Oct 31

Public Transit Accessibility! The upside of flying into Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Friday 4:10 PM by Cities No Comments »

Public Transit Accessibility! The upside of flying into Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

There are several options for taking public transportation when visiting Chicago. I would be hard pressed to not be able to get where I needed to go using the city’s public transit system. That stated, I will attempt to give an introduction to the system that should help give confidence that using public transportation in Chicago is your best option.

As most people know there are two major options for flying into the Chicago Area. These include Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). The best thing about these airports is they are both connected all the way to downtown by Chicago Transit Authority Trains. They are also connected to Chicago’s suburbs by the PACE Bus . This blog will deal with the cheap travel options specifically for the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Traveling to Downtown Chicago

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is approximately 20 miles NW of downtown. The CTA Blue Line services this airport. Travel time from the airport to downtown is approximately 1 hour. Once you have landed in Chicago there are tons of signs directing you towards the train station. Be aware that there is a significant walk from the baggage claim to the train station, which can be confusing if it is your first time. There are plenty of signs, but if you need help just ask. When you get to the ticket machines you’ll need to buy a transit card for $2. If you plan to transfer, it makes sense to pay an additional 25 cents that allows two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding. If you plan to use public transportation all day, just buy the day pass for $5 and you won’t have anything to worry about. For comparison the cheapest shuttle I know of costs $25 to get downtown and taxi will cost $35 dollars. Remember that you can always take the train close to where you plan to go and then take a cab the rest of the way.

Once you arrive downtown you can transfer to a variety of other CTA Train Lines. Rather than delving into which lines go to which universities and hospitals, I would suggest using the Trip Planner for official detailed directions.

Transfer to Metra

Metra is a regional rail system that serves the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The railroad serves over 200 stations on 11 different rail lines across Northern Illinois. This train travel to suburbs such as Aurora, Wheaton and North Chicago. Transfers can be made easily from CTA trains to Metra trains in the downtown area. In the following section more detailed and complicated directions explain how connection to several Metra train lines can be made by bus. . Connecting directly to one of these lines rather that going downtown to catch the train from its origin may significantly reduce your travel time.

Taking the PACE Bus.

There are two specific Pace bus routes that run from Chicago O’Hare’s Kiss-n-Fly Station to the suburbs of Chicago. The important point is that these buses make connections with four of the Metra regional rail lines. Connecting directly to one of these lines rather that going downtown to catch the train from its origin may significantly reduce your travel time.

The PACE 330 Bus makes stops at the Mannheim Metra Station on the Milwaukee District Line, the Bellwood Metra Station on the Union Pacific Line and the LaGrange Metra Station on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Line.

The PACE 250 Bus makes a stop at the Des Plaines Metra Station on the Union Pacific-Northwest Line. You can use the trip planner to coordinate your travel plans between the bus, the train and our final destination. Adult fare for any bus trip is $1.50.

In order to get to the Chicago O’Hare’s Kiss-n-Fly Station you need to hop on the Airport Transit System (ATS). This is a quick, convenient, and economical way to get around the airport. The ATS is a free, 24-hour rail system that operates between the three domestic terminals, the international terminal, long-term parking, and the Kiss-N-Fly Station. Maximum travel time on this automated train is 9 minutes.

Lastly, if you take the ATA to Kiss-N-Fly station there is a free shuttle that connects to the Metra North Central Line as well.

Due to the fact that there are so many transit options it is much easier if you use the trip planner to find out where you need to go. Simply type in your destination from the airport and the planner can show you the way.

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Oct 22

The Long Haul to the Motor City is Certainly Worth the Bus Fare! (Detroit)

Wednesday 12:10 PM by Cities No Comments »

The Long Haul to Motor City is Certainly Worth the Bus Fare!

The distance from Detroit Metropolitan International Airport to the city of Detroit is about 25 miles. As you can imagine it is quite costly to take a taxi or shuttle from the airport to Detroit. In a brief review of the travel options from DTW to Detroit it appears that a taxi can make the trip for $41 dollars plus tip. After significant research, I have found a great public transportation option that will get you to downtown Detroit.

The public transportation in Wayne County is called SMART. They provide the #125 bus line that travels from Detroit Metro Airport to Downtown Detroit. The upside is that the trip costs $1.50 and you don’t need to transfer in order to make it downtown. The downside is that the trip takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. The #125 bus runs every 30 minutes from 4:40 AM to 11:00 AM heading towards downtown.

IMPORTANT: The #125 alternates between the two terminals at Detroit International Airport. When the bus originates from the McNamara Terminal it does not stop at the Smith Terminal and vice versa. Be sure to check the schedule to see where to catch the bus at the airport. For example, If you find that you are coming into the Smith Terminal yet the bus is leaving from the McNamara Terminal you need to look for the “Airport Terminal to Terminal Shuttle” in order to transfer terminals to catch the bus.

The last stop for the #125 bus is at Larned & St. Antoine in downtown Detroit. This intersection is in the heart of metro Detroit and is approximately 1.7 miles from the Detroit Medical Center which encompasses Detroit Receiving Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Harper University Hospital and The VA Medical Center. I would suggest simply catching a taxi to your final destination if it is close by or preparing your trip using the Trip Planner if you want to take public transportation the entire way.

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Oct 15

Secrets of Budget Travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan

Wednesday 11:10 AM by Cities No Comments »

Secrets of Budget Travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan

To be honest, there are very few options when traveling from Detroit Metropolitan International Airport to Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is 20 miles from the airport which is about a 30-45 minute drive. Unfortunately, there is currently no easy or worthwhile way to get from the airport to Ann Arbor by public transportation. This blog will focus on the private transportation options that are provided in the area.

Without a doubt, the cheapest way to travel from the Airport to Ann Arbor is a service called The Michigan Flyer. I have personally taken this shuttle bus and it is an incredible option in a place where there are so few. To start, this shuttle bus costs $15 dollars for a one way trip, which is significantly less than the other options available. In addition, the shuttle is equipped with wireless internet as well as free bottled water. How can you beat that? The bus makes 7 trips a day from the Detroit Metro Airport to Ann Arbor starting at 6:25am and the last bus leaving at 10:20pm. The bus runs every 2 to 3 hours during that time.

It is important to note that the bus only drops off at one location which is the Four Points Sheraton located at 3200 Boardwalk Ave Ann Arbor, MI 48108. The Four Points Sheraton is located a few miles from The University of Michigan and the adjacent medical center. There is a bus that runs directly from the Four Points Sheraton to The University of Michigan, which is Route #36 on Ann Arbor Transit Authority. The bus will drop you off in a very central portion of the university, which in my opinion, is a short walk to the medical center. If you are interested in traveling directly to the medical center I would use the trip planner starting at 3200 Boardwalk Ave Ann Arbor, MI and ending at 500 E. Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI.

I want to be very explicit in explaining where to catch the #36 bus to avoid any confusion or frustration. When you get off the Michigan Flyer you will see a Wendy’s adjacent to the hotel. Follow Boardwalk Ave in that direction. As you pass a section of trees separating the Wendy’s from the hotel you will see two large towers about 1 block away. The building facing you will say 777. This is not the building that you need to walk to. The closer building is called Wolverine Tower. The #36 bus picks up in the parking lot of this building. Simply walk to this building and you will see a sign marking where the #36 bus stops. Any #36 bus that stops here will be going directly to The University of Michigan.

This bus trip will cost you only 1$. Importantly, the #36 bus has no weekend service and has a different schedule when U of M is not in session. Please check the Schedules for this bus route on the AATA website or verify the schedule with the trip planner for the day you will travel. I personally traveled on a weekend and found another option using the trip planner, however it will probably not be as convenient. The other option is to plan your trip directly to your hotel from where the Michigan Flyer drops you off.

I know what you are thinking - This is way too much of a hassle. Let me do the math for you so that you will see that it is worth it. Round trip transportation using the Michigan Flyer and public transportation costs $32. The only other ways to get to Ann Arbor are to rent a car or take a taxi. By my estimates, renting a car with gas and insurance for only one day will probably cost $50 to $60. Secondly, the cheapest taxi I know of is ~$35 one way. If you include tip that is close to ~$80 round trip. Bottom line is that if you can find a great deal on a rental car and you are only planning to stay one day then go for it. However, if a rental car isn’t an option don’t waste ~$50 when you have the know how to get there for much less.

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Oct 09

North Jersey/NYC - The Endless Possibilities of Public Transportation from Newark Liberty Airport

Thursday 5:10 PM by Cities No Comments »

North Jersey/NYC - The Endless Possibilities of Public Transportation from Newark Liberty Airport

If you are flying into Newark, NJ the absolute fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get around is using public transportation. Even with an incredible deal on a rental car, if you add the hassle and cost of parking, public transportation can’t be beat. If you have never used big city public transportation previously, this may seem daunting but it is actually quite easy.

The best part about Newark Liberty Airport is the AIRTRAIN. No matter where you are headed in this metropolitan region you are going to need to board the Airtrain. There are stops at every terminal and signs clearly indicate where you need to go in order to board. The most important aspect to understand is the ticketing system as it may be confusing at first glance. If you are traveling from terminal to terminal there is no charge. You can choose to buy a ticket while you are in the Newark Airport or you can buy one at the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station. Therefore, you do not actually need to buy a ticket prior to getting on the Airtrain. However, if you take the train past the last terminal with the intention of going to the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station you are going to eventually have to buy a ticket for Airtrain. It is deceiving because once you get off the train you are at the Newark Airport Train Station and think that you just got a free ride. However, because riders at this station can only have come from the airport the machines at this station automatically add the Airtrain fee to your ticket purchase.

If you purchased your ticket at the actual Newark Airport, DO NOT throw away your ticket once you are off the Airtrain. The Airtrain ticket also serves as the ticket you will use for NJ Transit or AMTRAK. When you buy your original ticket your origin will be the Newark Airport and depending on your destination the additional fee will be added accordingly. On NJ Transit trains you need to show your ticket to the conductor when they come by asking for tickets.

In addition, when traveling in the reverse direction make sure to purchase your ticket with Newark Liberty Airport as your final destination. When traveling to the airport you actually have to put your ticket through a machine at a turnstile in order to get on to the Airtrain.

The AIRTRAIN costs $5.50 and typically runs every couple of minutes between 5 AM and 12AM. It runs every 15 minutes between 12AM and 4:45AM.


To Destinations on Northeast Corridor Line

As you will see when you buy your ticket the NJ Transit train can take you to a number of cities throughout Northern and Central New Jersey.

Newark Penn Station is one stop up from the airport station and total cost is $8.50 taking about 30 minutes from the actual airport. Here you can transfer to a variety of options of public transportation. The main option would be to take the PATH Train to either Jersey City, Hoboken, or Lower Manhattan. There are also several other NJ Transit lines to all over NJ including the Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coastline to which you would transfer to at Newark Penn Station. The best way to decipher these options is to use the NJ Transit Trip Planner.

Trenton, NJ is a 60 minute train ride from the Newark Airport Station and cost a total of $14.75. It is possible to connect to Philadelphia from here but I won’t comment on that now.

New York Penn Station is a 30 minute train ride from The Newark Airport Station and cost a total of $15.

New Brunswick, NJ is a 30 minute train ride from The Newark Airport Station and cost a total of $12.75.

Princeton, NJ is a 45 minute train ride from The Newark Airport Station and cost a total of $14.

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Oct 01

Southern California’s FlyAway Airport Shuttle from LAX is Cheap, Easy and Convenient – Los Angeles

Wednesday 2:10 PM by Cities, The website No Comments »

Southern California’s FlyAway Airport Shuttle from LAX is Cheap, Easy and Convenient

The FlyAway Airport Shuttle bus is one of the best deals you will ever find while traveling around the country. This is a 24 hour, 7 days a week non-stop shuttle service between LAX and several destinations in and around Los Angeles. The best part of the deal is that it only costs $4 for a one-way ticket. The three destinations to choose from include Van Nuys, Union Station and Westwood. When riding from the airport the classic blue buses pick-up passengers on the lower level of the airport terminal in areas marked by green signs reading “FlyAway Buses and Long-Distance Vans”.

To Westwood

Westwood is where UCLA is located and this service will drop you off within a few blocks of the UCLA Medical Center. Specifically, the Westwood stop is located at the UCLA parking structure 32, located at Kinross Avenue and Weyburn Place. This is a non-stop trip that takes about 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. According to the website, the LAX to Westwood Service runs 24 hrs a day and shuttles leave every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour from either destination.

To Union Station

Union Station is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. It is essentially the key hub for public and private transportation options such as Metrolink, Metro Rail System, LA County Public Transportation, City of Los Angeles Public Transit, Orange County Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and a few others. Essentially if you are traveling to a city closer to LAX than Los Angeles itself, I would investigate that cities public transportation options directly from the airport. For example there is a Santa Monica Blue Bus that goes directly from the Airport to Santa Monica. However, if the place you are headed to does not have a direct line from the airport then Union Station will most likely have a connection. Your best bet is to use the LA County Merto Transportation Trip Planner to ensure that you get the best route.

The FlyAway shuttle travels to Bus Stop 9 at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station. Passengers will enter on the Vignes Street side of Union Station. Depending on traffic conditions, travel times each way can range from 30-50 minutes. According to the website, the LAX to Union Station Service runs 24 hrs a day and shuttles leave every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour from either destination. However from 1 AM to 5 AM the bus service runs hourly.

To Van Nuys

The LAX FlyAway service operates from the FlyAway Bus Terminal located at 7610 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys. This is directly next to the Van Nuys Airport. Depending on traffic conditions, travel times each way can range from 35-60 minutes. According to the website, the LAX to Union Station Service runs 24 hrs a day and shuttles leave every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour from either destination. From 4:30 AM to 9:30 AM the bus leaves every 15 minutes. However from 12 AM to 4 AM the bus service runs hourly.

I know LA seems like a tough sell on using public transportation. However it seems confusing because there are tons and tons of options. The best bet is to use the LA County Merto Transportation Trip Planner to ensure that you get the best route. However it is important to realize that the FlyAway service is an extremely convenient and cheap way that can get you to the central locations in Los Angeles County. The best part is that is a Non-Stop Service. From that point you can connect to a wealth of public transportation to get you to your final destination.

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Oct 01

Simple Savings with Public Transportation in Salt Lake City

Wednesday 10:10 AM by Cities No Comments »

Simple Savings with Public Transportation in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City(SLC) is a simple conservative place and so is its public transportation. If you take the time to understand its capacity it will go a long way to helping you save money when traveling to SLC. The cornerstone of cheap transportation in SLC is the new Central Station/Intermodal Hub. It is the epicenter of a variety of transportation options interchanging all in one place. It is the junction of Amtrak, FrontRunner commuter rail, TRAX light rail, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) buses and Greyhound buses.

From SLC International Airport

Basically there is one option and that is the Route 550 that runs from the airport to SL Central station. It runs every half an hour from 6:40 AM to 10:40 PM. It takes about 20 minutes to get to SL Central station if you take the express and about 45 minutes if you take the local route. The local route runs 3 times a day (6:40 AM, 7:40 AM and 8:40 AM). Otherwise the express route runs every 30 minutes. The price to ride the bus is only $2 and make sure to get a transfer because you are going to have to switch to the train.

Once you get to Central Station the next step would be to switch to the train called TRAX. Look for TRAX Route 702 -University Line (Eastbound). You won’t need to show your transfer to anyone before boarding the train, so just hop on. This train’s last stop is Utah University Medical Center. It is a 30 minute train ride to the “U”. It is as simple as that!

Personally if you are planning on doing some sightseeing or taking public transportation back to your hotel, I would suggest getting the all day pass which costs $5.

To Ogden

If you are headed to Ogden there is a brand new option that travels from Central Station. It is called the FrontRunner Commuter Rail and cost $10 to travel to the Ogden Intermodal Center. A one way trip takes about 1 hour from Salt Lake City to Ogden. This train runs Northbound from 4:25 AM to 11:25 PM.

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Sep 08

Guide to Saving Mucho Dinero in Southern Florida — Fort Lauderdale

Monday 2:09 PM by Cities No Comments »

Which Airports to Use

In general, there are three airports to choose from when traveling to South Florida (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int - FLL, West Palm Beach Int - PBI, Miami Int, MIA). The Miami International Airport is located 33 miles from Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beach Airport is 44 miles from Fort Lauderdale. The great thing about these 3 airports is that they are all connected by a commuter train called Tri-Rail. This allows you the option to fly into any airport and travel to your final destination very easily. I personally have taken the 45-minute Tri-Rail ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami, and it is cheap, clean and easy.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport

When flying into Fort Lauderdale the closest airport is Fort Lauderdale International (FLL). No matter where your final destination, access to all public transportation can be found on the lower level of the airport. There are several signs posted that will let you know where you need to go. There is only bus transportation directly from the airport. Specifically, Broward County Transit (BCT) Route 1 runs about every 20 -30 minutes from about 5:30am until about 11:30pm daily. The bus goes between downtown, the airport, and Aventura Mall. Buses can be picked up at terminal one, between terminal 2 and 3, and between terminals 3 and 4. I would suggest using the Trip Planner feature to figure out exactly how to get to your specific destination directly from the airport.

Miami International Airport

If you are intending to travel from MIA to Fort Lauderdale you want to head over to the Tri-Rail. There will be a shuttle at the bus transportation center that transports passengers to the Tri-Rail station, which is approximately 1 mile away. There are several Tri-Rail Stops along the way from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and it is about a 45-minute trip to the Miami Airport costing $3. From my experience, if you are going to the Fort Lauderdale the best option is to take the free shuttle from the train station to the airport and utilize any of the shuttles, cabs or buses that service the airport. For example, a person could take the Tri-Rail from MIA to FLL, free shuttle to airport, then free hotel shuttle. It seems more complicated than it actually is, but if you save 50-100 dollars on a flight it certainly is worth it.

Palm Beach International Airport

PBI also has quite a few budget airlines including Sun Country which is not available at Fort Lauderdale International. When traveling to Fort Lauderdale you may want to check what PBI has to offer, because there may be specific deals that would make it a more attractive option. For example, you may find a Southwest Ding Fare to Palm Beach that would be much cheaper than flying into FLL. Regardless, there is a free shuttle on the lower level of the airport that will take passengers to the Tri-Rail Station. It is about a 50-minute trip to the Fort Lauderdale Airport costing $5.00. Take the train to the FLL Airport station stop and another free shuttle will take you over to the airport. Once at the terminal you can utilize any of the shuttles, cabs or buses that service the airport.

Remember for the most up to date and accurate travel plans use the Trip Planner.
If you are in a hurry or would much rather take a shuttle there is one relatively cheap option from FLL. The Go Airport Shuttle is a great deal from FLL for about $11 to $18 to most destinations in Fort Lauderdale.

Visit the Fort Lauderdale page.

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Aug 03

Guide to Saving Mucho Dinero in Southern Florida — Miami

Sunday 2:08 PM by Cities No Comments »

Which Airports to Use

In general, there are three airports to choose from when traveling to South Florida (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int - FLL, West Palm Beach Int - PBI, Miami Int, MIA). The Fort Lauderdale Airport is located 24 miles from Miami. This airport has by far the most budget airline options, 6 total, and all but one are not available at MIA. I would suggest at least taking a look to see if any of the budget airline options are available for you to take advantage of, no matter where your final destination. In addition, the Palm Beach Aiport is 69 miles from Miami. The great thing about these 3 airports is that they are all connected by a commuter train called Tri-Rail. This allows you the option to fly into any airport and travel to your final destination very easily. I personally have taken the 45 minute Tri-Rail ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami, and it is cheap, clean and easy. There are also several other more convenient options that we have found as well which are discussed below.

Miami International Airport

When flying into Miami the closest airport is Miami International (MIA), no matter where your final destination, access to all public transportation can be found on the lower level of the airport. There are several signs posted that will let you know where you need to go. If you are headed into downtown Miami, South Beach or the Coral Cables Area you most likely want to take a bus. I would suggest using the Trip Planner feature to figure out exactly how to get to your specific Miami destination directly from the airport.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport

As mentioned previously, Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) has by far the most budget airline options, 6 total, and all but one are not available at MIA. If you are headed to Miami there is a free shuttle on the lower level of the airport that will take passengers to the Tri-Rail Station. Simply hop on the shuttle and you will be at the Tri-Rail station in less than 5 minutes. It is about a 45 minute trip to the Miami Airport costing 3 dollars.
Take the train to the last stop and another free shuttle will take you over to the Miami Airport. At the airport there are several buses to choose from depending on your final destination. Keep in mind that there is the option of getting off the Tri-Rail at the Metrorail Transfer station (2 stops before MIA) and switching to a local train headed downtown. It may seem a bit confusing but it is definitely quicker if your final destination is downtown Miami.

Actually, if you use the Trip Planner from FLL to your final destination it will figure out which way is the best option for you. Also remember that there are plenty of stops in between if you are not going to one of the main cities, but still want to use public transportation. The Tri-Rail website has a list of stations and the types of local transportation that service various stations.

Palm Beach International Airport

PBI also has quite a few budget airlines including Sun Country which is not available at Fort Lauderdale but is available at MIA. When traveling to Miami there usually will not be a reason to choose Palm Beach Airport over Fort Lauderdale Airport. It probably will be about the same price for the ticket and FLL is much closer to Miami. However, there may be specific deals for people flying into PBI that would make it a more attractive option. Regardless, there is a free shuttle on the lower level of the airport that will take passengers to the Tri-Rail Station. It is about a 1 hour and 45 minute trip to the Miami Airport costing $5.50. Take the train to the last stop and another free shuttle will take you over to the MIA airport. At the station there are several buses to choose from depending on your final destination.

There is a detailed list of buses serving the Miami International Airport on the Airport Public Transit Directory. However for the most up to date and accurate travel plans use the Trip Planner.

If you are in a hurry or would much rather take a shuttle there is one relatively cheap option from both FLL and MIA. The Go Airport Shuttle is a great deal from FLL for about $19 to most destinations in Miami. Supper Shuttle is available from the Miami International Airport to most destinations in Miami for much cheaper than taking a cab.

Visit the Miami page.

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Jun 08

Travel Savings Tips that Will Hit the Right Tune in the Music City — Nashville

Sunday 9:06 AM by Cities No Comments »

The only airport option is Nashville International Airport (BNA) and unfortunately the only budget airline is Southwest. In addition, Nashville is certainly not well known for its public transportation, but this blog will help you find an easy and cheap way to get around. With the price of gas steadily creeping upwards, the addition on an hourly bus from the airport to downtown is great news and should help traveling to the Music City become a lot cheaper.

Public Transportation from BNA

Nashville Metropolitan Transit Association operates one bus to and from the Airport, Route 18 (Elm Hill Pike/Airport). For the purposes of this blog this route basically runs between the Nashville Airport and the Downtown Transfer Center. Essentially, wherever your final destination you are going to need to transfer downtown if you take the bus from the airport. Don’t let this be discouraging, as Nashville is not a huge city and transferring is quite easy.

Route 18 runs from the airport to downtown starting at 7:10 am until 10:45 pm. It runs approximately every hour. An express bus runs from 7:10 am to 11:15 am and then starts up again at 6:45 pm. The express route takes about 20 to 25 minutes while the local route takes 30 to 35 minutes. Oppositely, Route 18 from downtown starts at 6:15 am and runs until 10:15 pm. The express bus runs from 12:50 pm until the last bus at 10:15 pm. Typically, the cost for the express bus is $1.85 and for the local bus is $1.35 for a one-way trip. A unique feature of Nashville MTA is that all the buses accept debit or credit cards in addition to the normal cash fare boxes.

Getting to your final destination

Once you have arrived downtown there are several options for transfer depending on where in the city you are planning to visit. If you are headed to Vanderbilt Medical Center or Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital there is a direct route on Bus #7 (Green Hills) that will take you to those destinations with no transfers. If you are headed to Baptist Hospital Bus #3 (West End) and Bus #10 (Charlotte) both service that destination. Vanderbilt University Undergraduate Campus can be reached by taking Bus #3 (West End). Lastly, Meharry Medical College and Metro General Hospital can be reached by taking either Bus # 19 (Herman) or Bus # 25 (Midtown). All of the routes and destinations listed above will get you directly to your destination without any transfers. This is merely an overview, a more detailed itinerary can be found using the Trip Planner.

Shuttles

There are also some cheap alternatives to taking a taxi from the airport if public transportation is not your style. If you are headed to Vanderbilt Medical Center, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital or Vanderbilt Undergraduate Campus you may want to take the Grayline Airport Express. This shuttle only makes certain pre-determined stops and you want to request Vanderbilt Medical Center for any of the above destinations. The cost is only $12 dollars one way and $20 dollars roundtrip. I believe if you mention you are student you can get a round trip for $15, which is a great deal. This shuttle will also take you to any of the hotels in the downtown or Vanderbilt area for the same price. The hotels they travel to are listed on their website — Grayline Airport Express. The second option is Supper Shuttle, which can take you to more specific destinations throughout the city. The easiest way is to call Supper Shuttle with the zip code of where you are headed and they will let you know if they service your destination. The cost will typically be $15 dollars for a one way and $30 for a round trip. Supper Shuttle would be a very good option if you are heading to Baptist or Metro General Hospitals.

Just for comparison, it costs about $25 dollars one way to take a taxi from the airport.

Visit the Nashville page.

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Apr 08

Guide to Washington DC Metro, A Great Option for a Wealth of Savings

Tuesday 9:04 AM by Cities No Comments »

In continuing in my east coast swing of guides to public transportation, it is only fitting to add Washington DC to the mix in order to complement the previous Baltimore Blog. It really doesn’t get any easier than the setup in DC because there are a ton of options which are easy to use and best of all, cheap!


Which Airports to Use?

There are the same 3 airport options for Washington DC as were for Baltimore. As mentioned before, depending on the part of the country your flying from as well as how much extra time you have on your hands any of the airports could possibly be the right choice. BWI is the airport for Baltimore and is located about 12 miles from downtown Baltimore and 32 miles from Washington DC. Regan Airport (DCA) is 4 miles from Washington DC and 40 miles from Baltimore. Lastly, Washington-Dulles Airport (IAD) is in Northern Virginia and is 27 miles from Washington DC and 60 miles from Baltimore. There is a significant tradeoff when flying into Dulles as far as a greater distance away, however there are an abundance of budget airlines that fly to Dulles that might just make the trip worth it.


Traveling from Regan International Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport to Washington DC

The best way to get somewhere and get there cheap in DC is to use the famed Metro Subway System. If you have a flight into Regan National (DCA) it couldn’t be easier to get into the city because the airport has its own Metro stop. There is an elevated Metrorail station connected to the concourse level of terminals B and C at Regan National Airport. Metrorail fare cards may be purchased at machines located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station. The line that stops at this station is the yellow line and it will take you into the heart of the city. If you happen to be looking for Union Station you just need to transfer to the Red Line at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Stop. For all other destinations, use the simple Trip Planner that they have on their site.

Washington-Dulles Airport (IAD) is not serviced by train or the Washington DC Metro Subway. The best bet is to take an express bus, but it certainly gets the job done. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) offers express bus service between the airport and L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station in downtown Washington DC. It will cost you $3 and the service operates daily from 6:28am until 11:40pm once an hour. A second option is the Washington Washington Flyer Coach Service will take you non-stop to Metro’s West Falls Church Station for just $9 one-way. This is where you can connect to the highly acclaimed DC Metro system and continue on to your final destination.


Traveling to Washington DC from BWI

Basically this is the reverse of what I typed in the Baltimore Blog, but I will summarize again. The best way to get from BWI to Washington DC is to take the MARC Train (Penn Line) from the airport to Union Station. It should cost $6 and you can get on the DC Metro to wherever you need to go. The last and even cheaper bus option called the Greenbelt-BWI Airport Express Line is brought to us by Sara T, another Vandy med student. The bus is a direct connection between BWI airport and Greenbelt–a DC Metrorail stop on the green line. It runs from 7 AM to 11AM on the weekdays but doesn’t start running until 9:15 AM on the weekends. Note the bus runs 7 days per week as opposed to the MARC train and it costs $3.10 so don’t forget to bring change.

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