fiasco

My family is going to spend the weekend in DC in early May. We're on a budget, and have done our share of research to get the best hotel deal. Now I'm focusing on the transfers to and from the airport.

We are flying into Reagan on a Friday afternoon and will need to get all of us (3 adults and 1 baby) to Capitol Hill.

We are leaving on Monday at 6. Two adults and the baby are going home via BWI, whereas the third adult flies out of Reagan.

I've researched online and I've gotten rates from the taxis and supershuttle. schlepping our stuff and the baby on the train from Union Station is not an option. Are there any cheaper methods out there? How reliable is the SuperShuttle? If I make a reservation, will they pick us up at our hotel, or will we have to drag our junk to Union Station?

thanks for your help
~fiasco

RandyK

It would help to know where in DC you are staying.

SuperShuttle is usually reliable but expensive compared to the Amtrak and Metra options at Union Station. ONce earlier this year they failed to pick me up even though I called them twice and I missed a plane at BWI in January. Since I don't have the challenge of traveling with a baby (but I do remember the days when we did!), I can understand your hesitancy to take the train. I THINK that one way train fare to the BWI station is about $9 on Amtrak and about $6 on Metra. Amtrak usually only makes one or 2 stops before BWI, Metra tends to make more. BOTH are much faster than SuperShuttle since they aren't subject to traffic on the parkway. I did Amtrak in about 25 minutes last month, Metra's schedule for the same time of day was roughly 35 minutes. SuperShuttle from DC was $38 (Marriott Metro Center pick up) and took nearly 90 minutes due to traffic. As much as the train can be tough to board in Union Station I'd still do the train. I admit it would be tough to climb up to the car with a baby, but once you're on, it's a piece of cake since the train station platform at BWI is level with the car's top step. Still at the BWI station you have to transfer to the shuttle bus that drops you at the terminal front door.

Bottom line, SuperShuttle is reliable but pricey compared to the trains. Just be sure to make the reservation for your Monday pick up at least 24 horus in advance. Ask for their policy on babies---one of my co-workers thinks that they charge for babies even if they are held!

kayd

From DCA to Capitol Hill for the group, use a taxi. The afternoon hassle factor on Metro is just too great for the savings of $15.
For the one adult, metro back to the airport would be fine, but since it will be in rush hour, you'd have to be willing to stand for the entire ride. Cabfare from the Hill to DCA for one would be about $17.

If you have to pay three SuperShuttle fares it may not be much of a savings over taxi to BWI (about $50). Ask your hotel concierge what they recommend for their BWI-boound guests.

fiasco

Thank you both for your replies. We're staying at the Hotel George thanks to suggestions from this group and a great spring weekend rate. So we're close to Union Station, but not exactly next door.

I did read on the SuperShuttle website that babies should have a car seat, which leads me to believe that your co-worker is correct, RandyK.

I guess I'll have to consider how much junk we have (one large rolling suitcase, one suit bag, diaper bag, stroller, car seat in carrying case, and 1 25 pound kid!! that's a lot of junk...) and make the call with the BWI leg. For $50 per ride, it almost seems like we should be able to get a limo. From the close suburbs of Boston to the airport is less than a $30 taxi ride, so I guess I was expecting the same in DC.

any other opinions?

~fiasco

kayd

Fiasco, BWI is just outside Baltimore, about 30 miles from Capitol Hill; that's a good bit farther than Logan is from Boston.