An alternative to Amtrak OR flying is to take a bus -- either the regular Greyhound type of the now-popular Chinatown buses.

The Chinatown buses won't be affected by the convention since NYC's Chinatown is so far downtown. Takes the same amount of time as Amtrak and a lot less hassle than flying. And it costs about $20. Witness American free enterprise at work!

http://www.staticleap.com/chinatownbus/

GoTravel:

There is a word for Republicans who are not "Jerry Fawell Christian, pro-life, anti-enviromental, anti social program, military war mongering capitalists" - Democrats.

just kidding...sort of.

tom, my stepson who is a rather high falooten democrat says the same :-D

Thanks for the Chinatown buses suggestion, anoymous. One of the bus companies's pick up and drop off points are not very far from my destinations. I am tempted. Has anyone travelled with any of the bus companies before? I have used long distance buses both in the Far East and Eastern Europe before, so I have no aversion to bus/coach travel.

My son and his friends have used the Chinatown bus on their Boston to NYC runs many times. They have been reliable.

I've used the Chinatown buses between Boston and New York, and once in DC I stayed at a hotel near the bus stop in DC's miniature Chinatown.

One reason they're so cheap is that they have no terminals -- the Fung Wah "ticket office" in Boston is a table in a corner of a bakery, and in NYC they have a storefront window that looks like they should be selling ice-cream cones. You have to handle your own luggage, but the buses were very clean (a trash bag at every seat) .

The Chinatown buses sound a viable mean of transport. There are five or six bus companies listed on the site suggested by Anonymous, and they all charge the same fare from DC to NYC(I shall drink to health of your guys from the savings I'll make by using the bus). Is one company better than the other? If it is so, which one would you guys recommend?

Can't help with the Chinatown bus info, although I know lots of people who have used them and recommend them. Keep in mind buses entering the city will be just as prone to search coming through the tunnel or over the bridge as you would be at the airport/train station.

What I can tell you - in response to another post - Penn Station will NOT be closed, but some entrances will be closed, there will basically be one entrance/exit for everyone.

Flushing Meadows - I assume you are going to the US Open? Traditionally, the MTA schedules more 7 trains than usual to get folks there quickly. If you are travelling by subway, you shouldn't run into significant delays. My estimate from Chelsea is under normal circumstances it will take you about 45 minutes to get to the Willets Point Station. Then there is the 5 - 10 minute walk on the bridge and THEN the security check. I have a feeling it will be worse this year than ever before. Last year (or was it 2002?) they advised people - no backpacks, no outside drinks. Then by the 3rd day or so they relaxed the rules. I would check the rules before leaving - NY1 News is good about those things. So - once you've taken the train, walked, and gone through security - I'd say it will be about 1 hour to 1 hour 15/20 minutes before you are walking in the stadium.

If you are going by car, then yes, I would pad some extra extra time in. It's usually murder driving to the stadium, but this year it will definitely be worse. Luckily if you take a cab, you won't have to worry about parking at the stadium!

Good luck! As for me - my husband and I are fleeing on the 31st (unavoidable work due on the 30th - damn!) so that will be 2 less NYers in your way! ;-)

Ellielah, thanks. You guys are just great. Yes, I am going to US Open and completing the slams this year(I had done Australian, Paris and Wimbledon this year so far).

I have just booked my flgiht (from DC to JFK)with Independent Air for $39.50 and with $25 discount on my return flight for being the new member of their Iclub. Fantastic deal! I gave up the idea of using Chinatown buses when my niece told me the journey will take at least five hours as the sunday evening traffic is usually bad.

Thanks again everyone for your valuable contributions. I am sure I am going to have a blast in NYC.