I will be moving to DC soon. I was planning on being able to take the train to NYC for a day trip occasionally. On the Amtrak website the RT fare is over $160 and over $300 for the express train! I am moving from Atlanta and can fly to NYC for that price from here. Are prices in the NE corridor inflated to cover losses on other Amtrak routes?

Off peal RT fare actually comes to $130 if you include a 10% AAA (Auto Club) discount. The Metroliner and Acela trains are a trifle faster and offer reserved (meaning guaranteed) seating but are far more expensive. There are probably private charter bus servoices that make the trip in close top the same time for 50% less or cheaper (I know that Peter Pan offers such a service to Boston from Port Authority terminal and assume someone offers it to DC). Keep in mind that if you fly the minimum price for getting into the city from the airports (aside from gettign a subway from JFK which is time consuming and not especially convenient) is $10-13 for a shuttle and adds a good half hour to each end of the trip. The trains take about 3 hrs 15 min on the standard and faster on the pricier trains. By the time all is said and done trains are a good choice (at least coming into NYC as they leave you off directly in the city at Penn Station).

Peter Pan and Greyhound offer the round trip ride for about $80, which is variable if you have a AAA card or a student ID card. There are also party buses that go to NYC, leaving DC at about 6pm on a Friday or Saturday night and coming back at about 6am when the clubs close. you can check around for those at college campuses (there are a lot of universities in DC).

A plane may be cheaper, but consider the additional travel time and headaches flying can cause. You have to get to the airport early, deal with security on both legs of the trip. And remember, you don't touch down in the heart of Manhattan, so then you have to grab a taxi or the subway to get to your final destination.

From DC, you can jump on the train at Union Station and be in Penn station in no time! It might cost you a tiny bit extra, but the convenience is well worth it in my opinion.

Amtrak does offer deals from time to time, and prices vary depending on departures.

The train is more convenient, but in fact most times the price is more than you'd play to fly. This is a good example of why AMTRAK is in trouble and what happens when there's a govt.-supported monopoly.

I take Amtrak from NYC to Philly, Baltimore, or DC once every few months for business meetings or to visit friends. IMO, it's the only way to go!

I believe it cost slightly less to take the Delta Shuttle, but with the price you pay to get to & from the airport, Amtrak winds up cheaper overall. DON'T take the Acela express train...it costs about $100 more round trip and only saves about 1/2 hour each way. Don't take the Peter Pan bus unless you're really strapped for cash. It can take a very long time if you get caught in traffic.

In terms of comfort, Amtrak has the planes and buses beat. Soooo much legroom...big wide seats...scenery...and a "bar car" for those who want to hang out and socialize.