Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Flights, Airlines and Airports => Flights to Dalaman and Turkey, Airlines and Airports => Topic started by: Scunner on December 09, 2019, 14:46:15 PM
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As many know already, we had a couple of shocking experiences with Hoppa (who have been great for years but have changed their local supplier at Dalaman now) and we certainly will not be using them again.
We are back from a city break to Krakow, somewhere we've never been so I noticed booking.com who we booked the hotel with offer an airport transfer service. Not sure if it is new or I just haven't noticed it before. I booked with them and it's brilliant! You get a message to confirm your transfer details and times on the morning of your flights, a text telling you the driver is on his way when you have landed, including his name and where he will be. Same going back.
For Dalaman I've learned my lesson with Hoppa and will return to FAT or Pegasus. But for other areas, particularly places we haven't been to before I can't recommend the transfer service from booking .com enough.
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Yes, us too! landed at Dalaman before 8pm on Nov 1. First problem was finding the transfer - that took around 20 minutes. Then we were handed a phone and told that we would have to wait for another flight, due to land at 10pm! If that flight landed on time, realistically we would be lucky to leave before 10.30! Of course we told them that this was not acceptable, and there was actually enough time to take us and be back at Dalaman for the other flight, but, as we were the only passengers! We were then advised to take a Havas coach, about to leave, which we did. Luckily we only had hand luggage and were dropped off at Gunlukbasi, and a short walk to the villa. After returning to the UK I complained to Hoppa and did get a refund, but..We have been happily using Hoppa for years, but, now need to book for April, and obviously am in two minds about using them again. Any suggestions for an alternative reliable service, apart from a taxi?
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Fethiye Airport Transfers every time. Immaculate, professional service.
£60 return.
fethiyeairporttransfers.com
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I'll second that. Fethiye Airport Transfers every time for us.
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I have used Fethiye Airport Transfers many times without a problem and also Pegasus, who helped us in October when we had the big problems with Hoppa.
Hoppa are losing loyal customers right left & centre - there are numerous tales like these. With fewer clients I can only imagine their service will be even worse in 2020, with even longer waits for the next flight.
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Over a period of time we have had two bad experiences. 1/ Rain Transfers did not turn up for our early arrival at DLM 2/ My bank A/C hacked by A2B/Resorthoppa (not sure if related) and so FAT used three times a yr ever since who have given us excellent service and reliability.
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Hoppa seems to have gone right to pot this season and I believe poss it was Scunner mentioned re the change of local agent, such a shame we’ve used them for years but I too am in two minds whether to book our transfers with them this year, we can’t justify spending on a private transfer due to the too and froing we do through out the year...
In had soo many emails from them of late re their 35% sale so I’m tempted to maybe book our first one of next yr with them and give them one last chance!
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Well, see below for their response to my expressed concerns about using them again.
'As a business, our aim is to provide seamless service and trust that the partners who we work with provide seamless products to complement our aim.
As you can appreciate, issues may arise in any business, sometimes beyond our control especially as an aggregator.
We ask that you afford us one more opportunity to rebuild your confidence in the Hoppa brand as a repeat customer.'
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Thanks for posting that John.
They have known for months about these unacceptable waits on later flights and have chosen to do nothing about it - where in that is any reason at all to give them one more opportunity? I'll never spend another minute waiting for Hoppa's transfer company of choice while my holiday is put on hold to suit them. As I mentioned earlier - I fully expect these waits to get longer as their bookings reduce in 2020.
Also, they mention it is difficult for them as an 'aggregator' - this is not my understanding of the term. Trivago or Go Compare are an aggregator - pooling various rates and services for the consumer to choose from.
Oh, and finally - the Hoppa driver for my daughters' transfer put them on the bus and told them nothing for 45 minutes- wasn't even there for much of that time- while they waited for another flight coming in. Then gave them a bottle of water each. Then tried to charge them an extortionate price for it when they arrived at their destination.
FAT give you a lovely cold bottle of water - not at an over inflated price - it's complimentary, all part of the service.
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We've been using Hoppa for the past three years (since we had a bad experience with Holiday taxi's) but as many have said, they're certainly not what they used to be. When i arrived at Dalaman in August i walked to their old meeting point to be told they are now near the cafe by the ramp. When i finally found them, a girl was sitting at a small table with no visible sign to who they were. After giving my name i was told i wasn't on their list so she started to check my booking on their website (with my phone & data!) then made a phone call, then spoke to two men standing around smoking until finally she said "this is your driver" This all took about 30minutes. Very unprofessional and certainly not what I was used to from my past experience from them.
Despite the shambles their driver was very nice, stopped for a lolly ice and water for me (no charge) so maybe he should move on to a different company.
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Well looks as if Hoppa is too risky, especially as we land late in April. The reason for taking a shuttle is not just the saving - the Hoppa cost is around £10 for two - it's also an environmental issue, not good for one or two people to be taking separate taxis. There is another shuttle service, Shuttle Direct, and I did email them to ask if they used the same supplier as Hoppa? Reply 'We work with different local suppliers in each destination and until the booking has been completed on our website we cannot say who the supplier for the service will be' So looking as if it is going to have to be FAT. Interestingly Sun Transfers offer a minibus which will take six passengers, for £33. We are landing with Easyjet on April 13 at 22.15. I'm sure there must be plenty of passengers going to Fethiye, but probably too difficult to arrange with others..
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If you're worried about the environment issues, why not use the Havaş Bus ? They run a regular service and it only costs about 23TL pp each way.
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Actually we always use Havas or Muttas to the airport, but never from it - well, except for that one Hoppa screwup occasion. Problem is that while Havas and Muttas publish a timetable to the airport they do not publish one from it. Havas meets all domestic flights, but there do not seem to be many of them in late evening, though it could be more feasible during the day. Also what if your flight is delayed - we had a four hour delay with Easyjet from Stanstead last year? In fact to say something nice about Hoppa - they were not bothered about our late arrival, though we had to wait ages for another flight, but that was acceptable given the circumstances
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Just as a point that might help if anyone is let down or has to sit around waiting on Hoppa. The airport taxis, once used only by the rich or crazy are an option these days. With the weakening of the lira we paid around £27 from memory when Hoppa told us to wait “one more hour”.
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Just to mention another faultless transfer company, Blue Lagoon Transfers. They have a facebook page for bookings and are totally reliable.
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For any one looking to book with Hoppa at the start of the season (we have for the last few years) we have been the only passengers so the transfer has been in a car then we book a one way from Calis to dalaman With FAT, so works out £30 with FAT and under a tenner with Hoppa just a thought :)
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Hi Trainer
We also used Hoppa in April last year and that was the last time without any problem or issue. I think their partner in Dalaman area changed after that so it will be interesting to hear how it goes for you this April.
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Don’t need to use them this year as we drove over 8)
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Trainer any chance telling me the route as I'm thinking of doing this in the Summer cheers
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Steveb1,
If you draw a straight line roughly between Calais and Edirne, you'll find that there are a choice of routes but it's A grade, or Motorway almost all the way, whichever route you choose.
You've then got a choice from Edirne of the coast road via Canukkale or over the hills via Istanbul, Kutahya and Denizli to Fethiye.
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As mentioned before, Optima Express operate a car transporter service from Villach in Austria to Edirne in Turkey. From there to Fethiye as KKOB states you then have a choice of routes to the south. However I've yet to hear from anyone who has used this method.
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My route was Hull to Rotterdam (overnight ferry) Holland, Germany, Austria, Romania you can also do Serbia but we couldn’t as we had a problem with the paper work for our dog so stuck to countries in the EU, Bulgaria Turkey we left Hull on the Tuesday night and got to Calis on the Sunday night we could of done it quicker but we made regular stops for the dog and where towing a trailer
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Are you out there full time now Peter?
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Yes and no I might be going back to the uk to work but not sure yet