Those who live far from the main campus and flying is the only choice - how is the experience with IND or Chicago airports and getting the shuttle to the campus? Thinking of specifically during the holidays when most of the students will be travelling home and back.
Do you have issues with booking the shuttle during those busy times? I heard they impose limits on how many bags you can carry. We are in NJ. Anyone from NJ - any specific issues you experience from just travel perspective?
My S24 lives in Raleigh, NC.
He had a relatively easy time getting to / from Indy with the student systems they have in place twice now (Thanksgiving / Christmas). He’s also reasonably self-aware / street smart so that probably weighs a bit in his favor. He travels light as he has to take a connection flight from Indy to Raleigh and back - so he uses a backpack and a smaller duffel bag. We drove up to move him in, and we’ll pick him up to move him out for the summer.
Having grown up outside of Chicago and using ORD frequently then, and very infrequently now - I try to avoid using O’Hare unless absolutely necessary.
Daughter and I flew from west coast into Indy and rented a car to get to campus for our initial visit. Very easy airport to navigate. Daughter did the trip herself last summer to do an engineering week and we scheduled Lafayette Limo to shuttle her from the airport to campus. I was a bit of a nervous wreck, since she had never traveled solo, but again it was easy with no issue.
There are two shuttle services, Reindeer Shuttle & Lafayette Limo, that I know of. They are in the business of serving the student population. Lafayette Limo was very friendly and helpful when we did our planning.
Lots of students live in Indy and Chicagoland too so your student may meet friends who will drive them. My daughter did drop offs and pick ups for friends at O’Hare for breaks.