Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded? (2016)

Check out our Layover Ideas for the World's Worst Airports (2016)
creativecommons image gord99 on Flickr

Sleeping in Airports has just released their 2016 Best and Worst Airports Survey results. We're delighted to see a new category this year: the Best and Worst Airports for Layovers.

It goes without saying that's it's easy to find things to do at the Best Airports Overall and Best Airports for Layovers. It can be a little more challenging pass your time at the WORST Airports Overall and WORST Airports for Layovers.

2016 WORST Airports Overall
1. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) - was #2 last year
2. Juba International Airport, South Sudan (JUB) - new to the list
3. Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC) - was #1 last year
4. Tashkent International Airport (TAS) - was #4 last year
5. Santorini Thira National Airport, Greece (JTR) - new to the list
6. Crete Chania International Airport, Greece (CHQ) - new to the list
7. Crete Heraklion International Airport, Greece (HER) - new to the list
8. Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) - was #5 last year
9. London Luton International Airport, England (LTN) - new to the list
10. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) - was #3 last year

2016 WORST Airports for Layovers
1. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) *
2. Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines (MNL)
3. Los Angeles International Airport, USA (LAX)
4. New York Newark Liberty International Airport, USA (EWR)
5. Miami International Airport, USA (MIA)
6. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China (CAN)
7. Beijing Capital International Airport, China (PEK)
8. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, USA (IAH)
9. Paris Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG)
10. New York John F Kennedy, USA (JFK)
* = also on Worst Airports Overall list

Of course, just because an airport didn't make the list, doesn't mean it isn't dreadful. A lot depends on who responds to the survey and their experiences. And the current circumstances impacting resources. Of particular note this year:

• 3 Greek airports on the overall worst list (the economic burden of refugees?)
• 1 London airport on the overall worst list (Brexit, anyone?)
• 5 of the 10 worst airports for layovers are in the USA (election distractions?)

The good news? In Layover Ideas for the World's Worst Airports (2016), our sister-site has suggestions about you to survive your layover if you find yourself headed to one of the dreaded, on either list!

So, we've taken on the challenge of layover suggestions for both of the WORST lists: the WORST Airports Overall and WORST Airports for Layovers.

• Layover Ideas for the World's Worst Airports (2016)

Related resources
Sleeping in Airports 2017 Best and Worst Airports Survey - cast your vote!
WiFox: free airport WiFi
Brexit and the impact on travel - travel bloggers
Brexit and the impact on travel - new stories
Airport Beacons 2.0
Airports of the Future - New Perspectives

Uber news recap - August 2015

A New Year's Eve Uber ride - interesting in light of
"Uber reduces alcohol-related driving deaths" study (below)
creativecommons image legdog on Flickr

Just a few of the Uber, ridesharing and taxi czar headlines during the past month:

• Uber vs. Taxi: Why the taxi industry will never be the same - CBC News

• Uber and Lyft should be able to operate at LAX - but it isn't that simple - LA Times

• Uber And Ola Add Free In-Car WiFi To Their Taxi On-Demand Services In India - TechCrunch

• Should you use Uber for business? - Globe and Mail Report on Business

• Uber reduces alcohol-related driving deaths: study - CBC News

• Uber Missed Criminal Records of Drivers, Prosecutors Assert - New York Times

• Ottawa taxi drivers order Uber rides for evidence against drivers - CBC News

• New York City taxis finally have an app to compete with Uber - Fortune

Related resources
Dear Canadian Taxi Monopoly: your Uber Boogie Man doesn't scare me
Taxi Truths campaign puts lipstick on a pig 
Canadian Taxi Monopoly is attempting to curb consumer choice
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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 

---