<p>Of course Reagan National is the easiest but how long does it take and how much $ to IAD or BWI? Trying to make thanksgiving plans. Does AU run any airport shuttles for the breaks?</p>
<p>I’m a great advocate of cheap public transportation (unless one is toting more than a carryon). All these trips come in under $15, some for a lot less. Here’s how to do it: In each case, start by taking the free AU shuttle bus to Tenleytown and then the Metro red line (by Thanksgiving, your D will have used the shuttle and the red line dozens of times).</p>
<p>Reagan–Switch to the blue line at Metro Center, proceed to the Metro stop right at the airport. </p>
<p>BWI–On weekdays only, exit the red line at Union Station and take the MARC commuter train to the BWI station.Then it’s a free and short shuttle bus trip to the airport entrance. </p>
<p>Dulles–Switch to the orange line at Metro Center and from the nearest Metro stop to the airport take the airport shuttle bus (leaves every half hour)</p>
<p>All these options will require leaving adequate time to account for train and bus connections.</p>
<p>My D was able to come home via train, but if she had to fly, she wouldn’t be taking any cabs to the airport–I take my cheapskate status seriously, and I figure a twenty-something can handle a little inconvenience to save some serious cash. </p>
<p>Note that sometimes it can be an iffy proposition getting a cab at AU. They don’t cruise in the area, so it’s best to reserve a cab the night before, especially at busy times. But keep in mind that the reservation system is not perfect, and the cab company dispatchers are incredibly rude. I’m not aware of any AU airport shuttles. There are so many public transportation options, I guess they don’t feel the need.</p>
<p>mommaj, have your daughter sign up for Uber on her cell phone. It easily solves the problem of getting a taxi when and where needed!</p>
<p>Another idea–sometimes a few students get together and share a taxi to an airport if they are carrying bulky suitcases etc</p>
<p>Interesting service, boysx3. D has graduated AU and is about to become a resident of the Big Apple–but I see uber and some competitors are trying to gain a foothold there, too, though the legality of these services in NYC is being challenged.</p>
<p>my boys love Uber–especially if they need a taxi on a rainy night and they are out in Georgetown!</p>
<p>There’s also a B30 Metrobus from the Greenbelt Metro station to BWI Airport. To get to Greenbelt from Tenleytown, take the Red line downtown to Gallery Place, and then switch to the Green Line to Greenbelt.</p>
<p>Lots of ways to skin the transportation cat in DC! I think the Metro system is awesome and I know my D will miss it greatly now that she’ll be dealing with the far more dysfunctional NYC subways and buses. And speaking of DC buses, the “Next Bus” app will tell you in real time when your bus will be at your stop. Really helpful.</p>
<p>If your D doesn’t have a lot to lug around, the Metro is a great way to get to DCA. My D’s friends use it. In fact, some of them escort each other on the Metro! My D’s flights are always so early in the morning and I feel bad about her lugging her stuff at 5 or 6 a.m. so I have her take a taxi. It takes about 20 minutes to get to DCA and it only costs about $25 which includes tip. She just calls the cab company the night before and she’s never had a problem. Dulles and BWI will cost so much more. Here’s a page that may help you: [Transportation</a> Options | University Center | American University, Washington, D.C.](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/ocl/uc/transportation.cfm]Transportation”>http://www.american.edu/ocl/uc/transportation.cfm)</p>
<p>boysx3, thanks for that uber recommendation! I’ll have my D try it out!</p>
<p>My D (rising senior) has flown out of Reagan and Dulles. For Reagan, she just takes the metro. Once, when she had a lot of luggage, she took a taxi. For Dulles, she uses the Supershuttle. They pick her up on campus and drop her off right at the airport. I think it’s about $30 a trip.</p>