Best Holiday Travel Tips For People From Orange County
Take advantage of useful travel tips this holiday season and navigate around unnecessary costs and stress. With airports, taxis and train options, knowing how to navigate the area saves time and plenty of headaches. Experience travel how you truly should with holiday travel tips ranging from apps to which airport will best serve you this season.
Long Beach Airport
4100 E. Donald Douglas Drive
Long Beach, CA 90808
(562) 570-2600
www.lgb.org
1. Be open to alternative airports to find the best pricing on flights.
While flying in or out of Orange County's John Wayne Airport may seem like the most obvious choice for local residents, don't forget to check other neighboring airports for more flexible flight times and pricing. With Jet Blue's new service to a variety of popular U.S. cities out of Long Beach Airport, a short drive north may be worthwhile. For international travelers: John Wayne Airport now offers flights to Mexico and Canada, but choose LAX for the most variety of flight options.
John Wayne Airport
18601 Airport Way
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(949) 252-5200
www.ocair.com
2. Know your options for passenger pick-up and drop-off.
Instead of driving around in circles at the airport terminal while waiting for Aunt Millie to arrive, try parking for $2 an hour to avoid stress and mix ups. Say hello or farewell without the rush and hustle by parking in one of the Terminal parking structures at John Wayne Airport. Take note: Parking accessibility is found only from the Departure (upper) Level.
Orange County Yellow Cab
(949) 830-3630
www.orangecountyyellowcab.com
3. Save money by choosing flat rate taxi services.
Don't break the bank overpaying on taxi fares to or from the airport. Try Orange County Yellow Cab's flat rate service, and never overpay on taxi service again. Flat rates will vary between $10 and $29 dollars, depending on your location in Orange County. If you're in a new city, and aren't sure of local taxi numbers, take advantage of free popular travel apps for iPhone and Android phones such as Hailo. Using your phone's GPS, Hailo makes the cabs come to you simply by pressing the pick-me-up button.
John Wayne Airport
18601 Airport Way
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(949) 252-5200
www.ocair.com
4. Refresh on TSA's travel security rules.
Don't get forced to throw expensive perfume, lotion or even gifts away by forgetting to review TSA's particular rules. When it comes to carry-on luggage, liquids, gels and aerosols must fit within a 100 ml container. Keep in mind, all items must fit into a single 1-quart sized, clear, plastic zip-top bag. If you're traveling with gifts, keep them unwrapped. All gift-wrapped items are subject to search, even if placed in checked luggage.
Amtrak
Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station
28200 Forbes Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(800) 872-7245
www.amtrakcalifornia.com
5. Don't underestimate the convenience of train travel, the most eco-friendly transportation decision.
For reasons of convenience, cost and a desire to make healthier decisions for the planet, more and more people are choosing trains for travel. Coast along the shoreline worry free while tapping into free wireless services. Stretch your legs, enjoy the café and bar, and even enjoy a dolphin sighting or two. Find Amtrak stations in Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano and Irvine.
Jessica Blotter has 10 years experience in the advertising industry and is founder of Publicly Loved - at the heart of brands, causes and events. As an author of two regional travel blogs with CBS Local and Examiner.com, she has produced more than 30 published articles covering regional getaway destinations and charitable events. Follow her on Twitter @publiclyloved.
