We are interested in spending the Memorial Day weekend in NYC (driving
in from northern VA). Rather than staying with in-laws on Long Island,
and taking the LIRR into Manhattan as we usually do, we will be
booking hotel reservations for one or two nights in the city.

As we are not interested in driving directly to the hotel, fighting
downtown traffic etc., we are seeking alternatives. For instance,
we've considered driving to suburban NJ, parking the car for the
weekend and taking a PATH train to Penn Station and a taxi to the
hotel.

Would that be a viable approach, and if so, what are the logistics
involved? What alternatives are available? Also, what are our
approximate costs in tolls, parking etc. with the above vs. taking an
AMTRAK (2 adult fares) directly from Union Station (DC) to Penn
Station?

Thanks for the help!

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 09 May 2003 11:41 PDT

Wsg-ga,

I just want you to be aware that pocoloco-ga and research-help-ga,
knowledgeable though they are, are not actual GA Researchers (anyone
can post a comment) and are not in a position to be compensated for
any advice they give.

While I am a GA researcher, my suggestion was more nostalgic than
anything (born and raised in Brooklyn!), so I hope another researcher
can give you a more precise answer in time for your trip.

bon Voyage!

I understand your problem, just my opinion however, I would avoid
amtrak. You will save money if you just drive to NYC, plus you will
have a car nearby, (which my prob won't need, but it might be handy)
What I found from a quick query on the amtrak website was a round trip
tickey from Union DC, to Penn NYC is $246/person.
You can check into it yourself here:
"Amtrak"
http://reservations.amtrak.com/

$240/person is certinaly going to be more expensive than driving
including gas, lunch, and tolls. It sounds like you have a good
"hookup" in long island which I would take advantage of. Have you
considered leaving your car at the in-laws house and taking the LIRR
into the city and then just staying in the city until it was time to
leave, at which time you would return to the in-laws get the car and
drive back home? If this is to be a clandestine operation (i.e. the
in-laws aren't supposed to know you are in town) you might consider
going to another small town on the LIRR and finding a nice little out
of the way spot to park the car within walking distance of the
station. I can't recommend any places on the LIRR for this, but I do
know that the Tuckahoe station on the metro north line is very close
to a nice neighboorhood, where I am sure you could park your car
undisturbed for 2 days. Of course this would require driving up 95N
right around the city, which can be a hazard at best, so it might be
better to expore stations on the southern side of the city.

However I am convinced that your best option is to drive to the
in-laws and leave the car with them, and take the LIRR into the city.
Its cheap, fast, and fun.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know, and if I
cannot clear things up, I can confer with my better half who is a
born/bred New Yorker.
Thanks,
--jld

I found the answer not relevant to the question being asked and too
anecdotal/poorly researched. For instance, I specifically stated that
we were NOT interested in staying on Long Island as we usually do;
hence, we were seeking alternatives. Also, according to the AMTRAK
website, a round-trip fare is actually $130/person. Naturally, this
changes my calculations altogether as AMTRAK is suddenly a viable
option.

As I did find the other postings to be more relevant to the question
and creative, I will gladly compensate one or more of these
researchers. I believe they are more deserving of my commission, and I
would like to repost my question so that they can be rewarded instead.

Although I appreciate the help, I found the answer not relevant to the
question being asked and too anecdotal/poorly researched. For
instance, I stated that we were NOT interested in staying on Long
Island as we usually do; hence, we were seeking alternatives. Also,
according to the AMTRAK website, a round-trip fare is actually
$130/person.

There is a bus company called TransBridge that has bus depots in
Eastern PA and you can park for free and take a bus to Penn Station
for $25 / person.

I would consider driving into Brooklyn and staying in Brooklyn
Heights, where you get that amazing view of the Manhattan skyline. 
You can drive through Staten Island and over the Verazzano Bridge
right into Brooklyn, thereby avoiding Manhattan all together.  Brookly
Heights has a very nice, almost European feel to it.  And to get into
Manhattan is just a quick subway ride, or even a classic,
unforgettable stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge.

And when you're ready to head out to Long Island, access to the LIRR
from Brooklyn Heights is easy.

I suggest that you consider parking your car at Newark Airport and
then taking public transportation into the city.  The major advantages
of this approach are (a) it should be relatively easy for you to find
Newark Airport (since there is very good signage from all the major
New Jersey highways to Newark Airport), (b) Newark Airport provides
several secure parking options, (c) it is easy to get from Newark
Airport to a whole range of NYC destinations (uptown, downtown, all
the boroughs), (d) there are many good cost options, and (e) you can
get to and fro at about just about any hour of day or night.

Newark Airport Parking Options
http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/egrpfram.htm
Personally, I think that valet parking is a terrific value at $28 for
the first 24 hours and $14 for each 12 hours thereafter.  Valet
parking gives you both security and convenience.  However, if you're
really watching the dollars, then you should go for Long Term parking
at about $10 per day.
 
Newark Airport Transportation Options to NYC
http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/egtsfram.htm
This link sets out many options, ranging from bus service ($11) to
taxi service ($34-$55).

As a general comment, I would avoid Amtrak on holiday weekends unless
you are traveling premium class with reserved seats.

This is an interesting option. As AMTRAK is $130/person for 3 1/2 hrs.
from DC to NY, please provide some specifics on drive time/routing
from DC (actually northern VA) to the nearest TransBridge bus depot.

Also, please provide schedule info. for 3/24 from PA to NY
(early-afternoon) w/approx. travel time and for 3/25 from NY to PA
(early evening). Also, does TransBridge offer a round-trip and/or AAA
discount or is it a straight $100 for two persons round-trip?

Since this is a much more viable solution as compared to the answer
above, your help will be greatly appreciated, and I will strongly
consider compensating you instead.

Regarding the Brooklyn Heights option, that sounds very nice. And it's
a creative approach to the question. In fact, had we not already
booked a room in Manhattan, we would strongly consider doing this.
Next time we visit, we will probably explore this one. Off-hand, what
are some of the nicer hotels you can recommend in Brooklyn Heights?

Finally, the Newark Airport option isn't a bad one. In fact, we were
considering it strongly as the leading answer, my own research
revealed AMTRAK to be more cost-effective than previously thought.

According to my current calculations, however: we can park for free at
the VA metro-rail, taking a 30 min. ride to Union Station for $5 each
way. AMTRAK for two persons would cost $260 round-trip at 3 1/2 hrs.
directly into Penn Station. Adding 30 min. and a $15 cab ride to and
from the hotel, we are looking at 9 hours total travel time for
exactly $300.

With tolls/gas, valet parking and bus service, I calculate a total of
approx. $150, which would be the same as TransBridge, when including
tolls/gas. Would the est. travel time beat the 4 1/2 hrs. calculated
for each way above?

Also, why do you recommend avoiding AMTRAK on holiday weekends unless
traveling reserved/premium? Any additional light you could shed on
this would be appreciated/factored into our decision.

Based on the quality of your follow-up answers, I may consider
splitting the commission between you and "research_help-ga".

WSG - I see you liked my suggestion about TransBridge rather than the
official answer which, as I agree, did not answer your question.
However, I am not an official researcher so you cannot compensate me. 
I suggest you put your inquiry about TransBridge from your comment
into a "request for clarification" so that the original researcher can
find and post the information you are looking for.

In follow-up to the latest comment by "research_help-ga", I put in a
request for reposting. So please check back in a day or two, and
hopefully you'll have a chance to answer.