Transportation between Boston & New York City
 

What is the best and reasonably priced way of transportation between Boston and NYC? bus or train?

I heard about a bus from the Chinatown -Chinatown of each city, only about $10-$12 each way. But I am concerned about the time wasted in the street traffic.

Any information & suggestion is appreciated. Thank you.

I usually take Greyhound/Peter Pan. I've never taken the Chinatown bus because Chinatown isn't that convenient for me in either city, but I've heard it's fine. Greyhound/Peter Pan are having a special rate on Boston/New York lately that is $30 round trip. If you can leave early in the morning there is a lot less traffic. When I went to NY over Labor Day weekend, it took less than 4 hours to get there. I like the train but it costs at least $100 more (round trip) and it just doesn't seem worth it.

Chinatowns in both cities are very convenient to the highway, I've never been stuck in street traffic when taking the Chinatown bus.

The train from NYC to Boston is actually quite slow in places - don't think high speed anything - even if you pay for the Acela. So unless theres some form of hideous blockage on the highway - bus is really not any longer than the train. Both are about 4 hours.

The fastest way is to drive yourself.

Thank you all for the information.

Jame, in your experience, do the Greyhound/PeterPan buses run on time? It is a good rate, about the same as the Chinatown bus.

Anonymus, do the Chinatown buses run on time? I read some poor reviews of these buses.

My plan is to depart Boston on the 7am bus, to make a 12Noon program in NYU; just feel a bit rush and kind of nervous about not being able to make it on time. I thought of going the night before, but can't afford the high price of Manhattan hotel for a night sleep.

Please feel free to send suggestions. or, at least to ease my mind!..

Thank you again for the input.

A 7am departure is pushing it for a noon program. If there's any traffic or delay you probably won;t make it. Is there a 6am bus? Otherwise I would gothe night before. If youdo Priceline I'm sure you can find some very inexpensive lodging - under $100.

7 AM departure is too late to be sure of reaching NYU by noon, no matter which method you choose. The basic travel time by road is 4.5 hours, and you'll be traveling during rush hour. Then you have to get from your arrival point (Chinatown or Penn Station) to the school.

In my experience, the Chinatown buses run on time.

Sniped by NYTraveler!

Check with www.biddingfortravel.com for advice about bidding on Priceline. I believe it's getting much more difficult to snag a room in NY for under $100, especialy between now and New Year's.

Er, Penn Station would be for Amtrak; by Greyhound, I believe you'd arrive at the Port Authority, which is even farther uptown.

Thanks for the prompt replies!!
I just looked at the NYsubway map. It seems easy to get on the A,C,E train at port auth. 42nd street&8thAve; it goes right to Washington Square. probably more direct than going through chinatown. hope the greyhound does not encounter any traffic jam enroute to nyc!

Hi Nancy,
Not all of the "chinatown" busses drop off only in chinatown. Many have mid-town stops.

My company sells tickets for many different carriers and you can compare drop off locations to find out the most convenient.
http://www.gotobus.com
Good luck