of its vast size. Many of the area's most popular attractions are closest to alternative airports. Here we examine five LA airports, to help you determine the best one for your trip.

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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

 

→ Frequently hated, and much maligned, here are some things you may not know about LAX.


The distinctive LAX Theme Building

Los Angeles Airport transportation tips:

• There is a free shuttle that runs between all terminals [learn more]
• Parking? Try this: park at the small Van Nuys Airport (VNY)  , then take the LAX FlyAway direct shuttle to LAX (cheap parking + arrive stress free) [learn more]
• No, there is no LAX Airport train, but it's still pretty easy to take the subway: the airport runs a free shuttle to the closest metro station [learn more]

We love LAX for:

• Jetson inspired layover dining in the Encounter Restaurant in the LAX Theme Building [learn more]
• Free weekend viewing at the Observation Deck [learn more]
• OK, love is a bit of an oxymoron here, but these are redeeming factors...

LAX quick links:

• All LAX ground transportation options
• LAX private car transfer - BOOK NOW
• LAX shuttle transfer - BOOK NOW

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Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)

→ Closest to: Hollywood, Rosebowl Statium and Griffith Park
 

Burbank Bob Hope Airport has its own train station!

Burbank Airport transport tips:

• It's easy to get into downtown Los Angeles by train!
• The airport's train station (walking distance) is served by Metrolink and Amtrak [learn more]
• A free shuttle runs between the terminal and 2 metro stations [learn more]
• Hop the Burbank Bus at BUR to transfer to Universal Studios [learn more]

We love BUR for:

• The awesome train connections!
• Their new loyalty program
• Initiatives to acknowledge contributions of former Lockheed employees

BUR quick links:

• All BUR ground transportation options
• BUR shuttle transfer - BOOK NOW

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Long Beach Airport (LGB)

→ Closest to: Palos Verdes and Huntington Beach



Look up: you might see a blimp over Long Beach Airport

Long Beach Airport transport tips:

• A taxi from LGB to downtown LA is expensive [learn more]
• For not much more, you can take a LGB Airport limo [learn more]
• A taxi to the nearest Metro Rail station is USD 13.35 [learn more]
• Bus service is available into Long Beach, but is infrequent [learn more]



We love LGB it for:

• Fantastic airfield view, good for planespotting banner-towing aircraft and blimps
• Wine bar with comfy outside seating and a fire pit (!)
• The 1941 Streamline Moderne architecture and mosaics [learn more]

LGB quick links:

• All LGB ground transportation options
• LGB private car transfer - BOOK NOW
• LGB shuttle transfer - BOOK NOW

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LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT)

→ Closest to: Riverside and San Bernardino
 

LA / Ontario Airport from above

LA / Ontario Airport transportation tips:

• There is no airport train, but there is good bus service
• Note: LAX flights due to weather usually land at ONT

We love ONT for:

• The handy trip calculator comparing the time you'll save vs BUR, LAX, LGB and SNA
• Walking distance to Ontario or the Ontario Mills Mall in about 25 minutes

ONT quick links:

• All ONT ground transportation options
• ONT shuttle transfer - BOOK NOW

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Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA)

→  Closest to Disneyland, Honda Center and Angel Stadium
 



Fabulous vintage postcard of Orange County Airport

 Orange County Airport transportation tips:

• The Disneyland Resort Express runs from the SNA to the Anaheim/Disneyland     area
• There is no train service, but bus service is pretty good, some connecting to Metrolink
• The airport is sometimes referred to as Santa Ana Airport

We love SNA for:

• The airport's proximity to Disneyland
• The John Wayne statue - read about the history here

SNA quick links:

• All SNA ground transportation options
• SNA Disneyland transfers and tickets
• SNA private car transfer - BOOK NOW
• SNA shuttle transfer - BOOK NOW

John Wayne statue outside his namesake airport 

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Amazing Race Canada - Week 6: YQR, YUL, YYZ, YQB

Another week, another 4 airports! In Week 6 of The Amazing Race Canada, the teams moved between two cities, via two different routes.

Teams lifted off for this leg of the race from Regina International Airport (YQR). We wrote about this airport - and it's transportation issues - in our Week 5 blog post.

Some of the teams connected through Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Canada's 3rd busiest airport.


Just a few teams passed through Montreal's airport...

Too bad the visit was so brief. Named a UNESCO City of Design, Montreal is one North America's liveliest cities, with historical buildings dating from the 17th century. [continue reading]

London: Closest Airports to LHR Heathrow Airport

Headed to London? Check out our Closest Airports to LHR Heathrow Airport page.

Headed to London?

We`ve got a great page on our website that we think you`ll really like.

Our Closest Airports to LHR Heathrow Airport page provides alternatives to flying into busy - and often overwhelming - Heathrow Airport.

By flying into a different London area airport, you may:

• Have more flight options to choose from
• Get an airport closer to your destination
• Possibly even save money

Airports Closest to LHR Heathrow

Alternative London airports are listed along with their distance from Heathrow and how many airlines fly there.

Click on any of the airports for:

• General airport information
• A list of airlines that serve the airport 
• Ground transportation options: taxi, train, shuttle, bus, limo or car hire.

If you are headed to London, lucky you! We hope you find our airport planning tool helpful, and say hi to Big Ben for us!

We're a Website Travelers Should Rely On

So says Travel Stuff, a UK based travel blog offering advice on travel worldwide, with a focus on Europe.

Travel Stuff's article, 6 Websites Every Traveler Should Rely On, cites - you guessed it! - six travel websites that are near and dear to their hearts. We are most flattered to be one of them, especially when we look at the company we're keeping.


We're your rock. You can rely on us to help you
figure out how to get from Airport to Beach

We especially like that the Travel Stuff folks "get" what we are really about, describing IHateTaxis.com as "incredibly useful for all travelers who’d rather anticipate and plan than just leave it to chance". Hurrah! And, yes, indeed, we "help you find your way from the airport to your accommodation area without losing time or wasting money." That's all that we're about.

Yes, our database IS huge.We're glad you noticed.

But, heck, it's ok if you take a taxi. We won't hold it against you.


If you haven't seen it before, here's the story behind our name: Do we really hate taxis?

Meet the Brothers: An Interview with Todd Romaine

In this blog post, we introduce you to Todd Romaine, one of the two Canadian brothers who was the brainchild behind the IHateTaxis.com website. For the story behind our name, read Do we really hate taxis?

IHateTaxis.com co-founder Todd Romaine
in the West Falkland Islands

What one word or phrase describes the type of traveler you are?

TODD: Daring or adventurous

When did you first get the travel bug?

TODD: At the age of 21 I moved to Madagascar for school and this started my quest for international travel. As of last year I have made it to all 7 continents.

Todd in Antartica

What was your most memorable trip?

TODD: My recent trip last year to Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica was probably the highlight of international travels to date. It essentially followed Ernest Shackleton's infamous journey back in 1915.

What's the worst thing that has gone wrong on your travels? How did you recover from it, and what did you learn?

TODD: Was able to get into Kamchatka Territory in the Russian Far East through a contact whom pestered the local customs officer to let me through immigration control. The contact insisted on driving me taxi style into town and was very drunk, swaying in and out of traffic. It was very scary and I was surprised to escape unscathed.

What's your travel style? 

TODD: As I get older I prefer making arrangements in advance but not overkill to ruin spontaneous fun. The best part of the trips I find are the unplanned events that make trips that much more exciting and thought provoking.

What's your favourite airport? Least favourite? Why?

TODD: Favourite airport is probably Minneapolis because it has an easy layout, and Singapore for amenities. I would also say Johannesburg is also out there. Least favourite is probably Chicago because of the great distances between terminals and frequent lost baggage and weather issues.

How do you prefer to get to/from the airport?

TODD: I commonly rent a vehicle and this is my most common preferred travel option to/from the airport on a personal basis. On a professional basis, I generally take taxis out of convenience as my trips are congested and sometimes I do not have the luxury of coordinating bus or train schedules to my final destination.

Todd in Tibet

What was your worst airport ground transportation experience?

TODD: Taking taxis by and large because I am commonly ripped off hence the intent of creating this website to empower travelers like myself. I was accused by a taxi driver in Beijing of stealing his passport and wallet while he exited the vehicle for 20 seconds. A group of villagers surrounded the vehicle and went through our belongings but to no avail. We threatened to call the Police so the taxi driver temporarily calmed down and agreed to drive us back to the hotel. En route to the hotel, it appeared he was having a stroke from the stress and was weaving in and out of traffic. We exited the vehicle by forcing the vehicle to the side and had a considerable walk back to the hotel.

What gear do you travel with?

TODD: Dummy wallet (dependent on country), print copies of hotel and flight information, scanned print out of passport, checked luggage and carry on knap sack. I also take a good camera to locations with low crime rates and a pocket camera for locations where my personal security could be compromised. I also bring along my blackberry to check internet through free wireless connections in airports and hotels. This includes bringing a local adapter.

What's always in your luggage that might surprise people?

TODD: Shoe tree

IHateTaxis.com co-founders Steve Romaine (left) and Todd Romaine (right)
at Edmonton International Airport

What's it like to travel with your brother?

TODD: Good but we definitely have a different view point when it comes to money. Steve will stay at the airport bartering with taxi cabs at 2am for the best deal to save money while I am prepared to sacrifice somewhat for the convenience of just getting to the hotel.

Where was your last trip?

TODD: My last trip was two months ago to Cyprus and Lebanon. It was for school and pleasure and unfortunately the weather was terrible, averaging about 2-6 degrees Celsius.

Where do you plan to travel to next?

TODD: Besides routine trips across Canada and the United States, Greenland is the next scheduled trip.

Coming soon: an introduction to the “other” brother...

Welcome to our new blog!



You have arrived at IHateTaxis' new blog.... welcome! As we grow and evolve, we want to stay in touch with our site visitors, customers, followers and friends. What better way than through a new blog?

We've had some exciting recent developments at IHateTaxis that we are looking forward to telling you about. You can read about those here in the months ahead.

Airports continue to change, and so do ground transportation options. Of course, we try hard to keep our airport guides up to date... but we'll highlight some of the more interesting developments here. Plus we'll keep you up to date on the latest scams so you don't get ripped off!

We've also got loads of useful travel tips and information tucked away on our website that we'd like to highlight from time to time; we'll do that here.

Finally, we love feedback, so feel free to leave comments; we promise we'll read them all.

So you don't  miss a thing, be sure to click the "Subscribe" button.

PS: If you've subscribed to our newsletter in the past, the good news is that you'll get more news, more often, more conveniently with the new IHateTaxis Blog! Just be sure to subscribe again here on the blog.