What is the best way, from Boston to NYC ?
Bus, train, plane or rent a car ?

Best by what criteria--time, cost, convenience, etc.?

For convenience, I'd take the train, and it almost wins on time, even! Remember that it will take you from one city center to the other, saving the time, hassle, and expense of getting into and out of the airport. Also, with the huge security-related lead times now required at airports, the train becomes even more time-effective. The train is also less subject to delays due to weather (from winter snows to summer thunderstorms).

In Boston, if you don't want to start in the city, you can park in the special Amtrak section of hte garage at the "Route 128" station (actually at Exit 13 on Route 95) for a reasonable fee.

Renting a car would probably be the cheapest, especially if more than one person's going, though you'd have to factor-in either parking or a dropoff fee in NYC.

The criteria would be time-cost. Maybe train ?

we took the train from boston to nyc last october, and it was easy, on time, & got us right into manhattan. plus we had the added advantage of seeing the fall foliage en route. i much preferred it to the hassle of airports and flying.

Cindy, riding the bus is considered declasse, but it is fast and cheap. Peter Pan operates between the two cities with 20+ departures a day. Most are $84 round trip, but a few afternoon busses are as inexpensive as $20. All trips are 4 1/2 hours. Check out http://www.peterpanbus.com/scripts/s...s/schedule.asp for more information.

I recently travelled round-trip from NYC to Boston on Amtrak. It was great. Very comfortable, quiet, and fantastic views!! Be sure to sit on the south side of the train.

The bus has gotten very nice and doesn't take much longer than the train. People I know who do the trip often and don't have to count pennies like to come by bus.

Car--once you get to NYC your car becomes nothing but an expense and a burden. Bring car only if you want to for osme reason. You'll have to spend $ parking it or time moving it around according to laws you will not understand.

Last March my husband and I took trains back and forth between NYC and Boston, the way from Boston to NYC was fine (we took the regular not the Ancela Express train, which is pretty pricy by comparison) but on the way TO Boston, our train was delayed 3 hours! Rather unfortunate as we were meeting my relatives for dinner, but in the end we did get there and had we to do it over again, I would have gone with the train again. I drive too much living in So. Cal as it is.

As Neil S posted, buses should be considered too. Bonanza ( http://www.bonanzabus.com/bosprony.htm ) shows service Boston to NY:: one way-$35, round trip-$64, one day excursion-$46.75.

Much of Amtrak rails lie adjacent to the tracks of MBTA and MetroNorth commuter rail. Cindy might find a good compromise of $ and time by taking MBTA commuter train to Providence, Amtrak to New Haven, then MNR to Grand Central in NYC. Commuter rail will always be less expensive, and a bit less comfortable, to Amtrak, but usually are more on-schedule. (no x in my e-ddress)

Ted,

Wouldn't the south side of the train be the caboose?

I believe the sides of the train would be East or West, as the train travels South/North.

xx, get out your atlas. From Boston to NYC there are more miles west than south -- the train is basically traveling westbound, especially since it travels southwest first thru Providence and then follows the coast west. Personally, I prefer the northern side of the train cuz I don't like the sun in my eyes!

The train is nice, you can walk around a bit, you don't get as tired. I wouldn't bother flying unless you were already in the airport and this would be a connecting flight. Greyhound is often dirty and rickety, and the staff rude. If money is a factor I recommend taking the buses from Chinatown. On weekdays you can just get there 20 minutes early and buy a ticket on the spot. The fare is $15 7 and 8 am or $25 rest of the day. I used travelpack he buses are clean, comfortable and they arrive about 4 hours later to NY Chinatown. Here some companies: http://www.travelpackusa.com/bus-service.htm or www.sunshineboston.com

xxx3 is correct, of course. The route between Boston and New York is more east-west than north-south. However ALL interstates, traffic signs, timetables, etc. refer to north-south directions, so I find that it's best to go with the flow.