<p>but…the room is not available from 8/5~8/7…haha
still thanks for the information</p>
<p>On move in day, is it worth trying to get on the 28x or should I just take a taxi from the airport?</p>
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<p>You’d be surprised at how small Pitt feels. For a campus of almost 18,000 undergrads, it’s actually quite small. Every day on a walk to class I would always see a friend on campus. (or two or three or…). The great thing about the classes is that most big lectures will have small recitations. So even if your large class seems overwhelming, you’ll meet people through recitation. I never had a problem finding a friend who was willing to go over notes or help with homework. Pittsburgh/Pitt is a really friendly place!</p>
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<p>It may be expensive but try the Wyndham on Forbes or the Hampton Inn on Hamlet (the Hampton Inn is really nice but it’s like a 20-30 minute walk to campus. Not bad if it’s nice out).</p>
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<p>My roommate used to book the airport shuttle from the Holiday Inn that MTnest mentioned. I think she said it was like $20-30 one way. They pick you up at the airport and drop you off at Holiday Inn, which is on campus near Lytton and Fifth. I’m not sure what the exact cost of it was, but it’ll definitely be cheaper than a taxi and easier than the 28X with all your bags. If you end up using a different shuttle (i.e. not Holiday Inn), they can drop you off nearer to your dorm, too.</p>
<p>Check out the Pittsburgh airport site for various shuttle costs: [PIT</a> - Transportation Services : Limousines / Taxis and Shuttles / Charter Buses](<a href=“http://www.pitairport.com/limousines_taxis_buses]PIT”>http://www.pitairport.com/limousines_taxis_buses)</p>
<p>Or contact the Holiday Inn at Pitt directly: [PITTSBURGH</a> Hotels - Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts PITTSBURGH @UNIV CTR (OAKLAND) Hotel in PITTSBURGH | Book Direct for Best Rates](<a href=“http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/pittsburgh/pitsp/hoteldetail]PITTSBURGH”>http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/pittsburgh/pitsp/hoteldetail)</p>
<p>Stanley, if you have to be at the campus tour at 7 a.m. (good grief!), you should fly in the night before and try to find a hotel near campus. Then you’ll have plenty of time to take the 28X from the airport (it runs until midnight). Lots of kids take the bus with their bags. My kid did it for four years. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Residence Inn that I was going to recommend is sold out for Aug. 5-7.</p>
<p>We are also New Yorkers, so let me know if you have any questions.</p>
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<p>True. Since the 28X is the airport bus, it’s really common to see kids/patrons with larger luggage and bags. Especially if you’re just coming for a day or two, you can definitely navigate fine with a small carry-on bag/roller suitcase. </p>
<p>However, for moving in, I still discourage it. Two big/heavy bags that you’re lugging is no fun. Especially since the 28X may be crowded (if you move in close to when everyone else does) and you might not be well oriented/know exactly where you’re going when you get off.</p>
<p>I wonder what is happening on Aug. 5 - 7 since so many of the hotels are sold-out. Another hotel we like to stay at is the Courtyard at the Waterfront but you need a car or will have to travel via the bus to Pitt.</p>
<p>It is odd that the hotels are all booked for that weekend. That happened to us also when we drove to Pitt in late June to bring home my daughter after her on-campus job ended: My first and second choice hotels were booked. Luckily, my third choice is also very nice. When I got there, I asked the front desk what the heck was going on, and she said that there was a huge convention taking place, and in addition to that, the Red Sox were playing the Pirates! And indeed we did see lots of Boston fans in the elevator and parking lot, and I even think some of the players were staying there. So in short, to answer your question: You never know!</p>
<p>I wanted to add that for graduation we stayed at the SpringHill Suites (Marriott) at Bakery Square (my new second choice), and it was great. It’s only about a year old, very modern and boutique-hotel in feeling, and there is a shuttle bus to the Pitt/CMU area. The new Google offices are located there. It’s about three miles to Pitt, though, so not within walking distance. This hotel is also booked solid for Aug. 5-7 though. My favorite part was the split bathrooms: a sink and shower in one, and a sink and commode in the other. Very handy!</p>
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<p>I feel like something similar is probably going on that weekend, especially since the Pirates are actually winning right now! Craaaaaaazy.</p>
<p>Also if you’re taking the bus (any bus) the fare is $2.50 for a one-way trip. You’ll need exact change. Once you get your Pitt ID at PittStart, you can start using that to avoid paying for the bus fare :)</p>
<p>I can’t remember if you have to pay more for a transfer (but I can’t imagine you’d need one if you’re just going to Oakland from the airport or the hotel you’re at).</p>
<p>The end of June was the Furry convention. For the past few years they’ve been coming to Pittsburgh for their annual convention. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be in Pittsburgh the first week of August, but I have no idea how many people they expect it to draw.</p>
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<p>Could be it. </p>
<p>I think the lesson here is, if you know when you’re going to Pittsburgh, book rooms (should you need to) ASAP, because you never know what craziness is going on. </p>
<p>On that same vein, I encourage parents/family of seniors to start thinking about rooms for graduation weekend NOW. There are only so many hotels/rooms in Oakland and definitely more students than that. (For anyone who didn’t know, Commencement will be on Sunday, April 29 for the class of 2012. Not sure about departmental graduations…)</p>
<p>I would second that on graduation. I think all the hotels near Pitt is sold out already 
I was told a hotel near/on the UVA campus takes reservations for graduation FOUR YEARS in advance!</p>
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<p>Four years is a bit much, but yes the hotels sell out at least a year in advance (including the dorm rooms)! (My sister just graduated from there, luckily it was a day trip for us, but still!).</p>
<p>I’d encourage parents to also look at hotels just outside of Pittsburgh proper too-- close towns about a 15-20 minute car ride away will probably have cheaper rates, and then you just have to pay for parking for the day in Oakland (which if you can get a Panther Hollow spot, is just $4 for all day parking!).</p>
<p>I think the SpringHill Suites at Bakery Square still has rooms for Pitt graduation 2012, so if you’re interested, I would call right away.</p>
<p>Thanks! I may encourage them to do that, or I’m considering having them stay in a really nice B&B in Shadyside…need to make up my mind soon!</p>
<p>One can also try airbnb.com
I have had great success using this site - which has private rooms or apts by the night.</p>
<p>Awesome - thanks for the class choice (UHC vs regular level) advice. They were pushing really really hard for everyone in this class to go the regular level at least to begin with. Said the avg. hs gpa of incoming engineering class is 4.1 and math sat 701, and last yrs frosh (engineering school) GPA was only 2.9 (eek!)</p>
<p>Wow – 2.9 GPA for the freshman class – I second the eek!!!</p>