MaureenB

Looking on the Amtrak website, it looks like $344 for four adult coach reservations, on a Monday morning. That sounds high to me. I don't see any discounts on-line for which we'd qualify. Anyone know any secrets for saving money on this Amtrak route?
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MikeT

Check out the "hot deals" part of their website. There are numerous discounts for groups your size and some two-for-one deals under "advertised specials."

Christina

That's not even $90 a person, so doesn't seem high to me -- at least based on Amtrak fares. Those fares can be $100 or more sometimes, I think. I usually pay around $70-80 in nonpeak times for NYC to DC and that's not much farther. I get a discount for a AAA rate, if you have that possibility. I think that is 5-10 pct.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Everything I could suggest about Amtrak has already been discussed. But have you considered the bus?

Various "chicatown" buses do the route for $20. Greyhound (along with PeterPan / Bonanza) often match those prices. Not as nice as Amtrak, but a heck of a lot cheaper, and not much longer travel.

Some buses might be NYC/Washington only, but it's easy to get back to Baltimore from there.

I see NYC/Baltimore for $25 at
http://www.greyhound.com/scripts/en/...er/esavers.asp

nytraveler

I don;t know what the rest of your plans are -= but before going any further I would check out renting a car. It's an easy drive to Baltimore and if you can find a company that doesn;t charge for dropping off in a different city you should be able to do the whole thing for like $150 or so - inclusive.

bardo1

Maureen,

NY to DC is THE most popular Amtrak route and is never discounted and is often standing room only.

Of course Amtrak is SO convenient, but a car rental is a good alternative if you don't want to spend the $$$ and is only about 45 minutes longer than the train.

MaureenB

NYTraveler, you're brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? I just priced it with Avis, to pick up one morning and return the next afternoon at BWI, and it's only $163 for a mid-sized car. It's a bit more of a hassle to drive ourselves, but probably worth it. Thanks!
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MikeT

Before you get too excited about the price, you have to add tolls, parking, and gas.

Did you consider this deal?

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...48062&ssid=224

nytraveler

And before you settle on Avis check with the others. Hertz for instance, gives a 20% discount if you reserve and pay with AMEX.

And other companies may have other affiliation discounts.

MaureenB

Mike and NYTraveler, thanks again. I've looked at Amtrak specials and unfortunately none apply to our route.

I've added in rough estimates for gas and tolls and parking in Baltimore. It's still less than the train for four adults; plus cab to NY-Penn Station from the hotel, and cab from Baltimore-PennStation to our hotel; and gas to and from BWI from my daughter's apartment.

It's more of a headache to drive than to sit on the train, for sure, but I think it's worth it for the savings of at least $200.

This Forum rocks!

MaureenB

P.S. I'll also price other rental car companies. Avis is just about three blocks from our hotel, so I tried them first.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Maureen - I looked at the link MikeT supplied, referring to promotion code H620 and tried a Monday morning, Nov 6, and found totals of $160 on multiple departure times. Were you checking on Acela or Metroliner? Those are not valid for the discount, but most "Regional Service" and even the Carolinian are. Maybe you were looking at a trip too soon, or on one of the blackout dates - but if not, please check again.

MaureenB

Thanks, rb, I will. I need Monday, Oct 23, arriving Baltimore by noon.

Gekko

$350 for 4 sounds right to me. Amtrak is expensive. Why not rent a car?

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Maureen - I checked on Monday Oct 23 and I get $160 on these:
#79 Carolinian Lv New York, NY (NYP) @ 7:15 am 23-OCT-06 Arrive Baltimore, MD - Penn Station (BAL) @ 9:58 am

#183 Regional Service Lv New York, NY - (NYP) @ 7:05 am 23-OCT-06 Arrive Baltimore, MD - (BAL) @ 9:38 am

#151 Regional Service Lv New York, NY - (NYP) @ 4:40 am 23-OCT-06 Arrive Baltimore, MD - (BAL) @ 7:35 am

In each case they displayed a fare of $244, but after selecting a train, then entering the promotion code of H620 at the bottom of the "select Train" screen, and clicking on the "View Fare" button, I'm shown a total of $160 for 4 adults.

Maybe you're not going all the way to the end of the transaction. Please try again, & good luck.

Christina

I suspect Maureen doesn't want to leave at 5 am, but the one around 7 am isn't too bad and shows the same fare as somewhat later times for that kind of train. Even without that discount code, the fare isn't $344, though (it's $256), so maybe Maureen is insisting on one particular time. The easiest solution to that would be more flexible on time. I checked BWI instead of BAL to see if that could be the problem (or difference) and the fares are about the same so that's not it.

MaureenB

Wow, RB, thanks for going to so much trouble! I appreciate it. You're right, that I didn't go as far in the process, and didn't know about that promo code to plug in. All things considered, I think we'll rent the car for $163 as it gives us an extra vehicle while in Baltimore, too. Saves my daughter the trouble of running us to the airport. Thanks!
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MaureenB

And, Christina, you're right about our time-frame. We want to be able to enjoy our last night in NYC, not have to get to bed early and get up early enough for a train before 9 a.m. So I was pricing the 9a, 9:30a and 10:30a trains for coach availability. That's where I got the $344. ( We don't need to be in Baltimore till noon.) Thanks again.
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rb_travelerxATyahoo

Maureen - it was my pleasure to try to help; I knew there was something about you not finding a better fare.

Baltimore's Light Rail runs right through downtown, and one of the lines terminate at BWI - so you could have used that to get to airport if you are staying at a downtown hotel - but I think you'll like having the convenience of the car for other trips that might come up. Enjoy the trip!