Boston-New York city-WashingtonDC
 

Just starting to plan our October 2 week trip to see these 3 cities. We are a husband/ wife in early 60's . We are flying from LA and not sure where is cheapest/ more convenient to fly into. Open jaw flights are usually much more or we could return to where we flew into. Have been reading on this site that you should have 5 days in New York and 5 in DC..how many would be good in boston? We are planning on staying near the lagardia airport in NYC and a hotel in Boston on 4th ave street/Waltham.

My other question is how to get from one to another city economically. Also want to avoid rental cars since you don't need them in any of these cities. Saw that amtrak was about $109 from Boston to New York??? And $180 from New York to DC. Is this the normal cost or did I do something wrong on the web site? Looked into the Bolt bus and that is $13 from Boston to NYC and $14 from NYC to DC. What's the catch? Any help would be appreciated.

"We are planning on staying near the lagardia airport in NYC and a hotel in Boston on 4th ave street/Waltham."

Sounds like two bad choices of location.

"My other question is how to get from one to another city economically."

It sounds like you explored your options. Amtrak only gets more expensive closer to the date. The general starting rate for the Northeast Regional train from NYP to WAS is $49 each way per person. Sometimes you can get cheaper on specials. Maybe you looked at the Acela trains or maybe it is starting more expensive that week for some reason.

If you choose 2 passengers, the price they show is for two not one.

"Looked into the Bolt bus and that is $13 from Boston to NYC and $14 from NYC to DC. What's the catch?"

I don't think there is a catch other than the possibility of getting stuck in traffic. The choice is yours. Some people don't like the bus and some are willing to put up with whatever conveniences because of the price.

I have free nights at extended stay America hotels and those appear to be the closest ones to the city center. Will double check amtrak as $49 works for me...I think I was looking at the faster arrival times. Thanks for your help.

Boston area hotels are very expensive. So they try to convince people there is such a places as Boston/Waltham or Boston/Burlington, etc. There are no such places. They are not in Boston. Mileage between the other city and Boston sometimes is as few as 10-15 miles, but on public transit can take an hour or more, depending on connections. Hotels sometimes list "shuttle" to MBTA - and that can make them marginally tolerable. But, unfortunately, "shuttle" may mean Jimmy-the-guy-in-maintenance if he is there that day and not busy or if the van is not being used to transport some corporate bigwigs, then it will be available. Few of these hotels are in truly walking distance or ease from public transit.

So buyer-beware. All 3 cities are expensive, but Boston seems to generate the most surprise over price. I would choose to stay fewer days than in annoying locations - but to each his/her own. Priceline often works well in Boston since the areas are distinct and real - so if you decide to use that, check back and those of us around Boston will complain some more.

Since you're flying from Los Angeles, take a look at Southwest Airlines. You could fly into one city and home from another without worrying about extra fees. www.southwest.com

Lee Ann

Gail..thanks for the insight on The hotel situation. How many days in Boston to walk around and see the major attractions. I am assuming most sights are pretty close in proximity?

Staying near LGA is a REALLY bad idea - you will spend about 2 hours a day getting to and fro the hotel and sights you want to see - and this area is residential near a major highway and has nothing to see/do or real services.

If you really can't afford to stay in Manhattan - which has a totally different vibe and puts you next door to things you'll want to see as well as providing thousands of restaurant choices - you are better off in Long Island City directly next to a subway - which is only 10 minutes from Manhattan, not an hour.

Sorry - there are none of these hotels in Manhattan - they are really more suburban motel type places. And one of the others are better located - all are a significant trip from Manhattan. If you give us your budget people can make specific recos of better choices.

Or you will just need to deal with a lot of wasted time - especially how rarely buses will run if you stay in the city for a show or want to dine there rather than try to find a place nearer your hotel.

The hotel isn't even near LGA. It's at 18-30 Whitestone Expwy., Whitestone, NY near 20th Avenue—even worse than being near LGA.

Public transportation near this hotel is limited. There's an express bus QM2 with a stop nearby, but it has limited returns after rush hour. It costs $6 per person in each direction and would take 45 minutes at best to midtown Manhattan.

Other options include traveling on the 7 train to Flushing Main St and switching to a local bus and/or other connections. It costs $2.50 per person in each direction and would take at an hour at best to midtown Manhattan.

Your "free" hotel will be at the cost of valuable vacation time and annoyance each day.

There is no catch to the Bolt bus fares other than they may or may not be real for the day and time you want to travel. It could be more - likely - or even less. The Bolt bus fares vary depending on demand and when you buy them. In any case, it will be less than other forms of transportation including the major bus companies. Megabus is also a possibility with fares comparable to Bolt. Other things equal I would prefer Bolt but Megabus is fine.

As far a staying near LaGuardia - why in the world would you want to do that?? The only reason to stay near LaGuardia is if you have an early morning flight. There is NOTHING there and what you to you might save in hotel costs you will spend in transportation, not to mention wasting half your day going back and forth. There were some good alternatives given above. You may also luck out with some good prices in Manhattan itself. If you could share your hotel price range, the folks here might be of help.

NY traveler..what about Melville on Long Island?? Is this a good option with public transport that would get me into the city center faster ? Have never been to New York or Boston so don't know the logistics, etc.

Melville Long Island is 29 miles from Manhattan and takes about an hour to drive without traffic. the hotel is not near anything.. you would need to take a taxi to the Long Island Railroad, at either Farmingdale or Hicksville. The railroad trip is at least 45 minutes. If you travel off peak and buy your ticket before boarding it is $9.00 per person, peak is $12.50 per person and if you buy a ticket on board its 15.00 off peak and $19.00 peak. So you would be spending a great deal of time commuting and also spending a lot on transportation.

Melville is a really bad idea for seeing the sites of NYC.
The extended stays hotels are located in suburban sites and are really for people who are working in those areas and have a car.

you should book a hotel now that is in Manhattan or Long Island City.
Hotels in DC are cheaper on the weekends. You can also stay on the metro line in Alexandria Va, or Arlington Va. where the hotels may be cheaper.
try priceline for good prices

Melville on Long Island is much worse if your plan is to visit Manhattan. It will take 1.5 to 2 hours to reach midtown Manhattan by a succession of modes of transportation and cost even more money.

Having just studied the entire list of extended stay America locations, including those in New Jersey, I couldn't recommend any of them as a good location for a series of days visiting Manhattan.

Okay..will rethink my travels thanks to all of you food rites....will have to use my free hotel nights in some other city. Thank you all!

You asked time in Boston - 3 full days (not travel days) is a good start for Boston.

If you want a real hotel in good location, check out Boston Park Plaza - it often seems to have better rates than some of the newer hotels. Pros - location is great. Cons - some reviews speak of small rooms and need for updates. Family members just stayed there and found it fine.

All good advice above. I would add

1. learn to use Priceline for Boston and Washington. Boston will be busy because of the New England Leaf Peeping season, but you will do much better than rack rate. Book somewhere in the city that you can cancel, then look at Priceline beginning a couple of weeks before your trip.

2. AMTRAK has excellent rates for seniors, which they define as 60+. You do not want a car in any of these cities, and the advantage of the train is that you cn get up and move around.

3. Read both of Gail's posts, then read them again.

Melville would be a disaster. It is a far distant suburb and getting to and from would take 4 to 5 hours out of your day. Plus cost of LIRR back and forth ad taxis from the hotel to the nearest train station. This is an area where you really need a car to get around.

Unfortunately the chain you have freebies for is one used primarily by business travelers to commercial parks in the suburbs - it doesn't seem to really have urban locations.

Sorry - I would check the discount website for Manhattan (not near - since some places in Jersey measure distances as the bird flies - ignoring that the fact that there is a river in between - often making multiple bus and train necessary.

You need to state a nightly budget to get decent hotel recommendations. Staying out on Long Island for a trip to NYC is just daft. Not only do you need to concern yourself with a lengthy commute, you have to deal with the bad service of the LIRR too.

NYC lodging is not cheap. The hotel taxes are high and there is no viable secondary market for lodging, unlike Boston or Washington where you can look at VRBO for short-term rentals.

For New York, try the Meadowlands around Rutherford or East Rutherford New Jersey. There is an express bus right into Manhattan that leaves from in front of the Hampton Inn and may also pick up at one of those locations.

There are four Stay America's in that area, so I'd call each (or check out their websites) to see proximity to the bus.

Can't help you with DC