Public transport to Airports

You know, back in the day, we used to have 3 express bus routes that ran from Downtown Baltimore and 2 suburban hotels straight to BWI Airport, no stops. They were coach-style buses with luggage areas in the bottom of the bus. They were actually very convenient, more expensive than the usual city bus, but a lot cheaper than a taxicab. Then they built the light rail to the airport, plus the Amtrak connection (which requires use of a shuttle bus) and the direct bus went away. The light rail takes about an hour from my stop, driving (or an express bus) would take about 35 minutes. Basically, when I go to the airport, I use a taxi or Uber/Lyft. The light rail isn't that practical.

I'm sure there are others, but the only direct express bus service in the US to an airport (designed for air travelers, not local airport workers) that I know of are the Flyaway buses at LAX. There's even one that connects LAX with LAUS. Unfortunately, the last time I was at LAX, they hadn't yet started the Flyaway Bus service to Long Beach, so I was stuck using a SuperShuttle, which is a converted 12-passenger van that stops at each rider's destination, thus making the trip much longer than it needs to be, but it was a nice tour of various LA suburbs that I never knew existed.

MARC Rider said:

You know, back in the day, we used to have 3 express bus routes that ran from Downtown Baltimore and 2 suburban hotels straight to BWI Airport, no stops. They were coach-style buses with luggage areas in the bottom of the bus. They were actually very convenient, more expensive than the usual city bus, but a lot cheaper than a taxicab. Then they built the light rail to the airport, plus the Amtrak connection (which requires use of a shuttle bus) and the direct bus went away. The light rail takes about an hour from my stop, driving (or an express bus) would take about 35 minutes. Basically, when I go to the airport, I use a taxi or Uber/Lyft. The light rail isn't that practical.

I'm sure there are others, but the only direct express bus service in the US to an airport (designed for air travelers, not local airport workers) that I know of are the Flyaway buses at LAX. There's even one that connects LAX with LAUS. Unfortunately, the last time I was at LAX, they hadn't yet started the Flyaway Bus service to Long Beach, so I was stuck using a SuperShuttle, which is a converted 12-passenger van that stops at each rider's destination, thus making the trip much longer than it needs to be, but it was a nice tour of various LA suburbs that I never knew existed.

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Two direct airport buses that I have personal knowledge of are in Boulder and Boston. In Boulder I rode a coach style bus directly from the downtown bus terminal to DIA. In Boston there is a service called Logan Express that runs nonstop from suburban terminals to Logan.

blueman271 said:

Two direct airport buses that I have personal knowledge of are in Boulder and Boston. In Boulder I rode a coach style bus directly from the downtown bus terminal to DIA. In Boston there is a service called Logan Express that runs nonstop from suburban terminals to Logan.

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Chicago used to have one that stopped right across the street from Union Station. I used it back in 1985 when I flew from Quad Cities to ORD then transferred to the Broadway Limited. I don't know if it still exists. It was a long distance type bus with luggage compartment under the floor.

RideKC has free rides in the Kansas City metro for the rest of 2023. The KC Streetcar (always free) can take you from Union Station to 12th&Main, then you can walk to 11th and Grand to meet Bus 229 which takes about an hour to get to KCI (MCI).

MARC Rider said:

(designed for air travelers, not local airport workers)

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This is a key distinction. A lot of US airports do have bus service but every time I've looked it seemed they were intended primarily or entirely for airport staff and service workers without luggage. ULCC airlines have made discount air travel the new bus travel but their passengers may need to double or triple their airfare just to reach a US airport. Where I live there are two bus services to the airport. One route comes from the McMansion district, where anything below a Range Rover may as well be an oxcart, and the other from downtown. The downtown location has a plausible use for tourists but would be tedious or expensive for use by residents. There is a park and ride near me but no route to the airport. Reaching Amtrak by bus is even worse.

blueman271 said:

Two direct airport buses that I have personal knowledge of are in Boulder and Boston. In Boulder I rode a coach style bus directly from the downtown bus terminal to DIA. In Boston there is a service called Logan Express that runs nonstop from suburban terminals to Logan.

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The Regional Transportation DIstrct (RTD) Rtes AB (Boulder) and AT (Arapahoe - Denver Tech Center) are the remaining lines from the SkyRide network that we launched simultaneously with the opening of Denver International Airport. Rtes AF (Federal Center - Union Station) and AS (Stapleton) were replaced by rail service. Rte AA (Adams County) was replaced by Rte 104L, joining Rtes 145X and 169L as airport worker-oriented services.

SkyRide was successful for two decades by being designed to serve both airport workers and travelers and some coincidental non-airport commuters. Due to the attention given the new airport, and due to its location, we were able to take a number of unusual steps that let it serve multiple purposes.

2015 Sign in Denver Union Station Bus Concourse:


SkyRide used highway coaches for basic service. That policy continues on Rtes AB and AT.

Coach USA still serves ORD, MDW, and MKE to several cities in the Chicago Region. Milwaukee, Rockford, Janesville, Madison, etc to name a few. They also are the same company to serve Chicago Union Station through Amtrak ticketing. Looks like they also serve Newark Airport from a few

Landline also serves Duluth Airport to MSP Airport as part of Sun Country ticketing. I was able to just buy a ticket on Landline alone to get to MSP when my Delta flight was hours delayed. I believe they also do the American "flights" between PHL and the other small cities thats too short to fly to.

https://www.coachusa.com/airport-transportation/newark-airport/temporary-schedule

MARC Rider said:

You know, back in the day, we used to have 3 express bus routes that ran from Downtown Baltimore and 2 suburban hotels straight to BWI Airport, no stops. They were coach-style buses with luggage areas in the bottom of the bus. They were actually very convenient, more expensive than the usual city bus, but a lot cheaper than a taxicab. Then they built the light rail to the airport, plus the Amtrak connection (which requires use of a shuttle bus) and the direct bus went away. The light rail takes about an hour from my stop, driving (or an express bus) would take about 35 minutes. Basically, when I go to the airport, I use a taxi or Uber/Lyft. The light rail isn't that practical.

I'm sure there are others, but the only direct express bus service in the US to an airport (designed for air travelers, not local airport workers) that I know of are the Flyaway buses at LAX. There's even one that connects LAX with LAUS. Unfortunately, the last time I was at LAX, they hadn't yet started the Flyaway Bus service to Long Beach, so I was stuck using a SuperShuttle, which is a converted 12-passenger van that stops at each rider's destination, thus making the trip much longer than it needs to be, but it was a nice tour of various LA suburbs that I never knew existed.

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There used to be a lot more of them...but I believe a combination of intense traffic congestion, as well as more transit services in many places put an end to them.
One of the biggest was Carey Transportation in New York City, which operated between LGA and JFK to the East Side Airlines Terminal, as well as between Newark and the West Side Airlines Terminal, and ran a shuttle linking those two terminals with Grand Central Terminal along 42nd Street. In the '70's, Carey was purchased by the old Greyhound Corporation, which moved out of the terminals, and ran to several large hotels. They eventually sold off their Newark operation, and later still exited the business. The Coach USA schedule I posted above is about all that remains of that, now running from the PABT.

Chicago used to have Continental Air Transport (no relation to the old airline of similar name), between Midway and O'Hare airports to various hotels in the Loop. This company was a descendant of the old Parmalee Stage company that ran horsecars and later buses as the Railroad Transfer Service between all the major Chicago railway terminals. They later sold the RRTS to another old Chicago operatior, Keeshin, and concentrated on the airports. They eventually phased out running buses.

Several other cities had or still have similar, either publicly or privately owned.

Willbridge said:

The Regional Transportation DIstrct (RTD) Rtes AB (Boulder) and AT (Arapahoe - Denver Tech Center) are the remaining lines from the SkyRide network that we launched simultaneously with the opening of Denver International Airport. Rtes AF (Federal Center - Union Station) and AS (Stapleton) were replaced by rail service. Rte AA (Adams County) was replaced by Rte 104L, joining Rtes 145X and 169L as airport worker-oriented services.

SkyRide was successful for two decades by being designed to serve both airport workers and travelers and some coincidental non-airport commuters. Due to the attention given the new airport, and due to its location, we were able to take a number of unusual steps that let it serve multiple purposes.

2015 Sign in Denver Union Station Bus Concourse:
View attachment 33047

SkyRide used highway coaches for basic service. That policy continues on Rtes AB and AT.
View attachment 33048

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Back in the pre-RTD days, besides the Denver Tramway local bus between Downtown and Stapleton Field, a local operator ran Checker Aerobuses express from major hotels to Stapleton. Denver Boulder Bus Company (later absorbed by RTD) ran several local runs from Boulder to Denver's Greyhound Terminal, and then continued on to Stapleton. They also ran express trips from Boulder, nonstop to Stapleton. The local trips in 1973 were only $1.10 all the way to the airport...same as the downtown fee. The expresses cost $3.00. They could not handle any local passengers wholly within Denver city limits.
Continental Trailways also had a few trips between Stapleton and its Denver terminal, which continued on to Colorado Springs and then the Broadmoor Hotel or to Pueblo, including a "Five Star Luxury Service" trip. Again, with a no local traffic restriction.

tgstubbs1 said:

RideKC has free rides in the Kansas City metro for the rest of 2023. The KC Streetcar (always free) can take you from Union Station to 12th&Main, then you can walk to 11th and Grand to meet Bus 229 which takes about an hour to get to KCI (MCI).

View attachment 33040

View attachment 33041

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KC Streetcar is currently upgrading and extending service to the North and South.
https://kcstreetcar.org/about-streetcar/streetcar-riverfront-extension/

However, starting Sept 30 the line will begin a major upgrade
"
The KC Streetcar team is reaching a major milestone in its Main Street Extension project by preparing to “tie in” and connect the extension with the downtown route. In order to complete these critical tie-in construction activities, downtown KC Streetcar service will be temporarily suspended for approximately four weeks.
The temporary service suspension is estimated to begin on September 30, 2024, and last approximately four weeks. All work and scheduling are dependent on weather and other unforeseen circumstances. During this period, the KC Streetcar Constructors will operate 24-hour shifts, including weekend work, to complete the necessary construction.

This construction activity for the next several weeks represents a key step in extending the KC Streetcar system and bringing enhanced transit access to more of Kansas City."


The route already takes passengers close to the Arabia Steamboat Museum in the River Market area but with the extension will take passengers to the Berkley Riverfront.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabia_Steamboat_Museum

The KC Streetcar resumed operations yesterday. There is a new stop for riders to Union Station...
"there will be a change to how northbound riders board the streetcar from Union Station. All passengers wishing to ride north towards downtown and the River Market will now board from the NEW Union Station Northbound Streetcar stop on the east side of Main Street at Pershing Road. As usual, all passengers are required to exit the streetcar at the Union Station Southbound stop."

https://kcstreetcar.org/service/

tgstubbs1 said:

The KC Streetcar resumed operations yesterday. There is a new stop for riders to Union Station...
"there will be a change to how northbound riders board the streetcar from Union Station. All passengers wishing to ride north towards downtown and the River Market will now board from the NEW Union Station Northbound Streetcar stop on the east side of Main Street at Pershing Road. As usual, all passengers are required to exit the streetcar at the Union Station Southbound stop."

https://kcstreetcar.org/service/

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So I'm a little confused... is the KC Streetcar eventually going to serve the airport and this extension gets it closer?

And... why do all passengers have to exit the streetcar at Union Station Southbound?

crescent-zephyr said:

So I'm a little confused... is the KC Streetcar eventually going to serve the airport and this extension gets it closer?

And... why do all passengers have to exit the streetcar at Union Station Southbound?

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I kind of wondered that too, especially since the airport is WAY out of town. It looks like end of the existing route only goes to Union Station (see link to map below).

https://kcstreetcar.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/KC-Streetcar_MSE_RFE_ExtensionAlignments-v2.pdf

crescent-zephyr said:

So I'm a little confused... is the KC Streetcar eventually going to serve the airport and this extension gets it closer?

And... why do all passengers have to exit the streetcar at Union Station Southbound?

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Sorry, here's the way to get to the airport from KC Union Station, which relies on Bus 229 for now. (See post #4)
"The KC Streetcar (always free) can take you from Union Station to 12th&Main, then you can walk to 11th and >>Grand<< to meet Bus 229 which takes about an hour to get to KCI (MCI)."
I should update this as Bus 229 now appears to depart from "on 11th/Petticoat Lane at Main" which is close to 11th and Main, rather than Grand Ave. (this is from Google routes)

I think that the reason all passengers have to exit on the Southbound route is because that's where they turn it around, at least until they complete the tracks going farther south.
"The KC Streetcar route does have an end terminus at Union Station. When passengers travel south on Main Street, they will have to disembark and collect their belongings once at the Union Station stop. At that time, the streetcar operator will perform a sweep of the vehicle to make sure everyone is off and all is safe. Once complete, riders are able to get back on board if they choose."

I've now used public transit from all 3 NYC area airports into and/or out of the city. LaGuardia is definitely the best and cheapest option in my experience.

LaGuardia you can ride a free bus to and from the airport and the Subway station, or take the M60 bus from the airport into the city. Either way you pay $2.90.

JFK you have to take the AirTrain to Jamaica ($8.50) and then pay for the Subway ($2.90) or Long Island Railroad ($3-12).
Direct Bus service is $19.00

Newark you have to take NJ Transit to Newark ($15.75), and then pay the AirTrain ($8.50)
Direct Bus is $22.50

Q-10 no longer goes to JFK?

From either JFK or LGA, you could take an MTA local bus to a subway station and if you use a Metrocard, get s free bus to subway transfer, or vice versa. Total fare: $2.90.

From EWR, you could take NJT BUS 62 to NWK Penn Station, thence PATH train to Manhattan. Total fare: $4.35.

tgstubbs1 said:

"The KC Streetcar route does have an end terminus at Union Station."

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"End terminus" wins prize for Redundant Repetition.

crescent-zephyr said:

I've now used public transit from all 3 NYC area airports into and/or out of the city. LaGuardia is definitely the best and cheapest option in my experience.

LaGuardia you can ride a free bus to and from the airport and the Subway station, or take the M60 bus from the airport into the city. Either way you pay $2.90.

JFK you have to take the AirTrain to Jamaica ($8.50) and then pay for the Subway ($2.90) or Long Island Railroad ($3-12).
Direct Bus service is $19.00

Newark you have to take NJ Transit to Newark ($15.75), and then pay the AirTrain ($8.50)
Direct Bus is $22.50

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I've used all of these methods to/from NYP and the 3 Airports, and agree that La Guardia is by far the easiest to use!

I don't recommend taking the City Bus from the Newark Airport to Newark Penn Station, it is very Slow,crowded and goes thru some less than desirable areas of Newark!

crescent-zephyr said:

Newark you have to take NJ Transit to Newark ($15.75), and then pay the AirTrain ($8.50)
Direct Bus is $22.50

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Amtrak and NJT fares to EWR Station include the $8.50 AirTrain fee. The NJT fare from NYP to EWR is now $16.80. The Amtrak fare is as low as $5 outbound to EWR, and $10 inbound to NYP, which is an odd way to not make back the $8.50 x 2. By highway, the tunnels and bridges are only tolled inbound though. I recall previously the $8.50 was noticeable in Amtrak fares by comparing to Metropark and Newark Penn.

Since EWR Station is only accessible by rail, the scenarios where you would pay the $8.50 directly would be 1. if you didn't know you could scan your rail ticket at the AirTrain gate; 2. if you bought an AirTrain ticket to EWR Station and then then bought an Amtrak or NJT ticket on the platform, using your phone, because you wanted to make sure you got the next available train; or 3. you tried to cheat and bought a ticket to a further station south on the NEC but got off at EWR Station. Correct?

NJT can be super crowded so luggage can be an issue. (When it gets that way the conductors cannot check tickets, many of which are monthly passes anyway.) Amtrak reservations on the other hand have the disadvantage that your plane may be late arriving at EWR.

It is possible to walk from NJT's North Elizabeth station to EWR and save the fee! Not that bad, but it takes a while. I did it once when bumped to a nearby airport hotel, in order to go to a Pathmark grocery store. By the way, it was not the hotel in the bowl of the airport, the one which might be demolished in the expansion plans. The PANYNJ is not saying either way, when asked.

The outrageous thing about the AirTrain fees at EWR and JFK is that taxi and Uber/Lyft airport fees are about half the $8.50. EWR even has a sophisticated geolocating feature supported by Uber/Lyft that charges a smaller fee for trips within New Jersey, or something complicated about NJ vs. NY. And personal cars of course are free. All this while congestion at EWR, on the roads and at the tarmac gates, is epic. Back in my day... People Express airline started up by taking advantage of an entire empty terminal at EWR.

Trollopian said:

"End terminus" wins prize for Redundant Repetition.

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I get the feeling they might have had some problems with people riding in an 'endless loop', so they are making sure people understand they have to get off. Probably not unusual for a 'free' service.

crescent-zephyr said:

LaGuardia you can ride a free bus to and from the airport and the Subway station, or take the M60 bus from the airport into the city. Either way you pay $2.90.

JFK you have to take the AirTrain to Jamaica ($8.50) and then pay for the Subway ($2.90) or Long Island Railroad ($3-12). Direct Bus service is $19.00

Newark you have to take NJ Transit to Newark ($15.75), and then pay the AirTrain ($8.50) Direct Bus is $22.50

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Do any of these options cater to people with luggage? I travel light but anything more than a small bag is heavy travel for most forms of public transit.

Trollopian said:

"End terminus" wins prize for Redundant Repetition.

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Makes me wonder what the appropriate term is for situations like Tampa Union Station (a terminal that is not the end of the route).

Devil's Advocate said:

Do any of these options cater to people with luggage? I travel light but anything more than a small bag is heavy travel for most forms of public transit.


Makes me wonder what the appropriate term is for situations like Tampa Union Station (a terminal that is not the end of the route).

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It’s a station. A building can be a terminal and still be a station on a route. Cincinnati Union Terminal comes to mind. The many terminal stations on the Southern Railway also.

Devil's Advocate said:

Do any of these options cater to people with luggage? I travel light but anything more than a small bag is heavy travel for most forms of public transit.


Makes me wonder what the appropriate term is for situations like Tampa Union Station (a terminal that is not the end of the route).

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There is another route to/from LaGuardia. From Manhattan you can take the LIRR to Woodside or the E, F, or M train to Jackson Heights and then transfer to the Q70 bus. The bus has luggage racks if memory serves and the LIRR has luggage racks (although I’m not sure how big of a bag can fit on them).

JamesWhitcombRiley said:

Amtrak and NJT fares to EWR Station include the $8.50 AirTrain fee.

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Oh interesting, the sign said "Amtrak Passengers scan your tickets" so I assumed that NJT riders had to pay for the AirTrain but maybe the turnstyles take the NJ Transit tickets? The way it is set up I almost just tapped my credit card until I saw the sign that said "Amtrak passengers scan your ticket" - they probably did that on purpose.

Devil's Advocate said:

Do any of these options cater to people with luggage? I travel light but anything more than a small bag is heavy travel for most forms of public transit.

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I'm fine with my Travelpro Rollerboard, carryon bag. I don't love carrying it up and down steps at the subway stations but so far it's worth the difference in paying for an Uber.

crescent-zephyr said:

Oh interesting, the sign said "Amtrak Passengers scan your tickets" so I assumed that NJT riders had to pay for the AirTrain but maybe the turnstyles take the NJ Transit tickets? The way it is set up I almost just tapped my credit card until I saw the sign that said "Amtrak passengers scan your ticket" - they probably did that on purpose.

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Maybe the NJT signage is there somewhere. Or you just have to know!

NJT has some caveats about this service:

• If possible, plan to travel during off-peak hours or on weekends, especially if you are traveling with children. (Peak hours are weekdays between 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.)
• Travel light. Available space for luggage is limited.
• If your flight arrives after the Newark Liberty International Airport Station has closed for the evening, you will need to take alternate ground transportation to your final destination. [Open 6am - midnight.]
• Ridesharing (Uber/Lyft/Taxi): Ridesharing services are not available directly at Newark Liberty International Airport Station.

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So that makes 3/3 NYC area major airports with imperfect transit connections! I am glad NJT mentions all that. It also mentions what may be the most common way you'd end up paying the $8.50 separately. You can still buy a train ticket for cash on board a NJT train, and in that case you don't get the AirTrain included. There is a $5 surcharge, except in some cases, etc. https://www.njtransit.com/destinations/newark-liberty-international-airport

NJT is an amazing system that runs almost all local buses in the state. There are many complexities to the fares and schedules, and special cases. I recall reading that in the 1980s it was rated one of the best transit systems in the country, but maybe that was marketing. Back then fewer cities even had rail transit, and NJT and MTA had just taken over from Conrail.

Back to the airport, the Airtrain endpoints are the Amtrak/NJT station and Terminal A. Someone on Google Maps reviews complained they wanted to use it as a train station, but couldn't. No street level access. They'd pay an extra $8.50 for the privilege anyway, unless they paid cash on board NJT, and then might pay the $5 cash surcharge.

The other things you'd expect at a multimodal airport station are at the Terminal A stop: parking, car rentals, buses, taxis, shuttles. Except for Terminal A itself. That is a short shuttle ride from the Terminal A stop, until some future date. It is outside the main road loop though, so that's something.

I called a customer service/complaint thing at EWR once over an unrelated issue with a taxi and felt well enough taken care of, so I'd just say, talk to people when you're in such a maze of complexity and high population. The Garden State can be quite beautiful. "They're not rude, they're just in a hurry" applies more to New York.