# The best way to get from Philly to NYC and back? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856 "2015-02-28T15:45:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/1 "2015-02-28T15:45:15Z")
My brother will be flying from Albuquerque to Philadelphia on a business trip in a few weeks. His son lives in New York City. My brother has never visited his son in NYC; they only see each other about once a year when my nephew comes out west. So my brother is hoping that he can tack a couple of vacation days on to the trip and pop over to New York for a visit. I’m looking for opinions on the best way to pull it off. His round-trip flight to Philadelphia will be paid for, so when his side trip is over he needs to get back there- he can’t fly to Philadelphia and fly home from New York. I’m sure there are shuttle services as well as train & bus options. I haven’t checked but I’m guessing that ground-based transportation would be cheaper than flying. I told my brother a rental car is probably not the best option since he would have to deal with driving and parking in NYC. TLDR version: Anyone have any advice, experience or opinions on the best way to get from Philadelphia to NYC and then back again a few days later? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/2 "2015-02-28T15:57:10Z")
Amtrak. So easy. Its even faster than flying when you account for clearing security and the fact that airports in NYC are in inconvenient, outlying areas. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/3 "2015-02-28T16:06:17Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Amtrak. > > So easy. Its even faster than flying when you account for clearing security and the fact that airports in NYC are in inconvenient, outlying areas. I second this. The trip takes about 1 1/2 hrs, with a departure every 15-30 min during the day. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/4 "2015-02-28T16:08:26Z")
Thanks! I’m sure Amtrak has plenty of options for departure times too. Where in NYC does Amtrak take you? Edit: Oops, didn’t see skdo23’s post about departure times before I posted ---
**Author:** ![Cabot\_Covian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aca169/32.png) [@Cabot\_Covian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabot_Covian)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/5 "2015-02-28T16:12:02Z")
Amtrak will take you to Penn Station on 33rd Street and 8th Avenue in midtown Manhattan. It’s very centrally located and accessible to lots of taxis and public transportation if he needs to meet someone from there. I usually make the trip from NYC to Philadelphia by Bolt or MegaBus, but I am a total cheapskate. The trip is usually $10 - $15 each way and takes about two hours. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/6 "2015-02-28T16:15:24Z")
> [@Cabot\_Covian](#): > > Amtrak will take you to Penn Station on 33rd and 8th in midtown. > > I usually make the trip from NYC to Philadelphia by Bolt or MegaBus, but I am a total cheapskate. The trip is usually $10 - $15 each way and takes about two hours. Nothing wrong with saving some money! I’ll be sure to mention this option to my brother; he’ll definitely be interested. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/7 "2015-02-28T16:34:11Z")
The best way, bar none, is **Marine Corps One**. Good luck getting a ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/8 "2015-02-28T16:37:08Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > The best way, bar none, is **Marine Corps One**. > > Good luck getting a ticket. If my brother tells Obama he voted for him _twice_ maybe that will help. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/9 "2015-02-28T17:36:18Z")
Note that Amtrak has two services between New York City and Philly: the good one (Acela Express) and the less good one. The Acela is the one you want to use. Fewer stops and it’s a lot faster. And the trains are newer and more comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/10 "2015-02-28T19:26:32Z")
I third (or whatever) the Amtrak option, but remember that you have to get from Philly airport to 30th Street Station to catch Amtrak. The best option is to take the local SEPTA commuter train straight from the airport. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/11 "2015-02-28T20:07:09Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Nothing wrong with saving some money! Amtrak is currently showing a lowest one-way fare (less-desirable departures on the slower service) at $41, and not many of those. The next bump up is $54. Acela (the service recommended by other posters) is about double that. > [@Cabot\_Covian](#): > > … Bolt or MegaBus, but I am a total cheapskate. The trip is usually $10 - $15 each way … I just checked their websites, and they’re showing fares as low as $5-$9!!! Not sure whether that gets you a ding or a gold star on your cheapskate card. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/12 "2015-02-28T20:50:26Z")
I would agree with others and say the train. It isn’t a bad drive but the Train is so much easier. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/13 "2015-02-28T21:41:21Z")
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I’ll pass it along to my brother. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/14 "2015-02-28T22:32:57Z")
You actually make it out of Philly and then go back? God love your sense of adventure and bravery! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/15 "2015-02-28T22:40:15Z")
Amtrak is great, but the local commuter rail will be a much better deal. NJ Transit I think runs from Philadelphia 30th st Station to Manhattan (check the website). Not sure off-hand about airport to 30th st or whether there are trains from the airport. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/16 "2015-02-28T22:54:02Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Amtrak is great, but the local commuter rail will be a much better deal. NJ Transit I think runs from Philadelphia 30th st Station to Manhattan (check the website). Not sure off-hand about airport to 30th st or whether there are trains from the airport. I believe on the regionals you have to use SEPTA from Philadelphia to Trenton then transfer to NJ Transit from Trenton to NYC (single ticket, but make sure you get a ticket to New YORK Penn Station, not NewARK Penn Station). From PHL airport to 30th St. it’s a local SEPTA line. I’d just take Amtrak for the convenience or the bus for the economy. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/17 "2015-02-28T22:56:42Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Amtrak is great, but the local commuter rail will be a much better deal. NJ Transit I think runs from Philadelphia 30th st Station to Manhattan (check the website). Not sure off-hand about airport to 30th st or whether there are trains from the airport. NJ Transit does not go to Philadelphia, but you can take SEPTA to Trenton and then NJ Transit from there to Penn. Sure, it costs a bit less, but it takes three times as long and is not nearly as fun. And there’s no beer car. ETA: I should say that NJ Transit will not get you _from Philly to New York_. They do have a train between Philly and Atlantic City, though. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/18 "2015-02-28T23:47:25Z")
On Amtrak, the Acela is faster and a higher level of service than the regular regional or through trains, but for the bit more than an hour ride between Philly and New York, you just save a few minutes and it almost certainly won’t be worth the extra fare. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/19 "2015-02-28T23:50:48Z")
SEPTA (Philadelphia-Trenton) and NJ Transit (Trenton-New York) offer a joint ticket for the trip; about two-and-a-half hours total for under $20 one-way. As others have noted, SEPTA also serves the airport. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856/20 "2015-03-01T01:11:45Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Note that Amtrak has two services between New York City and Philly: the good one (Acela Express) and the less good one. The Acela is the one you want to use. Fewer stops and it’s a lot faster. And the trains are newer and more comfortable. Acela is only marginally faster between NY and Philly. If you **really** want to do it on the cheap and not have to put up with the bus, take SEPTA to Trenton and NJ Transit to NY. The latter leaves on the same track in Trenton that the former arrives on, usually only a few minutes later. Both SEPTA and AMTRAK leave from 30th St. station and both NJ Transit and AMTRAK come into Penn station in NY. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-way-to-get-from-philly-to-nyc-and-back/713856.md?page=2)