I looked at fares for around New Years to go from EWR-CHS. The EWR-CHS fare is about $330, whereas the ZFV (Philadelphia 30th St. Station)-CHS via EWR fare is about $280. Since there are 4 of us, it saves about $200. My question is, do I then need to take the Amtrak, or can I just go to EWR? I thought about it, and I guess the only way Amtrak can check if I've actually traveled is that they collect your ticket stub; what happens to that after collection is unclear. Also, would Continental care if I didn't take the Amtrak? It makes the schedule much less convenient to take the Amtrak (having to wait in EWR for a train that leaves at 11:30 PM for 30th Street when I could be driving home)- 30th Street and EWR airport are equal distance from my house.