4Adventure

We're driving to NJ shore (2A,2K) in April, and are planning to spend Tues and Wed nights in NYC (Manhattan). We're planning to leave our car at a NJ rail station when we head into the City. What NJ station would you recommend we start from? (We can be flexible - haven't booked anywhere in NJ yet). We're looking for best combination of safe, economical parking and economical rail fares, and don't mind if trip is up to an hour or so.

doug_stallings

Where are you coming from? Depending on your starting point, the best place to park and ride might or might not be in NJ despite your ultimate destination. And if you stay in the Travel Inn in Manhattan (the only hotel in Manhattan with free parking), you might be better off just driving into the city.

4Adventure

We're coming from Washington, DC.

tomfuller

Newark (not the airport). They have 200 long/short term spots.
I advise getting there early for a spot. New Jersey Transit may be cheaper than Amtrak to go to Penn Station.
Amtrak is lowering the child age to 12 from 15 next month.
I can't blame them since anyone over 2 is an adult on the airlines.
If you wanted to drive less and ride the train more, you could park at Aberdeen MD.

joethekay

Let me get this right. You drive from Washington DC to the NJ shore first? or do you drive from Washington DC to go to NY first.
It can make a difference as to where you can board the train and leave your car.
What NJ shore city are you driving to and staying?

4Adventure

Thanks for the suggestions.

Our plans are flexible - we can do NJ shore before or after - we have not yet booked a place in NJ. We saw that some of the NJ commuter rail stations along the shore offer free parking, but were not certain if leaving our car overnight was advisable, particularly if the lot was not going to be attended.

Should we consider driving into Manhattan instead, particularly with Travel Inn (and its free parking) as an option?

joethekay

I do not have any knowledge of how well your car will be at an
unattended lot. Some parking lots allow overnight parking others do not.
If you want to do NY and park there that is perfectly acceptable as well and may not be any more expensive than leaving your car in NJ and taking the train, remember you will be paying for 4 fares each way(kids may travel half price if they qualify.)
Just try to travel into NYC after 10am and before 3pm and traffic should be tolerable.
Enjoy your stay.
What beach town are you going to? I am partial to PT Pleasant Beach which is more family orientated and has a recently repaired boardwalk.

tomfuller

This NJ Transit map may be helpful. https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/Rail_System_Map.pdf
It takes a couple minutes to fill in - be patient.
From Atlantic City you have to come by way of 30th St. Station in Philadelphia.

4Adventure

We were thinking about Spring Lake - have heard from others, too, that Point Pleasant is nice.

4Adventure

... and thanks for map tomfuller!

joethekay

Spring Lake is a nice small friendly town.
You can check with the Hotel if they would let you leave your car there for couple of nights. A quick google check indicates that there are three free municipal lots near the NJ Transit station with 72 hour maximum parking. You can always check with the local police department about parking there overnight.
The link above in tomfuller response will get you to NJ Transit site for train info. The train line serving Spring Lake is the North Jersey Coast Line. It would require a transfer to another train at Long Branch which usually travels direct to NY Penn station.

nytraveler

Are you sure you want to do the Jersey shore in April? Too cold for the beach and the water - and not everything is open for the season yet. What are you planning on doing there?

mclaurie

When are you doing this? Are you planning on leaving the car visibly filled with "stuff"?

doug_stallings

You can park at the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Secaucus, but the parking will probably be more expensive than other places. Still you can then hop on the ferry to Manhattan (though it's also generally more expensive than a train).

There's a garage at Hamilton (between Princeton and Trenton), which is about an hour from NYC by train. It seems fairly well situated for both the city and Jersey Shore. But it's a very busy station, so it may fill up.