BWI-->Hilltop/Arlington

[SoCalHoya]

Hoya Brethren,

I'm coming in for the Gala/Winter Leadership Weekend. What is the best way for me to get from BWI to Arlington/Georgetown? My flight gets in around 6:30pm, so there will be traffic and therefore, I'm going to skip a cab (plus it's expen$ive).

I've been told Train to Union Station, then Metro to Arlington is the best way.

Any other thoughts out there?

[NickSixers]

I'd do the MARC to Union Station and Metro to Arlington. You could also get Amtrak from the BWI train station, but MARC is cheaper.

[hoyatables]

There's also a bus you can take to Greenbelt, but I suspect the train is much quicker, especially around rush.

[Jack]

Ditto train suggestion, just make sure you don't ride Amtrak, it is much more expensive than the commuter rail.

[HealyHoya]

Last time I had to do this (mid-2006) Amtrak was $19.00 and took about 25 minutes, MTA costs like $4.50 and takes 40 minutes. The only reason I'd think about Amtrak is that the MTA trains at rush hour can be packed (and I mean packed). If you have multiple and/or bigger suitcases in tow, Amtrak might be an easier haul. Other than that, MTA all the way.

[DFW HOYA]

socalhoya said:

Hoya Brethren,

I'm coming in for the Gala/Winter Leadership Weekend. What is the best way for me to get from BWI to Arlington/Georgetown? My flight gets in around 6:30pm, so there will be traffic and therefore, I'm going to skip a cab (plus it's expen$ive).

I've been told Train to Union Station, then Metro to Arlington is the best way.

Any other thoughts out there?

Assuming it's 6:30 Friday, not Saturday, there are two good choices:

1. Board the B30 bus at BWI (runs every half hour), non-stop to Greenbelt ($3.00, exact change), connect at Greenbelt for the Green Line, transfer at Gallery Place to Red, transfer at Metro Center for Orange/Blue. (~$2.50 non-peak fare)

2. Take the shuttle bus to BWI rail, board a MARC train ($6.00) to DC. You can board Amtrak, but it's no faster and about $10.00 more expensive. From Union Station, Red Line to Metro Center and follow the directions above.

SuperShuttle runs $42 each way and the cabs probably more.

[TigerHoya]

I'd definitely do MARC based on what I've seen with people doing other modes of travel from BWI. Close second on the B30 - I usually just drive to Greenbelt but I had to look into other modes at one point. Super Shuttle is the biggest rip-off in town.

[TigerHoya]

MARC schedule/map for the Penn Line (the one that goes from BWI to Union Station)
www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/penn.cfm

Metro's trip planner (should work with MARC/MTA and bus options as well)
www.wmata.com/tripplanner_d/TripPlanner_Form_Solo.cfm?fromMenu=MapsAndStations.3

[SoCalHoya]

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm leaving tomorrow morning (Thursday). See you all at the game/gala/other events!

[Bando]

I take the B30 all the time, and it's quite wonderful. It picks up right at the terminal, so you don't have to take a shuttle to get to either the Light Rail or the MARC. And you're at Greenbelt within 30-40 minutes.