Destination:
Ohio

Overview

Located to the south of Lake Erie, Ohio is the easternmost of the Great Lake states and one of the most industrialised regions in the country. Railroads, the Ohio River and the ports on Lake Erie, as well as the construction of the Erie-Ohio Canal linking the two waterways, aided the state's development as a major manufacturing centre, combined with abundant natural resources that enabled its cities to become important centres of industry. However most of the industry is clustered around the Ohio River to the east.

Ohio's proficiency as a manufacturing hub continues today, but cities like Cincinnati and Cleveland have undergone a major rejuvenation and are surprisingly attractive, having successfully managed to exchange factories and warehouses for gleaming downtown centres. Cincinnati offers a variety of museums, galleries, fine dining and shopping, while Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a major, internationally-acclaimed attraction. Fascinating neighbourhoods, miles of parklands and a revitalised lakefront image are drawing visitors to this city on the shores of Lake Erie. The state capital of Columbus is the main hub of education, research and commerce and is a lively college city with fine architecture and several interesting museums.

Although dominated by its three main cities, the most visited destinations in the state are the sandy shores of the Lake Erie Islands with a wide range of recreational activities including boating, fishing, swimming, as well as numerous historical sites and nature areas.

Despite its association with industry and pollution, the state of Ohio is mostly covered in fertile farmland, and the northeast is home to the world's largest Amish population, a decidedly old-fashioned community who sell their freshly grown produce along with traditional handmade crafts in the small town country shops. To the south lies Ohio's outback, a less populated region that is heavily forested and can best be experienced in Wayne National Forest.

Attractions

Airports

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Website: www.clevelandairport.com

Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) southwest of Cleveland.

Contacts: Tel: +1 216 265 6000.

Time Zone: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Departure tax: None.

Facilities: Facilities include ATMs and currency exchange, restaurants, bars, child facilities, post office, shops, tourist information and hotel reservation telephone boards.

Parking: There is plenty of parking at the airport for $3 per hour. The hourly lot has a daily maximum of $14, while the long-term lot has a daily limit of $10. The economy lot, connected to the terminal by shuttle, charges $8 per day.

Transfer to the city: The Ground Transportation Services Office, which is responsible for taxis, shuttles and limos, is located at the north end of the baggage claim level on the lower level of the main terminal (Tel: 216-898-5161). The RTA provides a regular train service between the airport and downtown Cleveland via the Tower City Station and departs every 15 minutes and costs US$2 (Tel: 216-566-5100). The train station is on the lower level of the main terminal. Lorain County Transit (LCT) provides a bus service to and from the airport to the Elyria Park and Ride station in Elyria and Oberlin College. A single fare is $6 and the bus departs from the airport's ticketing level outside the United Airlines' ticket counter. Cabs are also available at the baggage claim level of the airport. Hotel shuttles can be called from the hotel courtesy phones in the baggage claim area.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, Enterprise and National. The consolidated car rental facility can be reached by a shuttle bus, which departs from outside exit 5 of the main terminal.

Port Columbus International Airport

Website: www.port-columbus.com

Location: The airport is situated seven miles (10km) northeast of Columbus.

Contacts: Tel: +1 614 239 4000.

Time Zone: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Departure tax: None.

Facilities: The airport is easily accessible to disabled passengers. There is an excellent choice of restaurants and shops; other facilities include ATMs, a business centre wih postal facilities and bureau de change, WiFi, shoe-shine and an airport information desk.

Parking: Both short- and long-term parking is available at Port Columbus International Airport. Long-term parking costs $17 per day and economy parking costs $4 to $9 per day depending upon parking Lot chosen. Short-term parking starts at $3 for the first hour, $2 per hour thereafter and the daily maximum is $27.

Transfer to the city: The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) buses run to destinations throughout the city. Taxis are available for hire 24-hours a day at the ground transportation area of the terminal. Downtown shuttles operate a rapid service to the city centre every 20 minutes.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty and National.

Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport

Website: www.cvgairport.com

Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (20km) southwest of Cincinnati.

Contacts: Airport Admin: +1 859 767 3151.

Time Zone: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Departure tax: None.

Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle bus and underground tram service connect the three terminals and their concourses.

Facilities: ATMs are available in all terminals. Terminal 2 and Concourse B has a bank and currency exchange. The airport is easily accessible to disabled passengers. Other facilities include restaurants, shops and duty-free, conference and business facilities including Internet access, and information desks. Airport Ambassadors are also on hand to help with passenger information.

Parking: There are numerous parking facilities at the airport, including the attached AutoPort Garage ($2 per hour), the ValuPark lot ($2 for four hours and $7 per day), which is connected to the terminal via shuttle, and a valet service.

Transfer to the city: TANK public bus services are available between the airport and downtown Cincinnati and Covington seven days a week from the crosswalk of terminal 1 and outside terminal 3. The Airport Executive Shuttle can take passengers directly to hotels and other locations in Downtown Cincinnati and Covington. Taxis can be arranged via courtesy phones in terminals 1 and 2, or the taxi desk in the baggage reclaim area of terminal 3.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Alamo, Budget, Hertz, National and others. Courtesy phones are available in the baggage reclaim areas, and shuttles transport customers to the rental companies.

Akron-Canton Regional Airport

Location: 10 miles (16km) from both Akron and Canton

Parking: Short-term parking at Akron-Canton Regional Airport has rates going up to $13 per day, while weekly rates are available in the long-term ($45/week) and economy ($35/week) parking lots. There is a free waiting area for drivers picking up or dropping off passengers.

James M. Cox Dayton International Airport

Website: www.daytonairport.com

Location: The airport is nine miles (14km) from central Dayton.

Parking: Parking at Dayton International Airport ranges from $3 per hour or $18 per day in the short-term garage near the terminal, to $2 per hour and $6 per day ($36 per week) in the economy lot connected to the terminal via shuttle. Paying with a credit card offers lower rates in some lots.