I need to get to a seminar at Columbia University in New York that starts at 4:45 on a Thursday. Which shuttle do I need to catch from DCA to get there on time?


Also, when do they close the doors on the Usair and Delta shuttles?

I will be cutting it close, because I can't leave DC until 1:20. If I got to DCA at 1:45 with my boarding pass printed out, could I make a 2:00 shuttle?


It appears that the shuttles are scheduled to take 1 hour and 20 minutes. So a 3:00 shuttle would get me there 4:20, which is almost enough time.

According to Google, it takes 19 minutes (up to 30) in traffic get from LGA to Columbia. Any tips for catching a cab quickly at LGA?

The 2:30 DL shuttle is the way to go for you.

Thanks. Any idea when they close the doors?

If I shoot for the 2PM Usair and just miss it, can I still make the 2:30 delta or am I too far away?

It's not that far, but you have to go back through security. If you can't leave for DCA before 1:20, I wouldn't try to make the US 2:00, which would risk missing DL's 2:30, because US's 3:00 isn't going to get you to Columbia on time.

i thought those planes were usually delayed for landing. big time. i have no experience, but read it in the wash post.

They build the taxi / delay time into the schedule. That's why they show a "flight time" of 1 hour 20 minutes. Actual time in the air is usually 35-40 minutes.

I was wondering about that. Any good statistics on when they usually arrive at the gate at LGA?

I don't know the statistics, but these things usually run fairly close to on time. This evening ATC took my guy "around the moon" up with a circle over NJ and then over Connecticut and the Sound before turning him around and setting him down on 22 exactly on time. 22 (in my experience the most prevalent runway for landing) is a two minute taxi to the Shuttle gates.

EricH's suggestion about the 230 DL is right on the money. Although taxis are sometimes sparse at the Marine Air Terminal where the DL Shuttle comes in, I would not think that you would need to wait more than 5-10 minutes for one at that time of day. And as he also posted, if you try for the US 2PM and miss it, you will have only a scant chance of making the DL 230 all the way down at the other end of the airport.

Variation on the original question:

mid-week this week, from 17th & K, going to DCA for the 330 DL Shuttle -- what's the latest that people would suggest my getting into a cab (or is the Metro faster)? How long is it usually to DCA?

I got from 19th and K (Far West) to the DCA security line in under 25 minutes this week. Cab is probably about the same, but I hate the cab drivers due to their incredible greed and obstinance with respect to the new taxi meters.

I'm at 18th and K. Though I wouldn't cut it that close, it is usually 20 minutes door to CRC. Assuming I do OLCI. Granted I do this all the time, so I know the whens and wheres. I wouldn't ever suggest someone who isn't as familiar trying to do it in less than an hour for DL or 1hr15min for US.