Best way to travel to New London?

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Montanaparent

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My DS has never been to campus, and we'd like to plan a visit. Can anyone give advice on good options for getting there? Pros/cons of different airports and connections to trains/buses and price advantage of one vs. the others? He'd be coming all the way from Montana, so not cheap getting there from here. Thanks!
 
Will he be going by himself or will a parent be going with him?
 
Montanaparent said:
My DS has never been to campus, and we'd like to plan a visit. Can anyone give advice on good options for getting there? Pros/cons of different airports and connections to trains/buses and price advantage of one vs. the others? He'd be coming all the way from Montana, so not cheap getting there from here. Thanks!
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Good general info here:

Visit: Travel to the Coast Guard Academy

www.uscga.edu www.uscga.edu
 
We've been 2x now. From San Diego, CA. 1st time flew direct to Boston, took train down (2 hour ride or so) and then reverse to go home. 2nd time, flew from SD to LAX to Hartford, CT (BDL), rented a car and drove the hour (?) down. I've also looked into flying into Newark, NJ, and taking the train over. Train station stops directly at the airport for Newark. Also, we stayed at Clarion Inn (free, decent hot breakfast) in New London, with a less than 10 min drive to the Academy. 1st trip we took Lyft everywhere once in New London, and then again for some of our time in Boston, along with taking the subway. 2nd time with the rental car we drove ourselves. Feel free to PM me for more details. As far as costs go, almost the same both times as far as flights as we used companion fares for the 1st trip, and then I got a great deal flying American the 2nd time (but had a layover each way). Taking the train was fun as it allowed us to see much of the area without the stress of driving in a new location (especially in and around Boston), but the rental car was fun too, and I was comfortable with the area after having been there before, and I explored while DS was at the overnight Cadet for a Day.
 
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We have visited 3x. Prefer Springhill Suites as the Hotel. Literally 2 minutes from the gate. Great, convenient location. It is also a room block hotel for CGA events.

Waterford Hotel | SpringHill Suites Mystic Waterford

Settle in for a comfortable stay at our all-suites Waterford hotel. The SpringHill Suites Mystic Waterford is a conveniently located hotel near Mystic, New London, Groton, and Norwich.
www.marriott.com www.marriott.com
 
You could also consider Green Airport (PVD), which serves Providence Rhode Island. It's approximately 50 miles from USCGA, but you'll have to rent a car. We flew in to PVD and out of Boston (BOS-Logan) for AIM. The trip home, for obvious reasons, was way more relaxing for my son than the trip to AIM.
 
From someone who grew up there: Providence is closest but doesn’t have as many flights as Boston. Boston traffic is awful. Allow plenty of extra time or come a day ahead. Mystic is best for hotels and has some fun stuff to do. Beware Mystic Marriott is in Groton, not near anything but the highway. Renting a car is your best bet unless you’re only there for a very short visit.
 
I agree with retiredrader. Providence is my airport of choice in that area. Nice airport, not very busy, about an hour from New London.

The two times we visited New London, we stayed at the Mohegan Sun. It is a very nice hotel (think Vegas strip) and only about 15 minutes from campus.

Casino & Resort in CT

Mohegan Sun is open and excited to experience it all again! Mohegan sun offers outstanding gaming, premier promotions and the best of the best in entertainment.
mohegansun.com mohegansun.com
 
For those with appointments who will be flying, recommend you get used to Southwest Airlines, and think of how your cadet will navigate the Uber, train, airport options when they attend without you along for guidance. For example, during the school year, cadets are released until after their LMO (Last Military Obligation) and during finals the release dates vary based on your final schedule so you will either buy a ticket very late at high cost when the final schedule rolls out, or buy one early on the cheap and change it. With Southwest, there are no change fees, so you can adjust based on your cadets final schedule. Providence is a $60 Uber and cadets carpool often reducing cost. Hartford is an option, but further away. Boston via Amtrak is possible, but again can be logistically challenging and while a schedule may look good on paper, with Amtrak delays, weather, etc. can be tough. Owning a car is only an option for seniors (1/c) cadets, so public transportation is the thing.

We have tried all three airports several times, and by far the easiest logistically is Providence airport, but you will probably get a connecting flight home, not nonstop. Don't forget to factor in Northeast weather especially for winter break.

Tip - let your appointee set up the travel and navigate the airports, it will be good practice for the school year and they will be more familiar with whatever option you choose when they travel home alone during the school year.
 
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While there may be no fee to change a ticket with Southwest, you do have to pay the difference in the fare. And you have to hope that there are seats on the flight you want.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
You could also consider Green Airport (PVD), which serves Providence Rhode Island. It's approximately 50 miles from USCGA, but you'll have to rent a car. We flew in to PVD and out of Boston (BOS-Logan) for AIM. The trip home, for obvious reasons, was way more relaxing for my son than the trip to AIM.
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Uber and Amtrak are also an option for this. Amtrak doesn't run right to the airport, but is relatively close. The ticket from providence to New London is about 17 dollars. A better deal if alone, not as good a deal as if there are multiple people - then Uber is usually better.

Also, I second Southwest. Generally cheap flights, and easy to accommodate changing plans.
 
I’ll add in that DS and I took Greyhound bus from Manhattan to NL ... won’t do that EVER again. Took the train back to NYC and it was a delight. We stayed in, walked and Ubered around NL That was fine. In retrospect, I should have just rented a car, but we did end up creating a lot of interesting memories, so I guess that’s a win.
 
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