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I'm having trouble getting info about bus or train travel to Pen Mar Park from Baltimore Airport. I've called a number of shuttle providers and either have gotten no return call or told they did not go there
If anyone knows the area---could you help with suggestions?
I don't have arrival date yet but am hoping to fly in on June 8th to finish northern half of trail
Thank you
Marmot
I would suggest forgetting about starting at Pen Mar. Instead start at Harpers Ferry, even if you've done it before. You can fly to DC and take Amtrak to Harpers Ferry. Sure it adds 40 miles and 3 days to the trip, but that's insignificant if your doing the whole northern half. But it makes the logistics a whole lot easier.
Slo-go'en has a good idea about flying into Washington DC and taking AMTRAK to Harpers Ferry, WV. From there, you will be in MD in a few miles. WV AT mileage is 4 miles. In that way, you won't expense for a shuttle from Baltimore to Pen Mar Park. By the way, are you finishing up your AT thru-hike by doing the Northern half? If so, did you register online with the ATC? You can check in at the ATC headquarters in Harpers Ferry and get your picture taken, get a number and a tag. Happy trails! ATStrongQuote:
Originally Posted by Marmot Moore
If you fly into Harrisburg then "mikes shuttles" will take you to Pen Mar. I did this vary thing 2 weeks ago. Shuttle was cheap. and mike is at the top of my shuttle list A++
Is the guy you are talking about the one in Boiling Springs? If not do you have a number for him?
Marmot
Yes Mike lives in Boiling Springs. One of my favorite shuttle drivers on the whole trailQuote:
Originally Posted by Marmot Moore
Don't totally count out Baltimore (BWI) as a fly in location if that proves to be a cheaper deal for a flight - they have local trains (MARC) that go into Washington, DC from there regularly and can hook you up to the Amtrak options from that point, and even some Amtrak service if I remember correctly directly from BWI (but still might involve changing trains in DC).
Another option with flying into BWI: Take the MARC train from BWI to D.C. (MARC is the local commuter train so it's a lot less expensive than Amtrak.) In D.C. transfer to the Brunswick line of MARC. There's evening service from D.C. to Harpers Ferry (weekdays only).Quote:
Originally Posted by BillyGr
You can take Amtrak from BWI to Philadelphia, then transfer to a train to Harrisburg.
There are several options for this trip each day, with a total travel time of between three and four hours.
If BWI is significantly cheaper than Dulles, Reagan National, Philadelphia, or Harrisburg; then the cost of this Amtrak may be worth it.
You may want to look up what airport van shuttle services (non AT related) are available from BWI. I'm sure you can get to either Frederick or Hagerstown (I am thinking of one in particular that family has happily used, but I don't feel like advertising here), and it'd then be easier to find transportation to the trail from either. I suppose it's even possible some will even take you directly to Pen Mar, but you'd have to check.
Suggestions for using MARC to access Harpers Ferry from BWI are right on target. The Penn Line runs frequently to Washington Union Station. The Brunswick line runs to Harpers Ferry on weekday afternoons. On weekends, you can still use the Penn Line to get to Washington but Brunswick doesn’t run. However, Amtrak has one daily run to Harpers Ferry. If accessing HF, I would use either DCA or BWI. From DCA, Union Station is easily accessible via Metro rail. I miss living in the DC area. It was so easy to get to the AT.
Thanks Coffee for the info. I remember taking the MARC from BWI to DC because Southwest at one time only flew into BWI, but I think they now fly into Dulles and Reagan. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Coffee
I live in Duncannon PA and do shuttles. 717-834-4706 landline
Once you get to Harper's Ferry, if you want to start at PenMar, Rhonda Adams is a good option for a shuttle to PenMar: 304.596.1911