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Originally Posted by bimmerm3m5
Still doesn't go direct to Stamford, CT.
I'm planning to try BWI-PHL-HPN via US next week. Might as well keep my status! Edited to add- It was actually Commutair and they no longer offer the service. |
Originally Posted by GWU ESIA STUDENT
I know that Colgan dba Continental Connection used to fly BWI-HPN; might be worth checking out to avoid PHL and you would get miles on CO.
Edited to add- It was actually Commutair and they no longer offer the service. Yeah it's actually a bit unfortunate with HPN and especially HVN. Both are great locations to avoid (some of) the on-ground traffic of NYC. Of course, service will be very difficult to expand with the local residents, but I see SWF becoming a long-haul destination with its abundant space. For people in Westchester and west of NYC, SWF is a viable option that needs time to expand. |
Given the travel time to and from the airports, I'd be very tempted to take the Amtrak Regional 136 at 5:38 all the way to Stamford, if that's close. Easier than transfering/cab in NYC. It's 4 1/3 hours, getting in at 9:56 p.m.
However, with your aversion to the train, then I'd stick with the US flight that departs BWI at 6:55 p.m. arrives LGA at 8:01 p.m. - which is the Dash 8 that was cancelled on you. Leaving BWI near 5p.m. is probably not going to get you on much of an earlier flight out of DCA than 7 p.m. anyway. The trip to DCA is going to be unpredictable, especially if there is any winter weather (i.e. cold rain or snow.) Good luck. Cheers, Jeff |
Originally Posted by FreakwentFlier
Given the travel time to and from the airports, I'd be very tempted to take the Amtrak Regional 136 at 5:38 all the way to Stamford, if that's close. Easier than transfering/cab in NYC. It's 4 1/3 hours, getting in at 9:56 p.m.
However, with your aversion to the train, then I'd stick with the US flight that departs BWI at 6:55 p.m. arrives LGA at 8:01 p.m. - which is the Dash 8 that was cancelled on you. Leaving BWI near 5p.m. is probably not going to get you on much of an earlier flight out of DCA than 7 p.m. anyway. The trip to DCA is going to be unpredictable, especially if there is any winter weather (i.e. cold rain or snow.) Good luck. Cheers, Jeff Unless the schedule has changed, there is no train that goes direct to Stamford. I always have to change at New York Penn to Grand Central via cab/subway. |
Sorry to bump up an old thread, but imo its always better than starting a new thread.
I just wanted to clarify whether the option below was still the best way to get from DCA to BWI. I am arriving into DCA at 11:00 AM on the 4th of March (Wednesday) and then have a flight out of BWI at 3:40pm. I hope I haven't been too ambitious here. I have only ever been to DC once, that too I flew into IAD and then traveled by car and flew out of PHL. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear those as well. Thanks guys!
Originally Posted by dcstudent
(Post 6637433)
The train is definitely your best bet, because traffic (495, BW Parkway, 95) is a toss-up and can be quite problematic even non-rush hour. One accident and you are sitting for hours.
One poster mentioned Amtrak, but you can also use MARC since you're traveling M-F. You'll want to check the schedules because it can be slower (but usually not by much) but it is about 1/3d the price and very frequent during rush hours on weekdays. www.mtamaryland.com Click on MARC Click on Penn Line What you'd do from DCA: Get on a yellow line train towards Mt. Vernon Square (although I believe they are now testing an extension to Fort Totten so your Metro may say that). Make sure you do not get on a Blue Line train to Largo (they share the same track at DCA). At Gallery Place/Chinatown switch to a Red Line train headed to Silver Spring or Glenmont. Get on the lead car if you can. At Union Station get off the train and make a right (as in as soon as you step off the train turn right), this will have you heading towards the escalators on the train side of Union. Go up the escalators (both sets, one to leave the platform and another to go up into Union Station proper) and walk straight. There will be a bunch of ticket machines you can use to purchase your MARC or Amtrak ticket. Continue straight (there will be a little jog to the right) to the gate area. If you are riding MARC the sign with tracks will be right there, if Amtrak you need ot walk towards the Hudsons News Stand. Hope this helps! |
You should be fine with the subway/train option, especially if not checking bags.
SuperShuttle will work too since there ought to be little traffic midday. It'll be more expensive ($40 I think) but it will also be a shorter ride. Enjoy! |
Originally Posted by dcstudent
(Post 11323437)
You should be fine with the subway/train option, especially if not checking bags.
SuperShuttle will work too since there ought to be little traffic midday. It'll be more expensive ($40 I think) but it will also be a shorter ride. Enjoy! I can leave Union Station as late as 1:20 PM, the train getting to BWI rail station at 1:56 PM. That will still give me 1h 40m before my flight. I am assuming BWI rail station where the Penn Line drops me off is either very close or connected to the airport. Thanks a lot for your excellent post! It explains everything perfectly. |
Honestly, I don't understand why you want to fly.
You say you are traveling from CT, how far is the closest Amtrak station? Probably not that far. When you take the train you can show up 5 minutes before the train and still make it. Acela is 100x better then an airline seat, and regional coach is still much more comfortable. With Amtrak you can buy a ten trip from Stamford, CT to BWI for $760. You might be able to do cheaper with AAA discount, but you'll never have to worry about tickets, and your ten trip is valid on any train. Miss a train, just take the next one. That isn't always an option with Amtrak. You can buy a mobile broadband car and work the entire trip, sit in the cafe car and you have a big desk. As for the time savings, flying will not save you time, there are too many variables. Getting to the airport early for security, wait for metro, delay on metro, MARC or Amtrak train from DC to BWI. It just doesn't make sense. You might find a schedule that works leaving little wait time, but one delay when you have a lot of variables is bound to happen and can through your whole trip off. |
Originally Posted by porphyra
(Post 11323483)
Great. Yea, I suppose I will be ok. Checking the Penn Line schedule:
I can leave Union Station as late as 1:20 PM, the train getting to BWI rail station at 1:56 PM. That will still give me 1h 40m before my flight. I am assuming BWI rail station where the Penn Line drops me off is either very close or connected to the airport. Thanks a lot for your excellent post! It explains everything perfectly. |
Originally Posted by bubba8
(Post 11323781)
I have done Amtrak to BWI a couple of times. I give myself plenty of time. The BWI Rail Station is basically near the end of one of the BWI runways, just off the airport. The shuttle bus may take 10-15 minutes to go between the station and the terminal but you may wait a while for the next bus at the station. 1h 40m may be a close call. If you can get an earlier Amtrak it may be a better bet.
Cheerio. |
Another Choice - Metro to Metrobus
Originally Posted by porphyra
(Post 11318894)
If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear those as well.
If I were in this situation, I'd:
Metro's website estimates that this will take just under 90 minutes, and it will cost $4.85 with SmarTrip or $5.45 with Cash (exact change only for cash - you will need $3.10 for the bus). Including the two metro lines, MARC ride, and shuttle back to the airport, I really don't think this is any slower than the train. The B30 buses have numerous luggage racks so there are plenty of places to store your stuff. After it leaves Greenbelt Station, the bus is non-stop til BWI. I have used the B30 bus service many times myself and find it to be very convenient; I have completely given up on the train. Of course, YMMV, but it works great for me. |
Originally Posted by jkm024
(Post 11325490)
Personally, I like to use Metro's B30 bus to get to BWI airport.. to me, getting to Union Station, then to the train, then back to the shuttle bus is just too much hassle.
That said, on weekends or odd times when traffic is light, and the MARC isn't running, the B30 bus is a much better option then Amtrak. One last warning.. I would recommend getting to Greenbelt 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to leave. It is a bit of a walk to the where the bus is and it generally leaves right on or a minute before scheduled. More then once I have seen the bus pull away as I am approaching the bus station. |
Originally Posted by doctor15
(Post 11326015)
Traffic can be pretty bad on the way up to BWI and this bus frequently runs late.
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Originally Posted by jkm024
(Post 11326384)
Good point.. I only ever take this bus early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends and thus have never had trouble with a late bus. I do imagine there could be trouble at rush hour but, all the same, since porphyra is going at midday, I think he or she would be in good shape.
Plus I have never been on an Amtrak before, so I guess its killing 2 birds with 1 stone. |
Originally Posted by porphyra
(Post 11326703)
Thanks for the suggestion about the bus. I believe I will take the Amtrak to BWI. I really don't want to risk it with the road, just in case. It does the journey in 27m which is half the time for the MARC train. Price-wise, I managed to find a coupon which knocked a big chunk off the fare, making it only a little more expensive than the MARC, and hence totally worth it.
Plus I have never been on an Amtrak before, so I guess its killing 2 birds with 1 stone. |
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