How Does a Cadet Get From the Airport to CGA?

[Colorado2026]

This has probably been answered before but…. How does a cadet get from the airport (in Hartford presumably) to the Academy when returning from leave (winter break etc.)? Does the sponsor family usually give them a ride or is there another way?

 

[GeorgiaGus]

Transportation to and from

What's the best way to get from the airport in Providence, RI to the Academy (if you don't take a car)? Is there any public transportation to the academy?

www.serviceacademyforums.com

While the post linked was in regard to Providence, RI, cadets fly into multiple airports. Southern Connecticut is served by Providence (PVD), Hartford (Bradley, BDL), LaGuardia (LGA) , and even West Chester in White Plains (HPN). There are possibly more. Plus there is Amtrak and an Amtrak station in New London near the academy.

From the various airports there are numerous options like Uber/Lyft type rideshare, Taxi, Amtrak, Shuttles, coordinated groups rides and more.

 

[Colorado2026]

Thank you @GeorgiaGus !!

 

[ProudMom7]

@GeorgiaGus has pretty much listed all options. Some cadets will even fly into Boston or New York since the Amtrak line runs to both and has the stop in New London. Cadets that live anywhere along the east coast will sometimes just take the train the entire way. (Book early for better prices, but there is a military discount). Uber/lyft is pretty expensive since both Providence and Hartford are about an hour away but we see posts on the FB pages around the holidays/breaks where cadets (or their parents) are listing departure or landing times and asking if anyone wants to share a ride. Also, when departing for breaks, USCGA sometimes has shuttles running to the airports during the peak times that you can sign up for.

 

[RJB1690]

My 4/C son (also a Coloradan) has always used Uber. He’s had pretty good luck finding folks to share rides with to keep costs down, though his trip back from Christmas break ended with a pretty expensive solo Uber ride from Providence.

 

[sbbm9901]

Our 2/c primarily uses Uber, but has also had Firsties, friends parents from the area, etc. drive them to and/or from. To be honest, it really is a great way for them to learn how to marshal their resources and get creative. There will be 6:00 a.m. flights on a Sat a.m. where Uber may or may not be available to pick them up at 3 a.m., etc. They become pro's quickly. The best days are when they meet multiple cadets and can share the $$ for an Uber back from PVD or BDL. That first $120 Uber by themselves is enough to convince them to reach out the next time for travel buddies.

 

[corescue59]

We also got our son Uber gift cards for just this purpose. He thought they were great presents.

 

[StPaulDad]

Honestly there isn't a ton of traffic out of those airports, they're kind of middling, so there will often be multiple students on the flights heading to hubs. My 4C has only taken an airport Uber alone once and that was because the ride she'd arranged fell through. (It was quite early in the week before Christmas break so there weren't many others that could head out in time for her flight.) A little work and being a bit flexible about arriving early or waiting for someone else's flight to arrive is usually all it takes.

 

[VAcadetmom]

My cadet has taken the train which is great because it stops so close to the Academy. He gets a ride or Uber from there. For breaks, the Academy usually has a shuttle to Providence and Hartford that cadets can sign up for if their flights line up. My cadet has never had a problem getting a ride from the airport. He usually gets a firstie to drive him and he pays them for gas or his sponsor family has also given him rides.