NYC-DC - Bus, Train, Plane
 

I have seen a couple of these threads, and most recommend the train when going from New York to DC but in my case the train is MUCH pricier so I am wondering if you guys think the train is worth a significant premium.

In NY I will be coming from the Bronx about equidistant to JFK and Penn Station. In DC I will be picked up.

The bus is about $25-27. I usually take the bus but it is extremely uncomfortable and as my work schedule gets busier, I am having less and less patience for this trip which makes my relaxing weekend into a more stressful one.

Flying is 4,500 air miles (BA Avios) or $65. It is fast but airport security is a hassle. And I am scared of the flight getting cancelled.

The train is $140 (:eek:). The main benefit of the train in addition to the comfort is that it leaves from the Bronx (well New Rochelle, Westchester which is minutes from me) but I don't know if it worth such a high premium over flying

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

The train is much more comfortable. The seats are bigger, the bathrooms better, there is room for luggage, there's a cafe car, there's wifi (although Bolt bus offers wifi, too).

What's your cost of getting to the airport? You have to add that to your ticket cost to really see what the price difference is.

Time -- productive time -- is money.

On a 2:50 train from WAS-NYP, I've got about 2:40 of productive time. No shlepping to airport, shlepping through checkpoint, waiting at gate and so forth. I can work, read, do calls or sleep.

On the Shuttle, it's a 35-minute flight and out of the entire 2:30 process out to DCA and into the City from LGA, I've got about 20 mins when I can do something productive.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

If you are planning to make the trip with some frequency, look into whether Amtrak offers a discounted multi-ride ticket from either NRO or NYP to WAS.

Also, look into getting the Amtrak credit card (no fee!), which can speed your way to free trips. Signing up for Amtrak Guest Rewards is a no-brainer. It is one of the best award programs going.

I agree 100% with Often1 on the "productive time" aspect of this choice. I also agree with Anna Phor that the cost of getting to the airport or train station, parking there, etc. needs to be considered.

I think it depends on two factors - your personal financial situation and your personal taste. There is no way you would get me on a bus between NY and DC, unless the trains and planes were all shut down and I absolutely had to get their. But then, YMMV.

I didn't realize how expensive Amtrak is. Not that there's big savings, but there are trains for $120 from New Rochelle. Also see this page for discounts: http://www.railserve.com/amtrak_coupons.html

I don't know what day you're leaving, but if you take Amtrak from Penn Station and take the 7:17am, the cost is only $49. I plugged in a random date, Thursday, Sept 19 and that's what popped up

If you take the 8:10am train, the cost is $84.

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I hate taking long-distance buses so no cheap price would lure me to do so.

I like the train, no hassel with security and easy to switch times. Flying is quick but with the airport security and driving to the airport you are not saving as much time as you think.

If cost is no object, the Acela train. If it is, Megabus and Bolt Bus are fairly reliable both in terms of schedule and wifi. Also check Vamoose Bus, they're operated by DC Trails, a coach company in DC. I'd steer clear of the rest- DC2NY, Chinatown bus, etc.

PS: Amtrak has recently changed their fare structures and cancellation/no-show policies. In the past they were exceedingly generous, not so much anymore.

what about abiz ticket on the regular train. takes about 15 min more than an acellua, and one gets a big seat on the empty car in the back of the train. i think that ticket costs about $25 morel

The key to keeping amtrak fares down is simple: book REALLY early. You can refund 100% up to 24 hours before your train, then you can get 90% back until the train departs (and even after, if you don't make it for some reason)

Agreed. Fares are $50 when booked in advance. As others have said, it depends on how you value your time; working on the train is much easier than on the bus, and you're more likely to arrive on time if traveling at traffic hours. On the other hand, if you're traveling at off-peak hours, then the bus can be more cost-effective (if you're not losing work time or you don't mind working on the bus).