IMD
I meant get a taxi to GCT and go straight to Stamford (unless they wanted to do the sight seeing.) If they rented a car in Stamford would they be able to drop it at JFK on their return?
Or is it like Europe where you're charged a hefty fee when dropping in another country?

IMDonehere, I've emailed Amtrak to make sure, but are you saying we wouldn't be able to store our bags at Penn Station for the day?

I am really sorry to be vague about this whole thing. If you look at my profile picture, that should give you a hint about a similar activity which I'll be engaging in when I get to Stamford. :-) But I'm still waiting for paperwork, and I don't have an address for where I'll be in Stamford yet.

I really do appreciate the help. No doubt I'll have more questions when I get the information I need!

Lee Ann

The way I understand it at Amtrak is that you need a ticket for an Amtrak train ride in order to leave your bags there. I could be wrong. Long before 9/11 in the 1970's there was a luggage bombing at LGA and companies are very cautious.

Please double it check though. There are private companies that have luggage storage near Grand Central and Penn but since I have never used them, I could make a recommendation one way or another.

Sometimes there are serious drop off charges from one state to another but I guess it depends on the company and the state. I once wanted to rent a car in AZ and return it in CA and the drop off fee was similar to Europe for all companies.

Thanks! I emailed Amtrak to ask that question. We were able to store luggage at Union Station in DC, so I'm hoping I can do that at Penn Station as well.

Lee Ann

Good luck.

BTW, there is a world of difference between the elegant Union Station in DC and the trod upon Penn in NYC.

If you can produce and show an Amtrak ticket for a train that day, you can store your luggage at Penn Station for $5.50 per bag. Otherwise, no.

But Schwartz Travel on 36th Street between 8th and 9th Aves. offers reliable luggage storage nearby. However, it costs $10 per day per bag, so it's pretty expensive.

The best solution may be to take Amtrak to Stamford even though it's more expensive than Metro North. If you buy a ticket in advance, you may save enough on the luggage storage to pay for the difference in price. But you have to do the math yourself.

Summary:

Two types of train services travel between New York city and Stamford.

Less expensive = MetroNorth commuter train departing from Grand Central Terminal. No luggage storage available at GCT. Cheapest public transport from JFK is AirTrain plus two subway connections. Airporter Express bus from JFK direct to Grand Central may be good option at that early hour.

More expensive = Amtrak national railroad departing New York Penn Station. Luggage storage is available for Amtrak ticket holders only. Cheapest public transport from JFK is AirTrain plus one subway connection (or Long Island Railroad instead of subway for slightly more). As mentioned, the ability to store luggage at Penn Station may make the Amtrak ticket worth the extra cost.

Um, for security reasons you can't check luggage in Penn Station - that is available only for people ticketed on Amtrak.

IF you decide to take Amtrak from Penn Station instead of MetroNorth from Grant Central that will work. But Amtrak is WAY more expensive - even if tickets are bought in advance.

OP needs to do this next week, so no advance purchase rates, I suspect.

Whatever you decide, I would try to avoid driving back to JFK on a summer Saturday afternoon unless you have tons of patience and don't care when you get there! Traffic going that way is totally unpredictable on the weekends.

We decided to take the Airtrain to Penn Station; I guess we'll store our luggage nearby. Thanks for that recommendation, Doug_Stallings.

True Confessions Time: I am going to Stamford to tape Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? next Friday. If any of you want to go, email me at my screen name at gmaildotcom, or you can ask for tickets online. :-)

Lee Ann

Good luck.

I know you will make us proud, Lee Ann. Knock it out of the park into the LI Sound!!

How exciting LeeAnn, it didn't take long for that to come through. I love the Australian version, haven't seen the US show.

Whatever you decide to do, stay away from CT Limo! Worst ride ever, overpriced, and takes forever... :(