tashnsoph

Two of us are coming into DC for a meeting and want to go to NYC for couple of days (Sunday/Monday). Have tickets for an evening show on Sunday. What is the best land based travel between DC and NYC starting early Sunday AM? Also, for Monday what would be the best sights in NYC. Staying in dowtown Manhattan.

ellenem

Amtrak has frequent trains between DC and NYC, with prices that vary by time of day and speed of service.

There are a variety of bus companies, most notably Megabus and Bolt bus, that travel DC to NYC at much cheaper, even dirt cheap ($1), depending on how early you purchase, but these would be subject to traffic delays, which probably won't be a problem early on a Sunday.

Best sights in NYC are the things that YOU want to see. Tell s what you hope to o in NYC and we'll help you make a plan.

tashnsoph

I am taking my daugther who has been in treatment for Cancer for the last two years. She's a real sport, but doesn' have a lot of energy for long walks--and I don't necessarily want to do bus tours--although that may be how it goes.

Amtrak: I think I would prefer. We are actually staying in Arlington, VA. What are the connections to Amtrak from there? Can I buy tickets prior to getting the DC? Am on the West Coast and want to have all this pretty much planned prior to our trip in February.

With one day on Monday...would really want to give her a flavor of NYC. Perhaps starting early with the Today Show, the Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Memorial (I was there with Red Cross during 9/11). Ambitious, I know, capped off with a nice dinner that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg .

ellenem

Check Amtrak's website, amtrak.com, for tickets. It is a good idea to buy ahead online. If you book 14 days in advance, you can get 25% off the ticket price.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1241267321301

There are also discounts for AAA members.

The Statue of Liberty is close right now, and just to ride the boat to the island to take a look at the outside can be an hours-long wait on lines. I don't think it is a very good use of you limited time and energy. On the other hand, you can ride the boat past the statue and then get off to visit Ellis Island. You might opt for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, which takes 30 minutes each way, crossing NY harbor and giving views of the skyline and statue. Even this might take too much time, so perhaps a view of the statue from Battery Park will suffice.

The WTC Memorial is free but requires reservations. Check their website.
http://www.911memorial.org/

tomfuller

From Arlington Cemetery stop on the METRO, take the blue line North and East to Metro Center and switch to the red line east to Union Station to get to Amtrak.
The METRO station is under the ground station. Escalator are usually running.

nytraveler

The SoL is closed for renovation. Rather than wait on a very long ling - unless you want to se the Ellis Island Immigration Museum - which is brilliant but take several hours - you might prefer to do a RT on the free Staten Island ferry - a reasonable view of the SoL and great views of the Manhattan skyline on the way back. RT is about an hour and a half.

For your nice dinner - what cuisines do you like and dislike - and what do you mean by an arm and a leg. A $ amount is really helpful since NYC prices may be higher than what you are used to.

Michael

but these would be subject to traffic delays ...

From the couple of times I've taken the Chinatown Express I have the impression that traffic conditions are taken into account when posting arrival times. In spite of absolute congestion by the tunnels, the buses arrived pretty much on time.

mclaurie

Onboardtours.com or hiring a private guide would be the best way to give your daughter an overview without expending too much energy. Unless SHE wants to go to the Today show, I would give that a miss. Standing outside at early hours in a crowd, possibly in freezing weather (when is this happening?) may not be a good way of spending time. Train is you bestt bet for transport OR dc2ny.com bus.

BlueSwimmer

Depending on where you are staying in Arlington, it might not be too pricey to take a taxi to the Amtrak station in Alexandria or to Union Station. If you have luggage and limited energy, a taxi would be easier than taking metro with luggage. You will find better schedule options from Union Station, but NY bound trains do go through Alexandria too.

We once got stuck on a Bolt Bus for 8 hours...the seats aren't as comfy as the train but the price is right.

Ackislander

I would go to Union Station rather than getting on in Alexandria. Many [all?] through Amtrak trains have changes of power and the addition and subtraction of cars in Washington, and it is pretty tedious since you don't really know what is going on. Union Station is full of shops and places to eat and is an okay place to be if you are delayed.

But do book your tickets in advance. There are significant discounts if you happen to be a senior citizen.

Dukey1

I agree with Ackislander


don't try to travel from Alexandria..take a Metro if possible to Union Station from Arlington or a taxi; service from Union Station is more frequent about once an hour; Acela service is the most expensive and it is somewhat faster but at a definite price difference. Regional trains are the cheapest. Seniors and AAA members as well as vets can get discounts; I've also done the busses both Mega and Bolt..I would do them over any of those Chinese operations. Cheaper than Amtrak; fairly comfortable, too

Gekko

Don't drive. Amtrak is indeed the best option.

www.amtrak.com