UpstateNYer

A friend and I are planning a two-day trip to New York this December and are trying to figure out how exactly to get there. We live in upstate NY, near Albany.

I don't want to drive into the city, but I've heard taking the train the whole way can be expensive... An friend mentioned driving down, parking, and taking the subway in...

Does anyone have any advice on how I'd go about doing this? Is there a park & ride at any of the northern-most subway stations or something like that?

I'm pretty lost as far as planning this part of the trip goes. Any help would be *greatly* appreciated!

Thank you,
Alyssa

wantsomesun

The train from Albany will be Metro North and it is not that expensive, it would probably cost more to drive and park then taking the train. Check the Metro North website or call their "800" number for prices.

Have fun while you are here.

BudgetQueen

Metro North does NOT go to Albany (Amtrak only), only as far as Poughkeepsi. You can park there and take the train into Grand Central from there. But look at "rail sale" on the Amtrak reservation page, sometimes cheap rate?? http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr/

mclaurie

If you want to consider driving, go to iconparking.com. You can select an area of the city near your hotel & find a garage. Some of the prices are as low as $15-20/day.

Wildflower

It is so easy to take Amtrak from Albany. Park for free at the train station and arrive in Penn Station (not Grand Central) in Manhattan.

Beatle

We stayed in Tarrytown 2 nights and hopped on Metro North each morning for a short ride into the city. But as Budgetqueen said, check out Amtrak first for any special deals.

rosalicious

I don' think the train will be too expensive, but if you are worried about cost you can also take the bus. I believe Greyhound and other companies offer regular buses from most upstate cities.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I live near Albany.

Parking at the Albany-Rensselaer train station is no longer free, and the regular fare is about $45 pp each way. The rail sale does have good prices, but it's only good on the Lake Shore Limited, which comes thru Albany area so late (*IF* it's on time!) that you've already lost most of a day before you're in the city.

I drive to either the Poughkeepsie rail station, or more often, to the Beacon Station. (find Station info, including maps at http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/stations.cfm ) as we think it's easier to get to from the Thruway.

Exit the Thruway at Newburgh, follow signs for I-84 EAST (Fishkill, Hartford). As you cross the bridge over the Hudson, stay to the right. After paying tolls, exit at the FIRST ramp after the toll booths, make a right, and the station is on your right, less than 1/2 mile. Poughkeepsie is a bit closer, but more complicated to get to.

Of course, the further south you drive, the less the tolls will be. Croton-Harman has the most number of trains to choose from. Check that website above for parking info at each station - there's not always parking available.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

One more way to save: are either of you Veterans? Not of any given war, but did do some military service? If so, the Vet can save 50% off coach most days/hours. And can purchase tickets for any time for 15% off. The catch is to join an organization called Veterans Advantage ... you can find more info at amtrak.com