The regular Newport Shuttle is run by Cozy Transportation Services. They have a stand on the lower (Departure) level of the airport, by the baggage claim, at the far right as you face the exit doors. Their pick-up point is on the middle island of the Departure level roadway, on the right as you go through the exit doors. The main sign says, "Newport Shuttle."
The schedule available on 20 September, 1998 indicates regular departures on the hour between 5 AM and 10 PM and a final run at midnight. The 5 AM and midnight trips are marked as requiring reservations; passengers are expected at least five minutes before departure time for all trips. The shuttle, it says here, is Non-Smoking.
Cozy Cab Transportation's voice telephone numbers are
800-846-1502
401-846-2500
401-846-1500
Their fax number is 401-846-1900.
as of 25 September web page is just a place holder.
In case someone has more money than time, another company claims to provide transport anywhere in the state of Rhode Island with advance reservation: Airport Van Shuttle, 888-736-1900 or 401-736-1900 (Fax: 401-732-1144).
The ride to Newport provides some spectacular views of Naragansett Bay from the high-level Interstate bridges.
The cheap way to get there from the airport is by RIPTA bus to downtown Providence and from there to Newport. Probably take longer, though. (Providence-Newport buses are roughly hourly during the day, less often evenings.) RIPTA is 1-800-244-0444 or 401-781-9400. I don't know if there are any buses from the airport directly to Newport.
Update: Since Oct. 1, the RIPTA bus rate everywhere in R.I. (e.g., from Providence to Newport) is $1.25; transfers are 25 cents.
(RIPTA has posters around the state urging people to take the bus to Newport. The headline is "Of all the rare sights in Newport, this is the rarest" -- over a picture of a parking space.)
The closest Amtrak station is Kingston (19 miles from Newport). It's claimed that there is RIPTA service from Kingston to Newport. However, not all trains stop there; Providence is next best.
There is Bonanza bus service from Boston (South Station, not the airport) directly to Newport, roughly every two hours. There may also be buses from New York. Bonanza Bus Lines Information answered from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, EST, toll free - 888-751-8800 or 401-751-8800.
Exit bus terminal and face towards the main street at that building (America's Cup Avenue). Turn right and walk about one and a half furlongs to the hotel.
Streets in central Newport are olde and picturesque (pitcher-skew) and in
some places paved with bricks or cobblestones. Please exercise caution and
patience when driving through town.
Mileage to Newport from:
From New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Points South: Interstate 95 North to Route 138 East (exit 3 in Rhode Island). Over Jamestown Bridge (no toll fee) and Newport Bridge ($2.00 toll). For downtown Newport, take first exit off Newport Bridge (Scenic Newport), turn right off exit ramp and drive straight through 1st set of traffic lights. At 2nd set of lights turn right where Farewell Street (R.I. Rte 138) intersects America's Cup Avenue. The Transportation Center is about three quarters of a mile from the intersection, on the right (after the depot for the Newport Dinner Train). The hotel will be on your right about a furlong after the Transportation Center (Bus Station).
From Boston, The Cape, Massachusetts and Points North: Interstate 95 to 195E to Route 24 South (around Fall River, MA) continue on Route 24 South to Route 114 South (Route 114 South is called "WEST MAIN ROAD" in Middletown, and "BROADWAY" in Newport). Approximately one mile from city line, (just past Newport City Hall) turn right onto Marlborough Street, proceed to traffic light on America's Cup Avenue and the Gateway Information Center.
If arriving from Rte 24 and Rhode Island Rte 114, you will drive into Newport center on Memorial Boulevard. This veers hard right just above the wharves and turns into a broad, tarmacked road called America's Cup Avenue. This road doglegs around the front of our hotel about a furlong after the veer to the right.
Newport C&VB or 1-800-976-5122.
Once you're checked in, you're just a short walk from both the Whale Museum and the Scrimshaw Outlet!
