NYC & DC with family of 6
Jun 19th, 2012, 05:04 PM
#41
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Buy tickets in advance to get the best prices. Take regular Amtrak versus Acela (Acela is faster bus more expensive). Get a Red Cap to haul all of your luggage down to the train platform. they can get down there before regular passengers, you can get on first and have a better chance of getting seats together or near each other. Their tip is a modest price to pay.
Do not expect to get 6 seats together - while a lot of people get off in NYC - a bunch will be coming from Boston of New haven or ?
Do not expect to get 6 seats together - while a lot of people get off in NYC - a bunch will be coming from Boston of New haven or ?
Jun 19th, 2012, 06:00 PM
#42
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When you buy an Amtrak ticket you get "a" seat, not a particular seat. You get the best prices by buying at least a month in advance. The bus (Megabus or Boltbus) is cheaper, but you have to board on the street. It might be worth considering a rental car since you are 6 people. Even with kids' fares, it might be cheaper to go ahead and rent your car then drive to DC and keep it for the rest of your trip. Otherwise, wait until you are ready to leave DC and then rent. But I do like the train (I'm not sure ... well I am actually ... that Acela is not worth the extra cost for this trip). But I do think with this many kids you should pay for a red cap if you can find one to help you get down onto the platform and onto the train, especially if you have luggage. Tip generously.
Jun 20th, 2012, 04:29 AM
#43
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Tip for train:
As mentioned just above, buy as soon as you've decided.
Unlike airlines, train prices are cheaper the earlier you buy them and just get more expensive the closer it gets (same for buses).
If you're comfortable driving, do price out a one-way, one day car rental from DC to NYC for your travel date before committing one way or the other.
I would not suggest the cheap buses - it might be pouring rain that day and you would all be standing curbside with all your luggages! Yuck!
As mentioned just above, buy as soon as you've decided.
Unlike airlines, train prices are cheaper the earlier you buy them and just get more expensive the closer it gets (same for buses).
If you're comfortable driving, do price out a one-way, one day car rental from DC to NYC for your travel date before committing one way or the other.
I would not suggest the cheap buses - it might be pouring rain that day and you would all be standing curbside with all your luggages! Yuck!
Jun 20th, 2012, 04:30 AM
#44
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Tip for train:
As mentioned just above, buy as soon as you've decided.
Unlike airlines, train prices are cheaper the earlier you buy them and just get more expensive the closer it gets (same for buses).
If you're comfortable driving, do price out a one-way, one day car rental from DC to NYC for your travel date before committing one way or the other.
I would not suggest the cheap buses - it might be pouring rain that day and you would all be standing curbside with all your luggages! Yuck!
As mentioned just above, buy as soon as you've decided.
Unlike airlines, train prices are cheaper the earlier you buy them and just get more expensive the closer it gets (same for buses).
If you're comfortable driving, do price out a one-way, one day car rental from DC to NYC for your travel date before committing one way or the other.
I would not suggest the cheap buses - it might be pouring rain that day and you would all be standing curbside with all your luggages! Yuck!
Jul 11th, 2012, 03:22 AM
#45
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Bowsprit thank you so much for the Eastgate Towers suggestion. We've found the location great for the price and quite roomy for our family of 6.
We've loved having the NYPass to do everything and I know every native will hate me for saying this - but I've loved the HoHo buses too. We got the 7 NYPass day with 3 day HoHo and it has been a joy.
We've loved having the NYPass to do everything and I know every native will hate me for saying this - but I've loved the HoHo buses too. We got the 7 NYPass day with 3 day HoHo and it has been a joy.
