Take the hotel transfer when the resort is far, you land late or the road is hard to travel. Book your own when the hotel is close, you land in daytime and ride-hailing or a taxi works. Use the table to match distance and arrival time.
This guide is part of our budget topics. It helps you decide without guessing whether the resort price is fair.
How do distance and arrival time decide?
Match your hotel’s distance from the airport with your landing time. The table gives a starting point, not a rule.
| Hotel distance | Daytime arrival | Late-night arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Close to the airport | Book your own, usually cheaper | Hotel car or booked taxi |
| A moderate drive | Compare quotes | Prepay a private transfer |
| Far or remote | Hotel car or private transfer | Hotel car, confirm waiting time |
| Needs a boat after the road | Hotel arranges the whole route | Hotel arranges, check the last boat |
What does an included transfer really cover?
An included transfer can look simple and still leave gaps. Ask these questions before you accept it.
- Is it one way or return?
- Is it a private car or a shared van?
- How long will the driver wait if the flight is late?
- Is there a limit on bags?
- Does it run at the hours you land and leave?
Our guide on limits that package transfers may have covers the details to check.
How do we price our own option?
Get one written quote for the same route, vehicle type and time. Add tolls, parking, night charges and waiting time.
Compare it with the hotel’s price for two, not per person. If the gap is small, take the one with the clearer terms. See airport transfer options and real costs for the full menu.
When should we pay the hotel for the convenience?
Pay the hotel when the route is remote or involves a boat. The resort knows the road, the jetty and the timings, and it can coordinate with your check-in.
It also helps when you want one point of contact. If something goes wrong, the resort is responsible for getting you to the room.
When is booking our own the better value?
Book your own when the hotel is close, taxis are easy to find and you land in daytime. A taxi or ride-hailing app can cost less than the resort car.
If you want a private car at a lower price, get quotes from a licensed operator. Send the flight number so they can track delays; read flight delay and private transfer pickup for what to arrange.
What if the transfer time is longer than we think?
Ask the hotel for the actual driving time at the hour you will travel, not an average. Road conditions and ferry timetables can change the total.
Our guide on airport to resort transfer time shows how to plan your first evening around it.
What should we do next?
- Ask the hotel what the included transfer covers, in writing.
- Get one outside quote for the same route and time.
- Compare the totals for two, with tolls and waiting.
- Send us both and we will recommend the better fit and confirm it with the operator.