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Hi Guys: I'm going to be doing some traveling with the tuba soon and I'm wondering about how to get the horn in the flight case from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the school and back? My issues are these:

1. Do I need to rent a car? I've been researching and for a vehicle that is an appropriate size, it'll be like $5-600 for 4 days to rent (I'm under 25 so it doubles...)

2. Can Airport shuttles/taxis/car service accommodate the flight case and luggage?

Thanks for any experiences shared!

Justin

Airport shuttles quite often are large capacity vehicles that could eastly handle your horn in the case. A phone call to your destination airport may help.

Hi Justin,

Which airport, and which hotel?

Some cities have excellent mass transit, and you don't normally need a taxi, auto, or shuttle unless your hotel is really off the beaten path. Travel light (with a backpack), and you can wheel the flight case directly from the train/El/Metro to your hotel.

Many hotels still run free shuttles, using large 15-passenger vans and small buses.

If you already have your hotel, I would phone the hotel and ask for their advice. Otherwise, select your hotel based on proximity to mass transit and your destination.

Also, there are many commercial shuttle services, some of which require reservations, especially for your return trip to the airport. Google Blue Shuttle or Super Shuttle. Look at the handout booklets for tourists at your destination, and you may find discount coupons for commercial shuttles.

Vans and SUVs are very, very expensive to rent, seldom discounted at all, and unless I get offered one as an upgrade, I do not rent them. Vans are most expensive in ski season at resort airports.

Total costs of renting a car can be very high at certain cities and hotels, because of parking costs. Some hotels throw in a $10-25 (or more) nightly parking charge.

Greetings,

Another thought..... I have had luck at some airports with storing the flight case. Some are willing to put it in storage for you (with or without a fee) and then you can retrieve it when you flight back. If you can put a gig bag inside the case you are set.

Good luck!

Tim

When I came to Vietnam, I took one of my tubas on the plane (and let Allied Moving and Storage take care of the rest...)

My mother paid for an airport limousine (it's not fancy, just big) and, since my plane left at 6:00 in the morning, I left San Bernardino at 1:00 am and got to LAX at 2:30. That's pretty good. Normally, the limousine (actually a shuttle service) takes in several passengers but it was just the driver and me for the entire run. I could have taken more stuff with me!

Dean has great suggestions for this theme. I just recently had this problem coming back from the states. If I'm with someone else I can usually manage with the flight case. Alone it's really a challenge. This last time I was alone and was really lucky that I got so much help from transportation people and airport staff.

Try to pre-book your transfer and tell them that you have a lot of baggage (it would be great if the hotel provides this service - talk to them first) order a van taxi or car service. leave big tips. pretend you're helpless - ok I'm a woman and it helps, but I'm a BIG woman - here in germany I never get help with my tuba. In the states I always do.

Don't stress about it - it will happen. Just enjoy your trip.