I've used it several times, excellent system as you said!
Public transport to Airports
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Ahhh... The People's State of Austin. I used to check with a couple of the downtown hotels. For a 20 I could usually cumshaw a hotel shuttle ride.
Agreed.
Mid-size airports are often hassle free (one reason I like Logan: large international hub with the size and feel of a mid-size airport).
Only issue is that mid-size airports are often in car-dependent areas of the country. And these places don’t exactly see a lot of tourists, so ridership is very low. It’s a shame, since places like Boston and NYC would kill for the rail transit integration that Cleveland and St. Louis have.
I didn’t expect to see Boston on Ray’s list. Counting the blue line as rail transit to Boston is a stretch since Airport station quite a ways by shuttle. Once the red-blue connector hits however, that will make it more viable for me at least. The silver line is great, so long as there’s no traffic, which is never…
Someone touted the idea of Boston building a brand new airport in the Gillette stadium area, accomplishing twofold: opening up a large piece of prime land for development in a housing-strapped city, and allowing for a brand new, fast rail connection to and from South Station - if you could get it down to a 20-25 minute ride with 15 minute frequency, it would be a no brainer. Given how fast Boston’s air traffic grows, it may be something to consider in the 50-100 year timeline.
A weakness in the CityNerd ranking is that he didn't adjust for the distances, a feature that affects running times -- which he did use in rankings.
My favorite of all is the SEPTA Regional Rail line to Philadelphia International.
It makes three different stops at the airport, minimizing the need to walk far or use a separate “people mover” for many. And it makes several convenient stops Center City, as well as great train and transit connections along the way.
For a brief period, Amtrak even ran on it (Atlantic City trains)…
It makes three different stops at the airport, minimizing the need to walk far or use a separate “people mover” for many. And it makes several convenient stops Center City, as well as great train and transit connections along the way.
For a brief period, Amtrak even ran on it (Atlantic City trains)…
Interesting. It appears that use of MHT and ORH as satellite airports for the Boston metro area never really took off (no pun intended). Doesn't help that both have poor or nonexistent transit connections, MHT particularly being in NH which has been unalterably opposed to any kind of transportation that doesn't involve rubber tires on asphalt.
SubwayNut
Conductor
Don't forget that T.F. Green Airport has a stop on the Northeast Corridor. I used this connection (as quasi-intended) on a recent trip to Boston. I flew into T.F. Green Late at night (flight was cheaper than Boston), walked to the Commuter Rail Station using the Interlink (a series of moving walkways) spent the night in the Hyatt Place (got a very reasonable rate), who's parking lot would be the parking lot for the Commuter Rail if it wasn't for the hotel. The next day I was on the Commuter Rail into Boston where my wallet feeling good because the Flight + Hotel night at TF Green Airport was signifigantly cheaper than anything I could find in Boston, where I ironically spent another night at the Hyatt Boston Harbor, right next to Logan Airport (only place I could use a Hyatt Free Night Certificate, Boston hotel prices aint cheap) before catching a bus to Vermont to continue my little trip.
In that case, they should have no trouble running express buses.
Concord Coach has hourly service between Concord and Boston, which runs right by the Manchester airport, but doesn't stop there.
Given the usual traffic in the Concord-Manchester area, buses would work fine if they were frequent enough and convenient.
Greyhound also serves MHT a few times a day with service to Boston.
The local transit authority has a bus from the city to the airport and an express bus to Nashua.
Note that at present Amtrak does not stop at TF Green, only MBTA commuter trains.
A big drawback to that service is that it doesn't run on weekends - trains only go as far as Providence.
One could take the RIPTA Route 1 bus from the airport downtown, but that doesn't run very often on weekends, about once an hour.
acelafan
Conductor
My friend introduced me to this airport train a few years ago - I agree, it's super convenient and easy to use!My favorite of all is the SEPTA Regional Rail line to Philadelphia International.
It makes three different stops at the airport, minimizing the need to walk far or use a separate “people mover” for many. And it makes several convenient stops Center City, as well as great train and transit connections along the way.
For a brief period, Amtrak even ran on it (Atlantic City trains)…
Maverickstation
Lead Service Attendant
The Commuter Service to TF Green Airport is limited to the trains that Rhode Island funds to run south of Providence. The lack of weekend/holiday service renders it useless for many of us.
Then again for airport access we live in Boston in Eastie (East Boston), and we can walk onto the airport grounds, and catch the shuttle buses to the various terminals. When we rent a car I rent it right from Logan and the Rent A Car Center we can walk directly to.
Ken
Then again for airport access we live in Boston in Eastie (East Boston), and we can walk onto the airport grounds, and catch the shuttle buses to the various terminals. When we rent a car I rent it right from Logan and the Rent A Car Center we can walk directly to.
Ken
west point
Engineer
Rail access either commuter or local rail cannot beat Atlanta airport. MARTA rail station is in the airport terminal. It provides less walking to all checkin spots for all domestic flights. The station is even closer to baggage claim with fewer steps to the MARTA station. Yes, some of the other airports may have some airlines closer but no airport IMO that has rail service can meet the overall access for all airlines.
Have not seen figures in years for Marta riders but at one time over 10% of riders for the whole rail system used ATL airport station. Then there is some airport patrons not counted that use College Park MARTA station remote parking lot connecting to airport by bus.
Have not seen figures in years for Marta riders but at one time over 10% of riders for the whole rail system used ATL airport station. Then there is some airport patrons not counted that use College Park MARTA station remote parking lot connecting to airport by bus.
I used the airport Marta station too, way back in 1996. I took Amtrak both ways between Virginia and Atlanta and rode a bus and Marta to get to a conference, which was in a hotel by the airport. 
I used Atlanta airport for the first time (outside of connecting flights) this past June. The transit to the airport was impressive. I arrived at 5am, and saw trains moving, so that got to be good.
Wait time however, was not. It took 90 minutes to get from bag drop to gate. Makes me appreciate so much more what we have up north. I guess that's what comes with the busiest airport in the world.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!
We're flying to Chicago Midway today and plan to take public transport to downtown Chicago (CTA - Orange Line). I've already checked the holiday schedule
https://www.transitchicago.com/orangeline/
and we should be good for our 9:30pm flight arrival time.
My question involves how 'safe' this would be ... on a holiday (late) evening. We're a family of 3 ... 2 adults and one 6th graders who's a hearty kid. We'll each have a backpack and 1 roller bag (carry-on size) for the group ... so not a 'lot' of luggage. Our hotel is about a 4 min walk (1.5 blocks) from the Harold Washington Library stop.
Question: (in your opinion), would you take public transport? Or pay the upgrade for Uber (since it's late on a holiday and we've not familiar with the area ... but have 'walked' the route on google maps).
If we take the Orange Line, I was planning to get the $5 day pass (good for 24-hours). We depart the next day on the CZ, in coach, so need to get to CUS in a comfortable amount of time, as we haven't been there before. Might also do one quick sight-seeing stop on the way to CUS (thinking about https://www.chicagofed.org/education/money-museum/index) .
I know this is extremely last minute. Will be grateful for any advice anyone is able to provide on such short notice. Thank you!
We're flying to Chicago Midway today and plan to take public transport to downtown Chicago (CTA - Orange Line). I've already checked the holiday schedule
https://www.transitchicago.com/orangeline/
and we should be good for our 9:30pm flight arrival time.
My question involves how 'safe' this would be ... on a holiday (late) evening. We're a family of 3 ... 2 adults and one 6th graders who's a hearty kid. We'll each have a backpack and 1 roller bag (carry-on size) for the group ... so not a 'lot' of luggage. Our hotel is about a 4 min walk (1.5 blocks) from the Harold Washington Library stop.
Question: (in your opinion), would you take public transport? Or pay the upgrade for Uber (since it's late on a holiday and we've not familiar with the area ... but have 'walked' the route on google maps).
If we take the Orange Line, I was planning to get the $5 day pass (good for 24-hours). We depart the next day on the CZ, in coach, so need to get to CUS in a comfortable amount of time, as we haven't been there before. Might also do one quick sight-seeing stop on the way to CUS (thinking about https://www.chicagofed.org/education/money-museum/index) .
I know this is extremely last minute. Will be grateful for any advice anyone is able to provide on such short notice. Thank you!
Walking in downtown Chicago in the Winter is very dependent on the Weather!
If its not bitterly Cold and Snowing, you should be fine using the Orange Line.
The area around the Washington Library is busy most times, and should be totally safe, so I wouldn't pay for Ride Share if the weather is OK.
@Bob Dylan Thank you very much for the response!
Metra Electric Rider
Engineer
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Probably too late for you but a group should be fine but be forewarned that there may be anti-social behavior on the L. Depending on where your hotel is I might use a different station than Library - there is an unpleasant park adjacent to it (would ride around the loop and get off on Wabash if that's closer- or LaSalle/Van Buren, next stop west). Weather is quite mild, but even in winter, downtown is almost always good for snow removal.
@Metra Electric Rider … thank you also for the response. We just landed at Midway (9:50 pm on Dec 25) and are still planning to give it a go on the Orange Line. I greatly appreciate the heads up so we can embark on our CTA adventure with our ‘eyes wide open’.
NorthShore
Conductor
While you might encounter homeless people on the train, the ride on the Orange Line at this time should be reasonably fine. If you're concerned about safety, just find an L car with other people and obvious flight travelers or airport employees on board, and sit there.
If I were visiting relatives, who live near Midway, for Christmas this is how I would be getting there/back tonight. I've certainly ridden it in the past on Christmas night (once or twice with my mom to visit my sister.). And it's how I got to relatives a couple of weeks ago. I would have ridden back home, even at 1 AM, except for a really pleasant conversation with the bus driver who got me as far as the L, therefore choosing the stay on the bus to downtown instead.
If I were visiting relatives, who live near Midway, for Christmas this is how I would be getting there/back tonight. I've certainly ridden it in the past on Christmas night (once or twice with my mom to visit my sister.). And it's how I got to relatives a couple of weeks ago. I would have ridden back home, even at 1 AM, except for a really pleasant conversation with the bus driver who got me as far as the L, therefore choosing the stay on the bus to downtown instead.
NorthShore
Conductor
And downtown Chicago, while quieter than normal on Christmas night, will still be active with visitors. Consider walking over to Millennium Park as well as the Daley Center plaza to see city Holiday decorations. The windows at Macy's aren't all they used to be when it was Marshall Fields, but still fun. During the day, get some banana pudding across the street from Magnolia bakery. Or take a bus ride with your day pass up north Michigan Ave, across the Chicago River bridge, as far as the historic water tower at Chicago avenue, festively decorated and lit for the season.
Welcome to the Great City by the Great Lake: Chicago!
Welcome to the Great City by the Great Lake: Chicago!
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