Originally Posted by
StayingHomeIsBetter
When I go to BOS from the Philly area, I take Amtrak. But, I don't have to do this weekly, and the travel time is 5 to 6 hours, depending upon whether you take Acela. Fares can be as low as $186 each way. I was surprised to see that was higher than a USAir FC ticket.
But, I do not fly USAir, and I enjoy the occasional relief from air travel.
I use Acela to go to New York City and when I have to go to Washington, DC (I'll drive if i'm going anywhere outside the district, like VA or MD). Otherwise, I'm not a huge fan of rail travel (I have a mild fear of trains - go figure). I'd rather avoid being cooped up on a train for 6 hours if I can avoid it. Also, the hassle of schlepping to 30th street station, the expense of parking (believe it or not, parking at PHL is cheaper than parking in the Cira Center!).
Someone suggested SEPTA. I actually live in the suburbs very close to the R5 (Paoli-Thorndale in newspeak) and all that does is add 45 minutes to the journey time to 30th street, and you're getting onto the R5 with two bags and dealing with long-term parking an R5 lot. So, the 6 hour Acela ride has turned into close to an 8 hour train journey, assuming no issues.
I'd rather a half-hour drive, 15 minutes to park, 15 minutes to clear security, hang out at the airport for an hour, then an hour flight in a nice, safe airplane (even if it's coach in a barbie jet).