We donate $1 of every fare to charity.
You step off the plane and immediately feel relief: no more stuffy cabin air, no more squeezing your knees up to your chest so you can fit your carry on beneath the seat in front of you, no more listening to the coughing and sneezing of the sick person sitting next to you, taking the coveted window seat. You’re free.
And yet… Continue reading
Traveling in winter poses a lot of potential setbacks for passengers. Will there be more traffic on the highway? Will your flight leave on schedule? Will it be cancelled altogether? Did you remember to pack your rain gear? Continue reading
Does travel during the holidays stress you out like no other? The holidays can definitely either be a time of happiness, warmth, and good memories – or they can be a time of stress, anger, and pulling your hair out at the roots. One of the major stressors during the holidays is travel. Will I make it on time for my flight? Will I get snowed in? What if I am stuck at the airport for days due to a delayed flight? How much did those airline tickets cost again? If you want to see your family for the winter holidays, then traveling is a necessity. Luckily, we have seven stress-relieving holiday travel tips for 2016 to share with you. We hope they do you some good this season.
We live in a world of tablets, smartphones, and yes, apps. There’s an app for nearly everything (even this app for finding someone nearby to cuddle with). Every major airline has a smartphone app that you can download and use to check the status of your flight, show your boarding pass, check your miles, and more. You can also use apps like Skyscanner or FlightStats to look for cheaper tickets and to check the status of your (or a family member’s) flight regardless of what airline they chose.
Major Airline Apps:
It’s important that you think ahead when it comes to holiday travel. You might have bought the tickets and arranged for transportation to the airport, but you also need to consider increased holiday traffic, what hour you’ll be arriving at your destination, what public transportation options are available, the check in time of your destination hotel, whether or not your phone is charged enough to make an emergency call, and so much more. Think smart – plan ahead, and make sure you’re prepared for any of the stresses that holiday travel throws at you.
Make sure to pack only what you definitely need. Traveling during the holidays means lots of presents – and lots of money-spending. You can save money by forgoing checking bags, and instead opting for a small backpack as your personal item, and a duffel bag as your carry-on. You can even fit two weeks’ worth of clothes in a single small duffel. Just roll your clothes to save space and prevent wrinkles, and make a few other space-saving adjustments to your usual packing routine. Regarding those big bags of bulky presents, try mailing as many of them as possible to your destination address.
We don’t know about you, but we’re very aware of this thing called being “hangry” (hungry + angry = hangry). Avoid the holiday rage by packing yourself some delicious snacks for the flight. This will save you money at the airport, too!
It’s well-known among frequent travelers that Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel days of the year – you’d be wisest to avoid flying that day. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the only busy travel day. Many people are traveling to and from home during Christmas, and the airport can get quite congested during this time of year. This is especially true if you live in a college town where students often travel home for winter break. We also recommend trying to catch either an early morning or late evening flight if you’re worried about airport traffic and your flight being on-time.
Driving your own car to the airport means just one more thing to worry about. First, you have to find the parking lot. Then you have to find a place to park. Then you need to pay for parking up front or grab a parking pass. Then either take a shuttle or walk by foot to the airport. This can easily add an additional 45 minutes to your trip, which can be the difference between being on-time and missing your flight entirely. Instead, opt to take a cab to the airport, or have a friend/family member drop you off. This way you can also skip the parking fees and won’t have to stress about your car getting damaged or broken into.
We posted a blog not too long ago about how yoga can be a remedy for jet lag, but it’s also a great way to alleviate stress during holiday travel. If you’re freaking out at the airport, try finding a spot to sit on the ground and focusing on taking deep breaths in and out. If you’re prone to travel anxiety, you should also meditate or perform a few yoga stretches and breathing exercises the night and morning before your trip. We love yoga because it doesn’t require any additional tools or accessories – just a quiet space, your mind, and your body.
Do you have a favorite pre-holiday travel ritual that helps you to eliminate stress? God knows we’d like to hear it, and so would our readers. Do everyone a favor and leave a comment below sharing your favorite way to beat the stress this winter.
Are you amping up for a trip this holiday season? Whether you’re traveling just a few hours away to visit family on Thanksgiving, or flying to another country for a holiday getaway, it’s important to keep yourself organized and fully prepped for anything that might come your way. We get people from all walks of life going to all different destinations riding in our cabs, and often times they share their traveling tips and tricks with our drivers (I guess we’re just that easy to talk to). So what did we do? We made a list of seven things to do the night before you travel – brought to you by our expert customers.
What? You might be wondering why we suggest you change your sheets the night before you’re leaving home. But this is actually one of the more common tips we hear – it just requires a little bit of extra foresight. Not only should you be prepping for your trip away from home, but also for your return. There’s nothing quite as awesome as coming home to a bed with clean, crisp, comfortable sheets.
This is another odd one – or, well, it might seem odd if you don’t have a cat. What we really mean to say is that you need to make sure your pets are getting taken care of while you’re away. It’s a great idea to change your cat’s litter, set out fresh water, and given them fresh food for at least a day or two just in case your pet sitters aren’t able to come over right away.
One sure way to spoil your return home is to leave your leftovers out in your fridge to rot and stink up the whole house. Instead, freeze your leftovers so that you aren’t wasting any food. What if you have random scraps that you don’t have time to cook with before departure? The Everywhereist recommends creating a “freezer stock bag” for your leftover onions, carrots, and other veggies that are about to spoil. When you get home, use these leftovers to create a vegetable stock for cooking. She also recommends freezing a full meal for when you get home – because you know you’ll be exhausted.
When you get back from traveling, you’re going to have heaps of laundry to do. Cut down on the loads by doing all of your current laundry before you depart on your adventure. It will also make your room smell fresh and eliminate any musty odors when you get back.
Speaking of smells, you HAVE to take out the garbage before you leave the house. This is a must, not only for smells, but to keep away pests like mice, ants, flies, and other insects and rodents. You do not want to come home to an infestation, and this will happen if you leave your garbage cans full in your home.
With our lives surrounded by gadgets, it’s essential to bring them on the road. You might have big plans for your smartphone or portable DVD player, but they won’t do any good if they aren’t charged for the flight or drive. Charge up all your electronics the day before, and make sure to bring all the chargers with you.
There’s one thing that helps ensure you get everything done before heading out on a holiday vacation – and that’s make a list. If you’re like most people, you might start making a mental checklist, thinking that you’ll definitely remember it all. But as the list gets longer and longer, we’re here to tell you that you’ll definitely forget something. Don’t risk it – just write it all down, tape it to your front door, and check it at least twice before heading out. Oh, and give yourself enough time to go through it in the morning, too.
Traveling can be stressful, but only if you let it. If you follow our 7 things to do the night before you travel, you’ll be on your way to a stress-free takeoff, and a warm return. And if you are in need of airport transportation to SFO or a taxi in Pleasanton give a call!
If you’re a dog or cat owner, or just an animal lover, then you’re probably the kind of person who wants to take your pet with you everywhere you go. We know that small dogs and cats are allowed on planes, as long as they are well-behaved and can fit under the seat. But how do owners go about getting their pets to the airport? This leads us to a question that we are often asked as a taxi company in the Tri-Valley: are all taxis pet friendly? While our drivers are happy to transport your four-legged friends, that’s not true for every cab company – or every driver within each company, for that matter. Continue reading
Are you getting ready for a long-distance, overseas flight? If you ever traveled across multiple time zones, then you know that the struggle to overcome jet lag is real. Continue reading
Many of our loyal clients have been asking us: is Uber putting a dent in your business? While the ever popular transportation alternative has certainly affected our business, we’re still not worried. Charity Cab is an awesome taxi in Dublin and beyond, and we don’t intend to halt our services any time soon..
So, the main question of this post: is Uber cheaper than a taxi for airport transportation?
We’re here to tell you why a taxi is a better alternative than Uber for airport transportation in the East Bay Area and beyond.
Also known as surge pricing or dynamic pricing, Uber charges more per ride when demand is high. The logic is that people will be willing to pay more to secure a ride when demand is high. But it also means that, even though you might live in the East Bay suburbs, calling a taxi in Dublin is cheaper than Uber during high demand times, such as New Years.
On a similar note, Uber hikes its prices during Bay Area commute times. During 6am-10am and again from 4pm-8pm, Uber shows a 50% increase in the percentage of rides using surge pricing. This means that users are paying higher fares to use Uber to get to and from work.
Did you know that taxi cabs actually have to negotiate certain airport privileges? If you’re caught using lanes that are marked for taxi or bus use only, you can face serious consequences - and fines - unless you’ve negotiated a contract with individual airport authorities. Licensed taxi companies, like Charity Cab, have to pay airport fees in order to gain access to curbside pickup and drop off locations. While Uber now has access to SFO, OAK, and SJC, nationwide, you’ll find plenty of airports where they’re not welcome. And in some major airports, Uber charges an additional airport fee for pickup and/or dropoff. Needless to say, the situation is less than clear-cut.
While Uber drivers do go through a background check, they just don’t have to pass the same rigorous tests that cab drivers do in order to gain their license. Cab drivers also use company cars, so they need to keep them well-maintained and presentable. Uber drivers? They use their personal vehicles, which aren’t always kept in tip-top shape. Lastly, while cab drivers know their driving area like the palm of their hand, Uber drivers rely on technology to tell them where to go - which, let’s face it, isn’t always the most reliable.
So there you have it. While a popular option, the answer to the question, “is Uber cheaper than a taxi” is “not always” and “probably not for Bay Area airport transportation.”
The next time you’re looking for airport transportation or a taxi in Dublin and nearby areas, go with your favorite local taxi company instead.
If you’ve ever been late for a flight, you know it can be stressful – and expensive. A missed flight means, in many cases, you lose the original cost of the airplane ticket and then have to pay an outrageous price for a same-day flight. Or, instead of missing your flight, you could follow the steps below in order to stay organized and on time for all your future airport travels. You’ll never miss a flight again.
What to Do Before Leaving for the Airport to Never Miss a Flight
Being late to the airport can mean you’ll miss your flight altogether – and no one wants to deal with the stress, hassle, and exorbitant costs associated with rescheduling or missing a flight. If you follow our tips above, you’ll be on time and well-prepared for a safe and comfortable journey to your destination of choice.
Want to know a great way to never miss your flight again? Hire Charity Cab as your airport chauffeur in the Tri-Valley. We offer private airport taxi transportation in Danville, Dublin, Alamo, and the greater Tri-Valley, CA. We’ll get you to any major Bay Area airport in record time.
You’ve booked your flight, packed your bags, and called your sister and arranged for a free place to sleep at your destination – now you just need to get to the airport. Seems simple, right? Unfortunately, people run late for their flights all the time, whether it’s because they left late, encountered unexpected traffic, or went to the wrong airport altogether. Not only is it desirable to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare, it’s also great when you can save money in the process. Choosing the best mode of airport transportation in Pleasanton might seem stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ll break down your options and give you some pros and cons that will help you quickly come to the best decision for you!
In need of a taxi in San Ramon? Charity cab is here to serve you! If you are still debating whether or not it’s worth it to take a taxi in the Tri-Valley area, read our top five reasons below. We’re confident we can convince you to take a taxi as the most sensible option for your needs.
1. We get you where you’re going – fast. Our taxi drivers live and breathe the area, so we know the quickest routes and when to avoid certain busy streets and at what times of day. Our Taxi drivers are certified and licensed. They know the ins and outs of the area, so our drivers don’t get stumped by faulty Google maps directions or construction zones that block certain routes.
2. You’re also donating to charity. When you choose Charity Cab and take a taxi, you aren’t just getting an affordable, fast cab ride – you’re also donating $1 to a local or national charity. So you can get where you are going and also do your good deed for the day (or at least the first of many).
3. You might make a new friend! Our taxi drivers are some of the nicest people in the business, and with “People Before Profit” as our motto, it’s no wonder. Who knows, you might get to know your driver and learn something new during your ride!
4. You can save on gas and wear and tear on your own vehicle. We all know that the traffic in the Tri-Valley can be brutal. Let our cabs take the brunt of the beating so you can go home to your nice, clean car.
5. You won’t have to worry about parking. Okay, so you’re driving and you’ve made it through the nitty gritty traffic and finally reached your destination….but there’s nowhere to park. When you do find a spot, it’s three blocks away that costs $3 per hour. Why not simply avoid all of this stress and hassle and call a cab? Our drivers at Charity Cab will gladly get you to and from your destination with no stress and no sweat with our San Ramon Taxi. We also offer transportation to and from Bay Area airports.
