Traveling to the tournament

[real chili 83]

What's the best way to make travel arrangements to see the Warriors in the opening rounds next weekend....do they have a Travel agency that can help with tickets, hotel etc?  A one stop shop?

[Dr. Blackheart]

What's the best way to make travel arrangements to see the Warriors in the opening rounds next weekend....do they have a Travel agency that can help with tickets, hotel etc?  A one stop shop?

Worst way is Anthony Travel unless that is last chance.

[rocky_warrior]

What's the best way to make travel arrangements to see the Warriors in the opening rounds next weekend....do they have a Travel agency that can help with tickets, hotel etc?  A one stop shop?

Hand your credit card to Benny. He'll take care of you.

[GooooMarquette]

If it's drivable, I typically make my own hotel arrangements. For anything involving flights, I have gone through the athletic department. Not cheap, but they typically include extras like transportation to the game and such. They usually post info on the AD website shortly after we know our placement.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Another thing to keep in mind is that there is Commuter train service from New Haven, CT to Springfield, MA now so you can take commuter rail from say Grand Central Terminal in NYC to Downtown Hartford and change trains in New Haven.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Another thing to keep in mind is that there is Commuter train service from New Haven, CT to Springfield, MA now so you can take commuter rail from say Grand Central Terminal in NYC to Downtown Hartford and change trains in New Haven.

I would consider this.  If you can’t stay by the arena I would get a rental car and stay in West Hartford (blueback square) or do what you suggest. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

You can stay in Downtown New Haven which is always happening and drink on the train to Hartford.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

A casino just opened in Downtown Springfield, MA which is a 20 minute drive to Hartford and you can visit the Basketball Hall of Fame while you are there.  You can train to Hartford also.

[Celtic Truth]

Hartford’s only 1.5 hours from Boston with no traffic so if you’re looking at flying into a more major city it’s easy enough to stay in Boston and drive back and forth to the games. I have friends flying in from Chicago that are crashing at my place in Boston for the weekend.

[Benny B]

What's the best way to make travel arrangements to see the Warriors in the opening rounds next weekend....do they have a Travel agency that can help with tickets, hotel etc?  A one stop shop?

Unless you’re endowing a scholarship and riding on the team charter, a la carte is the way to go.

Book a flight.
Book a hotel.
Find a ticket. 

In that order.  Hell, get the first two lined up, and you’ll be surprised at how easily the third falls into place. 

[Disco Hippie]

MU Fan in CT and Celtic Truth both offered very sound advice here.  There's more going on in downtown New Haven than Hartford for sure so if you decide on CT, I'd stay in New Haven and take the train to Hartford back and forth.

I suspect that flying into Hartford will be a lot more expensive than flying into Boston or NYC, so if you're flying into Boston, I'd just stay there and daytrip to Hartford on TH and Sat, that way you can spend all day FRI in Boston.

If flying into NYC (or White Plains if you can find a cheap flight there) you can get to New Haven, easily enough from either.  It's about 2 hours from LGA/JFK and 1 hour from White Plains if no traffic.

Providence would be solid 3rd alternative, about 75 miles from Hartford in No traffic. 

[Billy Hoyle]

What's the best way to make travel arrangements to see the Warriors in the opening rounds next weekend....do they have a Travel agency that can help with tickets, hotel etc?  A one stop shop?

The NBA playoffs don’t start until April, GS will have gone court so I guess you’re looking at Game 1.  Plenty of time to plan though. I prefer to to stay in SF and take the BART to the arena. Tickets will be a bitch though with all of the Tech Bros holding so many and driving up prices. You may be looking at $200 minimum upstairs, but that’s where the real Warriors fans are.

[Benny B]

If it's drivable, I typically make my own hotel arrangements. For anything involving flights, I have gone through the athletic department. Not cheap, but they typically include extras like transportation to the game and such. They usually post info on the AD website shortly after we know our placement.

If not otherwise walkable, transport between the arena and team hotel is typically provided to all MU fans cheap as free. 

[Benny B]

By the way, for those of you who save FF miles, the best use (for maximizing value) of your miles is to use them to upgrade a paid flight over an ocean, the second best use is last-minute travel when airfares have skyrocketed (no pun intended), i.e. right now.  Otherwise, as many have suggested, fly in to Boston or NYC and drive/train to Hartford.

Lowest published fares.  Wednesday departure, Sunday return (SWA fares not included):

ORD - BDL: $800+ N/S  ($630 if you want to fly a connecting Spirit flight on the return)
ORD - HVN: $306 one-stop
ORD - BOS: $281 N/S
ORD - JFK/LGA: $282 N/S ($259 outbound to JFK, return via LGA)
ORD - HVN/ORH: $292 one-stop  (return via ORH*)

MSP - BDL: $787 N/S ($690 w/ 2 stops going to and Spirit coming from)
MSP - HVN: $742 one-stop
MSP - BOS: $259 N/S
MSP - LGA: $607 N/S
MSP - PVD (Providence): $270 one-stop

MKE - BDL: $718 one-stop
MKE - HVN: $742 one-stop
MKE - BOS: $797 N/S ($751 with connecting return flight)
MKE - SWF: $537 one-stop**
MKE - EWR: $845 N/S
MKE - BDL/ORH: $610 one-stop -- return via ORH

* ORH (Worcester) is about 1:00 from downtown Hartford by car.
** SWF (Stewart Int'l) is about 1:45 from downtown Hartford by car.

[CTWarrior]

I would consider this.  If you can’t stay by the arena I would get a rental car and stay in West Hartford (blueback square) or do what you suggest.

I took the train to and from Grand Central for Thursday and Friday's games, and I swear they've added about a thousand stops.  I thought they were going to announce, "Next stop, Bob's house" at one point.  That train used to be 1:20 to Stratford, now it's 1:50 to 1:55.  After watching that debacle on Friday night, I didn't get to my house until 3:15 AM.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I took the train to and from Grand Central for Thursday and Friday's games, and I swear they've added about a thousand stops.  I thought they were going to announce, "Next stop, Bob's house" at one point.  That train used to be 1:20 to Stratford, now it's 1:50 to 1:55.  After watching that debacle on Friday night, I didn't get to my house until 3:15 AM.

If you don't get the express it is horrible.  I think the station you are thinking of is Green's Farms....what is that?  I am actually glad I opted to stay home Fri -- that would have been the longest and least satisfying Metro North ride ever.

[barfolomew]

By the way, for those of you who save FF miles, the best use (for maximizing value) of your miles is to use them to upgrade a paid flight over an ocean, the second best use is last-minute travel when airfares have skyrocketed (no pun intended), i.e. right now.  Otherwise, as many have suggested, fly in to Boston or NYC and drive/train to Hartford.

Lowest published fares.  Wednesday departure, Sunday return (SWA fares not included):

ORD - BDL: $800+ N/S  ($630 if you want to fly a connecting Spirit flight on the return)
ORD - HVN: $306 one-stop
ORD - BOS: $281 N/S
ORD - JFK/LGA: $282 N/S ($259 outbound to JFK, return via LGA)
ORD - HVN/ORH: $292 one-stop  (return via ORH*)

MSP - BDL: $787 N/S ($690 w/ 2 stops going to and Spirit coming from)
MSP - HVN: $742 one-stop
MSP - BOS: $259 N/S
MSP - LGA: $607 N/S
MSP - PVD (Providence): $270 one-stop

MKE - BDL: $718 one-stop
MKE - HVN: $742 one-stop
MKE - BOS: $797 N/S ($751 with connecting return flight)
MKE - SWF: $537 one-stop**
MKE - EWR: $845 N/S
MKE - BDL/ORH: $610 one-stop -- return via ORH

* ORH (Worcester) is about 1:00 from downtown Hartford by car.
** SWF (Stewart Int'l) is about 1:45 from downtown Hartford by car.

FLIGHTTRACKAAAA!

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[MU Fan in Connecticut]

There is more info on the Open Practice for anyone who will be in town on Wednesday.

http://www.xlcenter.com/marchmadness/open-practice

OPEN PRACTICE:
Looking to get out of work or school and enjoy some basketball? Join us Wednesday, March 20th from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm for a first look at your favorite teams when they come to Hartford! All eight teams will have a designated 40-minute time slot to practice and show off their skills in front of the public. In addition there will be food and beverage specials, fan experiences and more! This is a FREE event, open to the public!

Practice Schedule:

11:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.-Vermont
11:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.- Murray State
12:30 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.- Florida State
1:15 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.-Marquette
3:25 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.- Villanova
4:10 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.- Purdue
4:55 p.m. – 5:35 p.m.- Saint Mary’s
5:40 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.- Old Dominion

All Day Combos:
   - Hot Dog, Chips, Sm Fountain Drink: $8
   - Slice of Pizza & 16oz Domestic Beer: $12

Happy Hour Food Specials (4pm-6pm):
   - Hot Dogs: $3
   - Nachos: $5
   - Bottomless Popcorn: $10

[dgies9156]

By the way, for those of you who save FF miles, the best use (for maximizing value) of your miles is to use them to upgrade a paid flight over an ocean, the second best use is last-minute travel when airfares have skyrocketed (no pun intended), i.e. right now.  Otherwise, as many have suggested, fly in to Boston or NYC and drive/train to Hartford.

Lowest published fares.  Wednesday departure, Sunday return (SWA fares not included):

ORD - BDL: $800+ N/S  ($630 if you want to fly a connecting Spirit flight on the return)
ORD - HVN: $306 one-stop
ORD - BOS: $281 N/S
ORD - JFK/LGA: $282 N/S ($259 outbound to JFK, return via LGA)
ORD - HVN/ORH: $292 one-stop  (return via ORH*)

MSP - BDL: $787 N/S ($690 w/ 2 stops going to and Spirit coming from)
MSP - HVN: $742 one-stop
MSP - BOS: $259 N/S
MSP - LGA: $607 N/S
MSP - PVD (Providence): $270 one-stop

MKE - BDL: $718 one-stop
MKE - HVN: $742 one-stop
MKE - BOS: $797 N/S ($751 with connecting return flight)
MKE - SWF: $537 one-stop**
MKE - EWR: $845 N/S
MKE - BDL/ORH: $610 one-stop -- return via ORH

* ORH (Worcester) is about 1:00 from downtown Hartford by car.
** SWF (Stewart Int'l) is about 1:45 from downtown Hartford by car.

Brother Benny, what do you do for a living?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Brother Benny, what do you do for a living?

Travel Ombundsman?

[Bocephys]

Travel Ombundsman?

I thought he was Myron Medcalf?

[Benny B]

Brother Benny, what do you do for a living?

I have a job that requires travel, so I have a whole system for finding airfares.  I'm also a hobbyist travel hacker and one of those "miler" people that churns through credit cards for points/miles/etc.

i.e. it took me longer to type all that out than it did to find the fares.

[Benny B]

BTW - The winner for cheapest overall airfares into Hartford goes to South Florida.

FLL - BDL: $328 N/S (Spirit)
PBI - BDL: $254 one-stop (AAL)
PBI/FLL - BDL: $272 (PBI to, FLL from)

Not sayin', just sayin'.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I have a job that requires travel, so I have a whole system for finding airfares.  I'm also a hobbyist travel hacker and one of those "miler" people that churns through credit cards for points/miles/etc.

i.e. it took me longer to type all that out than it did to find the fares.

It's all about the points Benny!

[CleanishProgram]

Marquette Univ did a great job with their travel PSA