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Trip to Annapolis, Baltimore and Philadelphia advice please
Hi everyone,
In September i'll be visiting America from the UK. Still finalising the details and would appreciate some advice. Bit of a random list i'm afraid, but at least lots of you will have the chance to help 1- Immigration at Dulles- are the queues significantly longer for Europeans than for Americans? I'm travelling with a friend who is American but her husband and I aren't; our flight (BA) from London arrives at around 2pm. 2- Shuttle van from Dulles to Annapolis- please tell me i'll arrive alive and on the same day I set off 3- Commuter bus from Annapolis to Patapsco Light Rail stop- is this reliable/safe on sunday mornings? (i'm female, i'll be on my own) 4- Train from Baltimore to Philadelphia - do you have to book this in advance? If not, how much cheaper is booking in advance? (NE regional service) Am I right in thinking its similar to travelling by rail in the UK- turn up, climb on, get off at far end and doesn't involve massive pre-boarding security or checking in luggage? 5- Flying home from Philadelphia - Is there anything to be wary of in terms of traffic congestion, massive security lines etc? Flight leaves at 10pm Also any tips for staying in Baltimore- cheapish places to eat, things to do |
[QUOTE=exilencfc;16739082]Hi everyone,
4- Train from Baltimore to Philadelphia - do you have to book this in advance? If not, how much cheaper is booking in advance? (NE regional service) Am I right in thinking its similar to travelling by rail in the UK- turn up, climb on, get off at far end and doesn't involve massive pre-boarding security or checking in luggage? /QUOTE] only addressing #4. the high speed ACLEA requires reservation. most of the trains have a "business" or some such class that requires a fee, and a res. i use it, and think it worth getting away from the unwashed hoard. when you travel a route like that, try to get a train that is starting in DC or balt. less chance of a delay. |
Shuttle van from Dulles to Annapolis
Wow, that's a long way. Are you certain that's even possible, at least without a special arrangement? I once did the shuttle Dulles to DC, about 26 miles. It took about 2 hours to get home. Annapolis is more than double that distance. I now refuse the shuttle, even though the taxi is twice the fare. |
Shuttle should be ok, the place i'm staying at in Annapolis is listed on their website, and it worked ok when I played at booking it. Hopefully I won't need it anyway, my friend is thinking of hiring a car- thats why I was worrying how the times to get through immigration varied. Would you recommend booking the shuttle in advance if I need it? I'm going to a conference in Annapolis so I think there might be a few of us heading in the same direction.
Train - I'm happy with coach as it's only a one hour trip. Coach tickets for the regular trains are buyable on the day then? Thanks for your help guys |
Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16739082)
Hi everyone,
3- Commuter bus from Annapolis to Patapsco Light Rail stop- is this reliable/safe on sunday mornings? (i'm female, i'll be on my own) so any tips for staying in Baltimore- cheapish places to eat, things to do |
Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16739082)
Hi everyone,
In September i'll be visiting America from the UK. Still finalising the details and would appreciate some advice. Bit of a random list i'm afraid, but at least lots of you will have the chance to help 1- Immigration at Dulles- are the queues significantly longer for Europeans than for Americans? I'm travelling with a friend who is American but her husband and I aren't; our flight (BA) from London arrives at around 2pm. Queues and process are always longer for nonUS document holders, figure 40 minutes or so longer on average (i once waited an hour, not so happy) 2- Shuttle van from Dulles to Annapolis- please tell me i'll arrive alive and on the same day I set off no idea of this one, but consider renting a car if there are a few of you and someone is okay driving in 'our' side of the road. Expect traffic and delays, ESP as you arrive at the beginning of rush hour - which can last until almost 8 o'clock. I assume this is a special van to Annapolis, it is not something you can purchase at arrival easily, I expect so make arrangements early, if they are needed 3- Commuter bus from Annapolis to Patapsco Light Rail stop- is this reliable/safe on sunday mornings? (i'm female, i'll be on my own) can't help you with this, but there may be more frequency/better options to DC, and then train from there to Baltimore. That'd be longer but something else to look into. 4- Train from Baltimore to Philadelphia - do you have to book this in advance? If not, how much cheaper is booking in advance? (NE regional service) Am I right in thinking its similar to travelling by rail in the UK- turn up, climb on, get off at far end and doesn't involve massive pre-boarding security or checking in luggage? while you can buy tickets last minute, buying in advance will save you money. Tickets are fully refundable until they are printed, so make a ressie and then cancel it if you won't need it later. The AAA rate is usually a good discount for the regional 5- Flying home from Philadelphia - Is there anything to be wary of in terms of traffic congestion, massive security lines etc? Flight leaves at 10pm you can take the train to philly airport as an option. Nothing in particular to worry about either other than the usual TSA nonsense that is unfortunately prevalent in the US Also any tips for staying in Baltimore- cheapish places to eat, things to do |
Thanks again guys. On the travel to Baltimore thing, I want to travel in the mid morning and there is an Orioles game in the afternoon - so I was hoping for safety in numbers, if not on the bus from Annapolis then certainly on the light rail. Is Baltimore (Camden Yards/Inner Harbour area) generally safe to walk around? I'm not worrying about Philadelphia as i'm staying with friends there (not the people i'm travelling to Washington with)
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Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16745604)
Thanks again guys. On the travel to Baltimore thing, I want to travel in the mid morning and there is an Orioles game in the afternoon - so I was hoping for safety in numbers, if not on the bus from Annapolis then certainly on the light rail. Is Baltimore (Camden Yards/Inner Harbour area) generally safe to walk around? I'm not worrying about Philadelphia as i'm staying with friends there (not the people i'm travelling to Washington with)
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Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16743420)
Hopefully I won't need it anyway, my friend is thinking of hiring a car- thats why I was worrying how the times to get through immigration varied. Would you recommend booking the shuttle in advance if I need it?
Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16743420)
Train - I'm happy with coach as it's only a one hour trip. Coach tickets for the regular trains are buyable on the day then?
Enjoy the O's game and make sure you shout O's! at the appropriate point during the singing of the national anthem. OK, some people really don't like that but it is a Baltimore thing. If at all possible, go to G & M Restaurant for lunch and order the crab cake sandwich. Arguably the best Maryland crab cake around. If you don't want the bun. order a crab cake on a cracker. They will just bring you the crab cake and the price is the same. And anywhere else in the U.S. that has "Maryland-style" crab cakes on the menu it pretending to know what they are doing. You will be fine hanging around the inner harbor and Camden Yards. |
Shouting during the anthem is a new one on me- although being English, I am familiar with shouting the anthem rather than singing it. Thanks again for the advice guys, one more question are the charm city circulator buses ok? And do they go in both directions or just one?
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Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16798884)
Shouting during the anthem is a new one on me- although being English, I am familiar with shouting the anthem rather than singing it.
Haven't taken the Charm City Circulator bus, but the idea seems to be the same as on D.C.'s Circulators--simple, frequent, easy-to-understand bus service--except theirs is free too. The maps show all the lines going back and forth. About Amtrak, I concur about buying a coach ticket in advance online. You'll need to print it out from one of the Amtrak kiosks at the station, but Baltimore Penn Station (note, not Camden Station by the ballpark) is compact. You can't get lost there. |
Originally Posted by exilencfc;
5- Flying home from Philadelphia - Is there anything to be wary of in terms of traffic congestion, massive security lines etc? Flight leaves at 10pm
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Originally Posted by exilencfc
(Post 16745604)
Thanks again guys. On the travel to Baltimore thing, I want to travel in the mid morning and there is an Orioles game in the afternoon - so I was hoping for safety in numbers, if not on the bus from Annapolis then certainly on the light rail. Is Baltimore (Camden Yards/Inner Harbour area) generally safe to walk around? I'm not worrying about Philadelphia as i'm staying with friends there (not the people i'm travelling to Washington with)
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IDK where i'm staying in Philly, with friends but i'm not sure where they live!
I see what you mean with the anthem now, fun touch |
Originally Posted by slawecki
(Post 16742607)
the high speed ACLEA requires reservation. most of the trains have a "business" or some such class that requires a fee, and a res.
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