Trip to NYC

Hi all!

I am looking for advice. I am traveling to New York City from Birmingham, AL in December, and am looking for the cheapest way to travel there. At first, we considered driving all the way there, but I got nervous about icy road conditions and am not sure that is a great idea anymore. I was thinking we could drive to a train station and ride a train to NYC. Between BHM and NYC, what is the best train station to stop at so that we won't be traveling for too terribly long, we probably avoid traffic/icy road conditions, and the prices are reasonable? Or should we just drive? Any advice is appreciated! Not too familiar with the North's roads. We'll be driving down on a Saturday and coming back on a Thursday. Thanks!

Welcome to RTA!

You can take the train from Birmingham, fares are as low as $124 each way if you reserve well in advance. I don't see any cheaper way, but that's with a coach seat and a trip almost a whole day long.

As glc pointed out, it's nearly 24 straight hours on the train from Birmingham to NYC, so while you could certainly do that, a sleeper car (extra money) would really be in order to make the most of your time in New York. The train is scheduled to arrive around 3:30, with any delay you'll be trying t navigate NYC at the height of evening rush hour, not a time when you want to be half groggy from trying to sleep while sitting up on a noisy, jarring train.

What you could do instead is drive about halfway, sleep overnight in a quiet stationary motel room, and board the train the next morning to continue your journey into NYC. Leaving the car parked wherever you catch the train will in all likelihood be cheaper than paying to park it in NYC, and you really don't want to deal with the hassles of driving or parking in the Big Apple anyway. With an early start and a solid day of driving, you could be in Culpepper or Mantissas VA by early evening. The Crescent is scheduled to leave those towns at 8:01 and 8:35 AM (respectively) the next morning and arrive in NYC at 3:25 PM.

The other advantage to a car/motel/train combo is that you pay for motel rooms by the room, whereas you pay for berths on the train by passenger, so you'd save a bit on your overnight 'accommodations' as well. But, of course, you'll need to price this all out to suit your own preferences, but travel choices are rarely 'either or'.

But even more important: Note that Birmingham to New York is NOT a one day trip no matter how you decide to do it, but by ar the better part of two days travel time each way.

AZBuck

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

The other advantage to a car/motel/train combo is that you pay for motel rooms by the room, whereas you pay for berths on the train by passenger,

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When travelling on Amtrak trains this is not quite correct. Travelling alone in a room for two, you pay for the room. Moreover, the cost of the room includes all meals, and needless to say, you can't eat two meals.

I have always found that sleeping in a seat on the Amtrak trains is most comfortable. They recline further than aircraft seats, with a footrest which comes up. If you have a sleeping bag with you, and maybe a pillow, it is like sleeping in a bed. The rhythm of the train will lull you to sleep.

Lifey