Travel from Philadelphia to New York

Old May 26th, 2017, 11:32 PM
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Travel from Philadelphia to New York

We, a family of 3, will be visiting US in July this year. As per our existing bookings, we need to travel from Philadelphia to NY JFK, to catch the return flight at 4 pm. The Amtrak tickets appear to be expensive, so thinking of taking the bus from Philadelphia to NYC and from there the subway to JFK. Is the bus option reliable and if so, any specific bus to take? Alternatively, how much the cab will cost approx. from PH to JFK. Please give your valuable inputs.
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Old May 27th, 2017, 12:09 AM
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Are you saying that you think a cab will be cheaper than three train tickets? Because I don't think so.

From what I remember a "saver" fare is around 40 dollars for that Amtrak route that doesn't strike me as expensive.

But I'd look at Bolt bus- I like it more than greyhound and I think it was around 15-20 dollars
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Old May 27th, 2017, 03:16 AM
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Thanks Marvelousmouse for your response. The 40 dollars fare on Amtrak is fine, but it will take me to the airport a bit too early. The bus option looks good.
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Old May 27th, 2017, 05:42 AM
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Are you planning to travel to JFK the day your plane leaves??? Do NOT rely on Amtrak to arrive on time. Or the bus, for that matter. If it is an international flight you need to be at JFK at 1:00. There seem to be a great many Amtrak trains on that route, and the train will certainly be more comfortable than the bus. If you want to travel cheaply ignore the Acela trains.
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Old May 27th, 2017, 05:49 AM
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Yeah, so such thing as too early. Stuff happens. Last time a train hit a backhoe and I was stuck in Baltimore for several hours.
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Old May 27th, 2017, 05:50 AM
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*no* such thing
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Old May 27th, 2017, 06:03 AM
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I always plan to spend my last night in the SAME city as the airport if I am flying. Ditto if I cruised, which I don't (so far).
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Old May 27th, 2017, 11:22 AM
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There's also the SEPTA commuter train to Trenton; from Trenton, you can catch the mNJ Transit train to NY. You simply go up one escalator and down another in Trenton to switch platforms. One can buy the ticket for both legs of the journey in Phila at Jefferson, Suburban or 30th Street Stations (all on the Trenton line). It takes a little longer but was ~$25 when I did it in January.

I'd pick the train over the bus in the Phila to NY corridor--to avoid the sometimes dense traffic.

Good luck! Daniel
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Old May 28th, 2017, 09:51 AM
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Thanks for all the response. Quite helpful. Yes, I will take the train to NY and reach early if required. Unfortunately, can't change the hotel bookings at this time, so I have to leave from Philadelphia only.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 11:36 AM
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>

Haven't done this in Japan, and no problems because the trains run on time and the system works.

But relying on Amtrak, even in the NE corridor, is a dicey proposition.

And of course you can change the hotel bookings - you just depart the Philly hotel and stay the night in NYC. That's the extra charge you're endeavoring to avoid.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 11:54 AM
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And you need to consider how the extra hotel charge compares to the cost of new, last minute, plane tickets.

@BigRuss - last trip I chose to move north from Kyushu ahead of my flight from Narita, but I could have spent the last night in Kamakura rather than Narita. But I enjoyed Narita anyway.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 01:22 PM
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Despite the great concern about leaving from Phila, I think you'll probably be ok. I've taken many, many trains in the corridor over the years and I can't remember one being even half an hour late in recent memory, although it does happen. (Other Amtrak routes are another matter.) I just last week took a flight out of PHL from DC area where Amtrak could not be hours late but given my experience, felt confident enough to book it (the savings were worth it). Like many travel related things, I suppose there was a small risk, but I felt the odds were in my favour (I left DC at 3pm for an 8:40 pm flight, so I did give myself plenty of time). Up to you, though--I didn't have a family in tow, so the consequences were less if I would have missed. If you go with Amtrak, picking a train that gives you 2 hours leeway originating in DC would minimize risks. You could use SEPTA-NJ Transit as backup.

Best wishes. Daniel
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Old May 28th, 2017, 02:30 PM
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We've taken the Chinatown express (bus station near the Reading Terminal market where you can get good sandwiches) a few times and another "more reliable" company once. All arrived in NYC within schedule, which at time is surprising given the traffic around the NJ-NYC tunnels. The Chinatwon express ends in Chinatown, which might not be the most convenient. Look for a bus service that arrives at NY Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd St. and 8th Ave. An early morning departure (8 or 9 a.m.) should get you to NYC in plenty of time. From the Port Authority Terminal you can catch an A train to Howard Beach station where you catch the Airtrain to JFK.
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