Australian Chauffeurs Group
Chauffeur in a dark suit holding open the rear door of a luxury car: What Is an Airport Transfer, and How Do You Schedule or Collect a Pickup?

Chauffeured travel since 1998

What Is an Airport Transfer, and How Do You Schedule or Collect a Pickup?

An airport transfer is a pre-booked ride between an airport and your destination. How to schedule a car pickup, how to pick someone up from the airport, and what to give your driver.

  • Flight-tracked airport pickups
  • Accredited, uniformed chauffeurs
  • 24/7 bookings, Australia-wide

Prefer to talk? Call 0424 31 31 31

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  • Serving Australia since 1998
  • Flight-tracked airport pickups
  • Accredited, uniformed chauffeurs
  • Fixed fares, tolls and GST included
  • 24/7 bookings
  • VIC, NSW, QLD and WA

2 min read

Quick answer

An airport transfer is a pre-booked ride between an airport and your hotel, home or office. To schedule one, give the flight number, pickup address, passenger and luggage counts and any child seat needs. To collect someone, ask the driver to meet them at arrivals or the terminal kerb, with flight tracking covering delays.

People searching for "what is an airport transfer" usually want to know whether they need one and how it works. In short, it is a ride you arrange in advance so a driver is waiting when you land, or collects you on time for a departure.

What is an airport transfer?

An airport transfer is transport between an airport and another place, such as a hotel, home, office or cruise terminal. It can be a shared shuttle, a taxi, a rideshare or a private chauffeur. A private transfer is pre-booked for you alone, with a set pickup time and a fare agreed beforehand.

Common airport transfer types
TypeBookedFareBest for
Private chauffeurIn advanceFixed at bookingCertainty, groups, luggage, late or early flights
Shared shuttle or busIn advance or on arrivalPer personBudget, light luggage
TaxiOn arrivalMeteredSpontaneous trips
RideshareOn arrivalVaries with demandShort, flexible trips

How do you schedule a car pickup?

  1. Enter your pickup and drop-off locations, date and time in the online quote form.
  2. Add your flight number for airport trips so the pickup follows the real arrival time.
  3. Enter the number of passengers and suitcases, and choose a vehicle.
  4. Add any extras, such as a baby capsule or child seat.
  5. Pay in full to confirm. You then receive written confirmation, and a chauffeur is assigned.

Bookings are taken 24/7, and you can also call 0424 31 31 31. Book as soon as your plans are fixed, because that reserves a car and chauffeur for your exact time.

How do you pick someone up from the airport?

You have two choices: collect them yourself or arrange a driver. If you drive, check which terminal they land at, track the flight and allow time for baggage and the walk out. If you book a chauffeur, give the driver the passenger's name, mobile number and flight number, and ask for a meet at arrivals so they do not have to find you.

  • Confirm the airline, flight number and terminal.
  • Check whether it is a domestic or international arrival, because international passengers take longer to clear customs.
  • Share the passenger's name and mobile number with the driver.
  • Agree where to meet: arrivals hall or terminal kerb.
  • Track the flight for early or late landings.

What details does your chauffeur need?

The flight number, passenger name and contact number, destination address, number of passengers and suitcases, and any child seats. Sedans carry up to 4 passengers and 2 suitcases, and Mercedes Sprinter vans carry up to 11 passengers and 8 suitcases, with SUVs and mini vans also available.

Fares are fixed per vehicle when you book and include tolls, parking and GST. Flights are tracked, so your chauffeur adjusts to an early or late landing.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

A pre-booked ride between an airport and your destination, such as a hotel, home or office. A private transfer has a set pickup time and an agreed fare.

Fixed-price quote

Get your fare in under a minute

Enter your pickup and drop-off for an all-inclusive fixed fare, with tolls, parking and GST included. Prefer to talk? Call 0424 31 31 31.

Add a return journey?
By the hour
A$0.00

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