Closest airport/amtrak station to Allegheny

northeastmom · 05-25-2007, 08:26 PM

Easiest way to get to campus? How convenient? Also, where to stay when visiting? Does school provide shuttle transportation, and is it convenient?

cmbmom · 05-25-2007, 08:32 PM

The closest airport is probably Pittsburgh. I do not think Amtrak runs north and south that far west. They do run a shuttle service at the beginnng and end of the semester and for school breaks.

SpringfieldMom · 05-25-2007, 08:34 PM

I assume you mean Allegheny College? The closest airport is Erie. It is approximately 45 minutes from there to campus. Not sure if they have a shuttle--you'll have to call. I know when my D was thinking of doing an overnight, a gal in Admissions said she'd pick her up if need be. As far as I know, there's no Amtrak.

skylandsmom · 05-25-2007, 08:44 PM

I attended Allegheny way back when, and Amtrak did run into Erie then--took the train back from NYC to Erie once. No shuttles back then but wouldn't be surprised if they run them now--although more likely shuttles run from Pittsburgh.

kathiep · 05-25-2007, 09:57 PM

My son flew to Pittsburgh when he visited Allegheny for an accepted students event and they picked him up at the airport. They reimbursed us for most of the cost of the flight. I understand they do have shuttles to the airport but am not sure how regularly they run. With Southwest now running to Philadelphia, it was an inexpensive flight.

binx · 05-25-2007, 10:00 PM

Several chain hotels right at the exit for Meadville on 79. We stayed in Erie (at "Big Sister's Bed and Breakfast"

) and drove down in an easy 45 minutes.

Don't know what they do for transportation when visiting. If your student ends up attending there, though, there are a bunch of "locals" up and down the east side of PA, and I'm guessing there is probably a "ride" board. And I know the violin teacher lives in Erie.

hudsonvalley51 · 05-26-2007, 03:15 PM

Amtrak still operates one train a day each way through Erie-- the Lake Shore Limited, which runs between NYC/Boston and Chicago. The eastbound train stops in Erie around 8:30 in the morning, when it is on time. The westbound train is supposed to get into Erie at 1:30 in the morning, which is bad enough. The three times I have taken this train, however, actual ETA ran between 1 hour and 3 hours late.