QM1to6Ave Posted November 26, 2012 Share #1 Posted November 26, 2012 My job may soon require me to commute between New York and Philadelphia (the company office is right near the 30th Street station down there). Anybody have any experience doing this? Say, going from New York down to Philly for 3 days, then coming back up here for the rest of the week? Perhaps renting a small apartment down there to use a few nights a week. What about even commuting every weekday between NYP and Philly? Anybody know how expensive this would be? The ticket prices on Amtrak.com seem pretty high, especially for an unlimited monthly pass (something like $1,300). Any personal commuting stories much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted November 26, 2012 Share #2 Posted November 26, 2012 My job may soon require me to commute between New York and Philadelphia (the company office is right near the 30th Street station down there). Anybody have any experience doing this? Say, going from New York down to Philly for 3 days, then coming back up here for the rest of the week? Perhaps renting a small apartment down there to use a few nights a week. What about even commuting every weekday between NYP and Philly? Anybody know how expensive this would be? The ticket prices on Amtrak.com seem pretty high, especially for an unlimited monthly pass (something like $1,300). Any personal commuting stories much appreciated. Try megabus and book ahead to get $1 fares or with amtrak go for NA rail pass amtrak has several pass options they are on their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted November 26, 2012 Try megabus and book ahead to get $1 fares or with amtrak go for NA rail pass amtrak has several pass options they are on their website. Thanks for the advice. I'd like to avoid the buses if possible, since the train generally allows me more room to get some work done, and is somewhat quicker (assuming no delays anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfs NJT459 Posted November 26, 2012 Share #4 Posted November 26, 2012 If you take NJT and SEPTA, you can pay for both at New York Penn Station at once... when the NJT TVM, just look for Philadelphia 30th Street... it will give you one price and it will print out 2 tickets, one for NJT, the other for SEPTA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amtrak7 Posted November 26, 2012 Share #5 Posted November 26, 2012 You could do NJT and SEPTA...if your job starts at 9AM, take the 6:01 NJT out of NYP, transfer at Trenton (only a 7min connection though!) and make it to 30th at 8:30. A monthly would cost 191 + 440 = $631. Miss the connection and you'll get there at 8:50. Amtrak, take the 7:25 Keystone out of NYP and get there at 8:49 (or the 7:17 Regional to get there at 8:39). Monthly is $1,314, though. All depends on whether or not you think 2.5 hours of your time a day is worth $683 a month.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted November 27, 2012 Share #6 Posted November 27, 2012 If you take NJT and SEPTA, you can pay for both at New York Penn Station at once... when the NJT TVM, just look for Philadelphia 30th Street... it will give you one price and it will print out 2 tickets, one for NJT, the other for SEPTA NEVER a feasible commuting option. Next the bus is faster. If you want train then it should be quicker than the bus otherwise the bus is better. But if speed is important and OP wants train amtrak is the only practical option NJT/SEPTA = JOKE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted November 27, 2012 You could do NJT and SEPTA...if your job starts at 9AM, take the 6:01 NJT out of NYP, transfer at Trenton (only a 7min connection though!) and make it to 30th at 8:30. A monthly would cost 191 + 440 = $631. Miss the connection and you'll get there at 8:50. Amtrak, take the 7:25 Keystone out of NYP and get there at 8:49 (or the 7:17 Regional to get there at 8:39). Monthly is $1,314, though. All depends on whether or not you think 2.5 hours of your time a day is worth $683 a month.... As qj wrote, I'd probably stick to the Amtrak option. A 7:25 train for 9 am worktime is not bad. Do most amtrak trains have outlets and wi-fi nowadays? I haven't paid attention in a while. My boss should reimburse me for part of the Amtrak fare, so I am not as worried about the high price. Also, I really appreciate the advice, guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted November 27, 2012 Share #8 Posted November 27, 2012 As qj wrote, I'd probably stick to the Amtrak option. A 7:25 train for 9 am worktime is not bad. Do most amtrak trains have outlets and wi-fi nowadays? I haven't paid attention in a while. My boss should reimburse me for part of the Amtrak fare, so I am not as worried about the high price. Also, I really appreciate the advice, guys. almost all amtrak trains have outlets and wi-fi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted November 27, 2012 even in coach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amtrak7 Posted November 27, 2012 Share #10 Posted November 27, 2012 All Northeast Regionals have free WiFi throughout the train. All business class seats have outlets and most coach seats do too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted November 27, 2012 Fantastic. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted November 29, 2012 Share #12 Posted November 29, 2012 Fantastic. Thanks for the info. you work near 30th station what kind of job is it? Want to have a SEPTA system map of you have one FULL ONE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted November 29, 2012 you work near 30th station what kind of job is it? Want to have a SEPTA system map of you have one FULL ONE. Medical supply company. They have offices in lots of cities with big hospitals, and Philly has a whole bunch of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted November 29, 2012 Share #14 Posted November 29, 2012 Medical supply company. They have offices in lots of cities with big hospitals, and Philly has a whole bunch of them. your not alone I know people who commute to philly from Baltimore!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfs NJT459 Posted November 29, 2012 Share #15 Posted November 29, 2012 The thing I'm curious about, and this can be done at Penn Station is what kind of commuting deal will Amtrak have available... They always have weekly specials on select train numbers each week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted November 29, 2012 Interesting. Most likely, I'd have to get the monthly unlimited pass, so I don't think special weekly deals will help me, but that's good to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amtrak7 Posted November 29, 2012 Share #17 Posted November 29, 2012 Interesting. Most likely, I'd have to get the monthly unlimited pass, so I don't think special weekly deals will help me, but that's good to know The low-bucket Amtrak NYP-PHL fare is $36. A $1314 monthly pays for itself in 37 rides at a minimum, so if you think you're going to be working less than 19 days a month (not that impractical), buy a 10 trip. One ways every day are expensive ($99 or more for same day tickets) and the tickets are valid only on the train reserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted November 30, 2012 Wow, great advice, Amtrak! Do you know if the train is often packed in the mornings? If I pay that much money, I don't want to be caught standing half the time instead of working from my seat. or if it is packed at night, for that matter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfs NJT459 Posted November 30, 2012 Share #19 Posted November 30, 2012 They're all reserved, which means everyone is garunteed a seat.... Depends on what time you commute in the morning and which train you take Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted November 30, 2012 Got it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vandelay Posted December 1, 2012 Share #21 Posted December 1, 2012 All trains on the corridor have outlets at every seat. (I believe such is true systemwide now, but not entirely sure. ) I suggest you register for Amtrak Guest Rewards if you have not done so already. If you buy monthly tickets, you will quickly become Select Plus, and then get access to ClubAcela in Philadelphia and New York, which gives you a much nicer waiting area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted December 2, 2012 Author Share #22 Posted December 2, 2012 Sweet. That sounds like a great perk (though If I do buy the expensive monthly tickets I guess It's not really a "perk") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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