San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: Tredegar Boy on August 05, 2019, 08:10:09 PM
-
We've booked a package holiday with TUI for 6th Sept at the Rose Gardens however we don't fancy the coach ride from the airport because of the timing and previous experience. We intend to book a taxi. Obviously I'll tell the TUI reps we won't be needing the coach but can I anticipate problems with them as a result? It should be straight-forward but you never know.
-
No, no problem. We’ve done it often. But make sure to let them know if you intend to use the return transfer.
-
No we had a taxi in July as it was a night flight, we still went back on the coach, as it left at 8.30pm. We had a taxi from the travel agent next to Bar 38, booked by Elisseos at Silver Moon. Cost us € 55, 50 minutes to resort, would definitely book them again :)
-
We've booked a package holiday with TUI for 6th Sept at the Rose Gardens however we don't fancy the coach ride from the airport because of the timing and previous experience. We intend to book a taxi. Obviously I'll tell the TUI reps we won't be needing the coach but can I anticipate problems with them as a result? It should be straight-forward but you never know.
We always use a taxi,we ring him the week before we come and tell a Tui rep when we arrive.We do tell them it will be both ways but we remind our rep at a Little Prince too.
Shouldn’t be a problem we never have a problem.
There is a lovely taxi driver in San Stef now.
-
My personal view is that using a taxi is a daft waste of money. Our TUI buses this year were efficient and not a problem. From airport to Agios Stefanos was 75 minutes. Pretty much the same on the way back yesterday. Had we booked a taxi, that would have been a saving of about one hour of travel time at a cost of over £100.
-
We pay €60 and it is wonderful to collect the luggage walk out and get straight in a taxi and off to San Stef.
No waiting or hanging about and very welcome after the journey.
Coming home too not having to leave too early and hang around.
The journey is part of the holiday and money well spent for us.
-
We pay €60 and it is wonderful to collect the luggage walk out and get straight in a taxi and off to San Stef.
No waiting or hanging about and very welcome after the journey.
Coming home too not having to leave too early and hang around.
The journey is part of the holiday and money well spent for us.
Agree with you Maggie, we had to wait on another flight one time using TUI bus. Now we always use the new taxi service which I think is based in Arillas?. Yes its a lot of money, but like you, we think its worth the extra to get to our hotel earlier.
-
We had a taxi going to resort, mainly because we didn't get there until 11pm and we wanted to get straight to resort. You never know how long you have to wait for the coach to leave the airport, waiting for other travellers. It took 50 minutes to resort, those that were on our flight took 2 hours from collecting their cases, to resort. It worked for us. :)
-
We had a taxi going to resort, mainly because we didn't get there until 11pm and we wanted to get straight to resort. You never know how long you have to wait for the coach to leave the airport, waiting for other travellers. It took 50 minutes to resort, those that were on our flight took 2 hours from collecting their cases, to resort. It worked for us. :)
Ha! Many years back those 75 minutes/2 hrs. were a pain, but still Spiro was waiting at the Nafsika to welcome us at 2am (was Thompsons back then)! The taxi has been a cheap solution ever since, getting your own accommodation and flights is by far much cheaper, so paying for a taxi is nothing, you are still quids in…
-
Ive been booking my taxi through Noula at San Stef Travel for a few years now and they've never let me down yet. I travel with hand luggage only and I'm in the village with a beer in my hand some 50 minutes after leaving the airport!
-
Ive been booking my taxi through Noula at San Stef Travel for a few years now and they've never let me down yet. I travel with hand luggage only and I'm in the village with a beer in my hand some 50 minutes after leaving the airport!
Yes, a lovely lady Noula.
-
All that's good to know folks, thanks. Will book taxi via either Noula or Mycorfudriver website. We're on holiday so the money doesn't worry me.
-
Our taxi drivers ( 2 brothers and dad now retired)have become great friends to us.
We phone them before we come and gove them a time when we need collecting,but every time we come over they collect us to spend a day with the family in their village-Pavliana down south.they feed us to the teeth ;D and all the family come round.
when OH was taken into hospital for 12 days a few years ago and I had to leave they were visiting him every day taking him papers and treats and getting washing done,then phoning me every day.
So many people from San Stef went to visit him too.
There is a taxi in San Stef now-Nikos lives near Maria's paper shop and we used him for local trips like health centre and evenings out -lovely man.I have his number and email if anyone would like it.
-
Hi Maggie
Do you have to book in advance with Nikos ? We Like to go to Avliotes for an evening (where we can get the bus in), it would be ideal for a taxi back to SS.
-
You can phone or text him on 00306936770467 or email on nikos.hoes@hotmail.com
-
Thankyou Maggie I'll put that into my contacts and get in touch to organize something. We have enjoyed eating at Illias restaurant especially when the choirs were practising for the festival ( the practice hall is next door).
-
We enjoyed being there for Easter one year.
They set off dynamite in Avliotes ;D we spent the day there.
-
It's probably better to email Nikos ,texts don't always reach him.
-
I text him when he’s taken us out in the evenings and we want to return.
-
The TO transfer can be a bit hit and miss. We now always have a taxi due to length of time on the bus causing travel sickness.
-
That's it Jules you never know do you but with a taxi you are up and away.
-
We will definitely book a taxi again next year, it was so much more comfortable and quicker :)
-
We have got ours sorted for September
-
We have too, cant wait 8) 8) 8).
-
Totally agree with booking a taxi. Our last coach transfer in 2017 took just shy of 3 hours, I know that is rare, but when you land at midday, wait 30 minutes for the bus to leave and head to San Stef via 4 hotels in Corfu town, then Sidari, then Arillas and you are the last off the coach at Silver Moon and its pushing 4pm you suddenly realise that the extra hours in the resort after a 50 min taxi ride, puts you in so much of a better mood for your first day. :D
-
Very unusual to go Sidari -> Arillas -> Agios Stefanos!
-
Gary we had that once,the second we went,and we were with 4 others in our party,but never again,it was horrendous.
Taxi every time now.
-
Very unusual to go Sidari -> Arillas -> Agios Stefanos!
Not for us it's not, hence a taxi always, mind you we've not used a package company in 20 years ::)
-
Too many variables on the coach,taxi for us.
-
Just for those who have never been and may feel impelled to spend over £100 on taxis, may I just clarify that buses NEVER got from Sidari to Arillas and then Agios Stefanos. It makes no sense at all, especially since they completed the Avliotes bypass. The routes from the airport are either via Arillas (dropping off any St George's people for their mini-bus en route). from Arillas to Agios Stefanos and from there on to Sidari; alternatively, they do Sidari first - the road from Corfu Town to Sidari is much faster than the Arillas route - and then it's ten minutes to Agios Stefanos.
A few years ago I made a long complaint to Thomson (TUI) about the habit of picking up and dropping off from all-inclusive gulags close to Corfu Town, and those are now, according to the coach driver who took us very swiftly via Sidari, done by mini-bus.
If you are not on a package you have little choice but to take a taxi, and you need to factor that into the total cost of the holiday. Taking that into account, I don't think DIY trips are actually cheaper than a package.
-
Jimbo it makes no sense we know but some here one has experienced it.
Who knows how the passenger manifest presents itself as far as numbers going to various resorts and accommodation.
-
Things may have changed slightly over the last 20 years!
-
Im with Gary Sam,we were in a coach just shy of three hours once,nearly as long as the flight !Taxi well worth the money.
-
Things have changed since I first came but there are still occasions when plans go awry and changes have to be made.
It is not now the general rule for coaches to make such lengthy circuitous journeys but it can and does happen at times.
But to each his own,it is and always will be a taxi for me.
-
Yes, Maggie. Sometimes taxis break down and I'm sure that on occasion TUI has to resort to donkeys to get people to and from the airport!
-
Maybe it's down to the individual parties how they get to the resort, everyone's situation and opinion is different, and shouldn't be looked upon as stupid if they choose a taxi/minibus.
-
Any vehicle can break down of course although in all our years going we have never had any problem in the score,bus or taxi,but we do make our own decisions on transport and after two years of lengthy coach transfer,now, for us,the convenience of having to wait for nobody but ourselves and only our baggage and going directly to our accommodation is a huge positive.
-
I think the coach versus taxi debate has run it's course now, time to give it a rest.
-
I think the coach versus taxi debate has run it's course now, time to give it a rest.
Agreed :).
-
I wasnt saying it was normal. Been to Arillas many times with TC, never dropped off in Corfu town or Sidari first. My thinking is there were issues with coaches, we didnt even have a TUI rep on board, the driver made all the anouncements. We have had many coach trips in excess of two hours. Its never good when your coach and flight times are getting close together. For us its something we want to do.
-
It is everyone’s personal choice and we prefer the individual route rather than take pot luck.
It is personal preference and there is no right or wrong way.
-
It certainly is. Anyway 17 days and we will be at the little prince :) :D ;D
-
Next Monday we'll be sat in our taxi on our way from Corfu airport :D :D
-
Lucky you!
Still when you get back I shall still have my 2 weeks at Little Prince to come ;D
-
Well in some ways I am quite envious of anyone still in Corfu or awaiting to go there…. But if we were there all the time, who knows… Enjoy folks! 8)
-
It would not be the same for me if I were there all the time.
Twice a year is a treat and something special to look forward to.
-
What makes me laugh is we are looking for the best rate possible for the Euro, its 1.089 here oh but its 1.092 there yet are willing to throw £100 on a taxi to save 1 to 1 half hours. Each to their own, just makes me laugh.
I do believe TUI and other tour operators get a lot of flack when it's not needed. They get blamed for high prices, they get blamed for 'chavs' coming to the resort because of cheap deals and numerous other things. It just sometimes feels like if you are using TUI, or aren't booking independently then you are doing it wrong.
-
What makes me laugh is we are looking for the best rate possible for the Euro, its 1.089 here oh but its 1.092 there yet are willing to throw £100 on a taxi to save 1 to 1 half hours. Each to their own, just makes me laugh.
I do believe TUI and other tour operators get a lot of flack when it's not needed. They get blamed for high prices, they get blamed for 'chavs' coming to the resort because of cheap deals and numerous other things. It just sometimes feels like if you are using TUI, or aren't booking independently then you are doing it wrong.
Ha! I totally agree on the rate front, your figures are a saving of €6 on £2000.
TUI I'm not so sure about and think it would be good to hear the "pros & cons". To me the big thing of not using them is the freedom to go as and when we want and where we want. Not a fixed time or place dictated by TUI. I'm also not convinced they are not much more expensive. Finally, from what I've been told by locals they are not too fair with them either. Always happy to be shot down!
PS minor point, but the taxi is Euros..
-
I'm with you there, Shawty! Years ago some locals said to me that they hated August because of the kind of people who were there then. We'd never travelled with Thomson until we first went to Agios Stefanos in 2010, and feared for the worst. Over the years we've had very good service from Thomson/TUI and the apartments have been fine.
It's not necessarily cheaper to take a DIY trip than a package. It depends to some extent where you live. Unless you live near a cheap-as-chips airline hub you have to factor in the added cost and hassle of getting to the airport and back for departure. Our nearest airports are Doncaster - which is a Wizz Air hub and has dirt cheap flights to Poland and the Czech Republic - we are left with Leeds - which has Jet2 and Rynair - and Manchester. Round trip to Manchester is a 200 mile drive. So that's time, hassles and petrol across a frequently problematic M62. The Trans-Pennine Express from Hull doesn't go to the airport, so it either means a nightmare change at Manchester or an easier one at Huddersfield. Not very relaxing. LBA is nasty to get to from Hull. Then you have the necessity of taxis in Corfu, so add another £125 to your bill.
Contrast that with a 50 minute all-motorway drive to Doncaster, where there's lot's of parking right next to the terminal and a TUI package. I used to fly a lot when I was younger - for about a year I more or less commuted from London to Munich or Vienna. In my advanced years I now find it much more relaxing to check in and hand all responsibility to TUI. (There are only 6 gates at Donny, and most of them are essentially part of the departure lounge, so there's no chance of missing a plane!) If I take a taxi from Agios Stefanos to the airport and the taxi breaks down and I miss the plane - well that's just tough luck. If I'm on a TUI coach with plenty of other people that breaks down it's TUI's problem. So although I can see some justification for getting a taxi from the airport to Agios Stefanos to save maybe an hour before you get a drink, I regard not using the bus back to the airport as marginally insane.
I know Maggie will be along shortly to say it's a matter of choice, but there is some logic involved!
-
Ha! I totally agree on the rate front, your figures are a saving of €6 on £2000.
TUI I'm not so sure about and think it would be good to hear the "pros & cons". To me the big thing of not using them is the freedom to go as and when we want and where we want. Not a fixed time or place dictated by TUI. I'm also not convinced they are not much more expensive. Finally, from what I've been told by locals they are not too fair with them either. Always happy to be shot down!
PS minor point, but the taxi is Euros..
If people want to go independent that's fine, I have no problem with that, it just seems as if you aren't doing it right if you are not booking independent. I don't work for TUI but have used them for years and the very few problems we've had were sorted no problem. We've had some very cheap prices and some average prices over the years and they only get silly prices once people start booking up which is just supply and demand. From what I could gather, people loved it when the hotels started leaving TUI, yet the operators they have gone to are charging even more for the holidays. TUI can just be as cheap as anyone else. Last week, 4 weeks at the Romanza (bed and breakfast) including flight from Doncaster was £786 each from TUI. That's as cheap as anything. Yes they might not pay the hotels a lot of money but the hotels could equally go fully independent.
-
We travel with Tui but yes i choose to go by taxi to and from the airport for convenience and comfort.
I know we take a package but comfort is important to us hence the taxi,and I have no desire to drag about on the return run to the airport.
We take more than enough with us to have the sort of holiday we want and yes we look for the best rate because we don't like to be ripped off but how and where we spend is entirely our decision.
-
We always go with TUI and had an exceptional rep this year at Silver Moon. We had some issues with what might have been a long journey back to the airport and wanted to know how long the journey was likely to be, as it was also a late night flight. She printed out all the stops and times for us and even offered to meet us at the airport, on her day off, to help us, as hubby is not too mobile at times. We priced up Indy at Silver Moon and with everything factored in, it was going to be considerably more. Well done Tui!
-
We travel with Tui but yes i choose to go by taxi to and from the airport for convenience and comfort.
I know we take a package but comfort is important to us hence the taxi,and I have no desire to drag about on the return run to the airport.
We take more than enough with us to have the sort of holiday we want and yes we look for the best rate because we don't like to be ripped off but how and where we spend is entirely our decision.
That's totally fine. I just find it funny how we go for weeks looking for the last cent when looking at the exchange rate but don't bat an eye lid when paying £100 for a taxi when transfers are included.
-
We always go with TUI and had an exceptional rep this year at Silver Moon. We had some issues with what might have been a long journey back to the airport and wanted to know how long the journey was likely to be, as it was also a late night flight. She printed out all the stops and times for us and even offered to meet us at the airport, on her day off, to help us, as hubby is not too mobile at times. We priced up Indy at Silver Moon and with everything factored in, it was going to be considerably more. Well done Tui!
The stops are on the TUI app about two days before your flight so you can roughly work out how long the transfer is.
-
The longest delays to the bus leaving the airport are caused by people booking taxis and not telling the reps at the airport. Inevitably, this mean the reps having to wait until it looks like everybody is through and searching for missing people. Totally inconsiderate.
-
First thing I do when we have our baggage is to tell a rep.
Also for the return journey I tell the rep straight away and remind her the day before.
Jimbo you can preach all you like but some people prefer to take a taxi.We do and there is no way I would use the coach again.We factor the cost into the holiday just as we do the cost of getting to Cardiff airport at this end.
-
Maggie, my father was a preacher and I left it to him. Pointing out facts is not preaching. Because you behave decently does not mean that everybody does.
Are Karen and Shawty preaching????
-
Hi all,
Could we perhaps let this one lie now please? To my knowledge, I've never met any of you, but I'm sure you are all lovely people but this debate is all getting a bit childish don't you think?
I joined this forum purely as a means of finding ( and hopefully offering) good advice and sharing our mutual affection for the place we all love. I'm afraid this constant sniping
is quite wearing and reminds me why I tend to avoid other forms of social media!
Why the constant need for point scoring?
Hope this plea has not offended anyone too much, but if the silly rows continue, I for one will be leaving the forum as it's spoiling my holiday.
Love to you all !!!
-
Hear hear.
-
It hasn’t offended me,and you are right,the forum is supposed to fun and full of advice and information.
We all have our own opinions,nobody is right nobody wrong,we make the decisions which suit us best.
Still very hot I see out there.
-
I think it's called debate.
-
It is and we have had the debate which resulted in nobody changing their opinion.
People still see things differently as is the case in most walks of life.
I am just counting down the days to take off.
-
It is indeed very hot! Not much of an exaggeration to say we haven't seen a cloud since we arrived here last Sunday. Hope it stays goid for you in September Maggie.
-
Sorry folks, but I for one welcome the information, and the time members have taking to post. It is certainly a help to us to know what others do and why and then decide what will work for us. Of course we also love the posts of people’s experiences there and past history of the place, it all builds up a picture of the place. If someone posts something which is not of great interest to me I’ll jump to the next post or have a view of the lovely webcams. So many thanks to Maggie, Jimbo, Karen and Shawty.
-
Thanks, geordieborn.
Simon - This forum was more or less dead when the Facebook groups started so that people could upload pictures of their dinner and cats. Some of us have tried very hard to keep it alive. It's great when new people join. It's great when there's some discussion. Many of us have made friends on here, whom we've met in the flesh in the village. We try to help with any questions that arise, and sometimes we disagree. That's life.
-
There are quite a few people who have joined and read up on here but have not yet dipped there toes in the water.
Two people recognised me back in May from my avatar,and someone saying ‘Hello Maggie’ ;D
It is a very useful place of contact and there is a wealth of diverse experience on here.
-
The stops are on the TUI app about two days before your flight so you can roughly work out how long the transfer is.
Thank you, I don't use the app :)
-
Maggie, my father was a preacher and I left it to him. Pointing out facts is not preaching. Because you behave decently does not mean that everybody does.
Are Karen and Shawty preaching????
Not me Jim ;D I'm like you all and do what suits us best, that can change from year to year. If we have a daytime transfer, I'm quite happy to take the coach and see the lovely views. However, I do remember one year, when Thomson changed the coach drivers, we had been on the coach 3 hours, when we eventually got to San Stef, we asked the coach driver to let us get off and we would walk the rest of the way!! ;D
-
Sorry folks, but I for one welcome the information, and the time members have taking to post. It is certainly a help to us to know what others do and why and then decide what will work for us. Of course we also love the posts of people’s experiences there and past history of the place, it all builds up a picture of the place. If someone posts something which is not of great interest to me I’ll jump to the next post or have a view of the lovely webcams. So many thanks to Maggie, Jimbo, Karen and Shawty.
You're very welcome and I agree with you.
-
Thanks, geordieborn.
Simon - This forum was more or less dead when the Facebook groups started so that people could upload pictures of their dinner and cats. Some of us have tried very hard to keep it alive. It's great when new people join. It's great when there's some discussion. Many of us have made friends on here, whom we've met in the flesh in the village. We try to help with any questions that arise, and sometimes we disagree. That's life.
Agreed Jim,I do not use Facebook for anything and several of us try to keep this forum going all year round and I have been thanked for my little updates whilst we are there. :)
-
Thanks, geordieborn.
Simon - This forum was more or less dead when the Facebook groups started so that people could upload pictures of their dinner and cats. Some of us have tried very hard to keep it alive. It's great when new people join. It's great when there's some discussion. Many of us have made friends on here, whom we've met in the flesh in the village. We try to help with any questions that arise, and sometimes we disagree. That's life.
Well said Jimbo, your comment about dinners and cats had me in stitches, so so true.
-
I don’t use Facebook at all.
-
Neither do I.
-
I started this particular topic so I'm delighted with the response and I agree with Jimbo that its been a very good "debate".
People do what they want to do, there's no right or wrong just different approaches, circumstances etc etc.
I also believe very strongly that "debate" keeps this forum alive. There are often opinions voiced that I don't agree with but thats no different to discussions I have in the pub/work or within my own family. I put my point of view, consider others, respond and so on. Sometimes I reconsider my view and sometimes I become more entrenched that's just the way it is. Wouldn't life be boring if we were all the same.
I love it on here so thanks to all fellow forum users who take time out to contribute.
-
Sorry but if we are being honest forums are dying.
It’s old school social media. If you don’t use Facebook for anything else then at least use it to keep abreast of what’s actually happening in the resort right now this instance.
Yes pictures of food does not do it for me but most of the time posts on FB are relevant and interesting, and you can can get involved.
This forum will not exist in 2 years time. Those who disagree need to buy a smart phone 😜
-
Sorry but if we are being honest forums are dying.
It’s old school social media. If you don’t use Facebook for anything else then at least use it to keep abreast of what’s actually happening in the resort right now this instance.
Yes pictures of food does not do it for me but most of the time posts on FB are relevant and interesting, and you can can get involved.
This forum will not exist in 2 years time. Those who disagree need to buy a smart phone 😜
I disagree, the forums will be here long after Facebook.
-
You may well be right Karen but I hope not,and there are two forums of which I am a member other than this one which will certainly not be gone.
FB had no appeal whatever although my family used to press me to join-and I already have a smart phone.I am lost cause then ;D ;D
-
I have a smartphone, tablet, laptop and PC, but have no desire to have facebook. My choice, not right, not wrong.
-
As I've said, Maggie, I don't use FB, so I hope this forum continues , it is a mine of information for people, especially new visitors, I know it was for me, when we first started to go to San Stefanos :)
-
I have a smartphone, tablet, laptop and PC, but have no desire to have facebook. My choice, not right, not wrong.
Yes, me too :)
-
My social media begins and ends with linkedin for work, and here. oh also Arillas.com, I'm nosey ;)
-
My social media begins and ends with linkedin for work, and here. oh also Arillas.com, I'm nosey ;)
I know I'm old but I don't get the FB thing, why do some people live out their lives on there? :)
-
Benson - I have several high-performance computers with dual 24" monitors. Why would I bother squinting at the poxy little screen on my smartphone?
I do look at Facebook, but not all the time, and never on my phone. My phone is for emergency calls when travelling. The idea of people watching films on a phone fills me with the horror.
Forums like this far more useful for finding information than Facebook's ephemeral interface. There's more than a decade's worth of info here. The forum will still be going in two years if people continue to use it and San Stefano Travel continue to host it.
Personally I think cats are vermin whose entire purpose in life is to decimate the bird population, and I don't give a stuff if XXX is at YYY with ZZZ. It's just noise. I cannot eat pictures of other peoples' dinners. I cannot drink the cocktail they are proudly holding up.
So you're welcome to it! Cheers!
-
Love that Jim ;D
-
GS I have a PC,laptop,tablet and smartphone but couldn’t care less about FB.
I do get snaky when people insist on telling me that I MUST join,or I don’t know what I am missing.
Those who wish me to know their business can inform me themselves,if not I don’t want to know and I treat them in a similar way.Nothing seems to be personal or sacred any more.
-
Quite right Maggie :)
-
I have a smartphone for emergency purposes and to keep in contact with my sons but have no interest in any social media of any kind.
Maybe its my age but I have no interest in sharing my eating, drinking habits with total strangers
-
I have a smartphone for emergency purposes and to keep in contact with my sons but have no interest in any social media of any kind.
Maybe its my age but I have no interest in sharing my eating, drinking habits with total strangers
With you all the way there.
-
I have a smartphone, tablet, laptop and PC, but have no desire to have facebook. My choice, not right, not wrong.
I'm with you Gary.
-
I know I'm old but I don't get the FB thing, why do some people live out their lives on there? :)
I couldn't agree more Karen!
-
I couldn't agree more Karen!
Hope you're not agreeing I'm old. Haha ;D
-
Perish the thought
-
Hope you're not agreeing I'm old. Haha ;D
Not at all Karen - you certainly don't look old in your profile picture ;D
-
As an objective witness I can testify that Karen is utterly gorgeous!
-
Not at all Karen - you certainly don't look old in your profile picture ;D
Aah thank you David :)
-
As an objective witness I can testify that Karen is utterly gorgeous!
Now you are making me blush, Jim, but thank you :)