<p>lolasmom-
I have a first year out-of-state (California) D at UVa. Transportation to and from the school has been a frustration and learning experience for us. Thankfully, it gets easier to deal with as you begin to figure out the alternatives. Obviously, our routes to and from the school are different, but hopefully some of what our family has learned from our experience can help you and/or others. Here goes.....</p>
<p>The Charlottesville airport is about 10 miles to the north of UVa. Though an int'l airport, not a lot of airlines fly in there, and those that do are not discount airlines. Additionally, it might be tough to find direct flights--makes for a lonnng and expensive flight. IF you decide to use the Charlottesville airport, most kids either use a taxi or friends to get from the airport to campus. </p>
<p>We have had great luck with Jet Blue. Not sure if you can use it, but it is definitely worth a try. I believe that it flies out of Fort Lauderdale and into Dulles. Dulles is about 100 miles north of UVa and 20(?) miles west of the congestion of the DC area. Jet Blue also flies into Richmond, Va. (only 50 miles SE of UVa), but with much more limited frequency and only from certain selected cities.....your best bet with Jet Blue is probably Dulles.</p>
<p>Southwest airlines flies into Reagan airport---right in the DC area. Not sure if SW originates somewhere that is easily accessible to you, but it usually has good prices and DC is only about 100+ miles north of UVa.
We have used both airlines and prefer Dulles to Reagan in that it seems to be a few miles closer to the campus and doesn't have the congestion of getting out of the DC area. It also seems to be a "straighter" shot---less turns=less chance to get lost! In fact, it is pretty darn easy to drive. From either Dulles or Reagan, you are looking at about a 2 hr drive to the school--count on some high traffic moments.</p>
<p>We have had great luck with Enterprise Car rental. We were at Parents weekend last week and our car rental was only 18.00 a day. We wondered if someone made a mistake....but didn't really want to ask. Anyway, our 2 day car rental was under 50 dollars.....couldn't believe it.</p>
<p>You could also try Amtrak, though I don't think it would be less expensive than a good car rental. If you fly into Reagan, you can catch the Amtrak train at Union Station (right next to Reagan). If you fly into Dulles, the best place to catch Amtrak is Manassas, which is about 15 miles south of Dulles. You can either catch a taxi to get to Manassas or take the "Super Shuttle"--a large blue passenger van with gold stripes that runs all over the place at Dulles. D has not tried the shuttle yet, but we will in June. Our Enterprise bus driver says it will take you anywhere in the area for just a few dollars......we'll see. Anyway, Amtrak is fast and efficient, though needs to be carefully coordinated with your arriving flight since there are only a few trips to Charlottesville daily. D used Amtrak one way from Manassas to Charlottesville and it cost about 20.00.</p>
<p>If your D decides on UVa and needs to get to either Dulles, Reagan or Richmond on a weekend, you might try googling "Homeride". It is a bus service that is operated thru the school that leaves UVa almost every Friday afternoon and goes to Vienna, Va. (or south to Richmond). The price is very reasonable and gets the kids within miles of either Dulles or Reagan. (They then, of course, need to taxi either west to Dulles or east to Reagan) The return trip begins late Sunday afternoon, starting in Vienna and goes right back to campus. D has used that several times and it has been a great alternative--for students only.</p>
<p>I'm guessing this is WAY more info than you asked for. Just thought it was a good time to unload what I have learned over the course of the year since I often see questions about transporatation issues posted here. Hopefully it will help somebody.......</p>
<p>Good luck with the visit!</p>