Originally Posted by
allset2travel
How long a ride is this (from Jamaica Station to Penn Station)?
About 20 minutes depending upon the # of stops. Sit in the front of the LIRR train as that is where the Amtrak side of Penn is.
Originally Posted by wds
Whitestone, Triboro (RFK), Throg’s Neck are all cashless now. So it’s an $8.50 toll on top of the daily rental car fee (~$4) for using an EZ-Pass (EZ-Passes issued by NY agencies get a discount but it’s not certain if the rental car would have one of these). I also suspect if OP did not utilize his rental EZ-Pass and was billed by mail the administrative fee would be ridiculous.
Amtrak to Providence might be looking even MORE attractive to the OP! Plus the train is just easier, more comfortable, and scenic.
If OP had plenty of time, they could save this money for a nice lobster roll by taking the 59th st bridge to the Willis Ave Bridge.
If the OP has never driven into Manhattan on the 59th St Bridge aka Queensborough (via local streets in Queens with poor signage) nor gotten off the bridge from either level and made his/her way to the FDR, I wouldn't recommend it even as means of saving tolls.