Buffalo / Rochester Commute (rental car, rental, costs) - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

ryanas · 08-02-2013, 08:23 PM

I have a requirement to travel between North Buffalo and the Rochester airport area several times a month, mostly overnight and and the occasional weekend. Does anyone have suggestions for doing this without a car?

I think I've narrowed the possibilities down to Amtrak and Greyhound with public transit/bicycle (or a combination of both) at either end.

Any other ideas?

plmokn · 08-02-2013, 08:55 PM

rent a car?

ryanas · 08-03-2013, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plmokn

rent a car?

I considered that, but it's not the most cost effective option. I suppose on a trip less than 24 hours (one day of a rental car.) it might make sense...

genoobie · 08-03-2013, 06:10 AM

Amtrak from exchange but I don't know about from there to the Rochester Airport.

Matt Marcinkiewicz · 08-03-2013, 06:36 AM

k l m n o p's idea is what I would choose just due to personal preferences. Megabus would probably win for cost

Checkered24 · 08-03-2013, 06:54 AM

Is Amtrack going to be cost effective when you factor in transport costs to and from the train station?

ryanas · 08-03-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Checkered24

Is Amtrack going to be cost effective when you factor in transport costs to and from the train station?

I imagine... The one-way ticket is about $20 and I think the Rochester bus service is only $1. I could be wrong.

Also on the rental car thing... I really, really, really hate driving, and I like to think I could be productive if I'm a passenger.

ryanas · 08-03-2013, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Marcinkiewicz

Megabus would probably win for cost

Holy Smokes

! You're right on that one. $2.50 round trip for one trip I just tested out. That's hard to beat even if the trip was terrible.

Anyone have experience with Megabus?

billiken · 08-03-2013, 03:46 PM

I'd make sure the bus route doesn't come from Canada if you're counting on an on-time arrival. Crossing the border on MegaBus was a mess for us. It took way longer than expected, I would guess because hardly anyone on the bus was a US or Canadian citizen and there were several buses in front of us. If the bus is coming into Buffalo from Toronto on its way to Rochester, I'd say there's a solid chance it might not be on time.

Otherwise, I've taken the MegaBus frequently in other parts of the country with fairly good luck with timeliness. The buses were clean, there was free WiFi, and the prices are hard to beat.

BuffaloTransplant · 08-05-2013, 12:44 PM

You have options in Buffalo: You can go from downtown or the airport to Rochester (downtown) on megabus