Ways to get from PGH to NYC (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: fit in, rent)

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

If you drive to NYC, you're going to pay like $50 each way in tolls.

I understand its $13 to go through the Lincoln Tunnel, but besides that it is easy enough to go without tolls on I80

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I understand its $13 to go through the Lincoln Tunnel

Yowzah. I'm old. It was $1.50 to go through the tunnels when I started driving. Fifty cents each way when I was a kid.

[nei]

every week?! Have fun!

[nei]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I understand its $13 to go through the Lincoln Tunnel, but besides that it is easy enough to go without tolls on I80

If driving, it's probably easier to park at a NJTransit or PATH (Harrison has the easiest parking) and take the train in.

[captainbob2]

I always liked Amtrack since the seats are large and roomy and you can walk around or go to the snack car, but it seriously is the slow boat to China between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg and I frequently hear they want to cut service to Pittsburgh.

[pman]

Originally Posted by captainbob2

I always liked Amtrack since the seats are large and roomy and you can walk around or go to the snack car, but it seriously is the slow boat to China between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg and I frequently hear they want to cut service to Pittsburgh.

for the time being the service is safe, it is very slow between harrisburg and pittsburgh but a lot more comfortable than the bus. they have a good rewards program. in the end it's tradeoffs, the bus is much cheaper but the ride to ny is a little long for my tastes (on a bus). I do wish they'd fix the pittsburgh run. they're knocking two hours off the run from detroit to chicago, why not Pittsburgh Philly/NY?

[PITairport]

Originally Posted by tiemyshoe

I'm currently a CMU grad student and I need to go to NYC every week for recruiting.

I've looked into several transportation methods to get to NYC and was wondering if I may have missed any:

1. Megabus - $150
2. Flight - $400
3. Fly to BOS then take bus to NYC - $160 ($70 one-way + $10 bus)*2
4. ???

Thanks!

I found round trip to LGA for as low as $235 on Delta using some random dates a month or so in advance.

[selltheburgh]

Hitch hike or Craigslist ride shares.

[RonSantoRules]

I have done NYC to PIT many times to visit family via car, bus and flight. Only trip I haven't taken is Amtrak because there is only one train per day that goes straight from PIT to NYC and takes more than 9 hours; there is another train that that takes you to NYC via Washington, D.C. and takes between 11-12 hours. There is no easy way to do the trip that is both cost and time effective.

CAR: Getting into and out of NYC will be the biggest hassle, depending on where you need to be in NYC. I live in Brooklyn and go through Staten Island via the Goethals and Verrazano bridges, and you cannot escape the bridges and tunnels tolls no matter which way you go. I've also gone through the Holland Tunnel (both in and out), and it's not uncommon for it to take me an hour to get out of the city. You haven't lived until you sat at a stoplight on Canal street for 15 minutes without moving an inch. Then, once you're out of the city, you can either take 80 (I've never done this, but this is the route that Megabus takes, since it stops in State College), NJ Turnpike to PA Turnpike (my preferred way, although there are always issues and/or traffic on the NJ Turnpike), or 78 through Allentown to the PA Turnpike through Harrisburg. Tolls on the turnpike are costly, but I like the frequent rest areas (Starbucks at each one, most have been remodeled in the past 3 years) and decent roads. My record time is under 6 hours, but the drive has also taken me as long as 9 hours.

BUS: I have only done Megabus, and it takes betweden 8 and 9 hours depending on traffic. There is always two stops between PIT and NYC - one a rest stop near Hazelton, another in State College, and then a final stop at the Convention Center in Pitt. Cost usually runs between $35-50 each way, depending on weekday/weekend, etc. I've mainly done it on the weekends when the bus is packed. Megabus is great because it has internet, power outlets, and not too many crazy people on the bus (mainly students and younger folks, for the most part).

FLIGHT: Fastest way, depending on which airport you fly into. You can fly into EWR/Newark, LGA/Laguardia, or JFK. EWR and JFK will give you the best access to public transport to get into the city, LGA you will need a cab or other ride (you can do bus to subway, but not an easy connection). Will be the costliest, but there are direct flights on Delta and US Air. Has cost me between $125 and $400 each way when I've done this. I usually don't fly because the airport is not near family that live south of Pittsburgh, and I am not a huge fan of the PIT airport. Flying time is about 1 hour in the air and doesn't include the hassle/time/cost of getting to and from each airport.

TRAIN: As I said, I've never done this, and can't imagine why you would, and this is coming from a person who loves Amtrak. It is never convienent for the time I need it, it costs about $120-150 each way, and if I'm paying that much, I'd rather just fly. That said, if you have time to kill and love the train, I suppose you could do worse.

[nei]

Originally Posted by RonSantoRules

TRAIN: As I said, I've never done this, and can't imagine why you would, and this is coming from a person who loves Amtrak. It is never convenient for the time I need it, it costs about $120-150 each way, and if I'm paying that much, I'd rather just fly. That said, if you have time to kill and love the train, I suppose you could do worse.

I found $73 each way from Amtrak's website, if you book ahead.