[hkdman]

Hello - quick question. I am considering relocating to CT. Most likely it will be to West Hartford. If we want to take a trip to NYC - how easy would it be to take the train? How long would it take? How much would it cost?

[MikefromCT]

Train service to NYC is easy. Right now there isn't rail service in town to get you there, but plans are in the works to get this, so in a few years you will be. In the meantime, what you can do is take Metro North. This is the service that best gets you into Manhattan. Amtrak is another option, but it's more expensive and IMO not as convenient. The earliest departure is from New Haven, about a 45 minute drive away. Plenty of parking is available. What I do is drive a little past New Haven into Milford, where Metro North stops as well. It's a smaller station with fewer parking spots, but in all the years I've used it I've never had trouble finding one and parking is free on weekends unlike New Haven. Round trip this goes for just under $30 if it's off-peak (which is always cheaper).

This link gives you some info about schedules, stops & fares. They also have an app you can download as well.
MTA | Subway, Bus, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North

[2nd trick op]

With the exception of some Amtrak long-distance trains headed further south via Hell Gate Bridge, all the commuter trains originating in Connecticut terminate at Grand Central Station (5th/6th Avenues@ 42nd Street) . Connecting service to New Jersey via either NJ Transit or PATH boards at Penn Station (6th/7th Avenues @34th Street) so you'ld have to plan on a short subway ride ... or walk

Service is skewed around the two rush hours, but fairly frequent departures (within 1 hour or less) are usually available the rest of the day (5 AM - midnight). That should be reduced by a factor of 2 (roughly) on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Anyone planning on making the trip regularly should investigate monthly passes.

[hkdman]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

Train service to NYC is easy. Right now there isn't rail service in town to get you there, but plans are in the works to get this, so in a few years you will be. In the meantime, what you can do is take Metro North. This is the service that best gets you into Manhattan. Amtrak is another option, but it's more expensive and IMO not as convenient. The earliest departure is from New Haven, about a 45 minute drive away. Plenty of parking is available. What I do is drive a little past New Haven into Milford, where Metro North stops as well. It's a smaller station with fewer parking spots, but in all the years I've used it I've never had trouble finding one and parking is free on weekends unlike New Haven. Round trip this goes for just under $30 if it's off-peak (which is always cheaper).

This link gives you some info about schedules, stops & fares. They also have an app you can download as well.
MTA | Subway, Bus, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North

So if I go to either the New Haven or Milford stations - how long will the train ride take?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by hkdman

So if I go to either the New Haven or Milford stations - how long will the train ride take?

From New Haven, depending on which train you take, it can be anywhere from 107 minutes to 126 minutes. Check the schedule on the link that was provided. Jay

[wtby4000]

Originally Posted by hkdman

how long will the train ride take?

two hours

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by hkdman

So if I go to either the New Haven or Milford stations - how long will the train ride take?

Step 1: Go to Hartford Union to pick up Amtrak train to New Haven https://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak

6:35am - 7:24am


7:15am - 8:35am 3495 Thruway Bus


10:33am - 11:50am 3493 Thruway Bus

3:32pm - 4:25pm

Thruway bus are replacement of Amtrak due to construction to improve Springfield-New Haven line to New Haven for hourly service It will be done by late 2017.

Step 2: Get off at New Haven Union Station to pick up MTA Train to Grand Central trains leave 3 times a hour during rush hour in the morning and evening coming from NYC, every 30 mins during regular service. http://as0.mta.info/mnr/schedules/sched_form.cfm

Step 3: Get off at Grand Central in Manhattan, NYC


West Hartford to Downtown Hartford 10-15 mins, Train to New Haven from Hartford about 48 mins, MTA train to Grand Central 1 hour 47 mins

[wtby4000]

Originally Posted by BPt111

It will be done by late 2017.

Let's sure hope so!

[BPt111]

This how New Haven station look like when you take your trip very different from Hartford metro area

[BPt111]

Hartford to Grand Central by train can take nearly 3 hours with two trains you taking better than driving with all New Haven and FFC traffic.