<p>So I just got back from my red carpet day, kelly orientation, housing tour, etc and I'm about 80% sure I'll be attending IU this Fall. However, there are a few items I'm adressing with my parents about IU. Most things are what most out of state(or in state) kids would be talking about. Finacial items, academics, and travel. While at IU, my tour guide was from Cali and the rest of the people I met with were Indiana or Ohio residents so travel questions from NY were sorta out of their knowledge. I do, however, know IU New Yorkers and got most of my question answered. However, unlike them, I will most likely not be taking an airline 3 times a year(round trip).</p>
<p>While travel costs are not my families main concern, we are middle class and would like to keep costs low compared to what some have done. For the two long breaks I am most likely taking Amtrack, which through dicounts will cost me little under 170 bucks(round trip), or some other service that another NY IU alum informed me about. The train does only go to Indy though and I know many people take greyhound buses or other buses to Bloomington. </p>
<p>I was wondering if any alum, current students or parents had what my experince will be like? how they got from indy to bloomington?(or from NY to Indy for that matter) Any general knowledge about travel would be helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>How much time would it take with Amtrak? My quick search showed 33 hours since the train will go to Chicago and you will need to take bus to Indy. Also, I am not sure if there are bus services from Amtrak station to IU campus. If not, you will need to get to the Airport. Others may be able to help.</p>
<p>If you schedule ahead of time, which I would be able to do since I’d know the dates, I can get direct trains to Indy in between 23-19 hours which honestly I can live with if I saving 200 bucks a trip or so. And from what i’ve been told and than researched the Amtrack station actually holds the bus station such as Greyhound and a few brands which I’m not complety familiar with which all have 2 to 3 trips to Bloomington for less than 15 a day. Obviously as a get familar with people, I’d see if I could arrange rides from indy. I would probaly fly for one break.</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with where the train station in Indy is, but the 2 buses that students most often take to/from Indy to Btown are based out of the airport (Star of America and Bloomington Shuttle). These 2 drop off directly at the Union or a few of the dorms, and are the cheapest/most convenient.</p>
<p>Greyhound does operate a route from B-ton to downtown Indy. As someone may have mentioned, it may also be possible to carpool with someone to Indy or even NY via an online OneStart classified ride board or craigslist. There is also a service that runs near breaks that goes to downtown Chicago and/or nearby suburbs. From there you can catch the train also. I’d also keep an eye out for cheap flights.</p>
<p>Thanks soccergurl and rahh, I was not aware of the the Onestart listing, or service to Chicago.(where i have family) I will be keeping an eye out for cheap flight since I’ll most likely be using the airport for either thankgiving or spirng break depending on where I’m going. It’s really nice knowing there are so many different ways to Indy and then to B-town. One of reasons thats helping pushing IU over the top compared to the other schools.</p>
<p>nyorker1111, Depending how far in advance you book and if you can leave at random times ,you might be surprised to find that flying can be as cheap as Amtrac. She found the 2 shuttles from the airport to Bloomington to be very reliable. My D would has lucked out with inexpensive airfares sometimes by leaving a day early for a break and coming back a day earlier. Also, my D meet several students with cars who she could catch a ride with to NYC/LI area. Good luck.</p>
<p>So I looked at what it would be for a student going home to New York on May 3rd after finals. I was able to find a flight on Southwest from Indy for $157 and Amtrak was $121.</p>
<p>I actually met a few kids from LI so it good to know that there should be a solid number of kids from the area where i could work out detials with. And I will defiantly be looking for deals. Southwest is a great example of this espcially for shorter breaks such. However, 157 is usually the lowest i’ve found for most flights and through discounts if you get the right train it can be as long as 80 bucks. For winter break i’m willing to lose a day plus is travel both ways to save 100 or 200 bucks.</p>
<p>If you plan on taking Amtrak more than once, be sure to get a Student Advantage card (there is a link on Amtrak) – cuts 15% off your Amtrak tix and gets you discounts with a few other businesses as well. The initial cost is low, I think $20 or so – well worth it. Also be sure to book Amtrak as far in advance as possible – like airlines, prices and availability are a lot worse closer to your travel date.</p>
<p>For Chicago, you can take the Bloomington Shuttle to the Airport;
Take Indygo Bus #8 (Indianapolis city bus; $2.25 each way) to Washington and Delaware Streets;
Take Megabus from Indy to Chicago’s Union Station.</p>
<p>If you book ahead the Indy-Chicago-Indy portion of the trip can be as little as $2 round trip. I have done it many times at that price, and never more than $20 round trip.</p>
<p>Round trip should usually be between sixty and eighty dollars, depending on how far in advance you book the Megabus legs of the trip.</p>