transportation in St. Louis

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 30 Aug 2004 2:47 pm

This is my wife's an mine first trip to the ISGC. We are flying Southwest Airlines. I know the Millenium doesn't run a shuttle. They recommended "Trans Express" Round trip for the both of us is about $50. Does anyone have a better or less expensive method of transportation other than by foot. Just checking. Thanks for any help or ideas.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 30 Aug 2004 2:52 pm

Yep, there is an LRT train that goes from the airport to within a block or two of the millenium and costs peanuts. I used it a couple of years running, and unless you have a whole lot of stuff to carry it is the way to go. I always get off the train right by Busch Stadium, and it is only a couple of blocks from the Hotel.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 30 Aug 2004 2:55 pm

Larry,
You could take the Metro-Link light rail system. It leaves right from the airport and goes to Busch Stadium, which is about 2 or 3 blocks away, not far at all. I think the fare was $1.25 or $1.50. Either way, it's cheaper than a cab.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 30 Aug 2004 3:06 pm

John

Are those *long* blocks?

I'll be dragging along a fair sized suitcase.

thx

bob

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 30 Aug 2004 3:27 pm

Bob;

It's not too far at all, when you leave the Metro-Link station, you're basically just walking around one part of Busch Stadium, and then a short block past a parking garage and you'll be staring across at the mighty Millennium

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Greg Simmons on 30 August 2004 at 04:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 30 Aug 2004 4:10 pm

Hey Guys, thanks for all the super information. Are there taxis at the station to get us to the hotel? I am a regular walker and that would be no problem for me however my wife's back trying to pull a gigantic suitcase is another story. Even with a short taxi ride I'm sure would be much less than the TransExpress. What a great bunch of guys always trying to help fellow players. What a forum! Thanks again!

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Keep pickin', Larry

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 30 Aug 2004 4:36 pm

Hi guys, definitely take the Metro Link. It's cheap and clean and safe, takes less than 1/2 hour to get downtown.Greg's map is right on.See you all there! Jim Peters

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 30 Aug 2004 6:00 pm

Oops,

I forgot to say that I'm staying at the downtown Mariott. How far is that from Busch Stadium?

thx

bob

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 30 Aug 2004 6:36 pm

Bob;

Downtown Marriot - you're right across the street (Walnut St. to be exact) from the ballpark

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 30 Aug 2004 7:02 pm

The Marriott is on the map too.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 30 Aug 2004 7:16 pm

Bob,
I'm also staying at the Marriott, I'll only be there for Thursday & Friday night only. We have to head back Saturday so I can play my GIG!

Nick

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 30 Aug 2004 7:22 pm

Larry, on the map I notice that the Westin is right accross the street from the station - there will no doubt be a taxi stand there.

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 30 Aug 2004 7:33 pm

Thanks again guys, The wife and I decided to take the Metro then a cab to the Millenium. Save wear and tear on her. After playing in bands for nearly 40 years and steel about 30 of those, I'm pretty used to lugging stuff around. At least our luggage has wheels. Hope to see you guys there.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 30 Aug 2004 7:34 pm

If I remember right, isn't the train station underground at the stadium? Seems like I remember walking up several steps to get to the street.

Larry, if this is the case, and your wife has trouble with stairs, you might have to find another way to get to the hotel from the airport.

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 31 Aug 2004 12:05 pm

Jim, thanks for the warning about the stairs. She can do a flight of stairs now and then okay, but I'll be packing the stuff. Good thing I have a good chiropracter. thanks again.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 31 Aug 2004 4:32 pm

Guys,

What street/corner does the Metro Link let you off at? Again, I'm at the Mariott but will have a large suitcase (wheels?) to deal with

bob

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 31 Aug 2004 9:08 pm

Bob, referring to the map above, the Metrolink stop is the letter M in the green circle near the corner of 8th and Spruce Street. To get to Scotty's convention at the Four Points Sheraton, and Millennium Hotel, go east, toward the bottom of the map. The ballpark will be on your left. If you get to a giant arch, you went too far; turn around and go back.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 1 Sep 2004 5:22 am

Thanks, Guys

I see the Cardinals are home this weekend. Could that impact taking Metro from the airport Thursday evening before the game?

thx

bob

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 1 Sep 2004 6:46 am

The ballgame will definitely cause the train to fill up a bit more each time you hit one of the Park & Ride stops. Don't worry though, you'll be first on at the airport and it should not be crowded at that point.

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HagFan

Nicholas Dedring · Post by **Nicholas Dedring** » 1 Sep 2004 6:57 am

When I went last year, I took an airport bus, but it cost (I think) $15, and was a slower schedule, and went just to the millenium (I was staying at the marriott as well).
http://www.metrostlouis.org/ will give you the info, schedule, fares etc. for the Metrolink. I think it was about a five minute walk from the back of the Marriott... I took it on the way back to the airport.

Cheaper, really frequent service, and I think it might have actually been a quicker ride than the bus was.

Senior citizens/under 13-ers ride for 0.75, full fare is a buck-fifty. From the map below, it's about 4 short blocks to the Marriott entrance... I wouldn't worry about a cab unless you have a real mountain of luggage. I wouldn't take the bus again...

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 8 Sep 2004 9:29 pm

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Metro-Link train is the only way to fly! Fast, scenic ride, cheap. Right from the airport to Busch stadium.

Thanks for the input, guys!

bob

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 13 Sep 2004 10:44 am

Thanks for all the replies and help concerning transportation in St. Louis. Sorry about the delay in responding again. We just got home yesterday from the remainder of our vacation.
We decided to spend the big bucks for the Trans Express to the hotel and back from the airport. It worked out just fine for us. Sometimes you just have to pay for convenience. Had I been by myself the walk would have been good for me. But I had to think of my lovely wife and making it easy for her. So thanks again guys.

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Keep pickin', Larry