We just moved to Maryland and family is coming to visit in June. While we are all here and so close to NYC, we would like to do a quick day trip. Has anyone taken a bus trip or train?

You can get buses from Baltimore to NYC, but they usually stop a couple of times (Wilmington and Newark). The train is also a nice ride. It is more expensive, but quicker and more relaxing.

First of all, are you sure you want to do a day trip? The train takes 2:15 to 2:30 each way; and the bus even longer. The train is also way too expensive for a day-trip, in my opinion. $60-$80 for one-way on the Acela Regional, $125-161 one-way for Acela Express.

The bus takes 4 hours each way, $37 one-way on Greyhound, $20 one-way on the so-called "Chinatown Buses".

You may want to drive. And perhaps stay overnight.

This is not a "quick" daytrip by bus.

Baltimore to NYC is not a quick day trip (and is not cheap either). It would be a gruelling day however you travelled and you would not have much time for NYC.

I suggest you rethink that idea. I'm not sure I would even do one night, but might. Two nights would make sense.

Good luck!

You can fly SWA from Baltimore to Long Island/Islip NY for $29 to $100 (depending on fare schedule) 1 way. Then you would have to deal with getting to NYC.

The time, cost, and hassle of ground transport at both ends makes flying really not worthwhile, IMHO.

Including ground transport flying distinctly would take at least as long as the train - if not longer.

I agree a day trip does not make sense - do at least one night - or you'll either not have time to see anything or be totally exhausted.

Depending on how many you are driving (even with hotel parking rates) is by far the cheapest way to go.

Just a thought. Drive up to and grab a relatively inexpensive hotel in Elizabeth NJ for the night, then the next day take the Staten Island Ferry(free) into Manhattan. Spend the day there and then the ferry back that evening.

8-)

I'm not following how one could take the Staten Island ferry from Elizabeth, New Jersey since it runs between Staten Island and Manhattan. Are you suggesting driving from Elizabeth to Staten Island?

There are ferry services between Jersey City and Manhattan (paid) during the week and also PATh trains.

While this kind of rushed trip is not my idea of fun, it's certainly doable, especially in June which has the longest days (in terms of sunlight. And if it's really the only time some of the family members will get that close to NYC, and want a whirlwind day, go for it!

If possible, I would suggest driving. Although garage parking in NYC is very expensive, it will still be cheaper than bus or train for 3 or more people and you won't be at the mercy of the transportation schedules.
If you get an early start, and don't hit traffic (weekday or weekend trip?)it's a less than 3 hour drive.

You'd have to decide how to spend the day-- a Broadway show (matinee?), museums, walking around neighborhoods, great meals, bus tour--whatever.

If you can deal with a long tiring day (and it's best if you have 2 or more drivers), you could be in NYC by 10 am, run around, have an early dinner, and be home by 11pm.
Again--not my idea of fun, and an overnight is certainly more relaxing I've never done a day like this in NY (as I live here) but I have done trips about that length and sometimes found it worth it