I was thinking of taking the bus on a Saturday. Has anyone done this? Did you find it worth it for the day or was it too much travel? Is there a Web site for the bus schedules? Thanks.

in the distant past we've taken a couple of bus day-trips to NYC from central PA. There are a lot of organizations offering them, from military installations to various recreation groups.

From here in Harrisburg, it's a 4-5 hour trip, one-way. It's not too much travel (assuming you can sleep on the bus,) but it's tough to do all you want in NYC. You can't shop. And see a play. And sightsee. And go to a museum. Been there, tried to do that, and it just don't work.

I doubt there's a central web site for trip information. You might want to get in touch with bus companies, or your local dept of Parks and Recreation.

NYC is a helluva experience! But decide what you want to do before you leave, and allow plenty of time. Enjoy the experience. And wear good walking shoes!

Take the shuttle from National, it will allow you more time. Or try the Acela which will dump you right in Manhattan. Its doable, but you will feel rushed the entire time. I most definitely would not do the bus, way too many stops to make a day trip even remotely worthwhile.

Driving to NYC from DC is a pain in the arse. The tolls cost you an arm and a leg and driving in Manhatten is like chewing glass. I suggest taking an e-saver flight and enjoy the city by way of cab and subway. Buses are ok but it's a little trashy and let's you off in the shady parts of town. But whatever you do, do not drive.

Thanks. I should have mentioned that driving isn't an option. I don't have a car and wouldn't want to drive in the city anyway.

Rule #1: Never take advice on ManhattAn from someone who cannot spell it correctly.

The bus will be a killer. By the time you get to NYC you'll be hopping on the bus back. Even driving yourself is a bit iffy if you figure a 4 hour drive each way. Once you get here you won't have time do much of anything. Unless you can spend the night in ManhattAn and go back the next day I'm not sure it's worth the effort.

oops. I always do that. Yeah, don't take the bus to ManhattAn either.

Hi Me isn't the bus fair like $80. I would wait hop on an efare from www.smarterliving.com and fly down for 90-115 dollars. You see what is available not. It is only a half hour flight. I have done NJ to D.C and think it is grueling, there are also all kinds of hotels deals find a cheap but clean place and stay the night.

Thanks all. I was looking at this as an alterntive to taking a long weekend to save some money, but it looks like it might be worthwhile to do the long weekend instead. If I were to fly, what would be my cheapest option into the city.

I did the one-day thing from DC to NYC on the bus, to interview for a job, and it nearly killed me. The bus was an express, once we got outside DC, so it was only about 4 or 4.5 hours, but the thought of spending 9 hours on a bus, on top of hopping around NYC all day exhausts me. Besides, you'll miss the best part of NYC--life after midnight.

I'd suggest the USAir or Delta shuttle into LaGuardia and then a taxi to your first Manhattan destination. Other options out of LGA are time-consuming and save little money.

No, don't do it, not worth it. I think the air shuttle prices are much lower on the weekend, though then you have to add in $30-40 for a taxi into town and back to airport. I'd just go to Expedia and Orbitz and do a search for prices at your travel times. It gets cheap form Saturday morning to sometime Sunday; also sometimes there's a cheap leg of a longer trip.

Amtrak is the way to go. Three hours each way from Union Station to Penn Station. You're already in the heart of downtown and can go anywhere from there. My wife and daughter did it several months ago and saw everything they wanted to see in a day...granted a very long day...5:30 am departure & 10:30 pm return. Prices are slightly higher than shuttle but you don't have to hassle with transportation from Laguardia.