[Mr.Peabody]

I am from Pennsylvania and am planning a New England vacation for mid-March. Part of that trip includes several days in New York City followed by a day in Wallingford. I don't want to drive into the city, so I would like to park somewhere along the Metro-North New Haven line and take the train. I will be arriving in Connecticut late Thursday morning (March 12) and need to be in Wallingford by early afternoon on Sunday (March 15). Based on the research I've done so far (most of it found on this forum), Bridgeport seems to be the best station. The 12:18 train gets me to GCT at 1:40 on Thursday and the 9:07 gets me back at 10:27 on Sunday. My question is primarily one of safety. Even though I won't be leaving any valuables in my Jeep (I'll be taking my camera, etc. with me into the city), is it safe to leave my out-of-state vehicle in Bridgeport for 3 days? I've read that there are several garages near the station. Which one is best? A Pennsylvania license plate would probably seem less out of place in the Holiday Inn garage, but is that a public garage or for guests only? Obviously closer is better, but since I'll be both leaving and returning at midday a short walk is OK. Cost is not really an issue, since parking in NYC would cost over $150 (!), but out of curiosity what are the going rates? Is another station a better option? Posts here seem to indicate that parking at most stations is at a premium. Any and all suggestions are welcome and thanks in advance.

[Fairfielder]

BPT seems like a good choice for its easy access to RT 8 on your way to/from Wallingford. As far as the garages, I've parked in the (closest) garage on Middle St. but never overnight so I would have to go and check the rates for you unless someone else here knows them.

There are a few multi-level garages within easy walking distance, though. I've used three of them and never felt like it was unsafe. The garage for Housatonic CC has a security patrol, but I don't know if you could do multi-day there. (Try parking in the nearby State Police lot. It will be safe and the ticket they'll give you might be cheaper than the parking rate...jk. )

[JayCT]

If you want to be in Wallingford quickly on Sunday afternoon, you should probably park in New Haven. There is a garage next to the station and it is pretty safe (the police often park in there). You can then get to Wallingford by jumping on I-91. By the way, Route 8 does not go anywhere near Wallingford. You would either take I-95 to I-01 or Route 8 to Route 15. Jay

[Fairfielder]

Originally Posted by JayCT

If you want to be in Wallingford quickly on Sunday afternoon, you should probably park in New Haven. There is a garage next to the station and it is pretty safe (the police often park in there). You can then get to Wallingford by jumping on I-91. By the way, Route 8 does not go anywhere near Wallingford. You would either take I-95 to I-01 or Route 8 to Route 15. Jay

OOPS! Forgive me for reading quickly and thinking of Watertown. A thousand pardons.

But, like it says above; you can take RT 8 to RT 15 and get there. It depends on how far you want to travel on the train I guess.