AARoads Forum

Yes, here is the followup question to A ride to the airport - Friend vs Family Member (http://(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=36616)). I was using that thread to gauge the cost of taking a friend or family member to the airport, but too many of you were very generous. :wow:

So, here is the poll based upon some real-world hypotheticals. The travel times are based on my times from my home in North Dallas to the DFW International airport, and yes, there is a light rail/Silverline train nearby. (If you want to use Southwest, that's at Love field, and driving/light rail options are available). Out of coincidence, it previously took 30 minutes to drive from my home in Sacramento to the Sacramento airport.

90 minutes is the most you're going to put a poll option for?  I regularly fly out of San Jose which is a 2.5 hour drive from home with no traffic.  There certainly is no mass transit option and outside my wife nobody would be willing to transport me that far. 

That said, I have picked up my wife's family at LAX.  The charge was that they had to tolerate me driving a bunch of mountain roads heading back north to San Joaquin Valley.

I'm cheap.  When I lived in the Chicago suburbs, I once took Pace bus all the way from Wheaton, with a transfer in Oakbrook, to the end of the southern branch Blue Line L (now the Pink Line), then rode the entire Blue Line through downtown and out to O'Hare again—just so I could do the whole trip for $1.80 instead of adding on the price of a Metra ticket.

No options for airports that don't have rail connections?

Quote from: GaryV on October 31, 2025, 11:08:48 AMNo options for airports that don't have rail connections?

Heck, ICT doesn't even have a bus stop within 1½ miles of the terminal, and the airport access road is an expressway with no sidewalks.

Quote from: GaryV on October 31, 2025, 11:08:48 AMNo options for airports that don't have rail connections?

It's a semi-hypothetical question. Would you pay less if it meant a longer ride?

I agree with the sentiment. Major transportation centers such as airports and major destinations such as higher educational institutions, sports stadiums, and major government centers should have transit options, especially rail options that bypass the roads. Unfortunately, while Sacramento Regional Transit has plans to expand light rail to the Sacramento International airport, they have shelved the "green line" project as it would cost $2 billion to implement.

Doesn't take into account the cost of the metro area of the airport itself.  I have never found it economical to drive or take transit between Albany, NY and any of the NYC airports rather than just utilizing the Albany airport.

Grew up living about an hour away from a decent-sized airport without a transit connection, although shuttles popped up with more frequency as I got older.  I'd pay for the $25 shuttle rather than bug a friend to drive two hours or more round trip.

Can never go back to living a long way away from a commercial airport, though.

I'd be more willing to take public transportation to DEN if I didn't have a 3-year-old and need to schlep not only our luggage but also the car seat.

The problem with the poll is, to me, it's more about the delta/percentage difference in how much time it would take for various options. If you live a 5 minute drive from the airport but it would take 30 minutes to take public transportation, that would make me never take public. If I lived a 60 minute drive from the airport but it took 85 minutes via public transportation, that's a different story. Also depends on cost of parking for the various airports, etc., etc.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 12:17:04 PMI'd be more willing to take public transportation to DEN if I didn't have a 3-year-old and need to schlep not only our luggage but also the car seat.

I know I've shared versions of this story a few times on here, but...

Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2013, 03:20:22 PMI once went from Glen Ellyn to Union Station with a suitcase, a portable crib, a child's car seat, two backpacks, and–lest I forget–my then-two-year-old daughter and her teddy bear (I'm probably forgetting something).  We took the UP–W Metra from Glen Ellyn to Oak Park, Pace bus 307 down Harlem Ave to the Eisenhower, and the Blue Line L to Clinton, where we had to take the stairs up to street level because the elevator was out of order.  From the Clinton station, we walked the remaining three or four blocks to Union Station, which was interesting since my daughter was afraid to cross the street without holding my hand, yet I had no free hand to offer her.  All told, I believe I solicited the help of five total strangers to help us out along the way–including a lady who agreed to hold my daughter's hand as we crossed Jackson on Canal Street.

Quote from: kphoger on August 10, 2019, 05:32:24 PMI had to haul all that baggage up the stairs without being able to help my daughter, who could still only climb stairs by using her hands–one of which was clutching the stuffed animal.  Which therefore became quite filthy.

... That would have been impossible on a crowded CTA bus downtown, but it worked OK in the suburbs–but only because I was strong enough to load the whole cart onto my back while climbing the steps of the bus.

Quote from: kphoger on October 31, 2025, 12:33:11 PMI know I've shared versions of this story a few times on here, but...

I am quite fortunate to be in the position where I don't need to do that. I can just park my car and only schlep the the car seat for about a 10 minute walk from the car to the ticketing desk. Well worth the cost for me.

I drove two hours to BWI on a Friday afternoon once because it saved me $500 on airfare versus Reagan or Dulles. Nowadays I'd park at Union Station and take the train (Amtrak or MARC) instead.

The title and poll are odd because it says anyone more than ~30 miles from a commerical airport will never board a plane in their lives. Even living in Madison which has its own airport, 85 minutes to Milwaukee or 120 to O'Hare (no traffic) was common.

Quote from: thspfc on October 31, 2025, 03:16:14 PMThe title and poll are odd because it says anyone more than ~30 miles from a commerical airport will never board a plane in their lives. Even living in Madison which has its own airport, 85 minutes to Milwaukee or 120 to O'Hare (no traffic) was common.

Yep. DLH-MSP airport shuttles are a common sight on I-35 (Duluth and MSP are 2 1/2 hours apart)

Tons of airport shuttles up to the mountains from DEN despite EGE (Eagle (Vail)) being much closer to most of the resorts.

Well, just last year I took MARC commuter rail about 45 minutes to BWI and took a free shuttle to the terminal, and it was $9 for the train ride but I considered it all worth it.

Quote from: Rothman on October 31, 2025, 12:11:51 PMDoesn't take into account the cost of the metro area of the airport itself.  I have never found it economical to drive or take transit between Albany, NY and any of the NYC airports rather than just utilizing the Albany airport.

Grew up living about an hour away from a decent-sized airport without a transit connection, although shuttles popped up with more frequency as I got older.  I'd pay for the $25 shuttle rather than bug a friend to drive two hours or more round trip.

Can never go back to living a long way away from a commercial airport, though.

ALB is great for domestic. If you want international, an airline serving JFK with limited connections (no ALB-JFK flight anyway) starts making sense.
Then Amtrak- LIRR - Air train for a total of 3 - 3.5 hours is not that bad

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:44:52 PMALB is great for domestic. If you want international, an airline serving JFK with limited connections (no ALB-JFK flight anyway) starts making sense.
Then Amtrak- LIRR - Air train for a total of 3 - 3.5 hours is not that bad

I wouldn't say ALB is great for domestic. The only places west of the Mississippi are Denver, Las Vegas, and Dallas. JFK/LGA/EWR still better for domestic as well. I guess if you don't mind connecting every time. Now that I live in Denver where pretty much every domestic location is served non-stop, I'm spoiled.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 04:51:13 PM

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:44:52 PMALB is great for domestic. If you want international, an airline serving JFK with limited connections (no ALB-JFK flight anyway) starts making sense.
Then Amtrak- LIRR - Air train for a total of 3 - 3.5 hours is not that bad

I wouldn't say ALB is great for domestic. The only places west of the Mississippi are Denver, Las Vegas, and Dallas. JFK/LGA/EWR still better for domestic as well. I guess if you don't mind connecting every time. Now that I live in Denver where pretty much every domestic location is served non-stop, I'm spoiled.

think about it as connecting by yourself in NYC vs airline-protected connection in ORD or IAD..
And yes, one connection is nothing to sweat about when you live outside of a hub.

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:57:30 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 04:51:13 PM

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:44:52 PMALB is great for domestic. If you want international, an airline serving JFK with limited connections (no ALB-JFK flight anyway) starts making sense.
Then Amtrak- LIRR - Air train for a total of 3 - 3.5 hours is not that bad

I wouldn't say ALB is great for domestic. The only places west of the Mississippi are Denver, Las Vegas, and Dallas. JFK/LGA/EWR still better for domestic as well. I guess if you don't mind connecting every time. Now that I live in Denver where pretty much every domestic location is served non-stop, I'm spoiled.

think about it as connecting by yourself in NYC vs airline-protected connection in ORD or IAD..
And yes, one connection is nothing to sweat about when you live outside of a hub.

I suppose that's fair. I would say that it still might be a quicker journey to take the train as the first leg since you won't have a 2-3 hour layover in between flights. And since trains run regularly there are other options if you miss one vs. missing the first flight and having to wait 4-5 hours for another.

I live on the opposite side of the metro area from Sea-Tac, so the choice is 2 hours by transit (if lucky, that can be train-to-train) or 1.5 hours (on average) to drive. I've never driven to the airport myself because it's not worth the cost of parking compared to just taking transit and giving myself a healthy buffer.

I wish the public transit options for me were better. If I left right now, I could get to DEN in 27 minutes driving plus maybe 7-8 minutes walking if I parked in the economy lot. The current transit option is 85 minutes.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 05:02:36 PM

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:57:30 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 04:51:13 PM

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:44:52 PMALB is great for domestic. If you want international, an airline serving JFK with limited connections (no ALB-JFK flight anyway) starts making sense.
Then Amtrak- LIRR - Air train for a total of 3 - 3.5 hours is not that bad

I wouldn't say ALB is great for domestic. The only places west of the Mississippi are Denver, Las Vegas, and Dallas. JFK/LGA/EWR still better for domestic as well. I guess if you don't mind connecting every time. Now that I live in Denver where pretty much every domestic location is served non-stop, I'm spoiled.

think about it as connecting by yourself in NYC vs airline-protected connection in ORD or IAD..
And yes, one connection is nothing to sweat about when you live outside of a hub.

I suppose that's fair. I would say that it still might be a quicker journey to take the train as the first leg since you won't have a 2-3 hour layover in between flights. And since trains run regularly there are other options if you miss one vs. missing the first flight and having to wait 4-5 hours for another.

Amtrak alone is 2.20 at least. Catching next train adds at least an hour cushion.. 
And a typical layover is closer to 1-1.5 hour.
Of course I had a situation when my Sunday flight from Albany was cancelled, and rebooking was for Wednesday... But that is well in the extreme case territory. I believe Amtrak was also messy that day.

But there are also options people use with driving to Boston or Hartford. 2-3 hours, and more direct flights.

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 05:20:39 PMAmtrak alone is 2.20 at least. Catching next train adds at least an hour cushion.. 
And a typical layover is closer to 1-1.5 hour.
Of course I had a situation when my Sunday flight from Albany was cancelled, and rebooking was for Wednesday... But that is well in the extreme case territory. I believe Amtrak was also messy that day.

But there are also options people use with driving to Boston or Hartford. 2-3 hours, and more direct flights.

When I am forced to connect for flights, I try not to have any layover less than 90 minutes. I've had one too many connecting flights get missed because of what seems to be a relatively benign issue. In my case, the connections are pretty much always to international flights, so more of an issue if I miss the flight.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 05:02:36 PM

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:57:30 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 04:51:13 PM

Quote from: kalvado on October 31, 2025, 04:44:52 PMALB is great for domestic. If you want international, an airline serving JFK with limited connections (no ALB-JFK flight anyway) starts making sense.
Then Amtrak- LIRR - Air train for a total of 3 - 3.5 hours is not that bad

I wouldn't say ALB is great for domestic. The only places west of the Mississippi are Denver, Las Vegas, and Dallas. JFK/LGA/EWR still better for domestic as well. I guess if you don't mind connecting every time. Now that I live in Denver where pretty much every domestic location is served non-stop, I'm spoiled.

think about it as connecting by yourself in NYC vs airline-protected connection in ORD or IAD..
And yes, one connection is nothing to sweat about when you live outside of a hub.

I suppose that's fair. I would say that it still might be a quicker journey to take the train as the first leg since you won't have a 2-3 hour layover in between flights. And since trains run regularly there are other options if you miss one vs. missing the first flight and having to wait 4-5 hours for another.

All I can say is running around train stations and needing to add more time for connections from Amtrak to the airports due to numerous opportunities for delays sounds absolutely miserable to me, especially if I've got a bag.

Driving down there and parking is also miserable. 

Never found prices to be terrible to fly out of ALB comparatively to the other additional costs of getting down to NYC (especially given times of flights...).

I suppose I'm not terribly inconvenienced by layovers as well.  I do try to keep them no less than an hour, but I'm finding myself avoiding too-long layovers as well (3 hours plus).

Finally, yeah, I can see myself making some sort of arrangements to fly out of KBOS or one of the NYC airports for international flights. 

But going through the hassle to get from where I'm at to NYC or BOS just hasn't been worth it when I can drive 15 minutes, get some parking if necessary and be on a plane in relatively short order (whether ALB or SYR or even SWF when it was more convenient).

I suppose my need for a nonstop from coast-to-coast isn't very strong either, despite my annual or semi-annual trips to KSEA and KSLC (latter isn't on the coast, but whatever).

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 04:38:57 PMTons of airport shuttles up to the mountains from DEN despite EGE (Eagle (Vail)) being much closer to most of the resorts.

We have a "South Tahoe Airporter" that runs between the Stateline casinos and RNO.  It's about $60 for a round trip.

The problem is, they only run about 6 trips per day.  The earliest doesn't arrive at RNO until 9 a.m., and the latest return departs the airport about 6 p.m.  Neither end of that works for me; I'm most often on an early morning departure, and frequently return late at night.  If using the Airporter requires staying at an airport hotel at one or both ends, that's ~$100/night.

Cheapest parking at RNO is $18/day, so for a typical 7-night trip, which means 8 days of parking, that's $144 for the parking plus the 100 miles worth of gas.  While $144 is annoying, it's the price of the convenience of having my car waiting for me just outside the terminal, not having to ask somebody to pick me up at 4:30 a.m. to drive one hour each way, and not having to coordinate with them upon return if my flight is late.  Considering the cost of the airfare, hotel, rental car, meals and other expenses such as tickets to events, $144 isn't that high a percentage of the cost of the trip, and in the case of trips to Hawaii it's barely noticeable as a portion of the total cost. 

Quote from: JayhawkCO on October 31, 2025, 05:02:36 PMI would say that it still might be a quicker journey to take the train as the first leg since you won't have a 2-3 hour layover in between flights. And since trains run regularly there are other options if you miss one vs. missing the first flight and having to wait 4-5 hours for another.

I can't speak for ALB, but for ROC, SYR and BUF, for most domestic destinations a 2-3 hour layover is very much the exception, not the norm, and that's by design. There's a bunch of early morning flights to the hubs so you can typically get to the hub early enough to catch the first flight out to wherever you're going with a short layover of 60-90 minutes or less.

International flights, OTOH, are another story.

The parking at LAS runs about $100 for a 7-night stay. A round-trip on Uber is about the same. So if I could take a train there and back for only $6 round-trip, I would jump on that. Of course, we don't have a train. The bus might be an option, but it involves changing buses twice, once in a kind of sketchy area, so that's maybe not advisable. Also, it would take two hours, so it probably wouldn't work for a lot of itineraries.

I don't know anyone in town well enough to depend on them giving me a ride other than my wife, so if she's coming that's not an option.

I live in North Seattle within an easy walk of the light rail, so it's the obvious choice.  Usually about an hour from my door to the terminal.

I took shuttles sometimes, before there was the light rail.  They weren't bad but it would take a very long time for them to come for the return flight.  Sometimes I took the bus, which from downtown to the airport used the freeway express lanes and made no stops between downtown and the airport.  Nevertheless, it was mostly airport workers who took it.

I don't like close connections either.  On a trip last summer, we had to do the sprinting through the airport like OJ used to do in commercials bit.  We did make the flight, though, and at least one other passenger made the some connection because we told the gate attendent that they were less than a minute behind us.

I went 300 miles from Minot to the Fargo airport in North Dakota to catch a plane to Tulsa.

Quote from: bugo on November 01, 2025, 01:02:01 PMI went 300 miles from Minot to the Fargo airport in North Dakota to catch a plane to Tulsa.

I once shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.