I need help. I have already researched many threads about these cities and have gotten much advice. I didn't think I would even have to post a question but now I do. Our family of 4 is traveling to NYC,D.C, and Boston to visit Colleges in Dec. for our 17 yr. old son.We start in NYC. We want to take the train to D.C because one of his appointments is at 10:30 am at Georgetown.(We will end up staying in D.C for two days then flying to Boston)We would leave Penn Station at 6 am(Aargh) and arrive if Express train at 8:50 a.m or the slow train at 9;42 a.m.....BIG price difference.Express train for 4 is 672.00.Regional train is 268.00. Am I just paying for time? or is the Express train that good?
Also Hotels are set for NYC and D.C...what do you Fodorites recommend in Boston? We are staying at the Hay Adams in D.C and the Milleneum in NYC(Financial District)We have been to NYC many times and decided to spend less this time around on the hotel in NYC and more in D.C and Boston since we have never been(Dh has been)Appreciate all comments, and thank you.

search in Amtrak's web pages a little more before you make any reservations. They often have deals for parents traveling with student for college visits .. I think someone (student?) travels for free.

I don't think Acela or Metroliner are worth the extra $ for the saved time. Would suggest you take train the night before ... maybe to Baltimore or BWI airport (cheaper hotels than DC) and then take the MARC commuter train to DC in the morning. Many BWI airport hotels also have free shuttles to the BWI Amtrak/MARC rail station.

See http://www.campusvisit.com/amtrak/

To answer your question regarding a hotel in Boston it would be helpful to know which colleges you are planning on visiting. Usually hotels in the Back Bay are convenient for most tourists and will work fine if you are visiting Boston University, or Northeastern. If you are visiting Boston College you still will be okay but its a longer ride out on the Green Line. Harvard and MIT may be more convenient from a hotel in Cambridge. Babson, Bentley or Brandeis are in the suburbs and are most easily accessed with a car.

Everytime I've taken the Acela, it's been delayed and consequently no faster than the regular train. I don't think it's worth the extra money, and I agree with the previous poster who recommended searching for deals. Is it possible to move his appointment back 60 minutes? This will give you a bit more breathing room.

Let me just warn you that Amtrak runs late at least 1/2 of the time so plan accordingly. I've taken the train several times recently from NYC to Boston and Baltimore, also looking at colleges, and most of the rides were late, some as much as 2 hours.

The Acela doesn't save much time, maybe a 1/2 hour. The most economical way are these chinatown buses. I know many who have used them. They are especially popular with the colleg kids on a tight budget. They are cheap, and from what I hear, some of the buses are fairly nice (with restrooms).

rb...I am already signing up for the Amtrack Campus Visit. I am in between there dates but have already put in a e-mail to someone at Amtrack to see if they will still give us a promotion fare. Thank you for this tip..Great info!
I have also read the other comments and don't think we can go the night before because we are having dinner in NYC night before with someone from another college...someone in athletics.I wish I even Knew which college(DH is taking care of interviewing) I also thought it would be better to go the night before.
In Boston we will be visiting BC, BU a ride to Harvard just to see it and there are two other colleges or universities that we are visiting. I just don't know which ones they are. The colleges are interested in son for football or basketball.It seems that a new college pops up everyday, now that they know we will be in the east coast.At least for now firm appointments are at BU and BC.
And lizzie I have wondered if we are cutting it to close. Be prepared for delays.Does the express train stop? I know the other train stops maybe 9 times.
MFNYC the chinatown bus sounds interesting but that must be a long trip..yes?

For $80 you could get all four to D.C. on the Chinatown Express the night before and stay at a hotel. We were happy with their service going from Philadelphia to NYC.

I posted and didn't see your comment Michael. What is the Chinatown express?

The train is pretty slow, the bus rides aren't much longer. I don't know the specifics, but I do know people who have used them. Maybe post the question here and someone more knowledgable can help you.

I just googled "nyc dc chinatown buses" and foudn this: http://www.staticleap.com/chinatownbus/

MFNYC...you're good.Thanks!

Greyhound / PeterPan / Bonanza lines all run some advance purchase specials that compete pretty good with the price of the Chinatown buses. And you have the use of a REAL bus terminal instead of hunting for the correct bus somewhere on the street your bus is supposed to meet you at. (no complaint - just that the lower price brings some inconveniences)

www.greyhound.com

http://www.gotobus.com/bus/

(the Chinatown buses I first heard of ran non-stop from Chinatown Boston to Chinatown NYC, serving primarily Chinese population, but have expanded immensely with new companies popping up. One of their cost-savings is that there merely stop on the street, at or near some business, to discharge & pickup passengers.)

While I'm checking out transportaion any feedback on Boston Hotels? We will try to tour one day and then go back to NYC to finish three days in NYC to end the trip. All together the trip is 10 days. We are actually flying home on Xmas day.

anamaria,

just Google Chinatown Express. They are buses from two or three different companies that connect Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and D.C., usually departing from or close to the local Chinatown. In NYC we arrived on the north side of the on-ramp of the Brooklyn bridge (within 1 1/2 blocks of the Canal St. "D" train station).

In Boston I would recommend staying at the Hotel Commonwealth. You can walk to BU from there and there's a T stop right at the hotel so it's pretty easy to get to BC and Harvard. Good luck!

If you do take the bus, I would go Greyhound and avoid the Chinatown bus. It's only about $10 more (on average), and your bus is far less likely to explode into flames or flip over on an exit ramp. Plus you don't have to trek to Chinatown which may not be convenient to where you are staying in NYC.

Lizzea, just got a reply from DH and DS.They want to do the experience of the train. DH says the 10:30 am appointment isn't as important as the meeting after the appointment. I guess the 10:30 appt. is a group.Then at 11;30 we meet someone in the athletics department to talk. So we have a little time to play with. If in the future Son decides to go to school in D.C or NY or Boston he can travel on the bus.Thanks for the input

Wyatt just checked out Hotel Commonwealth.Looks like a nice hotel and has a great location.

I like taking the train, and you'll find that the ride goes quickly. The regular train is really not much slower than the express, and the stops go by quickly. Have a great time on your trip! You'll love BC...

I promise I'll do a trip report and I am sure Lil B (daughter) will do one also.