Fairf
ield, Iowa

Fairfield Iowa & Vedic City Travel
Free tips on how to get to and from
Fairfield Iowa and major cities
for business or pleasure
Updated: 12/20/2011


Golden Dome
and
Vedic City, Iowa


You might think that Fairfield Iowa is way out in the corn fields, but it is surprisingly accessible to major cities.  Did you know that you can get to and from Chicago or St. Louis for as little as $50?  Do you know which airport consistently gives the best prices?  This is a site to present tips from other travelers, and to share the tips you have found with others. 

Free FaceBook RideShare Fairfield forum

replaces the inactive Invincible America Ride Board

See also: TravelFairfieldIowa.com
Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Free tips on PriceLine and other bidding: BidOnTravel.com


Example: Options for Fairfield - Washington DC
In as little as 6 hours, or for about  $200 each way ($240 round trip) 
Assuming airline reservations are made 7 - 10 days in advance.


Amtrak Station
Mount Pleasant


Quad Cities Airport
Moline - MLI


DC Airport - DCA


Washington DC
 

Preference
Rating Plan
Icon Link Description
Last price update: 12/20/2011
Miles Hours 1Way price Total/
RT

1
Charter Plane

The
Fastest Way

Fairfield Flying Service
wpe1B.jpg (8336 bytes)

Robert Lyons: 641-472-3166
2013 Airport Road, Fairfield IA

Fairfield to
Chicago

Fairfield Iowa Airport (FIA) is a 2 minute drive from town on Route 1.  This could get travelers to Chicago (MDW).  From there you can fly anywhere else.

But of course this is too expensive for 99% of the population. 

  About 2 hours each way depends on the weather No one way price is available (unless you arrange for someone to take your seat on the way back.) $2000 minimum per flight.
Averages
$400
Round Trip
assuming 5 people.

2
Plane to MLI
Drive to MUM

Next
Fastest
Way
6 hours
Inexpensive
2 legs

Search for the cheapest flight
across multiple
days and
carriers
Kayak.com

United
United Airlines

Fastest, will match lowest price,good schedule
or
AirTran Airways
AirTran  web specials
or
American Airlines
American Airlines


JetBlue


seem to have the best prices from KC and STL (but does not go to MLI, CID, and DSM)

DCA-MLI

ATA stops in Atlanta

AA and UA
stop in Chicago

Air Choice One has flights about $40 from Burlington (BRL) to Chicago (ORD).  From there you can get a less expensive flight anywhere.

DC Airport to Moline Illinois (MLI) generally the least expensive major airport.  MLI is a 2 hour drive from Fairfield. Cedar Rapids (CID) is 1.5 hours

Moline (MLI) is consistently $50 lower in cost than other airports such as CID or Des Moines (DSM)

Flights are generally higher during the summer student vacation travel season.

Burlington (BRL) is the closest airport, about 1 hour drive, but is currently without commercial service.  But you can learn to sky dive there.

Peoria Illinois is ok, but a 3 hour drive

1000 4 - 6

6:30 - 12:16

You save $ by going very early

$233
next day
$149
week ahead
$100
2 weeks ahead
$90
Web Special
over 1 month
in advance
 

$200/
$300

MUM-BRL

Drive from Fairfield (MUM) to Burlington (BRL)
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
2515 Summer Street
Burlington, IA 5260
Phone (319) 754-1414   Fax (319) 754-1424
$94

 

or

1.0

 

or

$50
drive
or
$12/day
or
$30/week
parking
MUM-MLI Drive from Fairfield (MUM) to Moline Airport (MLI)
2200 69th Avenue
Moline, IL  61265
$108 2.0
Parking at
MLI
Parking the car at the airport is $6 per day or $30 per week or $120 per month long term. 
Parking at BRl is Free
You can rent a car for $25/day
   

3
Plane to CHI
Train to MTP
Drive to MUM

Least
expensive
12 hours
4 legs

Photos
Step by Step

 


DC Metro
WaterFront to DCA

DCA
to
DC
There is an excellent and clean subway system called the Metro in Washington, DC which can take you directly to Reagan National (DCA) airport.  A cab is needed to go to Dulles (IAD).
Schedule: Monday - Friday 5:00 - Midnight, Saturday -Sunday 7:00-Mid, earlier or later on some holidays
    $2  
AirTran
US AirwaysUS Airways
seem to have the best prices, followed by
United Airlines American Airlines
DC-CHI Drive or Metro to the DCAirport

DC National to Chicago Midway on $69 / $138 round trip
1 week advance - often even the next day
USAirways, AA, United, AirTran web specials

Flights are generally higher during the summer student vacation travel season.

700 3.25 $80 $116/
$232


Chicago Train Authority (CTA)



 

CTA
to both Chicago
CHI
Airports

MDW
or
ORD

More Info

Map of all CTA trains

 
To Midway Airport (MDW) on
Orange Line of CTA  Quincy Station
Walk east on Adams (across river) 4 blocks
10.4 .5 $2
How to Buy a ticket
on CTA

To O'Hare Airport (ORD) on
Blue Line of CTA Clinton Station (Tilden Entrance)
Walk south on Clinton 2 blocks

Amtrak.com

See how to quiet train noise at
FairfieldQuietZone.org

Amtrak Train from Chicago to Mt. Pleasant (California Zephyr)
CHI-MTP 1:50pm - 5:49pm
MTP-CHI 10:09am* - 3:05pm
*Call 800-USA-RAIL or 800-872-7245
for time of arrival of Train 6
NOTE: The direction from CHI to MTP is reliable, but from MTP to CHI is unreliable, and could be 6 hours late.  You could easily miss a train or plane reservation from CHI.  Make sure you check the estimated arrivals before booking a flight.  Be sure to reserve online in advance for about $34, because the last tickets sold on crowded trains can be $70
Chart of Scheduled versus Actual
170 4 $34
$43 same day

10% discount for NARPRail.org members

Parking
option at
the station
"1-2 weeks is ok" (even months) for free parking according to Bob and Terry, the Amtrak station supervisors.
Or you can get a ride to or from Fairfield for $30

You can also Rent A Car for about $20 per day

    FREE

 

MTP Drive from MTP to Fairfield
418 North Adams Street
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
24 .5  

 

4
Plane to Chicago
Drive to MUM

AirTran
US AirwaysUS Airways
seem to have the best prices, followed by
United Airlines American Airlines

DC-CHI

Drive or Metro to the DCAirport

DC National to Chicago Midway on $69 / $138 round trip
1 week advance - often even the next day
USAirways, AA, United, AirTran web specials

Flights are generally higher during the summer student vacation travel season

700 3.54 $80 $125-
$145

CHI to Ff

Drive from Chicago to DC
Parking for $10 per day at
MidwayParkRideAndFly.com
290 4.8 $10/day park
$35 gas
 

5
Plane to CID
Drive to MUM

  MUM-CID Drive to Cedar Rapids Airport from M.U.M
This is the way most people seem to go.
90 2    

6
Plane to STL
Drive to MUM

MUM-STL

or
MUM-KC

Drive to St. Louis Airport from Vedic City

There are inexpensive direct flights between DCA and STL or Kansas City

226 4.3

7
Train to MTL
Drive to MUM

Amtrak Quite expensive to get a bed, and takes a long time more than a day
Capitol Limited. 
(Cost is about the same as a plane.)
  21.5 $140 280

8
Drive to Fairfield
Slow and labor intensive

MUM-DC Drive all the way in a Conversion Van
Hotels for at least 1 night
Two 8.5 hour driving days
  17 hours drive Gas costs
2.5 tanks
$60 x 2.5 =
$150
 

9

Slow
but not
expensive


Bus

Trailways
burlingtontrailways.com

906 Broadway
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 753-2864 or (800) 992-4618
Fax (319) 753-2916
 

  Bus at Best Western Inn

However, it usually requires staying in a hotel in Chicago before or  after your flight. It's also surprisingly expensive--often more than  Amtrak, except at peak times. It's stations are the Greyhound station 
in Chicago, near Amtrak's Union Station, and the Best Western in 
Fairfield, which is its biggest advantage--no rides to arrange to or  from Mt. Pleasant's Amtrak.

       


The Fastest Way - but expensive

The Fastest Affordable Way - Plane

Driver

You

Ground Transportation driver of your choice 06:00 Metro from Waterfront to DCA
07.00 Drive 1 hours to BRL 07:00 am Depart Washington DC (DCA)
08:00 Meet you at BRL 10:00 am Arrive Burlington (BRL)
09:00 Arrive in Fairfield 11:00 Arrive in Fairfield

5 hours  $200 - $300

The Least Expensive way - Train

    Hours Cost
  6:00 am Metro to DC National Airport .5 $1
DC-CHI 6:50 am Take off from DCA to Chicago 3.25 $79
9:05 am Arrive in Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) 1
10:00 pm Arrive via CTA train to Chicago Union Train Station .5 $2
Waiting: You can go to the local Kinko's to get on the internet 4
Amtrak 01:50 pm Train from Chicago to Mt. Pleasant 4 $34
  05:50 pm Drive from MtP (free parking) to Fairfield .5  
  06:10 pm Arrive at M.U.M.    
 

12 hours

12 hours $115

Ground Transportation Services
from Airports or Train Station

ChauffeurInexpensive.com
Drivers:
641-472-9177 Gerard

Scheduling Manager: Rick


 

 

Sample Trips including Photos and Costs
From Washington, DC to Vedic City, Iowa
From Vedic City, Iowa to Washington, DC

Rental Car

Fessler's Auto - Fairfield Iowa

Boles Auto - Mt. Pleasant


Where to Stay

The Raj
641-472-9580
Rates: $108 - $216
TheRaj.com

Rukmapura Park Hotel
866-472-1008
www.rukmapuraparkhotel.com

Landmark Inn
641-472-4152
Rates: $39 - 54

Economy Inn
641-472-4161
Rates: $35 - 45

Super 8 Motel
641-469-2000
Rates: $57 - 61

Delta Zeta House
Lady Sidhas or MUM Students & Alumni

800-319-3190 x1  $10/night 
www.FairfieldIowaHome.com


Other Links

Cypress Villages - free land for Sthapatya Vedic homes next to the Fairfield Airport

Lingo - Bring your Phone Number with you when you travel to Fairfield
Your home or work phone can now ring anywhere there is internet connectivity
You can dial out from Fairfield just as if you are in your home area code.


Travel Services
Alphabetical order.  Enable you to quickly scan multiple airlines for prices

CheapTickets.com wpe1.jpg (3884 bytes)
Expedia.com wpe1.jpg (1401 bytes)
Kayak.com
 
Kayak.com
LowestFare.com wpe2.jpg (6277 bytes)
Orbitz.com
PriceLine.com  
Travelocity.com

VedicCityTravel.com

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