public transport to/from USNA and BWI as well as No. Virginia

williamsdr3

williamsdr3

Parent of USNA Mid '24
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
Messages
378
My 11th grade son is preparing for his Candidate Visit Weekend soon. Any recommendations for the best transportation options for the following:

BWI to Naval Academy upon arrival on a Thursday afternoon - Super Shuttle or Lyft seems to be best options that don't take 2.5 hours but would appreciate confirmation or other ideas

Naval Academy Saturday morning to Vienna (VA) metro station in northern Virginia - would like to go public transport - he has all day to get there. Looks like the BWI Express buses to Greenbelt metro don't run on the weekends.

Thank you.
 
For the Saturday - Uber or Lyft from Annapolis to New Carrollton Metro Station. That’s one end of the Orange Line. Ride Orange Line all the way to Vienna Metro, the other terminus. Easy-peasy.

I don’t know if there is a Metro bus to New C that runs on Saturday.

USNA > New Carrollton, 17 miles

Metro Trip Planner:
https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/
 
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I went two weeks ago, the Uber was a 22 minute ride going to Annapolis from BWI (fast Uber) for $38.50 tip included, and it was a 35 minute ride back to BWI (slower Uber) on Saturday around 12, cost a hair under $40.

Both were easy to get and showed up quickly! Good luck!
 
If money is more important that time, the Orange Line from New Carrollton to Vienna is the cheapest (with Uber from USNA to the Metro station) However, there are a LOT of stops along the way, so it takes time. Uber from USNA to Vienna would be fastest -- it takes about 75 minutes on a Saturday morning, but obviously would cost more.

FYI, there's nothing around the Vienna Metro station other than homes and a high school -- no stores or commercial establishments of any kind within walking distance. What I'm saying is that you don't want to be "hanging out" there for hours on end because there is literally nothing to do and no place to sit inside. There are some commercial establishments maybe 2 miles away, but you need someone to tell you how to get there b/c it's not obvious when you're standing outside the station.
 
There is an age minimum for Uber and Lyft. It’s 18 years old to ride without adult. They are super strict about it here, and likely at airports or at least I would hope. I’d recommend the Super Shuttle. It’s the same price and your DS will be with a van of other kids in his same situation. You book online ahead of time so no waiting around or wondering what kind of driver you might get. We’ve used it in many cities from airports to hotels etc.
 
Just a note about going end to end on the same line on metro, it's ~$10 depending if you're traveling during peak hours or not. Also gonna take a long while as noted above. On the plus side at least with Verizon you have signal in most areas underground.

If you really want to save money, it's a nice day, and he hasn't been to DC before... Tell him to get off at capital South and walk to metro center. All along the mall he can walk and view the sights! Time permitting of course.
 
My DS will be attending the CVW Jan 23-25. I realize this thread is from last year but the question remains. I’m considering having him go alone since it’s kind of hard for me to go with him, financially. I’m not able to find Super Shuttle operating out of BWI. (How am I missing that?) Uber rates are great, but are they really strict about not allowing under-age riders go alone (he’s 16)? I’m concerned that he’ll get turned down by the driver, then what?
Any suggestions are appreciated!
 
I am the original poster. My son has no problems with the one time he took Uber in Annapolis but he was departing USNA for the end of the orange line. Arriving at BWI for CVW he was fortunate another family on this forum noticed their daughter was coming at the same time and they had lunch together at the airport and very kindly drove him to USNA. Perfect strangers but this community has been wonderful through this process.

All to say I am not sure how strict the age situation would be coming out of the airport. My son was 16 too. But I have never had anyone question my son taking Uber or Lyft in our city in TX during high school the few times he has used it at our request.
 
Sadly, SuperShuttle and sister sedan service ExecuCar ceased operations on Dec. 31, 2019. The USNA transportation web page (for CVWs) has not been updated, so it still mentions SuperShuttle. I sent a request to the USNA webmaster to update the info.

Uber and Lyft do have minimum age restrictions (18 years old) when traveling alone, so that could be a problem. I wouldn't count on them being lax with their policy. Then again, if they have an established policy - and drivers ignore it - Uber/Lyft is covered and that makes the driver liable. All good for Uber/Lyft, I imagine. ;)
 
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williamsdr3 said:
I am the original poster. My son has no problems with the one time he took Uber in Annapolis but he was departing USNA for the end of the orange line. Arriving at BWI for CVW he was fortunate another family on this forum noticed their daughter was coming at the same time and they had lunch together at the airport and very kindly drove him to USNA. Perfect strangers but this community has been wonderful through this process.

All to say I am not sure how strict the age situation would be coming out of the airport. My son was 16 too. But I have never had anyone question my son taking Uber or Lyft in our city in TX during high school the few times he has used it at our request.
Click to expand...

We know of several kids from our high school who take Uber on a regular basis, with no issues. I’m just a little nervous if the driver decided to abide by the rules, and the previous comment about them being strict there.

Thanks for your input! Glad it worked well for your son.
 
THParent said:
Sadly, SuperShuttle and sister sedan service ExecuCar ceased operations on Dec. 31, 2019. The USNA transportation web page (for CVWs) has not been updated, so it still mentions SuperShuttle. I sent a request to the USNA webmaster to update the info.

Uber and Lyft do have minimum age restrictions (18 years old) when traveling alone, so that could be a problem. I wouldn't count on them being lax with their policy.
Click to expand...

This was my concern (t those shuttles no longer served BWI). Thanks for the confirmation.
 
AF-AR MA said:
My DS will be attending the CVW Jan 23-25. I realize this thread is from last year but the question remains. I’m considering having him go alone since it’s kind of hard for me to go with him, financially. I’m not able to find Super Shuttle operating out of BWI. (How am I missing that?) Uber rates are great, but are they really strict about not allowing under-age riders go alone (he’s 16)? I’m concerned that he’ll get turned down by the driver, then what?
Any suggestions are appreciated!
Click to expand...

When my son had his CVW, he traveled alone via Amtrak to BWI and he utilized Uber, and is 17 years old. The driver did not seem to realize or question him; he used it from BWI to USNA, and from USNA to BWI. However, I had researched various options, including the shuttle, (no longer an option) and one option I was considering was BWI Airport Taxi Service. They can be reached @ 443-995-1400 or via support@taxiserviceannapolis.com. Their website is http://www.taxiserviceannapolis.com/contact-us/

Good luck! Hope he enjoys his time on his CVW!
 
I’ve had two go alone, both Ubered underage. Neither were questioned. Additionally locally we have exchange students that are underage and have used the service for 6 years now and never been questioned. I wouldn’t worry about it. As long as your child has time for a “plan B” and can request a 2nd service if needed (ie: Lyft).

Obviously use all the safety checks (ie: ask “what’s my name”) recommended.
 
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