Travelling from NYC to Philly

[SanOnofre2002]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm trying to find the cheapest way to get round trip from NYC to Philly (without riding a bus). All I can see so far is Amtrack for about $90 round trip. Anyone from the area know of something better? Also, all I could find are trains leaving from Penn Station. Aren't there train stations near LaGuardia or JFK?

 

[wigglytooth]

I'm trying to find the cheapest way to get round trip from NYC to Philly (without riding a bus). All I can see so far is Amtrack for about $90 round trip. Anyone from the area know of something better? Also, all I could find are trains leaving from Penn Station. Aren't there train stations near LaGuardia or JFK?

Greyhound round trip is 20 bucks. Takes about 2 hours when there's no traffic and leaves from Port Authority. You can either walk from Penn to Port or hitch a cab or the subway. The Greyhound station in Philly is on 11th and Filbert, and you can catch a subway to wherever you need to go ($1.30 token). The whole trip from NYC to Philly takes about 2.5-3 hours (maybe a little less, but some travel time cushion may be a good idea). It sounds convoluted, but you were looking for cheap, right? If you want to get there the fastest, I would put up the 90 with Amtrak. You can then take a cab from 30th street station to campus.

http://www.greyhound.com/scripts/en/TicketCenter/esavers.asp

 

[SanOnofre2002]

Much appreciated 👍

 

[Sprgrover]

The cheapest ways are by bus (~$20 rt on a china town bus), but AmTrak is quicker.

 

[crhoody12]

I make the trip pretty frequently...here are you options and prices...


1.) Amtrak from Penn Station NYC to 30th Street Station PHL. Takes about 1 hr 15 min. Cost about $80-$120 depending on when you leave (Sundays are expensive). When you check-out and it asks for "promotional code," enter - v688 for an extra 20%ish (note: this sometimes depends on which train you take ie. acela, regional, keystone, etc. just play with it and you can get the discount; might have to buy one way tickets each way)

2.) NJTransit to SEPTA Rail. The way this works is you go to Penn Station NYC and get on an NJTransit Train which takes you to Trenton NJ Station (90 mintes/75 if express). When you reach Trenton via NJTransit, on a different platform the SEPTA train will be waiting for you to take passengers right away to 30th Street Station PHL (40 min). At Trenton NJ Station, there is usually an 8-10 minute difference between NJTransit - SEPTA trains. The only bitch thing about this method is that if one train is running late, the next doesn't wait for you so you have to sit an hour for the next one (happened to me before). One way complete is 2.5 hours. Price round trip is $35 ($20 for Penn Station NYC/Trenton via NJTransit and $14 Trenton/30th Street PHL via SEPTA) Schedule for round trip is here: http://www.septa.com/service/sched/pdfs/R7.pdf

3.) Chinatown Bus. I just took this for the first time and though I don't like buses that much, this is my new way for making the trip. Bus takes you from Chinatown NYC (basically City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge Subway Stop on the 4,5,6) to Chinatown PHL (11th/Filbert or about Center City). The cost is $20 round trip if you buy it at once ($12 each way separate). The time is approx 2 hours. Bus usually not crowded if you leave mid day (10a - 2p).

4.) You could always fly for fun...

Regardless of the method, once your in the city, I would recommend taking the subways to the schools from your hotel or train station if your making a day of it. They may look like crap but they are safe and its day-time. Plus they are only $2 vs the price of cabs. Both subway lines run to each school, UPenn or Temple.

 

[wigglytooth]

Ehh, I find the Chinatown bus to be kind of sketchy, and it's the same price as the Greyhound... depends where from NYC you want to leave/come back to, I guess.

 

[Aner]

I take the Chinese bus alot, and they usually smell like porta-potty. My last bus decided to break down, fortunately right BEFORE we got on. Unfortunately, we had to wait 2 hours for the next one.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

Thanks for the info you guys. It's great help for a West coaster, soon to be bumbling around the Northeast. The buses seem ridiculously cheap for that route, I just have bad memories of public buses w/ passed-out drunks and weirdos. The NJtransit train sounds workable too. Thank you!