transportation to JAX port

Hi

We are a group of 4 women going on a cruise in December. We are flying into Jacksonville the night before and have reservations at the Hampton Inn Deerwood Suites. We are trying to find out the best and most economical way to get from the airport to the Hotel and then from the Hotel to the cruise port. Any suggestions. Also, where would be a good place for us to eat once we arrive at the Hotel.

Thanks

Stephanie :)

transportation to JAX port

Hi Stephanie,

With four of you, it might be worth it to rent a car for the night. We don%26#39;t have much municipal or public transportation. There are shuttles from the airport, but I%26#39;m not sure how much they cost. You probably wouldn%26#39;t get all four of you plus luggage in one taxi.

Enterprise Leasing is a car rental agency that will work with you to perhaps pick up your rental car from the cruise port the next day. The other option is to rent your car with a pick up at the airport, then take it back to the airport the next day (which is close to the cruise port) and use a shuttle service from the airport to the cruise port. Your cruise company could tell you what arrangements they have from Jacksonville International Airport. When your cruise returns, you can take a shuttle back to the airport.

The issue with taking some sort of shuttle to your hotel (unless they provide one) is that this hotel is not in close proximity to the airport, and it may be expensive.

If you don%26#39;t have a rental car, it%26#39;s going to be difficult to go anywhere for dinner. You could call a taxi and consider eating at Seven Bridges or the Gallery Bistro. Both are extremely good and fairly close to your hotel.

Make sure that you check the weather for Jacksonville before you leave. In December our weather is extremely changeable. It could be very warm, or it could be chilly, especially at night. Although not nearly as cold as what you may be used to!

I really hope that someone else may have a better transportation idea for you; but if it were me, I would try to rent a car then use a shuttle to the airport when you return.

Good luck!

Vicki

transportation to JAX port

Hi,

Some hotels provide free shuttles from the airport and also to the port. and return shuttles/ They are called cruise/fly packages. I have four in my group and selected Clarion at the airport because of this. You may want to ask your hotel about such packages, otherwise you might want to look into a hotel that provides such services. Several hotels offer this option.

I can’t think of any good reason to stay at the Hampton Inn Deerwood Suites. It’s undoubtedly an adequate hotel, but once you’re there you’re nowhere, so to speak. It’s in a commercial area so there will be restaurants you can walk to, although there isn’t one that is exceptionally good. Think TGIF, etc. This hotel isabout 30 minutes from the airport and probably 20 minutes from JAX Port. Jacksonville has equally good hotels in much more interesting areas.

The area known as The Landing is in the middle of town on the river and is 20 minutes from the airport and JAX Port. The Landing is a lively and scenic area. A hotel on the river there is the Wyndom Riverwalk Hotel, (904) 396-5911, www.wyndham.com Another hotel in that area which is a block from the river and probably a bit cheaper is Extend Stay America, (904) 396-1777, www.extendedstayhotels.com

The beach is always a fun place to stay. This area is 40 minutes from the airport and about 25 minutes from JAX Port. I would try to stay at the Sea Horse Oceanfront Inn. It%26#39;s a two story motel with a pool and poolside bar right on the beach. All rooms have balconies facing the pool and ocean. (904) 246-2175, http://www.seahorseoceanfrontinn.com/ Across the street from the Sea Horse is the Sea Turtle Inn, an eight story hotel on the beach with a good restaurant. (904) 249-7402

There are multiple good restaurants right across the street from these establishments.

Hi

We are staying at the Hampton Inn because my daughters are employees of Hilton Hotels and we are only paying $29 US for a night for the four of us. There weren%26#39;t any other of their hotels in closer areas. Thanks for the suggestions though.

Stephanie :)

Hi Stephanie,

You may end up paying more for transportation than you will save by staying at the Hampton. Consider your options. Just a suggestion.

Hi Martymonty

We are staying in Jacksonville one nite in October for a cruise. I%26#39;ve been doing alot of research and found there are hotels that offer the fly and cruise package, but they are expensive. Call Kings Rental. 904-741-3680 for $18 per person they offer a shuttle bus from your hotel to the port and then they pick you up at the port and take you either back to your hotel or the airport. I just got off the phone with them and they seemed very helpful.

There will be approx. 16 in our group so we are trying to get the best deal - wish more hotels would offer something, but to pay $109 plus tax is ridiculous! holiday inn wanted that much for their fly/cruise package. We found great rates at the Inn at Jax. Anyone have any info on that hotel? it is very reasonable - w/AAA discounts so the shuttle costs aren%26#39;t so bad.

Good Luck and have a great cruise : )

Vicki

This question comes up so often that I did some research for you.

Gator City Taxi and Shuttle Service has taxis that hold up to 4 people (if they can get all their luggage in) and the fare for the taxi from the airport to the cruise ships at JAX Port is $26 (that’s per taxi, not per person).

Gator City Taxi also has 7 passenger and 15 passenger vans (“express shuttles” ) for which the fare from the airport to the cruise ships at JAX Port is $10 per person. You do not need to make advance reservations for this service. After you get your luggage in baggage claim go outside and across the two traffic lanes to Pole #4 where there is an Express Shuttle Booth. The dispatcher at the booth will summon the shuttle for you from the parking area where they keep their vans at the airport.

Gator City Taxi - (904) 355-8294

Spirit - what great info! I don%26#39;t know how you have time to do that with your job that must keep you incredibly busy. But thanks for the extra work! It%26#39;s appreciated.

Vicki

(Now if we can just figure out how to get people from hotels to the airport/cruise port without spending half of their vacation budget!)

Spirit

Thanks for the info on the taxi. Just wondering, do you have any idea what the price for a taxi would be from the jacksonville airport to the Hampton Inn we are staying at (It%26#39;s the Hampton Inn Deerwood Suites) Do you know if the taxi company has a website at all.

Thanks for your help.

Stephanie :)

Stephanie

are you aware that Carnival offers a shuttle from the airport to the cruise port for $10 per way - you can book at their website. It that is the cruiseline you are on.

Vicki