go_laura

Hi All,

Turns out when I leave my week-long conference in D.C., rather than returning to the Philly area, I need to go to Wilmington, DE.

Can anyone tell me if there are options other than Amtrak and Greyhound Bus? The bus schedule doesn't work for my needs, and I'll take Amtrak if I must, but it's awfully expensive.

Thanks for any help!

Laura

kgh8m

There are other buses that run that corridor, but I think that they run just between DC and NYC and don't stop along the way.

The only other things would be a plane (which HAS to be more expensive than the train) and a rental car.

If you're from Philly, could you drive down and park for a week in the suburbs?

go_laura

Thanks for your reply...

My husband and I are driving down the Sat. before the conference; thanks to Fodorites we learned we could have my cousin obtain a visitor's permit that will allow us to park in his neighborhood. But my husband then needs to leave Tues. morning, with the car. So I'll need to take some form of public transport to Wilmington...

I'm not as comfortable as he is, driving in and out of large cities that are not familiar to me, so I'd much prefer finding a way to do public transport than renting a car. If I have to, I'll just pay and take Amtrak. Maybe I'll sit next to Joe Biden

vjpblovesitaly

Did you look at the Peter Pan bus schedule?

tmagyari

Amtrak is currently running a 50%-off sale for all fares on NE corridor trains, which would include the DC/Wilmington/Philly run. Just book 14 days in advance. I believe the sale is good for a few months. I just used this for several trips this summer and saved a bundle!

tmagyari

I just checked the Amtrak site and the sale is now 25% off NE regional trains. Every little bit helps. . . .

MikeT

The Amtrak trip between Baltimore and Wilmington is one of the prettiest legs on the Northeast Corridor. It's an easy trip from DC and really not that expensive if you plan correctly (no Fridays or Sundays, avoid Rush Hour during the week).

go_laura

Unfortunately, I have to do it on a Friday at rush hour, I have no choice, due to when my conference ends and when the event is that I need to be in Wilmington for. But I'm glad for the 25% off sale as that seems to be what I'm going to do.

I did check the Peter Pan option, but they said only the Greyhound bus does that trip at that time...and that bus is a little earlier than what works for me, *and* it would be a two and a half hour trip versus one and a quarter on the train...so I'm just going to bite the bullet and pay what I must. Thanks to all who chimed in.

missaprilinmd

take marc train to Perryville ($11) then take 'the bus" (that's realy the name of it) to Elkton, MD.($2) than it 10 min to UofD by Dart bus($1.40) so.....$14.50 one way!!

Dukey1

With all of your "conditions" (busses that leave too early; uncomfortable renting a car; the timing you simply HAVE to do) I think you need to get an Amtrak sale fare and be done with it.

vjpblovesitaly

Old thread - 2009