Fairfield, Iowa


Golden Dome and
Vedic City, 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: 09/10/2023


DC Metro
Washington, DC

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 $70?  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. 


www.facebook.com/groups/FairfieldTravel

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

Top 10 Options for Fairfield Iowa <-> Washington DC
In as little as 6 hours, for about $300 each way
$400 round trip - assuming airline reservations are made 7 - 10 days in advance.


Amtrak Station
Mount Pleasant


Quad Cities Airport
St. Louis STL


Burlington Airport
Air Choice One


Washington DC
DCA or IAD
Preference
Rating Plan		 Icon Link Description
 Last price update: 09/10/2023		 Miles Hours 1Way price Total/
RT

1
Charter Plane

The
Fastest Way

but most  expensive

Fairfield Flying Service
wpe1B.jpg (8336 bytes)
Robert Lyons: 641-472-3166
2013 Airport Road, Fairfield IA

Fairfield to
Chicago

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

Runway is over 1 mile long,  5500 feet - long enough for Donald Trump's jet.   Oprah Winfrey landed her jet for her TV show about Fairfield.

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
Iowa Airport,
Drive to MIU

Next
Fastest
Way
6 hours
Inexpensive
2 legs

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

Iowa Airports
by proximity

1. Burlingon (BRL)
FlyBRL.com
IFlySouthern.com

2. Cedar Rapids (CID)

3. Moline (MLI)

4. Des Moines (DSM)

Airlines

1. American Airlines

2. United Airlines
United
 Has excellent MileagePlus frequent flyer program and benefits

3. Delta

4. JetBlue

5. SouthWest

seem to have the best prices from KC and STL (but does not go to MLI, CID, and DSM.  SW goes between DCA/IAD and MDW (not ORD)  No flight change fee, just the fare difference.

6. AllegiantAir.com

 

 DCA-MLI

ATA stops in Atlanta

AA, United
and other airlines
stop in Chicago

1) Burlington (BRL) is the closest commercial airport to Fairfield / Vedic City, just a 1:00 hour drive.
CapeAir airline has flights to and from Burlington (BRL) and Chicago (ORD) or St. Louis (STL) for only about $108, flying 2 times per day (once on Sat/Sun).  From there you can get a less expensive flight anywhere.  The propeller plane holds 6 people and 2 pilots, so reserve in advance.  Parking is Free, even for weeks. 
Note: Please be sure to arrive 1 hour before the flight takes off so the staff can check you in. 
If you have just carry on luggage, then you can quickly go to your next flight.  If you have to check a bag, you have to take it through Security again in ORD or STL.

 Video of flight and 9/11 experiment.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYflOkH8FRw

ORD BRL 08:55 10:35 $108
ORD BRL 18:50 20:20

$108
STL BRL 06:40 07:50 $108
STL BRL 15:00 16:10 $108
BRL ORD 06:15 08:00 $108
BRL ORD 16:30 18:10 $108
BRL STL 10:45 11:55 $108
BRL STL 13:55 15:05 $108

2) Moline (MLI) is consistently lower in cost than other airports such as CID or DSM.  1:55 hours from Fairfield.
DC Airport to Moline Illinois (MLI) generally the least expensive major airport coming from the east.  

3) Cedar Rapids (CID) is 1:23 hours from Fairfield.
www.EIAirport.org  Parking $5 - $7 per day

4) Des Moines (DSM) is 1:52 hours from Fairfield.
www.DSMairport.com

5) Peoria Illinois (PIA) is 2:21 hours from Fairfield

 

Flights between Washington DC and Chicago
https://www.google.com/flights

 

 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

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

  

$200/
$300

Driving to Airport
and parking

MIU-BRL

Parking Free

 

 Drive from Fairfield (MIU) to Burlington (BRL)
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
2515 Summer Street
Burlington, IA 5260
Phone (319) 754-1414   Fax (319) 754-1424		 $100

 

or

 1.0

 

or

 $50
drive
or
$12/day
or
$30/week
parking
MIU-MLI

Parking at
MLI

 Drive from Fairfield (MIU) to Moline Airport (MLI)
2200 69th Avenue
Moline, IL  61265		 $130 2.0
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 an amazing deal
You can rent a car for $25/day		    

3
Plane to CHI
Train to MTP
Drive to MIU

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)

Chicago
Union Station


 

 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 9:54 am* - 2:50pm
*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 $52. 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
Free
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 MIU

United or
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 MIU

   MIU-CID Drive to Cedar Rapids Airport from M.U.M
This is the way most people go.
Airport ride		 Flight cost
plus
$90		 2    

6
Plane to STL
Drive to MIU

 MIU-STL

or
MIU-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/from
CHI
Fly BRL
Amtrak

AirChoiceOne

 

 Capitol Limited. 
Cost is about the same as a plane, but is very flexible, except holidays:


 

   21.5 $176 280

8
All train to MTP
Drive to MIU

 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, but is very flexible, except holidays:
Example: 12/30/2017 MTP-CHI for $67.15 in 5 hours
then wait 4 hours, then CHI to WAS for $109.65 17 hours  total $176.75 in 26 hours 		  21.5 $176 280

9
Drive to Fairfield
Slow and labor intensive

 MIU-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		  

10

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.

        
  Megabus
  

Examples:
Iowa City to Chicago, Des Moines, or Ohaha
 

 $25 - $40      


The Fastest Way - but expensive
Fairfield Iowa Airport


Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
2515 Summer Street
Burlington, IA 52601
Phone (319) 754-1414   Fax (319) 754-142

 

The Fastest Affordable Way - Plane

Driver

You

 Hours Cost
Ground Transportation driver of your choice 06:00 a.m. (EST) Cab from Waterfront to DCA .5 $20
  07:00 Depart Washington DC (DCA) United 2 $165
  08:00 1 hour time zone differenceW
  08:10 am (CST) Arrive Chicago (ORD) walk .5  
09:35 Drive 1 hours to BRL 08:55 Depart Chicago - AirChoiceOne 1.5 $60
10:35 Driver meets passenger at BRL 10:35 Arrive Burlington (BRL)
10:45 Driver start driving 10:45 Get luggage in into car and drive ($60) 1 $60
11:45 Arrive in Fairfield 11:45 Arrive in Fairfield

Total

 5.5 $305

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 $165
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 $203

Ground Transportation Services
from Airports or Train Station
ChauffeurInexpensive.com

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 Nu Zeta House
Lady Sidhas or MIU 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

January 20, 2017 Donald Trump Inauguration - https://www.58pic2017.org/events

Fairfield Iowa <-> Washington DC

FlyingSongs.com

VedicCityTravel.com

Hosted by CosmicInternet.Net

 

.
researching   FlyOtto

https://www.flyotto.com/search/results?fromLatitude=41.456316&fromLongitude=-90.5037178&toLatitude=41.0318059&toLongitude=-91.9680668