USMA Candidate Overnight Visit

KidForService00

KidForService00

Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
Messages
17
I am currently a HS Senior and was recently invited to West Point for a Candidate Overnight Visit. It is to my understanding that a goal of this visit is to be able to provide an opportunity in which the candidate can visualize themselves at the Academy during the academic year. With that being said, and being eager to visit in person, I accepted.

Seeing as how I am from California, I knew I had to do my research to plan the trip. I’ve already looked into flights, hotels, etc. but the one aspect that has haulted me a tad in planning is transportation.

I will be flying into Newark Airport, late afternoon on a Sunday. I understand this is a decent drive to the Academy. The admissions personnel I conversed with suggested I schedule all of my ground transportation prior to the trip, seeing as how it is indeed New York. I am only 17 1/2, and will be traveling alone. I have also never been to the East Coast. Due to my age, I am unable to rent a car. I do not have much knowledge on how a taxi service or shuttle will work in terms of dropping me off at The Thayer Historic Hotel or simply at the gate. I rarely travel outside of California.

A factor that I must ask to please be taken into account is the pricing of transportation. My family’s current financial status is not too well. Luckily I have been saving from my job for the last 2 years, which is what will help me cover the airfare, hotel, etc. I do not have too much saved up, per say, but I am willing to work hard to assure this trip transpires.

For those of you that have traveled for your visit, or know of anyone who has, how was transportation handled? Are there specific services that are able to take me from the airport to the Academy, and vice versa? Or must I change my current plans? Does anyone have suggestions in travel overall?
I am incredibly new to travel, anything helps.

Thank you for your assistance in advance.
 
Last edited:
KidForService00 said:
I am currently a HS Senior and was recently invited to West Point for a Candidate Overnight Visit. It is to my understanding that a goal of this visit is to be able to provide an opportunity in which the candidate can visualize themselves at the Academy during the academic year. With that being said, and being eager to visit in person, I accepted.

I am a First Generation American and College Student who usually does everything on their own. Seeing as how I am from California, I knew I had to do my research to plan the trip. I’ve already looked into flights, hotels, etc. but the one aspect that has haulted me a tad in planning is transportation.

I will be flying into Newark Airport, late afternoon on a Sunday. I understand this is a decent drive to the Academy. The admissions personnel I conversed with suggested I schedule all of my ground transportation prior to the trip, seeing as how it is indeed New York. I am only 17 1/2, and will be traveling alone. I have also never been to the East Coast. Due to my age, I am unable to rent a car. I do not have much knowledge on how a taxi service or shuttle will work in terms of dropping me off at The Thayer Historic Hotel or simply at the gate. I rarely travel outside of California.

A factor that I must ask to please be taken into account is the pricing of transportation. My family’s current financial status is not too well. Luckily I have been saving from my job for the last 2 years, which is what will help me cover the airfare, hotel, etc. I do not have too much saved up, per say, but I am willing to work hard to assure this trip transpires.

For those of you that have traveled for your visit, or know of anyone who has, how was transportation handled? Are there specific services that are able to take me from the airport to the Academy, and vice versa? Or must I change my current plans? Does anyone have suggestions in travel overall?
I am incredibly new to travel, anything helps.

Thank you for your assistance in advance.
Click to expand...
You can Uber from Newark to Thayer gate. Also check Super Shuttle and Greyhound for pricing. All three can be set up ahead of time.
 
Last edited:
Teragram said:
KidForService00 said:
I am currently a HS Senior and was recently invited to West Point for a Candidate Overnight Visit. It is to my understanding that a goal of this visit is to be able to provide an opportunity in which the candidate can visualize themselves at the Academy during the academic year. With that being said, and being eager to visit in person, I accepted.

I am a First Generation American and College Student who usually does everything on their own. Seeing as how I am from California, I knew I had to do my research to plan the trip. I’ve already looked into flights, hotels, etc. but the one aspect that has haulted me a tad in planning is transportation.

I will be flying into Newark Airport, late afternoon on a Sunday. I understand this is a decent drive to the Academy. The admissions personnel I conversed with suggested I schedule all of my ground transportation prior to the trip, seeing as how it is indeed New York. I am only 17 1/2, and will be traveling alone. I have also never been to the East Coast. Due to my age, I am unable to rent a car. I do not have much knowledge on how a taxi service or shuttle will work in terms of dropping me off at The Thayer Historic Hotel or simply at the gate. I rarely travel outside of California.

A factor that I must ask to please be taken into account is the pricing of transportation. My family’s current financial status is not too well. Luckily I have been saving from my job for the last 2 years, which is what will help me cover the airfare, hotel, etc. I do not have too much saved up, per say, but I am willing to work hard to assure this trip transpires.

For those of you that have traveled for your visit, or know of anyone who has, how was transportation handled? Are there specific services that are able to take me from the airport to the Academy, and vice versa? Or must I change my current plans? Does anyone have suggestions in travel overall?
I am incredibly new to travel, anything helps.

Thank you for your assistance in advance.
Click to expand...
You can Uber from Newark to Thayer gate. Also check Super Shuttle and Greyhound for pricing. All three can be set up ahead of time.
Click to expand...
Oh wow. I did not know of those options. I will definitely be looking into them. Thank you so much! Do you happen to know if the walk from the gate to the hotel is short or long? And also if there is any transportation that I could utilize the next day to get from the hotel to the admissions office?

Thank you!
 
Once you are at Thayer gate getting around West Point is easy using their shuttle. The hotel is right there and within walking distance to food places in town as well. I believe the bus from Newark to West Point is around $20-25 each way (not sure exactly where it picks up at airport so research that detail before choosing that option). You don't want to have to go into city of Newark at all to get transportation so stick with options that pick up at airport.
 
Teragram said:
Once you are at Thayer gate getting around West Point is easy using their shuttle. The hotel is right there and within walking distance to food places in town as well. I believe the bus from Newark to West Point is around $20-25 each way (not sure exactly where it picks up at airport so research that detail before choosing that option). You don't want to have to go into city of Newark at all to get transportation so stick with options that pick up at airport.
Click to expand...
Understood! I will be sure to do my research on those options.

Thank you ma’am. I greatly appreciate your assistance.
 
KidForService00 said:
Teragram said:
Once you are at Thayer gate getting around West Point is easy using their shuttle. The hotel is right there and within walking distance to food places in town as well. I believe the bus from Newark to West Point is around $20-25 each way (not sure exactly where it picks up at airport so research that detail before choosing that option). You don't want to have to go into city of Newark at all to get transportation so stick with options that pick up at airport.
Click to expand...
Understood! I will be sure to do my research on those options.

Thank you ma’am. I greatly appreciate your assistance.
Click to expand...
You are very welcome. Here is a link to some other options.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Newark-Airport-EWR/West-Point-NY-USA
 
Teragram said:
KidForService00 said:
Teragram said:
Once you are at Thayer gate getting around West Point is easy using their shuttle. The hotel is right there and within walking distance to food places in town as well. I believe the bus from Newark to West Point is around $20-25 each way (not sure exactly where it picks up at airport so research that detail before choosing that option). You don't want to have to go into city of Newark at all to get transportation so stick with options that pick up at airport.
Click to expand...
Understood! I will be sure to do my research on those options.

Thank you ma’am. I greatly appreciate your assistance.
Click to expand...
You are very welcome. Here is a link to some other options.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Newark-Airport-EWR/West-Point-NY-USA
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
The bus that runs on post is called the Smurf ( it's Blue). I know it runs during special events and I think it is the same year round. @DrMom will also know more..
 
KidForService00 said:
onepercenter2021 said:
When is your visit?
Click to expand...
My visit is April 1st through 3rd.
The 1st is simply a travel day.
Click to expand...
Super exciting for you! Good Luck! I believe you will also need to go to the "Museum" outside the gate to get a "pass" to get into the gate - (perhaps check with admissions on this) - as an alternative , you can also fly into Stewart/ Newburg Airfield - it is about 15 minutes from the gate - smaller airport - may be a bit more costly - not as many flight options - but I have discovered the cost difference comes out about the same since the car transportation cost is less for the shorter distance....Wish I lived closer - I'd come get you and deliver you! (but I'm in NC) - Safe TRAVELS!
 
ThayerWeek said:
KidForService00 said:
onepercenter2021 said:
When is your visit?
Click to expand...
My visit is April 1st through 3rd.
The 1st is simply a travel day.
Click to expand...
Super exciting for you! Good Luck! I believe you will also need to go to the "Museum" outside the gate to get a "pass" to get into the gate - (perhaps check with admissions on this) - as an alternative , you can also fly into Stewart/ Newburg Airfield - it is about 15 minutes from the gate - smaller airport - may be a bit more costly - not as many flight options - but I have discovered the cost difference comes out about the same since the car transportation cost is less for the shorter distance....Wish I lived closer - I'd come get you and deliver you! (but I'm in NC) - Safe TRAVELS!
Click to expand...
Thank you!
I did not know about the pass, I will research it. I am also looking into other possible flights/airports as well. Simply to see if there are other options, it’s just a long way from the coasts.
Thank you again! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
 
Probably the cheapest/easiest way-
1. Airporter from EWR to Grand Central Station. Round trip $29. This is a private bus service. Very easy and safe.
2. Grand Central-Garrison on Metro North Poughkeepsie train. Round trip $28 off peak, $37 peak. Grand Central can be tricky, but there is a help desk under a big clock. Can't miss it. Train ride gives you a nice view of the Hudson if you sit on the West side of the train. Good food at Grand Central for your trip.
Grand total round trip $66 if peak, $57 off peak.
From Garrison you can catch a cab/Uber to West Point. When closer you can PM me and I can see about getting someone to pick you up.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
Probably the cheapest/easiest way-
1. Airporter from EWR to Grand Central Station. Round trip $29. This is a private bus service. Very easy and safe.
2. Grand Central-Garrison on Metro North Poughkeepsie train. Round trip $28 off peak, $37 peak. Grand Central can be tricky, but there is a help desk under a big clock. Can't miss it. Train ride gives you a nice view of the Hudson if you sit on the West side of the train. Good food at Grand Central for your trip.
Grand total round trip $66 if peak, $57 off peak.
From Garrison you can catch a cab/Uber to West Point. When closer you can PM me and I can see about getting someone to pick you up.
Click to expand...
Thank you for information. I will definitely look into this as well. Traveling is very new to me.
I appreciate the aid in transportation.
 
Your driver's license will be sufficient...the pass is not for candidates, but for parents, etc who will be visiting frequently. Contact whoever your point of contact for this trip and they will verify.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
Probably the cheapest/easiest way-
1. Airporter from EWR to Grand Central Station. Round trip $29. This is a private bus service. Very easy and safe.
2. Grand Central-Garrison on Metro North Poughkeepsie train. Round trip $28 off peak, $37 peak. Grand Central can be tricky, but there is a help desk under a big clock. Can't miss it. Train ride gives you a nice view of the Hudson if you sit on the West side of the train. Good food at Grand Central for your trip.
Grand total round trip $66 if peak, $57 off peak.
From Garrison you can catch a cab/Uber to West Point. When closer you can PM me and I can see about getting someone to pick you up.
Click to expand...
This is exactly what my DS did when he landed in Newark last year after Thanksgiving break (he is a Plebe at WP). It was nerve racking for a parent whose kid took public transportation for the first time and far away form home! If you're ready for West Point this would be an easy task and save you some money ($80 for Uber one way from EWR to WP). Good luck!
 
mom3boys said:
Your driver's license will be sufficient...the pass is not for candidates, but for parents, etc who will be visiting frequently. Contact whoever your point of contact for this trip and they will verify.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the clarification.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top