<p>We live on the West Coast and S will be flying to ND. Was hoping to hear current students' experiences flying into SB versus flying to Chicago and taking the coach bus to campus. Two main concerns: 1) do the flights out of SB get cancelled often due to weather, especially around Christmas (and what do you do if that happens and you have a connection in Chicago?) and 2) is it easy to find the coach bus at O'Hare? S hasn't ever traveled by himself, so I'm a bit nervous. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>I am from the west coast as well and during my four years at ND ended up using both routes. As far as money goes, if you plan your trip many months in advance both routes cost virtually the same amount (at least to and from my home town). The SB airport route is convenient when everything works perfectly. Flights to and from SB are delayed occasionally during the summer and winter travel can often be hit or miss. Still, I used it probably ten times and I can think of only one cancellation (during a Christmas break storm that affected the entire region) and a couple minor delays. All in all I was very happy with SB airport but I think I was pretty lucky.</p>
<p>I used the bus route from Midway my freshman and sophomore years. I am not sure if going to Midway is an option for you, but if it is take it. Southwest is a great airline and Midway in general is less chaotic and crowded. I have nothing but good things to say about Midway. The bus is another story. The bus company sometimes runs express buses to and from the airport during peak ND travel times. Other times they have buses that make a series of stops (and one transfer) throughout the area (this can add about an hour or so of extra travel time). Yes, there have been times when I was on the bus longer than when I was on an airplane from California to Midway. That’s not the greatest feeling. I also felt uncomfortable in general when I used the bus. It’s tough to put into words but the operation seemed less than professional and at least some of the employees seemed disrespectful towards students. This was one of the reasons I chose to use the SB airport my last two years at ND. If you don’t mind gambling then choose SB airport. I know I would do it again if I ever returned to ND.</p>
<p>I’m from the west coast too. The SB airport doesn’t offer flights directly to my hometown so I typically fly into and out of O’Hare or Midway. I much prefer taking Midway and would suggest you take it rather than O’Hare when you can. It’s a shorter bus ride and the airport is much nicer. But if you do decide to take O’Hare, it’s a little tricky finding the bus stop the first time, but certainly manageable if follow the signage. Just know that it’s not directly outside the baggage claim area; you have to go down an elevator and through some hallways and such before you get there.</p>
<p>I’ve never had a problem with the bus company. It’s always been a direct route when I’ve travelled and the bus usually gets to the airport in about 1.5 to 2 hours. I wouldn’t expect it to be a direct route if you’re not traveling at peak times but as long as you’re traveling at peak times (beginning/end of year, breaks, etc.) you should be OK.</p>
<p>Our daughter flies between LAX and Midway or O’Hare, depending on flight times and fares. She has never had a problem with Coach USA. I took the bus from campus to Midway last August on my way home after driving with her from LA to South Bend. (Yes, she has a car at school. Digging it out after it sat for a month over Christmas break was a great adventure for a SoCal kid and her roommates!) The driver could not have been nicer. He even told D to “make Mom proud” as I hugged her goodbye before boarding the bus. We keep a copy of the bus schedule ([Coach</a> USA](<a href=“http://www.coachusa.com%5DCoach”>http://www.coachusa.com)) handy when booking airline tickets and try to schedule flights that give her a reasonable amount of time to make the bus while minimizing her wait time between flight arrival and the bus leaving the airport for campus.</p>
<p>We always fly from Providence to South Bend. There are many connections to the latter from Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and I assume there are from LAX too. The layover is usually brief, and it seems to be less expensive to fly all the way than to pay bus fare in addition. The South Bend airport is very convenient; taxis can often be shared, and my daughter often has a friend scoot over from campus to pick her up or drop her off. We’ve never had flight problems (!) over the past four years.</p>
<p>Thank you all, so much good information! It’s encouraging to hear that the bus really doesn’t pose any problems besides time, and that no one seems to have had horrendous experiences with SB flights being cancelled. The one time we tried to fly to SB in March it snowed and our connection from O’Hare was cancelled. We had to rent a car since it was late at night. Obviously, my son won’t be able to do that, so that’s why I’ve been a bit worried about the flying option. Guess it will all come down to ticket prices in the end!</p>
<p>And USCAlumNDMom, thanks so much for the Coach link!</p>
<p>And silly question, I know, but…is there a restroom on the bus?</p>
<p>^Yes, there is! :)</p>
<p>Good. Scary thought to be stuck on the toll road in snow or traffic with no restroom! Thanks. :)</p>
<p>If cost is not prohibitive, definitely fly into South Bend. The bus is usually not running express and so it takes 3.5 hours from midway to ND. When you fly into SB airport (Delta and United have tons of connections) you are 10 minutes from campus, you are over 1.5 hrs away if you fly into Chicago. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Our daughter has travelled during every school break over the past two years. EVERY trip to and from Midway or O’Hare that she has taken during a school break has been an express bus full of only ND kids. They usually have multiple buses leaving from ND and she usually can walk right onto a waiting bus at the airport for a non-stop trip back to campus. Coach knows how many kids are travelling based on the reservations they have and seems to run express busses whenever they can. Total travel time taking the bus isn’t much different than making the connection to/from a SB flight at another airport.</p>
<p>Nonstop bus trips from ND are common at peak travel times, but getting a nonstop from one of the airports can often times be hit or miss. Yes, they have nonstop buses, however, in the event these fill up, you will have to take the standard route complete with stops (unless you want to wait for the next nonstop bus). If I remember these often left Midway at around the same time as the nonstop option.</p>
<p>California Mom here…our D has done both. As mentioned, both options work well, assuming no weather issues. D was a little nervous first time she traveled out of either airport, but then realized there was always someone wearing ND clothing and if she had questions, she just had to ask.<br>
The beauty of flying into SB is convenience–the buses don’t leave on demand from Midway or O’Hare, but still often enough (2 hour intervals, I believe). A cab or friend can pick you up at the dorm for transit to airport.<br>
The beauty of flying into Midway on SW is the 2 free bags! The bus at ND arrives and departs from the Bookstore area. And, depending where you are on the West Coast, you may have a choice of airports (i.e., in SF, we have SFO or Oakland). <strong>Reserve bus early for Thanksgiving, Christmas transit.</strong>
The beauty of flying into O’Hare is that there are many flights from the West Coast…and in the winter, O’Hare is a pro at snow removal.
It all works out.<br>
And the beauty of it all is that your S is going to Notre Dame!</p>
<p>momdoc - here is another thing to consider. there is a great chance your S can catch a ride directly to the airport. My D only flies home to Minnesota but at the major breaks there is a girl on her floor that lives in the chicago suburbs and drops kids off at the airport on there way out. you will find people are very friendly and helpful.</p>
<p>Momdoc, ^</p>
<p>This last post sorta sums it all up…your S will never run out of great fellow students who are always ready willing and able to help out. Our S has found a half dozen connections/rideshare options in getting to and from Western PA during his freshman year with awesome classmates. Congrats on your Son’s acceptance…welcome home!</p>