Travel tips to USAFA?

charlestonmom5

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Anyone have any tips for travel to and from USAFA? Specifically, Parents Weekend? We are coming from the East Coast, and I already got a room at the Hampton Inn AFA from Thursday till Monday. The cheapest airfare is in Frontier, but that gets us to Denver. So, should I get a car? Will we use it once we get to Colorado Springs? Is there a shuttle or some other way to get from Denver airport to Colorado Springs? Anyone want to carpool if we get a rental car? Thanks!
 
I actually will be heading out there for the summer seminar. I ended up with southwest and including a rental car. While my son is there I plan to check it out. According to what I found Denver is about an hour away from Colorado Springs. So a car would be necessary. I hope that helps.
 
Anyone have any tips for travel to and from USAFA? Specifically, Parents Weekend? We are coming from the East Coast, and I already got a room at the Hampton Inn AFA from Thursday till Monday. The cheapest airfare is in Frontier, but that gets us to Denver. So, should I get a car? Will we use it once we get to Colorado Springs? Is there a shuttle or some other way to get from Denver airport to Colorado Springs? Anyone want to carpool if we get a rental car? Thanks!
Oops I thought I direct replied but I left a message for u.
 
Yes rent a car. Set GPS to no tolls. Plan to chill in colorado springs that weekend. You will spend time shopping for school supplies like printer etc. Your cadet will be tired and want to rest. Plan to do some laundry. Check out O'Malleys in Palmer lake. You cook your own steak on a grill. It is a bar. They have a webpage. Enjoy a nice stroll at Garden of the Gods. If you plan any adventures like rock climbing or water rafting your cadet has to fill out a form for dangerous activity and have authorized so plan ahead. I made that mistake. Plan those activities for the following year. I will emphasize they will want to sleep and relax that weekend. The weekend goes fast. Closer to the time there will be more posts with great tips from those who went before you. Enjoy the ride!!!
 
You will definitely need a car, it’s over $100 just to Uber 1-way from DIA to CO springs and there are no shuttles. Also, there are no shuttles that will take you on base to the cadet area. Another note for parents weekend, you will only have Sunday and Monday with your cadet, not at USAFA. You can watch them march a parade on Friday and they can show you around the cadet facilities. We also have a mandatory football game all day Saturday. They will be released around 5:30 pm on Saturday and must be back by 7 pm on Monday.
 
Colorado Shuttle is reliable but not cheap - One way about $50 from DIA to various dropoff locations in CO Springs.
 
I would highly recommend renting a car, it gives you the flexibility you need to get to and from the academy for all of the events and spend the most time with your cadet. In the past of you arrived early enough on Thursday afternoon you could meet up with your cadet for a while near the chapel (I will have to defer to those who have current cadets for info on this now). I would also recommend that you fly out on Tuesday so that you are not rushed on Monday trying to get your cadet back in time. Let your cadet tell you what they want to do. Staying at the Hampton is convenient but there will be lots of other cadet families there so your cadet will have to be in uniform when in the public places. Parents weekend is a wonderful event as long as you don't have too many expectations of what your cadet will of will not want to do.
 
Yes, you'll need a rental car. C-springs and the Academy are not exactly walking friendly. It's the Rockies--everything is spread out.
 
You will have to rent a car. Since all 4 years of cadet parents are coming out that weekend, the rental companies charge higher rates then normal. A prior post recommended checking rental car rates as the weekend gets closer; a company lower their rates as the weekend gets close. You can take the lower rate and then cancel the original reservation. 1st PW your cadet will probably want to sleep a lot. Pick-up extra black ink when /if you buy a printer.
It is wise to follow the uniform (& probably the travel restriction) rules. C4C's stick out like a sore thumb to those in the know. While we were on line outside an IHOP, I saw a Doolie get called out for being out of uniform.
 
Motel Rooms are going quickly for Parent's Weekend and drop off day, they are very pricey 200+ per night. I rented a house on AIRBNB for cheaper than a budget motel room. Read about the houses though some allow "smoking" if you know what I mean.
 
Thanks everyone! I already reserved a room with 2 beds at the Hampton Inn across the street from USAFA. Good tips on the car rentals! And we've decided it would NOT be the best time for all his sibs to come out, if they're just going to watch him sleep, so thanks! Y'all just saved me a bundle on airfare! I should point out that my DS is going to Prep this year, but PW is the same weekend for Prep, right? Probably a different schedule of events? We will use all this info for the next few years, and I'm sure other parents can pick up some advice! Thanks!
 
Very good. If you were alone, then I'd recommend catching a flight from Denver to the springs as it is easier the first time from the east coast. Smaller airport, shorter rental line, easy drive to hotel.

We have a new direct flight on Frontier from Charleston to Denver that is half the price of any flights from here to COS...
 
Sweet! Direct flight is essential. Avoid budget rental. Read the reviews online. Terrible experience , ie declined the insurance and they added it. After reading the reviews they are known for up charging. As well, we reserved a car online. We waited for several hours, they ran out of cars in our catagory (watch the jerry Seinfeld skit on rental car-only it wasn't funny at the time) . No one on the lot to ask of we could upgrade without a fee and we certainly were not going back inside to the long line with only one person working. Who at one point left the desk not telling anyone she was going on break.
If you have a costco they have discounts for enterprise and national.
Have fun. Scope out all the stuff you want to do when you have the whole family with you. The zoo is nice. Hot air balloon festival is that weekend. Focus on the family is close to where your hotel is located. If you have younger kids you could go to Whits end. There is a trader joe in the Springs. They have some nice salads made, fruits and veggies and snacks. Your cadet will miss east coast fruit.
 
If you have a Costco membership you should definitely check out their travel website. I have trouble finding lower priced car rentals than what they offer! And second driver is always included. You can also provide a frequent flyer number at the desk when picking up and earn miles for the rental. They don't say that on the website, but this has always worked for me. I'm always surprised at the number of people who don't realize the amazing membership perk that is their travel division!
 
Is there a radius beyond which C4C’s can wear civilian clothes in public during PW? Is the uniform required in CO Springs only or does that apply to Woodland Park, Denver, etc?
Searched but couldn’t find that info anywhere.
 
Is there a radius beyond which C4C’s can wear civilian clothes in public during PW? Is the uniform required in CO Springs only or does that apply to Woodland Park, Denver, etc?
Searched but couldn’t find that info anywhere.

I believe C4Cs are restricted on distance they can be away from the Academy during PW. So, if in public, they should be in their class A's, even in Denver
 
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