chaz
Joined: December 09, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5111
Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 12:14 PM UTC
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I'm taking the Acela to NY tonight. Train leaves at 7:00. How early should I try to get to the station?
Thanks!
bunnyman
Joined: November 19, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5542
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 12:29 PM UTC
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Do you already have your ticket or do you have to pick it up? I would say by 6:30 just to be safe, though 6:40 is probably sufficient time.
chaz
Joined: December 09, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5111
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 12:33 PM UTC
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Already have the ticket….6:30 it is. Thanks.
sweetcell
Joined: July 18, 2006 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 22608
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 12:52 PM UTC
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unlike airlines, amtrak doesn't seal up the trains a half hour before departure - doors for a 7:00 train close at 6:59. from the metro, it's about a 10-minute walk on to the train. mind you, getting on the train before 6:59 means you'll have better choice of seats. i'd imagine that friday evening trains are kinda full.
beetsnotbeats
Joined: May 18, 2005 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1181
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:20 PM UTC
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Didn't they change it to all reserved seating not too long ago?
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:22 PM UTC
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Are you guys saying you wouldn't rather ride with the degenerates who take Greyhound and save some money?
bunnyman
Joined: November 19, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5542
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:28 PM UTC
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Did that once Rhett…have to admit I'm not a fan. But it was an experience I'll never forget! :)
HoyaSaxa03
Joined: March 22, 2004 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 7053
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:31 PM UTC
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Are you guys saying you wouldn't rather ride with the degenerates who take Greyhound and save some money?
i always take greyhound up to NYC, much better and competitively priced when compared to the chinatown buses
ixkpd-bk
Joined: December 12, 2005 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1114
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:37 PM UTC
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Chinatown Buses, FTW.
$35 bucks roundtrip to take you right to Penn Station (in 3 1/2 hours flat if you catch a weekday bus before 4pm)? Can't beat it.
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:45 PM UTC
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I was being fascetious, of course. We've had nothing but trouble with Greyhound. Plus, the people who take Greyhound often tend to be fat, smelly, sometimes drunk, and generally gross.
I have no complaints about the Chinatown busses though, other than the boarding scene in Chinatown NYC can be chaotic.
I think we'll be driving now that we'll have an infant. Found a good deal on a hotel with parking garage adjacent to the Jersey City PATH station.
Originally posted by bearman:
Did that once Rhett…have to admit I'm not a fan. But it was an experience I'll never forget! :)
Rhett Miller
Joined: November 15, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 17762
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 01:47 PM UTC
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You're such a corporate sellout. ;)
Originally posted by Hoya Paranoia:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Are you guys saying you wouldn't rather ride with the degenerates who take Greyhound and save some money?
i always take greyhound up to NYC, much better and competitively priced when compared to the chinatown buses
HoyaSaxa03
Joined: March 22, 2004 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 7053
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 02:14 PM UTC
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Originally posted by ixkpd-bk:
Chinatown Buses, FTW.
$35 bucks roundtrip to take you right to Penn Station (in 3 1/2 hours flat if you catch a weekday bus before 4pm)? Can't beat it.
greyhound is $40, and it leaves every hour, so you never have to rush to catch a bus … that's worth the extra $5 IMO
port authority is also pretty convenient
nkotb
Joined: August 15, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 6500
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 02:26 PM UTC
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I used to swear by the Chinatown bus. Back when I first met my wife, we had a long-distance relationship (she was in NYC, I was here), and I'd generally take that up every other weekend to see her. I never minded the people, and the convenience was great…
Until one ill fated trip where I made the mistake of switching seats with some female college students that wanted to sit together. Between having to listen to their inane conversation THROUGH my headphones, and having an ENORMOUS dude in front of my put his seat back in full recline the entire trip and being right next to the bathroom which had obviously not been emptied in quite a while, I swore it off forever.
Fuck the ozone…I drive from now one.
chaz
Joined: December 09, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5111
Re: Amtrak question
June 08, 2007 at 02:45 PM UTC
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Normally I'd bus it but I'm splurging this weekend…plus my wife gets a sweet deal through the travel dept. at work.
But mostly I just don't want to spend a lot of time in trasit…my friend lives 5 min. from the train station in NY so it's just an easy ride and can get there early enough for a late dinner.