OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — We’re just a few weeks away from one of Northeast Wisconsin’s most popular events. EAA AirVenture kicks off on Monday, July 26 and goes until August 1.
But ahead of the event that brings thousands from not only Wisconsin but across the country and world, tourists might find themselves in a pinch as they try to figure out ground transportation from area airports and hotels to the event grounds.
One of the first things people might consider is rental cars.
A quick search on Expedia.com shows that no rental cars are available in Oshkosh for the dates of the event.
“We’re starting to hear that the rental cars in Northeast Wisconsin are sold out. We know they’re sold out in Oshkosh, here in Appleton I’ve talked with all of rental car partners and they’ve told me they’re completely sold out for EAA and don’t have rental cars available at all,” said Patrick Tracey, Appleton International Airport Marketing Manager.
As a result, area airports will be offering ground transportation for tourists. Both the Appleton and Green Bay airports will be offering shuttles during the duration of the event.
With the additional challenge of finding rental cars, which have been sold out since early June, the Green Bay International Airport (GRB) will offer a shuttle bus thanks to a partnership between GRB, Executive Air, Jet Air, and Lamers.
The shuttle bus service will be offered three times daily to AirVenture in Oshkosh with three return shuttles each day. The cost is $20 each way.
The airport says that even if you didn’t fly your plane or one of the airlines into GRB, you can still ride the bus to AirVenture.
GRB will be offering free Lamers shuttle bus passenger parking in a designated lot at the airport.
“When you factor in the price of gas and parking, the Lamers shuttle is really an affordable way to get to and from Green Bay to Oshkosh,” stated GRB Airport Director Marty Piette, A.A.E. “The shuttle will be great for area residents who want to spend a day at AirVenture as well as for pilots who fly into GRB, park their planes at one of our Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), and then head down to this great aviation event.”
Executive Air’s General Manager, Jim Prast, added, “We see a huge influx of personal aircraft during the week of AirVenture and are always looking for ways to make those customers’ experience better. The shortage of rental cars is an issue all over the U.S. right now, so now we’re giving pilots another reason to stay in Green Bay. It will be easy for them to hop on the shuttle.”
The shuttle offers a schedule to accommodate those who like to get there early and those who would rather catch the afternoon airshow.
Shuttles will begin Sunday, July 25, and continue through the end of the day on Sunday, August 1. Tickets can be purchased byclicking here.
All shuttle passengers are encouraged to book ahead and must print their passes before arriving at the bus.
Lamers is not able to accept smartphone images for rides. For those who decide to ride at the last minute, they do accept cash only on the day of the ride, if there is space available.
FBO guests can work with staff to print copies of their tickets. Airline passengers can work with Airport Administration staff to print copies of their tickets if their lodging doesn’t have a business printer. Non‐flying shuttle passengers are encouraged to print their passes at home and bring them to the pick‐up locations.
See below for the Green Bay schedule:
“We have up to three daily departures and return trips from the airport picking up at executive air, Jet Air, and the remote lot that people can park in and they’ll take them down to the EAA and return them back later in the afternoon when they’re ready to come back,” said Rachel Engeler, Green Bay Airport Assistant Airport Director.
If you’re looking to ride from Green Bay, you can go online to reserve a spot ahead of time. However, officials want to make sure you print your ticket. They say the bar code on your cell phone won’t suffice.
“You can stop at either the airport administration office and we can help you print them out, or you can also print them out at Jet Air or Executive air and they can help you print them out," Engler said.
As for the Appleton International Airport (ATW), it has also begun to find alternative ways to provide ground transportation for travelers.
The airport will be offering shuttles from Appleton Hotels, Fox River Mall, and the Appleton airport down to the event.
A one-way shuttle is $20 and a round trip is $30. They say no reservations are needed and cash and credit cards will be accepted.
See below for the Appleton schedule:
A simple, easy, and affordable way down to Oshkosh while also avoiding all the hassle of parking.
“If you get there a little later in the day you know you’re parking way out so the nice part about the kobussen coach is that it drops you off right in front of the main gate,” Tracey said.
Definitely a fun week at EAA AirVenture watching planes soar into the horizon
