First of all, if this is in the wrong forum, please move it. I'm pretty sure this is the right place for it, but you never know.

My question:
What is the cheapest way for me to go from Washington DC to New York and back in the same day?

I'll be in DC for a few days and I'd like to go and visit my friends in NYC. I need to go from suburban DC to manhattan. I only have a day so travel time is essential. At this point I'm thinking Amtrak 3 hours each way for about $140 each way would be my best bet because I don't deal with airport time and airport to manhattan center travel time and taxi $$$

Can anyone suggest anything better? I'd really aprpeciate it

Cheapest way? Rent a car.

i was thinking about that, but then i thought about rush hour traffic in DC and NYC and I don't know if all the extra time wasted will be worth it...

also, the under 25 surcharge (i'm 23) and exceeding the mileage limit penalty will work against me also

Cheapest way is with the "Chinatown Busses".

Bus leaves Washington DC's Chinatown and arrives in NYC's Chinatown (and vice-versa). No stops along the way, except in one directino the bus stopped to get gas and for a 15 minutes "stretch" break.

Fare is $20/each way, $35 if buy Round trip.

Let me know if you want more info.

AMTRAK takes you to Penn Station in midtown. Cheapest shuttle fares I have seen are $116.50 on a weekend, but I think the latest departure time at this price is 2PM, and of course you have to get from LaGuardia to M and back again. This could take 30 min-1 hour depending upon mode of travel and traffic. SO - the "cheapest" way would depend upon where you are meeting your party and how long you want to spend with them.

yes please!


thanks for the info freshair. i'm trying to maximize my time in NYC so if plane & train is about the same price then i might be better off taking the train


has anyone been on the acela express? is it a good experience? i'm tempted to splurge on the acela express once if it is good experience...

Here's the info on the "Chinatown Busses":

I recently made this RT (Sat am - Sun pm) with Dragon Express.

HomePage: http://www.dragonexpressway.com/homepage/
Buy Tix: http://www.ivymedia.com/dragoncoachu..._washingtondc/

There's another company, which appears to make a few NYC stops (which i didn't want) here: http://www.washny.com/

And yet another: http://www.2000coach.com/dcnewyorkrt.html

I believe that the DragonExpressway bus and the 2000Coach bus are in a FIERCE competition and each of their goal right now is to put the other out of business.

Here's a website for all your travel options between the 2 cities: http://www.thecapitol.net/VistingDC/transportation.htm

The trip was fine and uneventful. Mostly college students (unfortunately with cell phones!) on the bus, but a better experience than when i used to take Greyhound/Peter Pan a few years back (and they're $79/RT!)

By the way, since you're trying to maximize your time in NYC, i notice that there are busses leaving Washington DC at 2am and 3:30am, which should get you into NYC nice and early to start your day!

[This message has been edited by thereuare (edited 03-14-2003).]

[This message has been edited by thereuare (edited 03-14-2003).]

[This message has been edited by thereuare (edited 03-14-2003).]

thank you very much for the information

If you are a full time student and have a student advantage card you can fly the USAIR shuttle for $99 r/t.

www.studentadvantage.com

Here's an interestng fairly recent article from the Washington Post on the ultra cheap DC/NYC busses: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&notFound=true

I've made the trek from NY to DC several times. The problem with traveling by train is clearly time, it can take anywhere from 3-5 hours to get into NY...and I find it pretty expensive. I think your best bet would definately be to fly, it's a lot cheaper than most people would expect. I found my last fare on Orbitz for under $130 RT. I'd check there and investigate another option. They're usually on point with that sort of stuff. Goodluck on your search.

Also note that the 830pm Acela train is on sale for about $60 each way!!! They just added it to the schedule so there is a promotion going on!

Cheers!