TRAVEL STRATEGIES TO AND FROM THE PLAYA!

[PaDrama]

Hi there,

Call me crazy but I have been looking thoroughly and cannot find much helpful information for those of us that are not driving and not able to rent cars to get to the playa from the airport. We are two gals-- arriving late evening on the 31st of august and planning to leave on the 8th of sept. from Reno.

We have NO CLUE as to how we can get to the playa safely and efficiently. I even lookied into sharing a flight (advantage) but prefer not to spend the cash and to spare the air... actually reconsidering going at all... how is it that with such a huge following, there are no shuttles organized to drive people to the playa from the airport? Perfectly willing to pitch for gas... please help!

[Token]

how is it that with such a huge following, there are no shuttles organized to drive people to the playa from the airport?

It's all on page 7 of the AAA guide to burning man.

Did you not get the flyer with your ticket?

Radical something or another ...

[StarShineScars]

how is it that with such a huge following, there are no shuttles organized to drive people to the playa from the airport?

Actually there is. It's the Biobus. It will take you from the airport to Whole Foods to get supplies and then onto the playa. It leaves at different times, you just need to sign up and make the donation.
http://www.burncleanproject.org/

[theCryptofishist]

how is it that with such a huge following, there are no shuttles organized to drive people to the playa from the airport?

I'm guessing that the LLC has enough on their plate, burners don't want to spend the time and effort, and probably couldn't get insured anyway, and that regular bus operators don't want to waste the capacity on a bunch dirty hippies.
and when you have to carry your own water, it's just not that easy on a public vehicle.
But that's pretty much speculation.

[Token]

If you consider the whole radical self reliance aspect of the event, the multiple hundreds of $ us drivers spend on gas to and from the Playa, the Advantage Air prices are not such a bad deal.

The BioBus, AA or hitching a ride will provide comparable gear capacity for your obligatory minimalist camping. The remaining question then is of perceived value.

I personally would opt for the AA flights since they add another level of adventure to the whole trip and avoid the nasty exodus. But then again, I tend to spend thousands on the whole driving and building thing so my perception of value is skewed.

Heck, if I blow a tire on the road it will set me back $300 which is what we are talking about here.

Either way you choose, you will have a good time.

[flipper]

The reason there are not more shuttles, is based on the amount of goods that need to go out there- not just luggage, but food and water. Note that even BioBus has limits on what you can take.

These work best for those in theme camps with meal plans. I rode to the playa one time in a truck whose main freight was multiple large water tanks for Entheon Village (though I wasn't camping there).

For those who are driving, I've created an annotated Google Map of the route
and detours from the useful to the odd, available at http://tinyurl.com/rno2brc

And for the others there are ride share boards on e-playa and burningman.com

[gyre]

If you consider the whole radical self reliance aspect of the event, the multiple hundreds of $ us drivers spend on gas to and from the Playa, the Advantage Air prices are not such a bad deal.

The BioBus, AA or hitching a ride will provide comparable gear capacity for your obligatory minimalist camping. The remaining question then is of perceived value.

I personally would opt for the AA flights since they add another level of adventure to the whole trip and avoid the nasty exodus. But then again, I tend to spend thousands on the whole driving and building thing so my perception of value is skewed.

Heck, if I blow a tire on the road it will set me back $300 which is what we are talking about here.

Either way you choose, you will have a good time.

Why is it always people that don't have to deal with an issue that lecture other people about self reliance?

These folks are trying to find out how to do it and you're criticizing them?


There is the rideshare option.
And there is burning van if they still have space.
[email protected]

[wedeliver]

Hi there,

Call me crazy but I have been looking thoroughly and cannot find much helpful information for those of us that are not driving and not able to rent cars to get to the playa from the airport. We are two gals-- arriving late evening on the 31st of august and planning to leave on the 8th of sept. from Reno.

We have NO CLUE as to how we can get to the playa safely and efficiently. I even lookied into sharing a flight (advantage) but prefer not to spend the cash and to spare the air... actually reconsidering going at all... how is it that with such a huge following, there are no shuttles organized to drive people to the playa from the airport? Perfectly willing to pitch for gas... please help!

Have you looked on this page?

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/t ... rport.html

Rideshare Bases

There are three Rideshare Bases (spots that attract a lot of participants who have stopped to shop for event supplies) in the Reno area. Each of the Rideshare Bases is within a 10 minute drive from the Reno Airport, and are next to a freeway along the regular Burning Man migrations to the playa. Going to one of these spots and inquiring with participants there about sharing a ride will likely land you a ride in short order. The three Rideshare Bases (where you shall Leave No Trace, please!) are:
Whole Foods Market
6139 S Virginia Street – 775-829-8666 – map
Open 8am-9pm

Trader Joe's
5035 S McCarran Blvd – 775-826-1621 - map
Open 9am-9pm

Save Mart
525 Keystone Ave - 775-786-2150 - map
Open 24 hours

Airport Shuttle to Rideshare Bases

There will be a free shuttle transporting Burning Man participants from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport to the three Rideshare Bases. Check in at Air Playa Info to get onto a shuttle.

The shuttle will operate during peak travel hours, and will pick up participants from the airport approximately every 1/2 hour during these times:

Monday – Wednesday of the event week
10am – 3:30pm and 7pm - 9:30pm

The shuttle will be transporting participants only to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods until approximately 8pm (both stores close at 9pm). After 8pm, the shuttle will transport participants only to Save Mart (which is open 24 hours).

Since you arrive late at night you would want to go to Save Mart, perhaps you can take a cab over. I would expect Sunday night to be really busy with lots of people coming through.

Good chance you can get a ride from the airport with people who can rent a car.

good luck