Upstate NY to NYC by train
 

We will be taking a day trip to the city to see Letterman. Leaving from Albany area- would it be better to take Amtrak, or drive further south and take metro north(I think that's the name of the line into the city) Would like a somewhat early arrival in NYC to look around, and won't be returning until later(after Letterman taping which starts around 5:30) Thanks. Don<BR>

It just depends on which you choose: comfort or savings.<BR><BR>Amtrak is more money, but the seats are more comfortable. The trains arrive at Penn Station.<BR><BR>You can pick up Metro North and, depending on where you depart from, costs around $10-20 roundtrip. The seats are rather uncomfortable. (It's almost like riding a schoolbus). But you can check their schedules and fares at www.mnr.org Their trains arrive at Grand Central Terminal.<BR><BR>You may also want to price taking the bus. I think Trailways has several buses running.

Don - as you said "we" - I would take the Metro-North. I (from Schenectady) take Thruway to Newburgh, and follow I-84 across, and make the FIRST exit after the bridge, turning R at light, is much easier directions, and the fare will be a little less expensive.<BR><BR>However, exiting the Thruway at New Paltz and driving to Poughkeepsie, while a few more turns, allows you to board the train at it's origin, thus your pick of empty seats. While the seats don't recline, I think them every bit as comfy as Amtrak ... in fact, since the "benches" are for 2 passengers on one side, 3 on the other, if the trains not crowded, you can really spread out. No food service tho.<BR><BR>MNR terminates at Grand Central Terminal, a much more interesting place than Penn Sta, where Amtrak stops, and is closer to CBS Theater.<BR><BR>Purchase a $4 Metrocard "Fun Pass" at most subway entrances, and other places, for unlimited use of NYC Bus/Subway for a day. <BR><BR>I travel light, and often fly out of LaGuardia, taking MNR RR. Exit at the 125th St Station, cross the street, and ride the M60 bus to LGA for $1.50, but not during morning rush.<BR><BR>(no x in my e-ddress, write if I can help further)<BR>

Thanks Philip and R-travels. I think it's metro north.

My son goes to school at Siena and takes amtrak from Penn. to albany and it takes about 2 hours and is about $44 one way.<BR>The metro may be cheaper, but my son has no complaints about amtrak. You may be tried form a day in the city and may want to relax on the way home and not have to drive. <BR>only a suggestion.

Metro North is cheaper and is certainly comdfortable enough for a short trip. More significant is the fact that it offers a far greater number of departure times because it is a commuter rail line. be sure to purchase round trip when you get to the station - it simplifies the return trip process. You might even consider driving further down to Tarrytown to park and take the train - there may be more parking available than there is in Poughkeepsie and the trains station there is in a much safer area (there's a police substation located in the parking lot). I have no knowledge of problems in the Poughkeepsie parking but having driven to both locations and taken the train in, I think Tarrytown is preferable.

One of the things you need to keep in mind about costs is how far you have to drive to get Metro North. A drive down to Tarrytown is quite a ways. If you want convenience it's Amtrak, if you just wanted to avoid the parking of Manhattan itself, then Metro north is OK. For convenience and lower cost, I would consider the bus.