Trail start

[wolf]

What is the best way to get to trail head in ga. From phila.

[Lone Wolf]

bus or train to gainsville then a cab or private shuttle to the trail

[bigcranky]

For a thru-hike? Lots of options -- if you have either thru-hiker guidebook, the info is in there.

You can have someone drive you to Amicalola Falls State Park and drop you at the HQ building. It would be a long drive, though, from Philly.

Easier would be fly to Atlanta and have The Hiker Hostel pick you up (you'll take the train to the farthest stop), then spend the night there before starting the next day. You'll need to make a reservation far in advance. Other shuttle services will also pick you up in Atlanta.

You could ride the bus to Gainesville, GA, and take a taxi.

I think Amtrak still stops in Gainesville, too. Same deal.

[MuddyWaters]

Best depends on goal, ie easy, cheap, etc.

Best IMO is to fly to atlanta, be picked up by Hiker Hostel @ Dahlonega and spend night with them , and they take you to trail next morning. All for great price.

[wolf]

what train do we take

[Lone Wolf]

Amtrak Crescent out of NYC

[Slo-go'en]

Amtrak Philadelphia (30th st station) leaves at 3:55 PM arrives Gainesville, GA 6:58AM 15 hr 3m (but probably 18 hours) Reserve a coach seat now for $128.

If you want to take the train, reserve your seat well in advance for the best price and to just get a seat. If you wait too long they will be fully booked. I just booked my seat from Boston to Tampa, FL and then from Tampa back to Harper's Ferry for the middle of April. (need to visit my Dad for his 93d birthday before I start hiking).

[Tennessee Viking]

1. Fly to Atlanta - Take MARTA to North Springs - shuttle to Springer
2. Amtrak to Gainesville - Shuttle to Springer
3. Have someone drop you off at AFSP or Springer trialhead.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Cheaper and faster to fly. Mid April, mid-week you can probably fly major airline for $60 - $100. Then do the hiker special at the Hiker Hostel. For example https://www.expedia.com/Flights-Sear...:Y&mode=search and http://hikerhostel.com/lodging/thru-hiker-special/

I would avoid Spirit airlines however, due to very cramped seats and their very strict and expensive baggage policies.

[dudeijuststarted]

Best depends on goal, ie easy, cheap, etc.

Best IMO is to fly to atlanta, be picked up by Hiker Hostel @ Dahlonega and spend night with them , and they take you to trail next morning. All for great price.

This, all day.

[Longboysfan]

Cheaper and faster to fly. Mid April, mid-week you can probably fly major airline for $60 - $100. Then do the hiker special at the Hiker Hostel. For example https://www.expedia.com/Flights-Sear...:Y&mode=search and http://hikerhostel.com/lodging/thru-hiker-special/

I would avoid Spirit airlines however, due to very cramped seats and their very strict and expensive baggage policies.

Yes to everything here.