<p>It would be best for my son, a freshman, to fly out of Midway airport to come home for Christmas. From what I understand, to take the Coach bus from campus to Midway, you have to change buses in Highland, IN. Has anyone done this? Is it simple? Do you have to wait long? What is the neighborhood like (ie are students waiting around for buses targets for crime, especially at night?)?</p>
<p>One more question...does it ever happen that the bus from campus is too full to take all the students who want to get on it? If you buy your ticket online ahead of time, are you assured a seat?</p>
<p>Any reassurance from students who have made the Coach trek from campus to Midway would be greatly appreciated by this worried mom! Thanks.</p>
<p>I’ve taken the bus a couple times in the past. It picks you up right on campus and drops you off right at the airport, so there really isn’t much of a chance to be a “target for crime.” Also, depending on the bus schedule, there may be an express bus that wouldn’t stop on the way to Chicago, or the bus may stop but not require passengers to change buses. I never had to switch buses, but I don’t think it’s a big deal if you have to.</p>
<p>I think they try and have enough buses to meet the demand, so I don’t think it is ever too full, but I’m not sure. I never had a problem with it when I took the bus. I did buy my tickets online ahead of time though. Your son might end up out of luck if he plans on buying tickets the day of when demand is high.</p>
<p>Thanks, Shellzie, I was confused because the Coach website says to go from ND to Midway, you have to transfer in Highland. O’Hare appears to be a direct route. Just wasn’t sure how much of an issue this is…An express bus would be great. Maybe at break time they run extra buses.</p>
<p>How much time do you suggest giving yourself between departure from ND on the bus and flight boarding?</p>
<p>This is what I have been told by friends whose kids have been at ND for several years (I have a freshman at ND):
you can buy a ticket online or at the travel agency in LaFun. You are not guaranteed a seat and boarding is first come, first served. However, extra busses are brought in for high volume times like Friday before fall break. Advance sales give them a better idea of how many passengers to expect.
when busses are completely filled on campus, they tend to go directly to the airports since they cannot pick up any additional passengers.
the schedule posted on the Coach website lists the expected arrival time at each airport. For example, the 2:10 bus is scheduled to arrive at Midway at 4:30 (local times, about 3 1/2 hours actual transit time.) I would allow at least two more hours before flight time for security, etc., especially on Fridays and holidays. Also, encourage your child to print his/her boarding pass in advance, and carry on luggage, if possible (reasons: one less line to stand in and if your flight is cancelled, you have your stuff with you.) Weather can be very tricky at Christmas, so allowing more time and not booking the last flight of the day (in case of cancellations) would be good ideas.</p>
<p>I have not heard any horror stories about the busses, but have been told that the trip can be a little creepy at low-student travel times when you may be the only student on the bus. Major break times tend to produce busses full of fellow students.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me exactly where the Coach bus picks the students up on campus? The schedule just says “Notre Dame Ave and Holy Cross Dr.” Do they pull up at the side of the road wait in a parking lot? Son is a freshman and don’t want him to be waiting at the wrong place and miss the bus! How early do you advise he stand out there to wait before the scheduled arrival? </p>
<p>Thanks for all your help! Looks like the weather should be nice…I’ll be a nervous wreck, though, until he’s on that plane to CA! Happy Holidays!</p>
<p>The busses pick up near the bookstore parking lot. The riders seem to hang out near the bookstore and can see the busses arrive. Child had great luck at fall break as there were so many riders, they were able to fill a bus and leave early for Midway. Since they were full, they went directly to the airport. Would advise getting there at least 30 minutes early since boarding is first come, first served. If history repeats itself, they may leave early with a full bus, but will continue to bring more as needed. They all seem to take care of each other and have fun on the bus although I think a lot of them will be ready for a nap after finals.</p>
<p>The bus stop is right by the gatehouse by the bookstore. The buses pull up right along the road there. It’s marked and there will probably be other people waiting there as well. He shouldn’t have to get there too early, there isn’t any check in process until the buses get there, then they will collect and/or sell tickets.</p>
<p>I don’t know of many students who took the train to the airport. The problem being that you have to taxi/get a ride to the South Bend airport from campus and then I believe you have to contend with Chicago public transportation as well once you get off the train in Chicago. I know of several students who did this to visit Chicago, but I think getting on the bus on campus and getting dropped off right at the airport wins out in terms of convenience and possibly cost, especially if you are juggling luggage.</p>