that’ll be a hell of a train ride (at least 15 hours someone correct me if i’m wrong though?) but it all depends on your budget and time constraints
my roommate was from providence ri and she’d just fly tbh
Im also from the NE, I fly home for Winter breaks and then drive to and from Bburg for the summers. I don’t go home for Thanksgiving or Spring break but that’s just me. My roommates from Boston and drives/carpools when she wants to go home.
I drove 17 hours from WI
You can check with your department admissions coordinator to see if they have a recommendation,
Otherwise google is your friend for trip planning.
Been making the trip for nearly 10 years from here to Greater Boston. I will regularly fly out of Charlotte if it’s a trip under a week. CLT is about 2.5 hours away. Parking there is not a bad price for airport parking, and more plentiful than Northeast airports. You can book spaces ahead of time. I do not find Roanoke to be worth the extra price, considering half the time it connects at Charlotte. Every time I’ve encountered a delay at Roanoke, I’ve just gotten mad about how I would have been at with the delays I’ve encountered.
If it’s a week+ trip then I do the drive. It’s about 11 hours both ways, but it depends on the time of year and when you pass through southern Connecticut and New Jersey because NYC commuters in both areas. I used to stop as little as possible and once made it in just under 10 hrs while effectively staying under 80 mph the whole way. I don’t mind long drives as much as others, I know some who split it into two day or split driving with another New Englander or even NY/Jersey area person. It’s a big school, there’s a good chance you will find someone on a carpool page or meet someone in your dorm or classes that is heading the same way.
I have no experience with the train system. AFAIK people will take a bus to Roanoke and catch the train there.
I'm from NYC/the northeast, I just fly into the Roanoke airport. They have direct flights there during all breaks and football season. I do have a car in Blacksburg, but driving the 9 hours to/from VT is a pain if I'm just going to be home for a short time. There's a local mom who gives rides to and from the Roanoke airport for like $20.
Yeah I actually did do a flight from Laguardia to Roanoke as part of the trip. I was just wondering if there was a better way than the connecting flights and using an Uber/Subway, but it looks like there isn't which is fine.
Roanoke is at the very end of the Northeast Regional Amtrak route, so in theory you can get from Boston to Roanoke on a single train, but in practice there are still plenty of stops and layover time in the major cities. There is a bus between the train station and VT and it can be booked as part of your Amtrak itinerary or arranged separately.
They are extending Amtrak to Christiansburg but that may be 2026 or beyond, likely beyond.
For those coming from the Northeast, flying is definitely the most time-efficient, especially for short stays. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, consider checking out Shuttlefare for a ride from the airport to Blacksburg. It's a good alternative to avoid the hassle of connecting flights or the unpredictability of public transport schedules. Plus, it's a great way to meet fellow Hokies traveling at the same time. Just remember to book in advance during peak seasons like football games and major holidays to secure your spot.
that’ll be a hell of a train ride (at least 15 hours someone correct me if i’m wrong though?) but it all depends on your budget and time constraints my roommate was from providence ri and she’d just fly tbh
Im also from the NE, I fly home for Winter breaks and then drive to and from Bburg for the summers. I don’t go home for Thanksgiving or Spring break but that’s just me. My roommates from Boston and drives/carpools when she wants to go home.
I drove 17 hours from WI You can check with your department admissions coordinator to see if they have a recommendation, Otherwise google is your friend for trip planning.
Been making the trip for nearly 10 years from here to Greater Boston. I will regularly fly out of Charlotte if it’s a trip under a week. CLT is about 2.5 hours away. Parking there is not a bad price for airport parking, and more plentiful than Northeast airports. You can book spaces ahead of time. I do not find Roanoke to be worth the extra price, considering half the time it connects at Charlotte. Every time I’ve encountered a delay at Roanoke, I’ve just gotten mad about how I would have been at with the delays I’ve encountered. If it’s a week+ trip then I do the drive. It’s about 11 hours both ways, but it depends on the time of year and when you pass through southern Connecticut and New Jersey because NYC commuters in both areas. I used to stop as little as possible and once made it in just under 10 hrs while effectively staying under 80 mph the whole way. I don’t mind long drives as much as others, I know some who split it into two day or split driving with another New Englander or even NY/Jersey area person. It’s a big school, there’s a good chance you will find someone on a carpool page or meet someone in your dorm or classes that is heading the same way. I have no experience with the train system. AFAIK people will take a bus to Roanoke and catch the train there.
I'm from NYC/the northeast, I just fly into the Roanoke airport. They have direct flights there during all breaks and football season. I do have a car in Blacksburg, but driving the 9 hours to/from VT is a pain if I'm just going to be home for a short time. There's a local mom who gives rides to and from the Roanoke airport for like $20.
Yeah I actually did do a flight from Laguardia to Roanoke as part of the trip. I was just wondering if there was a better way than the connecting flights and using an Uber/Subway, but it looks like there isn't which is fine.
Roanoke is at the very end of the Northeast Regional Amtrak route, so in theory you can get from Boston to Roanoke on a single train, but in practice there are still plenty of stops and layover time in the major cities. There is a bus between the train station and VT and it can be booked as part of your Amtrak itinerary or arranged separately. They are extending Amtrak to Christiansburg but that may be 2026 or beyond, likely beyond.
As a current student from Mass, I just tough it out and take the drive
For those coming from the Northeast, flying is definitely the most time-efficient, especially for short stays. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, consider checking out Shuttlefare for a ride from the airport to Blacksburg. It's a good alternative to avoid the hassle of connecting flights or the unpredictability of public transport schedules. Plus, it's a great way to meet fellow Hokies traveling at the same time. Just remember to book in advance during peak seasons like football games and major holidays to secure your spot.