Alternatives to Amtrak into NYC from Philly
 

I've got DH booked on Amtrak from 30th St. station into Penn Station on Friday, Oct.11 but was wondering about an alternative. He will be in Blue Bell and have to drive back to Center City to park car before heading to train.

I know that many people park in New Haven and take Metro-North into the city. Is there an option like that on the Philadelphia line into the city? Some place with weekend parking and less expensive train tkts ?? Any and all advice appreciated.

Have a look at New Jersey transit stations. Many local ones are small and only for locals with passes - but there are some larger ones. Have no clue what Blue Bell is near.

Amtrak makes very limited stops - depending on train - but Amtrak schedule will tell you that. Perhaps Trenton?

New Jersey Transit and Amtrak stop at the Newark airport (EWR). Bolt bus is another possibility.

Friends have driven from the Blue Bell area to the Hamilton station on NJ transit. It seemed to work well.

~Liz

We've used the Chinatown express buses several times between Philadelphia and NYC, and NYC and Washington D.C. with no problem.

SEPTA is the regional rail network in the Philadelphia area.
Google maps shows that the nearest station to Blue Bell is either Ambler or Norristown. Both lines serve center city Philadelphia and 30th street station with connections to Amtrak. You can go to www.septa.org and use the trip planner to find what regional train works best for you. There is some limited parking available in Norristown (Elm Street) station.

Being honest I will tell you that I don't know nothing about the parking situation in Philly, but that said, he can always do the Greyhound Express (no stops or maybe 1 or 2) for about $10 one way. The trip takes about 2-2.5 hours, depending on the time of the day. Amtrak takes about 1.5 hours but it is ~$40 one way. Perhaps he can use the fare difference for parking?

NJTransit from Hamilton station, as suggested by elberko, is a good alternative if the drive there is reasonable for him. Plenty of parking; I think it's $9 a day. Train arrives at Penn Station in NYC.

I live near Blue Bell. We drive to Hamilton and take NJT from there into NYC.

Thanks all, the Hamilton/NJ Transit plan seems to be the way to go.

All the Hamilton trains start in Trenton. Wouldn't it be easier to start there?

Patrick, is there overnight parking in Trenton??

Hamilton is a nicer station. It is its own little complex. Parking is probably cheaper. There are garages at Trenton so likely you can park overnight. You could probably find more info by Googling

To answer my own question, NJ Transit website says that the Trenton station has parking.

So I am wondering why people suggested Hamilton instead of Trenton? The train ticket cost is the same. I can't find anything about the parking costs on the website, but assume them to be similar. Trenton does seem a bit closer to Blue Bell.

Comments? Thanks.

I gave my reasons. I also found Hamilton easier to get to and from. It is right off the hwy if memory serves (it's been a couple of years).

Vjp, thanks. Somehow I didn't see your first reply when I asked my last question. Makes sense that the smaller station I easier to manage. DH will have to decide which is easier to drive to.

The Amtrak tickets I bought for Friday and return on Sunday were $200 so pretty happy that that there is a $30 alternative. Thanks for the help all.

To be honest I've never gone from the Trenton station. But I've been past it a few times. I didn't see why Trenton would be harder to get to than Hamilton, and honestly not sure why it would be called larger than Hamilton. Hamilton is huge, and my biggest gripe there is that when I return there usually around 5 in the evening it can take me as long as 30 minutes just to get out of the lot!

Not a big deal, was just curious why Hamilton since Trenton definitely is closer. Unclear about the cost of overnight parking at either.

Maybe Hamilton is easier from PA? I just know that I drove to a friends house in the Blue Bell area, and then she drove us to the Hamilton station. She had been to Hamilton and Trenton, and liked Hamilton better.

~Liz

I live near both stations - actually Trenton is closer - but I dont ever park at Trenton, frankly, because its creepy. (I worked in downtown Trenton for 12 years so I have first-hand knowledge.) The station is in the middle of a very depressed city. There is a perception of crime in the area, and panhandlers & the homeless are common sights. Also, being a woman, I am a little freaked out about parking in a deck alone in that environment.

Hamilton on the otherhand is perfect. Lots of parking, big, clean, well-lit. I feel very safe.

Oh, by the way, you can park overnight in Hamilton.