are any hotels really within walking distance?

[kybessom]

how far is the navy lodge? according to the flyer i got in the graduation packet the red carpet in is only a mile away but i wasn't sure if you can really just walk to the base? i'm guessing it's probably still a walk from the base gate all the way to wherever you park? i was thinking it would be nice to bypass the whole traffic issue but wasn't sure if it's realistic.

[Jackie]

The Navy Lodge is tooo far of a walk!!!

[kybessom]

i saw the red carpet inn is only a mile away- but i wasn't sure if it was actually a mile you could walk. and i was also thinking it would be a long walk from what they consider the start of the base all the way to wherever the graduation is.

[Leann]

The host told me there was a shuttle to the gate from the Navy lodge. I hope so.

[Millye]

A lot of the hotels in the area offer shuttle service so that you don't have to drive to the PIR. We stayed at the Residence Inn and they have a van that drove us up to and thru the front gates and came back to pick us up. I am thinking that other hotels might also offer this service. You might call and see.

[Ginger]

That is good to know. We are staying at the Residence Inn.

[Navy Dad Mark]

The motels all have shuttles...which are really taxis. Take a shuttle and don't stay at that Red Carpet...the further away from the base, the nicer the motel!

Don't walk or take your own car...take the motel shuttle!!!

[Tammy]

We stayed at the Navy Lodge, too. We didn't take the shuttle, we just took our rental car. Luckily, we weren't in the group of cars that got the big time search, so the wait wasn't bad. The dog sniffed the 3 rows of cars then we drove off to the parking lot. The others had to get out, pop the trunk, pop the hood, get there stuff out and stand there until the car was looked over. Good luck to you!

[Melissa (Scotty's Mom)]

The only problem with the Metra Lot is that there isn't very many parking spaces, of course, being the early bird is best!

[Robin]

This lot is very small.. and on another note with the parking here.. if you plan on taking the Metra down to Chicago on like Sat get there really early to park.. We showed up like a half hour before it was to leave and the place was full.

[Karen in Arizona]

So you didn't need a car at all while at the Marriott?

[Cindy Corpsman Mom]

We stayed at the Navy Lodge when we were there for our sons PIR. It's approx. 1.5 miles away from RTC. You can always call them to double check. I would recommend the shuttle, which we took. It's about $3 per person, and they drop you off at the entrance of RTC. RTC guards will show you where security is. You'll be escorted to the Navy FCU, where you'll wait until there's enough people to be escorted to PIR. Enjoy PIR. What an experience you are going to have, and congratulations!

[Eileen Brown]

Cindy,
We are staying at the Navy Lodge - where were you able to get the shuttle? Thank you!