<p>OK - I am coming here with this weird request because everyone here is always so helpful and calming - and I could really use both!</p>
<p>S is in Africa on an internship. He is having some medical issues and needs to have surgery - NOT in africa! The NGO he works for has found him a medical appt. in Philly, however he has a plane ticket to Dulles in DC. We parents live on the west coast, so I will be going to meet him in Philly to help. </p>
<p>Here is the problem - I cannot seem to figure out how he can get from Dulles to Philadelphia with all of his stuff. There seems to be no train? Can this possibly be true? All of the websites say take a bus, but I can't imagine him trying to navigate a bus with a large duffel and probably a couple of other bags, and possibly some physical impairment. (he has been away upwards of 6 months). Plus it is a brutally long flight and he may be super tired. </p>
<p>He will need to get to a hotel near Drexel U. in the city of Philadelphia, from Dulles.
We are totally unfamiliar with that region of the country. And a little panicky (at least mom). </p>
<p>Does anyone have any travel specifics you can calm me down with?
OH - and what happens if he isn't able to use the last leg of his RT ticket? They won't allow the stay over for the surgery, so I think he just has to miss the last leg, and buy a new ticket.... is there any other way?</p>
<p>Hugs to you, take a deep breath. If he does have to take the Peter Pan bus, have him spend the extra $5 for priority boarding. It will allow him to board first, and he can have a front seat. My D has taken them pulling 2 large suitcases, huge bookbag and large purse. I’m sure they will give your son any extra help he may need. Good luck to you both.</p>
<p>edit: I’m sure he can have a porter take his luggage from the baggage pick-up to the bus line for him for a nominal tip.</p>
<p>Thanks for the hug, anyway!
I am so worried and just want to see him, to tell you the truth.
And in case anyone is wondering, I am trying to set up logistics because S is in the absolute middle of nowhere (truly!) and has no access to try and figure this stuff out.</p>
<p>Sooo - if anyone knows the best way to get from Dulles airport to Philadelphia city center, with a bunch of luggage in tow - I am all ears. Cheaper is better. </p>
<p>Obviously S is pretty dang intrepid, and takes just about anything in stride, but mom - not so much. My big contribution so far, is “no invasive medical procedures where you are unless it’s life-threatening”. Which, thankfully, it isn’t.</p>
<p>Deep Breath…
Dulles is an awesome airport, however unlike Reagan National, it is not on the metro rail. Because it is considered a major airport to the Washington DC area there are options to transport into the district.
The easiest thing to do is to take a shuttle to Union Station and take a train to Philly. From Union Station he can take Amtrack (Acela Express) to Philly. There are porters available to help with bags in the station. He’ll just need a bit of cash to tip, but it’s worth it.</p>
<p>This particular Shuttle Svc was $29 one way from Dulles to Union Station. You could also try Washington Flyer.
Link to Shuttle Svc.
[SUPER</a> SHUTTLE Airport Shuttle Service LAX SFO DEN PHX DFW TPA JFK BWI IAD SAN DCA SMF MCI IAH LGA MSP EWR AUS SNA HOU BUR DAL OAK BNA ONT LGB RDU SJC AZA ISP PTP PIE CDG ORY BVA Airports](<a href=“http://www.supershuttle.com/Default.aspx]SUPER”>http://www.supershuttle.com/Default.aspx)</p>
<p>I’m sorry I don’t know how to make the really groovy links, but at least the information is here.</p>
<p>If there is ANY chance that he could ship any of his baggage home before his flight so he has less to carry, that would be preferable.</p>
<p>I hope this helps some.</p>
<p>Another thought:
Depending on the airline, you may be able to call ahead and explain the hardship. They MAY allow your son to check some of his luggage through to the west coast. You would have to have someone meet the bags at the other end, but that would avoid him making the entire trip with so much to carry. He could possibly be down to one bag to take to Philly. Also ask about amending his ticket, again due to the medical hardship. You might not get anywhere with this, however you may get lucky and get a really great person on the phone who could help you. Have contact information for the Dr. for reference. They will want some sort of documentation if they make a concession.</p>
<p>Idea #1: See if he can ship the bags at a UPS/ Fed ex store near Dulles or Union Station. I think it would be easiest to ship the bags at Dulles (via taxi if necessary) because schlepping lots of bags on public transportation isn’t fun. Maybe call the airport for nearby suggestions?</p>
<p>Idea #1b: Amtrak and Greyhound offer shipping services. </p>
<p>Idea #2: See if the Supershuttle is going where he needs to go. [SUPER</a> SHUTTLE Airport Shuttle Service LAX SFO DEN PHX DFW TPA JFK BWI IAD SAN DCA SMF MCI IAH LGA MSP EWR AUS SNA HOU BUR DAL OAK BNA ONT LGB RDU SJC AZA ISP PTP PIE CDG ORY BVA Airports](<a href=“http://www.supershuttle.com/]SUPER”>http://www.supershuttle.com/)</p>
<p>Idea #3: See if he can go through Reagan Airport instead. </p>
<p>Idea #4: taxi. </p>
<p>Idea #5: do you know anyone in the DC/ VA/ MD area who could possibly help your son out? </p>
<p>Union station is a good place to pick up breakfast/ lunch/ dinner. It has more food options than the train. If the Amtrak train does not offer checked luggage, then he’s limited to 2 carry on bags.</p>
<p>Regarding Idea #1 above, try:
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)
Contact: Imelda Hill
Cargo Building #2, Bay 45-50
West Service Road
Chantilly, VA 20167
Phone: 800-535-2345</p>
<p>I’d contact them and see if they offer UPS Ground directly from the airport.</p>
<p>FedEx:
FedEx World Service Center
23723 Air Freight Lane #100
Dulles, VA 20166
1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 (This is a main FedEx #, there was not one listed for this location.)
View details, directions & map
[FedEx.com</a> | Dropoff Locator | Find FedEx Locations](<a href=“FedEx | System Down”>FedEx | System Down)
From the above link search on zipcode 20166 and you will get the location that is directly at the airport above.</p>
<p>Note they do not have Sunday hours. Again, I would call to get information regarding ground shipping directly from the airport.</p>
<p>Regarding #3 above:
IF he can get into National as opposed to Dulles, then he can take the Metro directly from the airport to Union Station, then the Amtrak/Acela as stated above.
Metro: Yellow line to Gallery Place/China Town, switch trains to Red line to Union Station. It sounds like a lot, but it’s only 8 stops total.</p>
<p>Also, does your son have enough money in his account/ a credit card? If you need to transfer money to him it’s probably best to do it in advance. </p>
<p>If you buy him an Amtrak ticket, he only needs to show an ID to pick it up. Amtrak is usually pretty flexible about changing dates of travel, but I’m not sure how flexible Amtrak is changing the time (on a particular date). If you give Amtrak a call they can tell you how full the trains are so you know if you need to buy the ticket in advance or not.</p>
<p>If you have to fly from the west coast to Philadelphia to help your son, why not just fly directly to Dulles and meet him there. Rent a car and then the two of you can make the easy three hour drive to Philadelphia. Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>NJ Paladin,
This may be the best idea yet. Rental cars all have GPS that could easily be programmed to the destination in Philly. It is not a bad drive @ 160miles straight up 95N.</p>
<p>As for hotels near Drexel - I go to Penn right down the street and usually stay at the University Sheraton. You can also stay at Penn Towers right next to the Penn hospital.</p>
<p>I’ve done those flights from Africa. They are exhausting, there is no way I’d want to get in a rental car. He may even be in a part of Africa where they drive on the other side of the street. I think the bus to Union Station is doable. (And yes pick up your meal at the station, train food is awful.) But I agree if at all possible just fly from Dulles to Philadelphia - it’s worth the extra $$$.</p>
<p>The good thing about where he is staying (near Drexel) is that it is right near the 30th Street Station in Philly. There are both buses and trains from Union Station to the 30th Street Station. Buses are much less expensive, and just about as easy. (Some of the trains in Union Station require going down an escalator; it is probably easier to have the bus driver load the bags into the bus than carry them down an escalator.)
[MegaBus</a> US - Home](<a href=“http://us.megabus.com%5DMegaBus”>http://us.megabus.com)</p>
<p>Take a nonstop flight! It’s more expensive than other choices, but your son will be exhausted and going home for surgery. That never sounds optimal. </p>
<p>Expedia has flights for ~$525, but cheapflights (see post 9) were <$300. Otherwise, you fiddle with baggage, switching airports and trains and/or busses. All after a tiring flight from Africa and in need of medical. He’s already at one airport, get him to the city he needs to be in and taxi over to Drexel.</p>
<p>For me, this would be a no-brainer. You (and/or Dad) fly out East and rent the car. Pick him up at Dulles. He stretches out on backseat and rests without stress or physical logistics while you drive to Philly.</p>
<p>I agree with all who suggest parent fly to Dulles and drive child to Philly.</p>
<p>If that isn’t an option…perhaps you could find a friend in DC who would be willing to do it?</p>
<p>If your S is not feeling well, schlepping bags to the center of DC to be able to take a train or bus to Philly, after a long flight, just doesn’t sound like a good idea – unless expense is a very serious issue.</p>
<p>I agree with those who say the parent should meet him at Dulles with a rental car. While all the transfers can be made, this is summer in DC and it’s very hot. If he’s sick, it won’t be fun. If this plan will not work, I think I’d advise him to take a taxi from Dulles to Union Station, to minimize schlepping of his luggage.</p>