Lulu2009

Hi, I need some help. We will travel from new orleans to D.c. via Amtrak and spend 4 nights in D.c. but one of those day would like to charter a bus for a 1 day trip to NYC. A flight into nyc is not an option. They will be going to see the 911 memorial and the rest of the day at leisure. A Thursday morning in late August is the schedule date...I need pointers and a reliable motorcoach company. Thanks for your help

Dukey1

Sorry, but there is no reason to "charter" anything to get from Washington, DC, to New York City.

gail

How big a group?

Gretchen

As Dukey said, just take the train or a bus to NYC.

emalloy

If the group is large enough, then chartering a bus does make sense for seniors. The bus will drop them off near the sights they want to see and pick them up nearby when they want to move on. No hassle with finding which subway station is close by or finding taxis for a large group.

Sorry I can't help with specific companies, but hopefully others can. If not, see if a school or teacher you know can help, they take buss loads of kids on trips like this all the time, for the reasons above.

elberko

It's approximately 4 hrs. one-way.

thursdaysd

The train will be faster and more comfortable than a bus. You could arrange for a bus to meet the train, or take a look at Gray Line.

janisj

>> . . . and the rest of the day at leisure.

tomfuller

The Crescent goes all the way to New York Penn station.
The fare is $3 more to go to New York instead of Washington.
Come back to Washington on one of many Northeast Regionals.
Please NO Buses.
If you wanted to break the Crescent trip, stay a day in Atlanta.

Christina

It really depends. If the bus is just going to take you there and drop you off around Penn Stn or somewhere, then no, doesn't make sense. If it is going to drive you around the city and stop in front of each attraction (do they do that in NYC?), then I understand it.

Do not agree that the train is more comfortable than the bus, either. I've taken various buses multiple times to NY and it was just as comfortable as the train, and in one case, more so as they oversold the train and I couldn't get an upholstered seat. They don't oversell those buses, you don't get on if they don't have seats. But the ones I've taken anyone can take, not a charter (ie, Washington Deluxe or Best Bus or Bolt). The train is about a half hour faster, though.

I don't know who would know this, but chartering a bus is something I don't think the average guy on the street does, I think some travel agent who deals with groups, etc., handles those kind of arrangements probably. I know my county rec dept does that a lot for senior excursions, though.

I'd suggest contacting the DC Dept of Tourism or something like that.
https://washington.org/

Or contact my county senior rec dept section, SOAR, they charter buses so could maybe recommend a company. I've called them on other issues, they are very accessible
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/re...ps/senior.html

IMDonehere

And how old are the seniors?

tomfuller

The Amtrak fare on the Crescent from New Orleans to NYP is $130 per senior over 62 (saver fare). If you all get on in New Orleans they can't oversell the train.
When was the last time you saw a bus with more than a 2 holer?
I've seen and smelled some disgusting bathrooms on buses and on Amtrak. At least on Amtrak you have a choice of bathrooms and you can report bad conditions to the Conductor or car attendant.
The time from New Orleans to New York is about 30 hours on the Crescent. (It leaves New Orleans at 7AM CT every morning).

Sassafrass

Your plan does not seem very good, IMHO. Why is flying not an option?

Would it not be easier to fly from NO to NYC, spend the day and night and part of next day, then train to DC for three nights?

vincenzo32951

If you are set on the idea of chartering a bus for that trip, then I recommend contacting a travel agent who will do all the logistics for you.

Dukey1

They will be going to see the 911 memorial and the rest of the day at leisure.

They are doing ONE SPECIFIC THING in NYC. Getting TO that one specific thing from Penn Station in New York does not require a chartered bus all the way from Washington.

A cramped bus vs a railroad train in which one can get up, move around, etc., and is subject to traffic "problems" well, we know "the answer" to that one.

"How old are the seniors" is about as irrelevant a question as there is: "OLD ENOUGH" to get themselves all the way to DC but go ahead, OP, spend their money.

vincenzo32951

Not that I'd do it, but I understand why someone would want to charter a bus for a large group:

a. Door-to-door service -- no logistical issues with arranging getting to the tourist site from the station or getting to the station from your accommodations.
b. A bus containing a like group can be a nicer trip than being spread out on train cars.
c. The traffic isn't a concern for me if I'm not doing the driving.

I don't know how the cost compares, but a non-bus trip would have to factor in the cost of getting to the train stations and the the back and forth to the tourist site.

IMDonehere

"How old are the seniors" is about as irrelevant a question as there is: "OLD ENOUGH" to get themselves all the way to DC but go ahead, OP, spend their money.
_____________________________________________
Really, Dukey, you must be a great doc. There is a huge difference between a group of 65 year olds and those in their late 80's, yet they are lumped together as seniors.

If you want to be snide, at least be funny or accurate.

newtome

Can't be said strongly enough that whether they charter a bus or take a train or whatever it's still a four hour trip each way so what is the time for leisure that they're talking about. I think they have a very misguided idea of how long it takes to get to New York from Washington.

Inakauaidavidababy

My Mum - 80 has enjoyed many group travels in Europe via charter bus.

It is comforting to get from point A to point B without any effort or chaos of trying to keep a group together. What if 85 old Auntie Lucinda doesn't make it onto the subway at Penn Station and loses her group?

It is also comforting for those with any mobility issues to have assistance embarking and debarking. General public transportation will not afford that type of service.

Good luck with your efforts. I hope it all works out for the group.

janisj

I don't think a day trip is at all practical. Just too far and too much coach time for basically one stop in NYC.

If it was me I'd plan one night in NYC (either at the beginning or end of the itinerary). You can take the train from NO to either Washington or NYC.

But I fear the train and DC hotel have already been nailed down so that may not be possible. At least give the group members the option of not doing this trek - does everyone know they will be on the bus more than 8 hours that day?

How many are in the group? Find out how many actually are happy w/ this plan - it may not be as many as you think. If so, a chartered bus may not be necessary.