Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

My family is from Philadelphia. I have a way younger half sister who lives there and she really misses us but her mom doesn't have a car. We have made the trip a lot and right now it's just not in our budget. Her mom suggested the Amtrak but wasn't sure what kind of ride it would be (she's terrified because it would only be her 3rd time leaving Philly ) and also doesn't know if it's expensive or not. I live on the Babylon line about 45min-1hr away from Penn but I'm thinking since they don't know NY at all that it would be better for me to pick them up at Penn.

Anyone ever taken this trip or anyone have any advice?

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

I did this a few times! My two best friends live in Philly, and I usually take Amtrak from Penn to Philly. It is usually around $75-$90 round trip depending on the time of year. When you think of the gas and tolls and time, it can be worth it. The trip is like an hour and change-so much shorter than driving! She could transfer to the LIRR at Penn, also if that would be easier than driving in to pick her up (parking in Midtown-blech!)

Hope this helps!

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

I've taken Amtrak from Penn to Boston and dc- not Philly but they're all the same...

It's fine! Her mom can put her on the train and you can meet her on the other side. It can get a little confusing to transfer otherwise...

Hope that helps!

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

My friend lives in Philly- I take it all the time. Its a nice ride and the prices vary based on the time of day you travel.
She should have no problem.

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

There's an express bus from Philly to Port Authority that's less expensive than Amtrak. I think it's Peter Pan in case you decide to check it out.

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

I dated a guy in Philly years ago & did the NY-Philly ride almost every other weekend...wasn't bad at all except holidays.

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

Message edited 9/10/2011 12:15:42 AM.

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

I went to college in Philly and took the train all the time. I also used to go to DC via Amtrak every month and it passed through Philly. The ride is easy and not very long. The cheapest tickets are the regional ones and she should buy them at least 2 weeks prior to her departure date because they will go up.

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

Thanks everyone! When I was a kid we lived in Richmond, VA and my dad lived in Philly. My mom used to send my sister and I on the train to see him. We used to have to stop in DC for the engine to change from diesel to electric, we thought it was so cool lol. It was a long time ago but I don't remember the train being so bad.

Someone mentioned the bus so I looked it up. Amtrak said it was about 1.5hours and the bus said about 2.5hours (like the car ride) and that the bus was about $10 cheaper than the train. I'm thinking that the train would be better because it's shorter and you can get up and walk around, right?

Re: Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Philly to Penn?

I used to take NJ transit out of Trenton every day into Penn station; its also where the amtrak trains come through along the NE Corridor.

amtrak can be expensive if you book right before you need it.

NJ transit would be cheaper if you have a way of getting to the Trenton train station. Adult is $31.50 round trip and they have express trains (maybe not on weekends, not sure) but an express will get you into Penn station in usually 1hr 10min.