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gordonthemoron
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Northeast Regional trains are a lot cheaper than Acela and not that much slower
ChiefPlanner
Established Member
Forget the Acela unless you have a platinum card - AMTRAK ordinary is cheaper - but the options are New Jersey Transit and a change at Philly.
Or - dare I say it - a bus (which my nephew took when he saw the rail prices) - you need more than a day in Washington if you can manage it....
Or - dare I say it - a bus (which my nephew took when he saw the rail prices) - you need more than a day in Washington if you can manage it....
I'd do Acela one way and North East Regional the other, to get a taste of both. Acela tickets aren't too bad with the exchange rate, esp if you can book ahead.
Tons to do in DC, far too much for a day, so be selective! I'd concentrate on the National Mall area. For a great view go up the old post office tower.
Tons to do in DC, far too much for a day, so be selective! I'd concentrate on the National Mall area. For a great view go up the old post office tower.
gordonthemoron
Established Member
Watergate is worth a look from the outside
Given the length of the journey and the very limited hours of daylight in mid-December, I'd suggest that a day trip to Washington would be a bit of a waste of time unless you're doing it primarily for the experience of riding the train. You won't have much time to see the sights of Washington (although Union Station is within easy walking distance of the Capitol and National Mall) and there's so much to see in New York that it would be a shame to miss out. Just go for a wonderful (romantic?) winter walk around Central Park, a wander along the High Line or a ferry ride out to Staten Island.
I'd be tempted to plan another weekend away in the spring, this time in Washington DC. You could easily fill 3 or 4 days there.
I'd be tempted to plan another weekend away in the spring, this time in Washington DC. You could easily fill 3 or 4 days there.
Royston Vasey
Established Member
Would also recommend more than a day, although no more than two or three. The Smithsonian Air and Space is at least half a day, there are other Smithsonian museums worth seeing and the points of national interest are quite spread out and need quite a bit of walking. You could see the main "sights" in a day on foot but that's about it.
Also would say if on a budget that Acela isn't worth it. It only carries business class and first class accommodation - business being the top class on the NE Regional - so it is more expensive. The top speed is only 135mph (average 82) and the journey saving small. Having said that, Acela is a great train and I use them up the East Coast quite regularly. Excellent cafe bar and the $79 first class supplement gets you food and drink and comfortable 3 abreast seating, if you want to splash out. They're heavily overengineered for overly stringent crash regulations, so need over 12,000 hp for each six coach train!
Weekdays are sometimes cheaper than weekends, and business is sometimes cheaper than coach... but the pricing on the Amtrak website is quite straightforward and transparent. Trains run late at night and early morning too, which may maximise your time.
Megabus and Bolt Bus go to DC but really, although $25 is a good price, you wouldn't catch me sitting on one for 5 hours
In terms of general advice, I'd say there's plenty to see in New York alone, so stick around here unless its a long trip. The commuter lines out of the city aren't really worth a trip, unless you want to try a NJ Transit or LIRR double decker. The NYC Transit Museum in Brooklyn, in what was Court St station, is an excellent way to spend an afternoon
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Eagle
Established Member
If you absolutely have to only spend one day going to Washington, then it might be worth looking at flying there. Flights between the two are very frequent and take about 75 minutes (depending on which airport you start and end at).
But once you factor in the time spent getting to and from the airports, and hanging around waiting to board the plane, the 3½-hour train journey is extremely competitive. I really think train is by far the best option for travel between NYC and DC.
Royston Vasey
Established Member
If doing that, best to avoid Dulles (IAD) and use Reagan airport (DCA) which is very convenient for the city centre, and often cheaper. Flying from JFK will eat up any time saving though. It's about an hour out of Manhattan by rail or even cab, and is very busy. La Guardia is closer but a terrible airport!
JFK-DCA starts at only about $160 round trip. Flights amenable to a day trip more like $230.
Jetblue also do an ~8am out, ~7.30pm back for only $160, but it's JFK to IAD so adds time at both ends!
Google flights or Skyscanner is your friend! "NYC" to "WAS"
Agree with Squaddie though, train is by far the best option IMHO
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185
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£24 return on Boltbus. Comfortable, good legroom, plug sockets, WiFi.
3 hours 45. Only marginally slower than the train. Picks up near Time Sq near the Sbarro coffee shop. Book online.
Used it three times over the years.
3 hours 45. Only marginally slower than the train. Picks up near Time Sq near the Sbarro coffee shop. Book online.
Used it three times over the years.
ChiefPlanner
Established Member
If you do get to Washington DC - enjoy the splendid "food court" in Union Station - and in particular look for the plaque commemorating Mr Claytor - who made AMTRAK a reality back in 1971.
Regarding NYC - loads to see - but the commuter run up the Hudson Valley to Cold Spring is well worth doing - about an hour , and a good taste of American RR's...(think of it as a consolation prize)
Regarding NYC - loads to see - but the commuter run up the Hudson Valley to Cold Spring is well worth doing - about an hour , and a good taste of American RR's...(think of it as a consolation prize)
Try to have a look at some of the impressive stations too. New York Penn is horrid after the original was demolished in the 1960's but Grand Central is tremendous. Philadelphia 30th St., Washington Union and Hoboken are all worth a visit in their own right.
Take the subway to the first stop in Brooklyn and walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge just before sunset for the best view of Manhattan. Take the ferries to Staten Island, Ellis Island and Hoboken. Ride the subway to Coney Island and have a hot dog at Nathan's etc etc.
Metro North and Amtrak along the Hudson Valley for good scenery...it's like the Rhine. Amtrak and regional trains to Philly and Washington cross some good bridges...the Delaware at Trenton, look out for "Trenton Makes and the World Takes" (but sadly not any more, and crossing the Susquehanna near Havre de Grace at the head of Chesapeake Bay. If you take an Amtrak train a few miles north to Conneticut you cross the Hell's Gate bridge for a fabulous view of New York.
Then there are the transit systems. Philly is amazing with subway (including express and local tracks on the Broad Street Line), EL, light rail in tunnel, reserved track and street, traditional street running trolley with PCC cars (line 15), trolley buses, electrified suburban trains (EMU and loco hauled push-pull). I doubt any other city of such modest size has such diverse transport modes.
There is SO much to see and do just cram in as many experiences as you can....you will almost certainly want to go back!
Take the subway to the first stop in Brooklyn and walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge just before sunset for the best view of Manhattan. Take the ferries to Staten Island, Ellis Island and Hoboken. Ride the subway to Coney Island and have a hot dog at Nathan's etc etc.
Metro North and Amtrak along the Hudson Valley for good scenery...it's like the Rhine. Amtrak and regional trains to Philly and Washington cross some good bridges...the Delaware at Trenton, look out for "Trenton Makes and the World Takes" (but sadly not any more, and crossing the Susquehanna near Havre de Grace at the head of Chesapeake Bay. If you take an Amtrak train a few miles north to Conneticut you cross the Hell's Gate bridge for a fabulous view of New York.
Then there are the transit systems. Philly is amazing with subway (including express and local tracks on the Broad Street Line), EL, light rail in tunnel, reserved track and street, traditional street running trolley with PCC cars (line 15), trolley buses, electrified suburban trains (EMU and loco hauled push-pull). I doubt any other city of such modest size has such diverse transport modes.
There is SO much to see and do just cram in as many experiences as you can....you will almost certainly want to go back!
If you need a spin out - as others have explained, Washington isn't practical but there's a couple of options.
As IanHR says, the Hudson Valley is a stunning route. A ride to Poughkeepsie and back is half a day. Either Amtrak from Penn for a lot of money or Metronorth from GC for half the money but twice the time.
What I'd really recommend, though, is an Amtrak return to Stamford. This will take you over Hell Gate Bridge, one of the most stunning bits of rail engineering in the world with astonishing views across New York on the Southern approach.
A return to Stamford would be half a day but if you wanted to make a day of it get a return to New Haven. Lovely city. Don't go to Bridgeport.
As IanHR says, the Hudson Valley is a stunning route. A ride to Poughkeepsie and back is half a day. Either Amtrak from Penn for a lot of money or Metronorth from GC for half the money but twice the time.
What I'd really recommend, though, is an Amtrak return to Stamford. This will take you over Hell Gate Bridge, one of the most stunning bits of rail engineering in the world with astonishing views across New York on the Southern approach.
A return to Stamford would be half a day but if you wanted to make a day of it get a return to New Haven. Lovely city. Don't go to Bridgeport.
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For eating in NYC check out the Oyster Bar at Grand Central terminal, if only for the architecture. I have not eaten there since the 1990's but then the prices were surprisingly reasonable. In NYC it is a good idea to check out the 'ethnic' neighbourhoods for food too, as well as local 'colour', e.g. Jackson Heights on No.7 subway for Latin Americans, Brighton Beach for the Russians. etc etc. etc.
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The 7 is a great subway trip. Most of it is elevated, and it takes you out through some of the more obscure ethnic neighbourhoods of Queens.
The Roosevelt Island Tram is another interesting curiosity.
There's something very special about arriving at GCT, although most long-distance trains currently go from Penn, which is a dump. If I'm flying into LaGuardia, I'm make sure I take the M60 bus to Harlem-125th St and get the train into GCT, even if it's a longer wait than the subway.
Don't neglect Brooklyn. There's arguably more interesting places to eat and drink there than Manhattan these days.
Princeton is an interesting journey, if you want to see a college town, and you can travel on the "dinky" train from Princeton Junction (reachable on NJ Transit). You can then continue from Princeton Junction to Trenton on NJ Transit, and switch to SEPTA Rail towards Philadelphia, also worth a look around. It's then an easy run on Amtrak down to DC.
The Roosevelt Island Tram is another interesting curiosity.
There's something very special about arriving at GCT, although most long-distance trains currently go from Penn, which is a dump. If I'm flying into LaGuardia, I'm make sure I take the M60 bus to Harlem-125th St and get the train into GCT, even if it's a longer wait than the subway.
Don't neglect Brooklyn. There's arguably more interesting places to eat and drink there than Manhattan these days.
Princeton is an interesting journey, if you want to see a college town, and you can travel on the "dinky" train from Princeton Junction (reachable on NJ Transit). You can then continue from Princeton Junction to Trenton on NJ Transit, and switch to SEPTA Rail towards Philadelphia, also worth a look around. It's then an easy run on Amtrak down to DC.
Yes, as many people have suggested you can travel by train over quite long distances in almost any direction without using Amtrak. The regional trains are slower but quite frequent and have much lower fares with no reservations needed. NJT, SEPTA & MARC cover most of New York-Washington too.
Has anyone done Hoboken to Port Jervis? This is operated by MetroNorth even though it is in New Jersey. It covers a good chunk of the old Erie-Lackawanna main line to the Mid-west.
Has anyone done Hoboken to Port Jervis? This is operated by MetroNorth even though it is in New Jersey. It covers a good chunk of the old Erie-Lackawanna main line to the Mid-west.
From a rail POV - there is some interesting heritage. Newark Penn station is pretty atmospheric, and you can join Amtrak there via PATH if you like.
I like Princeton, so jump off at Princeton Junction (mainly NJ Transit but some slow Amtraks in peaks) where the Acelas fly through at full pelt.
Take the one-car 'dinky' to the Princeton town station - about 4 mins. Quirky ride. Princeton itself is a beautiful place to see a bit of small town America, but upscale. Nice shops, great gallery and impressive buildings. Walkable, which is rare. Triumph Brewery do great beers.
You could return to NY, or continue to DC. Or stay over in Princeton and get to DC in the morning.
I like Princeton, so jump off at Princeton Junction (mainly NJ Transit but some slow Amtraks in peaks) where the Acelas fly through at full pelt.
Take the one-car 'dinky' to the Princeton town station - about 4 mins. Quirky ride. Princeton itself is a beautiful place to see a bit of small town America, but upscale. Nice shops, great gallery and impressive buildings. Walkable, which is rare. Triumph Brewery do great beers.
You could return to NY, or continue to DC. Or stay over in Princeton and get to DC in the morning.
ChiefPlanner
Established Member
In terms of "diners" - not many good ones in Manhattan - though we enjoyed (5 years ago) one on Lexington and 33d St - "Nicks" I think - go there twice and you are regarded as a regular.
Port Jervis is a joint operation, as the Northern section is in New York State. Operationally it is an NJT route - MetroNorths' contribution is purely financial.
To be pedantic it's almost all Erie, but after the 1955 merger the best bits of Erie and D&L bed and infrastructure got chopped and changed, then further mangled by Conrail.
It's a long run to nowhere. One for the desperate, rather than the casual.
Oh yes, you are right it was the Erie main line before the merger. The Lackawanna ran via the Delaware Water Gap, then over the Poconos to Scranton. I think you can ride as far as Hackettstown on this route with NJT, but there has been talk of restoring passenger service to Scranton which would be good, making it possible to visit 'Steamtown' without driving. Steamtown run excursions back towards Pocono Summit. West of Scranton is the tremendous Tunkhannock Viaduct, unfortunately only freights cross it now.
Both routes ran through the Delaware water gap with some silly and ultimately redundant engineering.
I may be getting confused here but wasn't it the D and L that got the "Route of Phoebe Snow" - in other words, the one that produced the lesser clag.
We can't do them now.
I may be getting confused here but wasn't it the D and L that got the "Route of Phoebe Snow" - in other words, the one that produced the lesser clag.
We can't do them now.
Yes, I have a 1951 'Official Guide' that lists them all.....I must dig it out and have another look. At that time at least 5 railways competed for passenger traffic from NYC to the Mid-West. Pennsy, Lehigh Valley, DL&W, and Erie had to cross the Appalachians with consequent gradients, curves ('Horse Shoe Curve' on the Pennsy is still in use) and slow running + smoke and soot with steam traction. The New York Central was "The Water Level Route....You Can Sleep!"....much longer but with fast trains on level track, and you can still go this way. LV was proud of the association with coal, their train was the 'Black Diamond'! DL&W's 'Phoebe Snow' somehow kept her dress clean. Some railways made a thing out of burning anthracite. DL&W spent a HUGE amount of money on heroic engineering, building cut-offs to straighten the route and reduce gradients, they justified the cost by claiming savings from getting rid of 'helper' engines. The viaducts were the largest ferro-concrete structures in the world at the time.
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