<p>We're flying ds in later in April. He lands just before noon, and it looks like he will have just missed Northfield Lines' 11:15 bus. Other than waiting for the next one in four hours or paying a lot for the ecotrans, is there another way to get to campus? I looked at the Jefferson Lines bus, but it doesn't seem to drop off at the campus.</p>
<p>TIA</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it’s hard to get to campus from the airport unless it’s by Northfield Lines or taxi.</p>
<p>Is he coming for ASD? there are Carleton greeters and shuttles on those days.</p>
<p>He’s not coming on ASD. He called about a shuttle, but they said it’s not available. ecotrans it is!</p>
<p>if you want to avoid paying a bunch, killing four hours at the airport really isn’t that bad - i’ve done it before with awkward landing times. usually i just settle down at a starbucks with a book and computer. :)</p>
<p>I’m thinking it’s worth it to spend the extra bucks on the ecotrans so he can spend every hour he can on campus. After all, this might be his home for four years!</p>
<p>Does anybody happen to know if shuttles are run from Minneapolis airport close to the beginning of terms when all of the students will be arriving? Also, could anyone comment on costs of Northfield lines vs. ecotrans. Are reservations required? And what is ecotrans?</p>
<p>On the same note, I am looking for the most economical flights from California. I would like to reserve round trip so that my son can return after the end of first term. Would anyone have any advice on when is the best time to reserve for the return trip? Do students generally leave the same day that they finish their finals, or do they stick around for a short time afterward? I would like to maximize my savings for airline and shuttle, bus returns.</p>
<p>Four hours is enough time to go to the Mall of America, if your son has any desire to see it (it’s not really that impressive). Having spent more than 50 hours of my life waiting at MSP, I can say that it’s not the worst place to have to wait. </p>
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<p>Yes, I think they used to run them on a couple days before each term started and then on the last day of exams and the day after. </p>
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<p>I’m pretty sure the airport shuttle was $10 each way. You have to get a ticket in advance (though I know plenty of people who managed to get a ride without buying a ticket). I never used Ecotrans (which was Care Tenders at the time), but the cheapest option they seem to have is $55 each way. But they’re obviously more flexible, since the shuttle only runs every few hours.</p>
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<p>The dorms always closed the day after finals, so unless a student has a job or something on campus over the break, they have to be out by 5 pm that day.</p>
<p>You can find out more about the shuttles running to and from the airport if you look on the Carleton site under the student gateway - maps and transportation. Our son reserves and purchases his shuttle tickets in advance and has found it reasonable and reliable. We usually reserve his flight for the morning after the last final - he loves spending that last night with his friends before breaks. He usually returns the Saturday before classes start up again.</p>
<p>You may want your son to contact the admissions office and see if they can hook him up with a ride share. He can also try posting for a share on the new student facebook site. If he takes the bus, it is $10. Carleton adds several additional bus runs for students the beginning and end of each term.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>FYI, on the ecotrans, I was told that if anyone else signs up for the shuttle at the same time you can rideshare and the cost would be reduced. How much would depend on the number of others who sign up. I was told you can book as late at the night before.</p>
<p>dddavy - check out Southwest, but be aware that they use the other terminal at the airport, not the main one. Not sure how you get to shuttles, etc from the SW terminal.</p>
<p>Also, I decided to do a one-way for my d in the fall. That way we were doing round-trips for vacations so it was much easier to know when she needed to be back. As I recall, NW (now Delta) was charging the same for a OW as RT. I think we ended up on Frontier (through Den) or USAir (through Phx). We were coming from SF Bay Area
Hope this helps</p>
<p>As far as I know, there are just two terminals (Humphrey and Lindbergh) and there’s a tram running between them, so taking SW shouldn’t be a problem.</p>