detpilot

Thinking of making the jump from EWR to DCA on the bus. Both are about an equal commute, and I can stay with family in DCA. But, how do you get to BWI? Especially early in the am when Uber is dead? And I saw that the metro starts at 5 on weekdays, 7 on weekends. How do you manage early shows? Any tips or tricks I don't know about?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

ufgatorpilot

From my short time on rsv there on the bus, I got ALL early shows in BWI. REALLY early shows! I always went over to BWI the night before (since my Crashpad was by IAD) because I had enough notice for my rsv BWI trips. When I had a line, I commuted directly into BWI the night before. You get paid a little more for BWI trips so that was enough to cover the cost of my hotel room (crew rate at the airport Marriott was very reasonable on most nights).
Is uber that dead early in the morning? That's the one downside to über is that you can't schedule pickups like you can with cabs. I'd think that would still be your best bet for early shows, but I guess it depends on where your family lives. I wouldn't have even wanted to uber from IAD area to BWI in the morning because I would've had to wake up so darn early.
Covering 3 airports is a hassle! I got used at all 3 in my short time there.

SpecialTracking

Google maps, directions, public transportation. Bring your game face through Ft. Totten on the Gun, I mean Green line.

ufgatorpilot

Yeah that works during normal hours. I think you take it to the Greenbelt stop (the very end) and then there is a bus that takes you to the airport. Not a short ride on the bus either.

av8rgator

I rented a car. One way car rental is reasonable. Think most I paid was $25 with tax, but it was usually cheaper than that. Takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from IAD. If I knew in advance I would bite the bullet get a hotel by BWI. You get about $140 extra to cover a trip that starts and ends there so it's not bad.

KAFhelper

I'd just stay at EWR if the commute is the same. You'll hold a line sooner than DCA on the bus so reserve shouldn't matter.

PA Slammer

What about parking? Do you get a parking pass at just DCA and expense parking at IAD and BWI?

SpecialTracking

For commuting or if you're based at Dulles?

PA Slammer

I'll be based there in Mar and driving from PIT.

SpecialTracking

You can get tags for all three. Dulles is the primary airport so you will definitely get that. If tags are available for Dca and Bwi you will get those as well. If not just expense the parking.