<p>Any way short of a taxi or rental car to get to/from Duke campus from/to the airport? The website is really poor in this regard. Sounds like they assume car is the only mode of transportation, and Super Shuttle is very expensive.</p>
<p>It looks like you can take a TriangleTransit bus from the Duke campus to a transfer station SW of the airport, then transfer to the airport shuttle bus. Check TriangleTransit.org. I have no idea how convenient it is but it’s probably cheaper than virtually anyway else.</p>
<p>Most students take On Time Taxi, which is $27 (used to be $25, can sometimes get by paying that depending on the driver) and if you’re riding with a friend, you can split the cost. Also, on Fall, Thanksgiving, and Spring breaks Duke provides a free shuttle to students to/from RDU.</p>
<p>super shuttle is $22</p>
<p>For $22/person both ways (2 people) I might as well rent a car. This is the only school we’re visiting where that is necessary. I’m already irritated!</p>
<p>Dufay: no one said you had to take super shuttle. Get a taxi and split the cost. Duke can’t really help it that RDU is so far away or that public transit is so lacking in the triangle, it’s just the way it is so take a chill pill and bring some cash.</p>
<p>Welcome to reality! Most universities in the US aren’t right next to airports.</p>
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<p>There is a public bus that goes from the airport to Duke area. I’m not sure what line it is (or if you have to transfer), but I know people who have taken it. It costs like $2, but can take quite a while (45 min - 1 hr). I’m sure once you get to the airport, they can help you out. A $20 cab isn’t that bad, though. Renting a car is way more than that. But there certainly is a bus if you don’t want to shell out $20, but are willing to spend a lot longer getting to campus.</p>
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<p>Duke is TWENTY minutes from an international airport. That’s pretty much “right next to” and is incredibly convenient. I’d agree that most universities in the US aren’t right next to airports, though - Duke is certainly one of the most accessible. And there’s never traffic getting there or back either…unlike most major airports.</p>
<p>Duffay, I’m curious. do you mind saying where you are from? sounds like you are used to school shuttles, or great public transportation. I’m from New York, and the public transportation is great, but the Airports are in Queens, which is a LONG way from where most people want to be. </p>
<p>Also, anybody notice the “similar threads” at the bottom? Here;s a link to one of them.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/duke-university/491962-cab-fare-rdu-airport-duke.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/duke-university/491962-cab-fare-rdu-airport-duke.html</a></p>
<p>Renting a car will be even more expensive. Rental agencies at RDU have some of the highest add on taxes I have ever seen (all money goes to local or the state taxing agency).</p>
<p>I can’t split a taxi- unless my son poneys up! Taxis are about $30+ one way (acc to website). We are also visiting Emory and Wash U, and it looks like we can get to those campuses (or hotels right nearby) relatively easily by public transport. Yes, I’m used to public transportation- or relatively cheap taxis (as in NYC).</p>
<p>Yeah…Duke just isn’t a very urban campus, I’m afraid it’s a package deal…</p>
<p>Yes, Wash U is easy because it is on the train line.</p>
<p>There are several hotels around Duke that have free shuttle service to campus and the surrounding areas. <a href=“http://web.duke.edu/womstud/Local%20Hotels.pdf[/url]”>http://web.duke.edu/womstud/Local%20Hotels.pdf</a> I am trying to recall the cost of the shuttle from the airport to the local hotels and coming up short, but you can call one of the hotels with a shuttle to Duke and find out.</p>
<p>I hope the lack of an excellent transit system in the triangle area doesn’t turn you off too much. Son just completed his junior year at Duke, and it has been great. (And he has not had a car!)</p>
<p>When we visited Harvard I was suprised at how expensive both the shuttle and a taxi were. Public transportation is available there but when you’re lugging rolling luggage plus backpacks and handbags - it’s daunting.</p>
<p>We visited Vanderbilt and it was the same. The shuttle from the airport was more than $22 - something tells me it was closer to $26 per person because Vandy is just outside the cheaper mileage ring.</p>
<p>Dufay, you’ll need to budget a bit more for shuttles in your college visit costs. Maybe you can get a handout somewhere if you’re struggling financially. For our family it was cheaper in most cases to drive to college visits rather than fly.</p>
<p>It’s not the $- I just hate driving in strange cars in strange cities. Glad to hear that a car is not essential at Duke to have a good experience. I’ve heard that it helps.</p>
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<p>So? I hate taking midterms and writing personal statements…</p>
<p>Seriously, the public bus is a great option. Maybe it’s not the standard “Duke way” of doing things, and not that many people know about it, but I always used to do it and you’ll get to campus for under $2 in under an hour, PLUS at no additional charge you’ll get an absolutely beautiful tour of Durham metropolitan area…What a deal! Just ask an info guy at the airport which number bus to pick up and you’re all set. </p>
<p>There, no more complaining about transportation in Durham. It’s as easy as it gets, and less traffic than New York.</p>
<p>dufay, feel to PM me regarding the car on campus business!</p>
<p>Full disclosure: son is moving off campus in the fall for his senior year, and is going to take is car. For the first 3 years he has left his car at home. His roommate, however, will remain car-less. They found an apartment close enough to campus that the Duke bus line is a quick walk away.</p>
<p>when i visited, i took the bus to and from duke. it only cost $2 but there was a rather long walk from the station at duke to west campus. i found it hard with all my luggage but if you aren’t carrying much, the bus is definitely the cheapest route. it does take a while though so plan for about an hour long trip.</p>