NYC to Harrisburg PA?
Oct 28, 18, 6:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,284
NYC to Harrisburg PA?
We're trying to figure out an efficient way to get from NYC to Harrisburg, PA and back.
Driving is 3 to 5 hours, depending on timing. Sitting behind the wheel for this long is no fun.
LGA-MDT is about 3:30 (with a stop), plus getting to the airport, security, etc. A non-stop flight would work, but they don't appear to have existed for many years.
Amtrak is about 3:30, plus getting to Penn Station, etc.
A helicopter is absurdly expensive.
Am I missing something? Is there a better or easier way?
Driving is 3 to 5 hours, depending on timing. Sitting behind the wheel for this long is no fun.
LGA-MDT is about 3:30 (with a stop), plus getting to the airport, security, etc. A non-stop flight would work, but they don't appear to have existed for many years.
Amtrak is about 3:30, plus getting to Penn Station, etc.
A helicopter is absurdly expensive.
Am I missing something? Is there a better or easier way?
Oct 29, 18, 1:01 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,992
There's always the bus-both Greyhound and Fullington have stops in Harrisburg, but I don't believe Fullington runs a direct service between the two. There's also the Great Wall bus if that interests you. Other than that there aren't really any other major options that I'm aware of.
Oct 29, 18, 2:18 pm
#6
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Maybe it's improved, but that train line has/had a reputation for being very late quite often.
Where are you really starting (NYC or some suburb?) and do you own a car or would you be renting for a weekend or whatever?
Time of the year and time of day could also make a difference if it would involve driving in bad weather or bad traffic conditions.
Where are you really starting (NYC or some suburb?) and do you own a car or would you be renting for a weekend or whatever?
Time of the year and time of day could also make a difference if it would involve driving in bad weather or bad traffic conditions.
Nov 1, 18, 7:03 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
Maybe it's improved, but that train line has/had a reputation for being very late quite often.
Where are you really starting (NYC or some suburb?) and do you own a car or would you be renting for a weekend or whatever?
Time of the year and time of day could also make a difference if it would involve driving in bad weather or bad traffic conditions.
Where are you really starting (NYC or some suburb?) and do you own a car or would you be renting for a weekend or whatever?
Time of the year and time of day could also make a difference if it would involve driving in bad weather or bad traffic conditions.
Nov 1, 18, 7:12 pm
#9
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I'd opt for Amtrak. I work in Harrisburg and have made the trip to NYC a few times. Mr. Kipper and I drove once or twice, and I've used Amtrak quite regularly. I've never had a drive to NYC or from NYC that took only between 3-4 hours. I prefer Amtrak because I can avoid all traffic and still get some work accomplished while on the train.
If the trains run late, it's usually only a few minutes. That said, you'll want to look at train stops before booking, as some of the Keystone Service trains make additional stops around Philadelphia, while others will skip certain stops. We took Amtrak from NYC on Tuesday. Taking the one that left at 2:11 PM took 3 hours, 10 minutes to reach Harrisburg. The 2:44 PM train took 3 hours, 45 minutes or some such due to the additional stops.
If the trains run late, it's usually only a few minutes. That said, you'll want to look at train stops before booking, as some of the Keystone Service trains make additional stops around Philadelphia, while others will skip certain stops. We took Amtrak from NYC on Tuesday. Taking the one that left at 2:11 PM took 3 hours, 10 minutes to reach Harrisburg. The 2:44 PM train took 3 hours, 45 minutes or some such due to the additional stops.
Dec 12, 18, 12:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 8
I’m sure you’ve already done the trip but Amtrak is going to the cheapest and easiest. I always drive Harrisburg to NYC because it’s not too terrible a drive. As to flying MDT is the most absurdly priced airport in existence, so I’d not recommend it.
