<p>“The easiest and smartest thing to do is to take a taxi cab to your destination. Using public transportation in a city you do not know is sometimes confusing, especially while you are carrying luggage with you. The taxi ride should not be much more than $15.00. It is worth the price.”</p>
<p>The Lady Liberty Shuttle looks like a good deal.</p>
<p>I am suspicious of that taxi rate, since $28.50 is the fixed rate from the airport to the Center City Zone, and Temple is about half a mile north of the northernmost edge of the Center City Zone. The meter fare is likely to be higher than $28.</p>
<p>It is a long, long time since the average cab fare from the airport to Temple was $15. That hasn’t been the case in this century, or a fair piece of the last one. That might be a decent guess for the fare from 30th St. Station (the main Amtrak train station).</p>
<p>Don’t worry. I did that, and a lot of other people do it too, every year. I flew in from literally halfway across the world (and it was my first time leaving the 200 sq mile area I lived in). It’s not that bad. It seems scary at first but it’s a lot of fun. You’re independent, to an extent and that’s pretty awesome. good luck.</p>
<p>curleq94, you’re getting lots of good advice about transportation from others. I’ll give you advice on a slightly different but related topic. STUFF. You will NOT need a lot of STUFF on your first day, or even during your first week. Don’t over-shop, over-pack, and over-ship.</p>
<p>You will need enough clothes for a week, your toiletries and health care stuff, a bath towel or two, a set of sheets, and a pillow, and you’ll need your laptop. Everything else can be purchased either locally, or shop online and have the stores ship things directly to you once you’re settled in your dorm. You can live the first week (or longer) without a second set of sheets, every piece of clothing and pair of shoes you own, etc. You certainly can live without the “bed in a bag”, a microwave, posters for your walls…</p>
<p>In the coming month, there will be many “what to pack” lists popping up here and everywhere. You don’t need all that stuff right away (or at all!). Look over the lists carefully and figure out the things that you do need and just take that. Also look for threads about “stuff I never used in college” to get some ideas of what not to pack.</p>
<p>All that being said, I want to mention a good cheap way to ship things from home if you want more than you choose to take on the plane. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping. A large box (12 x 12 x 5.5 or 23 11/16 x 11 3/4 x 3) costs $15.45. You can get a lot into those boxes. I managed the entire contents of a carry-on. It’s cheaper than checking a 2nd piece of luggage, and there’s no weight restriction. If you pack it before you go, your parents can send it once you’re settled - make sure you’re actually living in the dorm room you’re originally assigned before they address the box! Your parents can arrange to have the box picked up at your house so they don’t even need to take it to the post office. Priority mail is 2-3 days, so not a long wait for you to get your things delivered hassle-free. (Even the box is free).</p>
<p>You’ll do fine, and you’ll love Philly. It’s a city of neighborhoods, so explore and enjoy. There’s always something different a few blocks from wherever you are.</p>
<p>Although typically it is hot the first week of school, you might also need a blanket or comforter, especially if you happen to be assigned to an air-conditioned dorm.</p>
<p>I understand you’re anxious about all of this but you’ll likely do fine - just as thousands of other college students do who make a similar trip. </p>
<ul>
<li><p>Flight to other side of country: this is really no different than a flight to the other end of your state - you just sit on the plane a bit longer and possibly change planes if needed at some connector airport. You’ll be able to manage the flight fine. </p></li>
<li><p>Getting from the airport to the college: There’s lots of good advice from posters in that area here but in general - just arm yourself with knowledge and options to do get from one point to the other (which you now have) and you anxiety level should reduce. I suggest taking the easiest way considering your luggage to start with even if it’s more expensive - i.e. it might be worth it to take a taxi for the first trip to the college if you’re loaded down with baggage. You can familiarize yourself with public transport later. </p></li>
<li><p>Getting checked in at the college, moved in, etc: The college will help you do all this once you arrive. They’ll be set up to handled the multitudes of students arriving just as you are. Don’t worry about this part.</p></li>
<li><p>What to do if you find you’re missing something you need: Don’t worry - you can probably just buy it on campus at the bookstore (I assume - I’m not familiar with that college) and/or you figure out how to get to the nearest Walmart, Bed Bath, Beyond, JCP, Sears, etc. and buy what you need. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Voila - you’re now done and moved in. Think of it all as a little adventure and your time to take that little leap. There may be a couple of little bumps along the road but you can handle those as they come up and keep on moving.</p>
<p>Your RA will help with any of the college related issues including where to get sheets and other things. If you reach out for help, you will find the ways to do the things you need. </p>
<p>You don’t need to reserve Lady Liberty Shuttle ahead of time. It costs more and it does not guarantee that it shows up accordingly to your flight. The shuttles are available throughout the day. I paid $20 to reserve it last year. I got on the same shuttle with other people who did not reserve it. They only paid $10 each person after the driver dropped them off. The driver asked me to pay and I had to explain that I had online reservation and showed him the confirmation. I paid only $10 when I went back from the hotel to the airport on the way back.</p>
<p>It’s better to fly overnight from California to Philly. You leave around 10 PM and arrive at around 8 AM. This is better than arriving at night.</p>
<p>The neighborhood around Temple has greatly improved from past years. The campus itself is safe - just be careful not to wander off campus several blocks far to the north, west or east by yourself late at night. </p>
<p>You might feel a little more comfortable if you can schedule your arrival during daylight hours.</p>
<p>A taxi is worth the money if you are carrying multiple bags. Some of the subway stations have elevators, but most involve steps. Overall, the Phila. train and subway system is very safe. As with any city subway system, the biggest risk is getting your IPhone or IPod stolen, so you might want to keep them out of sight.</p>
<p>Overall, Philadelphia is a great city - you will really enjoy it. It also is more affordable than many other major cities.</p>
<p>I’m told some major chains (such as Target) have a system where college students can pre-order what they need, and have it available for quick pickup at the nearest store.</p>
<p>As someone that spent 2 years traveling by plane to school, you have been given some great advice.
I agree to set up your ride with a shuttle or car service before you go. And definitely have your parents ship the bulk of your stuff directly to your dorm. I think you can easily do a carry on and a suitcase for the trip and get the basics with you. I would check with the school and see when they will be opening dorms to recieve packages. It is possible you could ship your stuff before you leave home and have it waiting for you when you get to the dorm.</p>
<p>curleq94 - One thing that might make some of this much easier for you is Residence Hall Linens. You can do better on your own (price and quality at places like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond) but ordering sheets, towels, pillows, etc. all from one place is very easy and they will deliver to your school as well. There are other conversations in the forums about RHL that you might want to read first. My brothers, a sister, a number of nieces & nephews as well as in-laws went to college at various Philadelphia area schools. My S is currently in your general area as well (Haverford). None of them had any significant issues. Everything will be fine. Plan ahead and follow the very good advice so many posters have already provided. Enjoy college!</p>
<p>People above have noted the tendency to overpack for freshman year of college. When I went to pick up my son after his first year of college, I asked my son what stuff we had sent that he had never used. He opened up a large desk drawer full of stuff in the original packing and said - this.</p>
<p>My son got a packet from the linen company. They will sell you all kinds of stuff you need and have it sent to your dorm. Sounds like a good option since shipping it yourself won’t be cheap…</p>
<p>We live in South Jersey and we take a shuttle service called Rapid Rover. When you arrive at the airport you just have to look for signs for transportation (I believe that’s what it says) and you will go down to an area where you can get a shuttle or taxi. You usually don’t need a reservation, but we’ve always had one since we needed one to get a ride TO the airport, so we’d book round trip. I don’t think they even follow the return reservation since there are so many arrival delays, they just wait for people to show up.</p>
<p>Wait, they just do New Jersey to PHL. I looked up lady liberty shuttle and it $21 to Temple. Go to the website and select rates, Temple is listed. I guess it’s not part of the $10 center city price. <a href=“ladylibertyshuttle.com”>ladylibertyshuttle.com;
<p>Since you won’t be on a train you can bring some luggage with you as well.</p>