What's the best way to get to Philly from New York City? I checked on Amtrak and a roundtrip ticket costs $108. Is there a less expensive method of getting there? We'd prefer not to rent a car. Any thoughts?

Your other option is to take an NJ Transit Northeast Corrider (goes to Trenton) train, then transfer from there to the SEPTA trains that go to Philadelphia. Check out the njtransit.com website for info on this, as it will give you the prices as well as a link to the SEPTA site and info. In any event, this will certainly be cheaper than Amtrak.

I've never done it, but you can take the bus, which will likely be cheaper than the train. In NY, you'll arrive at the Port Authority terminal of 8th and 42nd. Check Greyhound or PeterPan.

The bus would be the cheapest and most convenient alternative instead of Amtrak. You can also to NJ Transit to Trenton and SEPTA R7 train to Center City Philadelphia (Market East, Suburban, or 30th St. Station) however the entire trip takes 2.5 hrs. Greyhound or Amtrak takes 1.5 hr. I know that with Amtrak you can get an AAA discount roundtrip ticket for $85, which is still expensive, but better than $108.

I've not tried them, but how about $12 one way and $20 round trip on "Chinatown Buses"

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