View Full Version : Getting to the TRAIL!!!! WeeEEeeEEee!
I perused google a bit before I asked a question that has been asked a million times before....I mostly came up with cab fare from Gainesville to Springer for way more rupees then I had thought. I mean, the greyhound is about $100 from Chicago! it can't be just about the same to get to the trail! I leave in less than a month, (about april 12th or so). I CAN'T FREAKIN WAIT. So how did/are most people get(ting) to Springer mountain? Did you stay a night at a hotel/motel before heading out to the trail?
kayak karl
03-16-2012, 07:44
call the hiker hostel for less then 100 you get a bunk, meals, ride from train and a ride to springer. don' know #
or call local shuttle.
Hairball
03-16-2012, 07:53
1-770-312-7342
Http://Www.hikerhostel.com
They have the $75 thru ~ hiker special
Which includes pickup from Atlanta or Gainesville, a bunk for the night, breakfast, and a ride to the trail.
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk
stranger
03-16-2012, 09:04
Chicago to Gainesville on Greyhound? It might only be $100 but you will pay in other ways : )
Everyone should do a epic Greyhound trip once in their life, good way to start the trail.
Yes, the folks at the Hike Hostel will sort you out
Thanks for the help everybody! I'm sure there might be some regret about taking a bus stranger haha, but that'll make getting off of it and onto the trail that much better!
kayak karl
03-16-2012, 13:07
i took the late nite train to Georgia. left on 12/28/08 11PM. everyone on the train was going home from holiday visiting. had a great time. at one point i thought i was going to Jed Clampett's wedding :D no regrets!
Feral Bill
03-16-2012, 13:29
Thanks for the help everybody! I'm sure there might be some regret about taking a bus stranger haha, but that'll make getting off of it and onto the trail that much better! With Greyhound, be prepared for delays of all sorts, possibly overnight, with no help from them. If you're not taken by surprise it will be okay, probably.
ah, greyhound. they should charge a premium for the show. coming back to dallas from atlanta went well and i arrived on time with my pack undisturbed. there were families going to see relatives in other towns, our young servicemen coming home from overseas, businessmen and women coming home from a business meeting. BUT. they didn't tell me i would get to sit next to a group of girls and guys talking about sex, how "hood" and how "hard" they are, yelling, cussing, telling stories about their family members in jail, and how i personally wasn't a real man since they asked me if i had been charged or in jail for a crime and i said no, they were drinking shots of liquor. the driver pulled over on several occasions to yell at those passengers to shut up. in birmingham a couple of people were escorted off the bus by a police officer after he had to be called by the driver for their distruptions. good times. good times.
but for $88, it was the cheapest way to get from point a to point b. and that attracted a lot of people. ALL kinds of people.
to answer your question: i mailed my pack to the hiker hostel through UPS for $70. flew to atlanta through spirit for $60. (if you're going to use spirit DO NOT take anything but yourself because they WILL charge you for everything you take. some people left the counter fuming after spending hundreds on baggage fees. i mean, they charge just for you to talk to one of their employees. imagine that!) took the MARTA train from the airport to North Springs station $3. hiker hostel will picked you up from there, take you to the hostel, feed you breakfast, take you to your choice of springer or amicalola for $75.
Total trip: $208
the greyhound experience: chicago to atlanta $100. MARTA train from greyhound to north springs station $3. hiker hostel shuttle, stay, breakfast, and ride to the trailhead $75.
Total trip: $178
don't overlook shuttle dave. i think if you hook up with a few hikers on the same day, he'll pick all of you guys up at once and then all of you will just split one whole price. i could be wrong, but i think that's the way he does it. i used him once, on a trip back from the hiker hostel to atlanta. super nice guy. we had a great conversation. he cut me an amazing deal on the price. he didn't seem to be in it for the money at all. totally interested in the hiker community and the hiker experience. i didn't get that same vibe from other services. i'll be using him next time.
and don't forget the tip.
trucker2015
03-17-2012, 05:00
I perused google a bit before I asked a question that has been asked a million times before....I mostly came up with cab fare from Gainesville to Springer for way more rupees then I had thought. I mean, the greyhound is about $100 from Chicago! it can't be just about the same to get to the trail! I leave in less than a month, (about april 12th or so). I CAN'T FREAKIN WAIT. So how did/are most people get(ting) to Springer mountain? Did you stay a night at a hotel/motel before heading out to the trail?
I wouldn't mind giving some a ride from Gainsville to the Amicalola just help out with the gas.
if you are going to use the hiker hostel call soon because they fill up very fast this time of year.
mrcoffeect
03-18-2012, 10:25
I wouldn't mind giving some a ride from Gainsville to the Amicalola just help out with the gas.
trucker i was wondering if you would be willing to pick me up in gainesville and drop me off at usf42 trailhead, and if so how much would you need to cover your expences.
BarFight
03-18-2012, 10:38
I had the epic Grayhound experience too when I went home for a week to Vermont from NC-when I got back my only goal was to stay on the trail long enough to avoid the Richmond bus terminal on a return trip! Now that I know what to expect it would be easier, but wow.
mrcoffeect
03-18-2012, 10:47
Greyhound's slogan should be " now your getting to see a part of the country you don't see everyday"
Sassafras Lass
03-18-2012, 12:22
Chicago to Gainesville on Greyhound? It might only be $100 but you will pay in other ways : )
Everyone should do a epic Greyhound trip once in their life, good way to start the trail.
Hubby and I are doing Greyhound from Southwest Michigan to Bangor, ME. Whoooo indeed! :rolleyes:
trucker2015
03-18-2012, 13:03
trucker i was wondering if you would be willing to pick me up in gainesville and drop me off at usf42 trailhead, and if so how much would you need to cover your expences.
That wouldn't be a problem,
All I would is help cover the gas. I'll send you a PM