How to get from Lansdale to NYC (York, Paoli: rental car, rental)

[stradt03]

Hi All,

I will be in Lansdale, PA next week on business and I have a free day on Tuesday. I would like to make a day trip into NYC to check the city out. I will have a rental car so I can drive a certain distance to pick up a train but I would rather not drive into the city itself.

What is the best way to get to NYC from Lansdale?? I'm an early riser so I will likely be up and ready to go by 6am so the early trains/buses/etc don't scare me.

Thanks so much!

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by stradt03

Hi All,

I will be in Lansdale, PA next week on business and I have a free day on Tuesday. I would like to make a day trip into NYC to check the city out. I will have a rental car so I can drive a certain distance to pick up a train but I would rather not drive into the city itself.

What is the best way to get to NYC from Lansdale?? I'm an early riser so I will likely be up and ready to go by 6am so the early trains/buses/etc don't scare me.

Thanks so much!

Best way is to take the PA turnpike to Route 1 to Trenton Transit Center and take Amtrak (or NJ Transit) from there into the city. should be around 45 minute drive to Trenton, then an hour on the train via Amtrak (or longer if you take NJ Transit)

[FrankInPhilly]

Originally Posted by Angus215

Best way is to take the PA turnpike to Route 1 to Trenton Transit Center and take Amtrak (or NJ Transit) from there into the city. should be around 45 minute drive to Trenton, then an hour on the train via Amtrak (or longer if you take NJ Transit)

Yes, that's the best way. NJ Transit will be a bit slower, but if you ride during commuting hours you can get a "semi-express" train - doesn't bolt for the city, but does make fewer stops and takes about 1:15. Cost is $15 each way (Amtrak is probably a tad faster but more expensive).
Go to New Jersey Transit and select "Trenton Transit Center" and "New York Penn Station" as you from/to stations.
Either way - Amtrak or NJT - you'll need to park. There's a lot across the street from the station that charges about $10.

[stradt03]

Originally Posted by Angus215

Best way is to take the PA turnpike to Route 1 to Trenton Transit Center and take Amtrak (or NJ Transit) from there into the city. should be around 45 minute drive to Trenton, then an hour on the train via Amtrak (or longer if you take NJ Transit)

Do they have public parking available there?

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by stradt03

Do they have public parking available there?

Yes, there is a large parking garage.

[rotodome]

If you like simplicity, you could also take Amtrak directly from Paoli to NYC.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by stradt03

Do they have public parking available there?

Also look at the Hamilton station, cheaper parking and $1 less for the train - same train line - the Hamilton station is right off of 295. So if you took 476 S (or 309 S to 276 depending on where in Lansdale) to 276 E to route 1 N to 95 N (95 turns into 295) to Hamilton is about the same drive time as to Trenton with cheaper parking and slightly cheaper train fare (Train is about 80 minutes to Penn station from either Trenton or Hamilton station)

New Jersey Transit - Home

You can also take 476 from Lansdale to 276 to the NJ turnpike to the Harrison NJ Path station - i a little faster but will cost you more in tolls and likely parking

PATH - The Port Authority of NY & NJ

Lastly you could drive in - ~ 2 hours

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by rotodome

If you like simplicity, you could also take Amtrak directly from Paoli to NYC.

though from Lansdale would actually say if Amtrak the drive to Trenton is similar and a better fare and more frequent service (also probably a net shorter time) then the Keystone via Paoli (Note per the earlier post that Amtrak only runs from Trenton whereas NJT runs from both (Trenton and Hamilton) but if already to Trenton NJT versus Amtrak is $40+ more for Amtrak and only 15 minutes shorter in travel time)

Also NJT probably gives more flexibility on return trains a many Amtrak trains are scheduled to a train time whereas you can always grad a NJT ticket last minute at NY Penn for the return trip. NJT runs the NEC Line at least every 30 minutes weekdays and believe runs back till close to 1AM

[rotodome]

You're right kidphilly. Except for one thing, in that Keystone service to NY is actually a lot cheaper than other Amtrak trains due to the PA subsidy.

[thedirtypirate]

If you are going to take NJT skip Trenton and park in Hamilton. It is like the next up the line and parking is a little bit cheaper in the garage. Less busy too. It is $15.50 from Hamilton to Penn Station one way. It will probably be a cool experience taking a double Decker train into the big apple if you aren't use to being around real cities.