Need suggestions for best transportation to NYC for 1-2-3 day stay - no car needed. Leaving from D.C. area on a week day. Help.

Train, bus, or plane, just depends on your budget.

I generally prefer train.

train

Amtrak, definitely.

I just got back from a weekend in NYC from DC. I took the train and it was an easy ride.

No contest: train

No contect..the USAIRWAYS or Delta Shuttle! AMtrak is overpriced and take about double the time. Buy the fare a week or two in adavance and you will get a rountrip shuttle far for $130 or so (at least $50 CHEAPER then Amtrak). For the shuttles you only need to be at the airport about 20 min early or so (they guarantee that time now or they will compensate you with miles or a voucher). Trust me..the PLANE is the sensible way to go. I don't understand why people constantly recommend the overpriced train which is always late and will definitely take longer.

Plane is quickest. If you can get tix in advance, it may even be cheaper, and you should go with plane. If it's a last minute thing, and plane tix are more expensive, go with Amtrak.

When I took the train in August it was $63 each way (with the AAA discount) and took about 3 hours. With the time to get to the airport early and then get from the airport to the city, it's pretty close to that to fly, also.

To each his/her own.

The beauty of taking the Plane from Washington is that Reagan National is just as convenient to the city as Union station. LGA is a little bit of a pain..buts its a $15 and 15 minute (usually) cab ride to midtown or a 20 min bus ride. I live in midtown and go from NY to DC (upper NW) twice a month. When i take the train door to door it takes 4 hours at least. On the shuttle its almost always only 2 hours door to door. Plus..USAIRWAYS and Delta really treat their shuttle passengers well (triple miles, free alcohol, Fox news on board and actually decent snacks) whereas i have frequently had to stand on Amtrak (even on so called reserved trains (thats a myth that you are guaranteed a seat) and put up with shoddy amtrak service. Remember..if yoiu are taking the shuttle they have dedicated check in gates and there is absolutely no reason to get to the airport more then 30 min early..even the airlines will tell you this.

It appears that the train has gone up. I checked fares and found it to be running about $160 w/AAA discount. if you reserve an air ticket 3 - 4 weeks out you can get something for $120-130 but you'll need to get from the airport into the city and back at both ends. So.... much of it depends on where you live and what's convenient. The train is about 3 1/2 hours whereas flying is only an hour and 15 minutes airtime. Add in taxi time, at least 30 minutes boarding time before departure and 30-45 minutes to reach the city from the airport and $10-45 each way from NY area airports to reach the city depending on mode of transportation. (Yes, you can take a local bus from LGA or a shuttle to the A train from JFK but it's time-consuming and inconvenient). All told, it would seem that you can save a few $$ and at least an hour to 90 minutes total by flying. Is it worth it? Definitely to some people but I happen to enjoy sittign back with a book on the train and stepping off right into midtown when I arrive. Each to his or her own.

Even though I have expressed a preference for the plane, the "to each his own" comment is absolutely right in this situation. I have done the train sometimes. If you fear bad weather, for example, then the train is the way to go because less likely to have weather delays.

Another thing to point out to people is that to get from NY to Boston..the train is much much longer (the NY - Boston train ride approaches 5 hours or so) and from NY - Boston the train loses almost all attractiveness in my opinion.