Shuttle Services

9am-6pm daily

Our shuttle driver assists with check-in, translating, etc and works directly with the hospital and doctors. He drives a clean / large personal vehicle for a gentle ride and friendly service.

Typical border crossing traffic.

Costs

From McAllen – $135 round trip | From Harlingen – $235 round trip

Fees are per patient. Two patients traveling together will each pay their own fee. One (non patient) guest traveling with patient rides free.
You are allowed 1 adult guest (17 or older) to travel with you.

Making shuttle arrangements:

You must make arrangements in advance by emailing our office.

Please send this to set up your shuttle:

Name / Date of surgery
Date / Time / Location of pick up (must be between 9am and 6pm cst the day before surgery)
Cell number (the driver needs to call you)
Number of seats requested (maximum 2)
Date / Time of return flight (must be 11am cst or later the day after surgery)
Any special notes:

Travel times:

Pick up hours 10am- 6pm
During high capacity months (Feb-May) we may do only 3 pick up times per day (9am/2pm/6pm) so you may need to wait for the next available shuttle.

Your driver is available between 10am-6pm. Service includes pick up the day you arrive and return the day you are released from the hospital. If you need to make other stops or wish to go shopping, ask the driver. Please tip accordingly. If you are staying extra days or arriving earlier than your pick up date, other arrangements for transport (rental car, etc) will be necessary. If you do not fly home on your release date, you will need a hotel room near your airport. Most hotels provide free shuttling to the airport.

Incoming flights should arrive before 6pm the day before surgery. Return flights should be 11am or later the day after surgery.

[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]

Do’s and Dont’s of travel

Travel light – pack only what you need for the trip. It is a short trip so large suitcases, unnecessary items (jewelry, electronics, etc) should be avoided. Border agents are strict – and they do check backs going into and back out of the country, so do not bring anything that may look suspicious (large duffle bags, unmarked medications, etc). It will save time and decrease delays getting back into the states.

DO NOT go to pharmacies, markets, or other places and purchase medications or other items (food, meds, alcohol etc) that are not allowed to be transported into the US. Shopping is a great idea, but purchases should be reviewed by the shuttle driver before leaving for the border, so be sure to ask the driver questions about your purchases. Transporting illegal items may result in your arrest and possible confiscation of the vehicle and arrest/or/detainment of any other passengers.

Delays!

Delays at the border and flight delays of other patients may cause the shuttle to arrive a little late, this is unavoidable. It will NOT cause you to miss your surgery. We will work around delays to make sure you are able to have your surgery. Border delays can cause you to miss your return flight if you have not scheduled properly.

If driving, you will park in the overnight parking of the airport and meet the driver at the main entrance. If you are staying at a hotel, the driver can pick you up there. He will only pick up at the airport or a hotel, no private residences, convenient stores, etc.

A passport or pass card is always the best option for border crossing, however, you can cross the border by land with a birth certificate (US certified) and a drivers license or government issued photo ID.

Note** If you apply for your passport they will keep the birth certificate and return it with your passport. Since passports can take weeks or months to get back, make sure you have two birth certificates – one to send with the passport application and one to cross the border if your passport is delayed. You can obtain additional birth certificates online at www.Vitalchek.com usually in about 2-3 weeks. You may also be able to go to the courthouse in the area you were born and pick up one. You can never use photocopies of any identification documents to cross the border – all documents must be original and/or say certified.

Remember!! If you are detained for any reason at the border…so are the driver and any other patients in the shuttle. You will not be allowed to use the shuttle if you do not have the proper ID / documents.