My family is flying from San Fransisco to Richmond VA....then we will be visiting NY. My question is about how to get from VA to NY. We can fly for $600 ( 2 hr flight) or take the Amtrak train for $155 (6 hr ride). We will have a 3.5 yr old and a 6 mo old. Do you think it would be fun/entertaining for us to take the train? I am not sure with 2 kids what would be better. I thought it might be fun just to switch it up a little and take the train. Let me know if you have ever done this before or heard good/bad...thanks : )
We will then fly back to San Fran from NY.
**Update...driving in a 1-way rental car would cost about $300 bucks + about $100 in fuel, this could be a good option too : )Apparently rental car companys do not like 1 way! They all add about a $185 fee for 1 ways!!
Thanks for all the responses! I do welcome more too : ) Well we have decided to drive it. We are going to make a day of it and just enjoy the scenery and take our time. We decided to take the train first, but after looking into it realized that it doesnt allow checked bags (they have a size/wt restriction)...meaning our bags would be too big to carry on with us, so I guess riding the train wasnt meant to be : ) Any ideas for places to stop and see on the way would be great! Thanks!
Bear in mind that the actual commuting times are a MINIMUM. There's always extra time tacked on for security, check-in, and -- G-d forbid -- getting stuck on the tarmac. all that good stuff:^)
Truthfully, my experience with flying has gotten so sour that I'd suggest taking Amtrak. I will take getting out of Penn Station over trying to escape JFK or LGA any day of the week.
Bon voyage!
I've traveled cross country on the train and also along the corridor to NY. It was fun and I think the ideal way to travel with children. They and you can get up and move around. The seats are roomier. It is truly an adventure. The time will fly by.
You've reminded me that I want to take my grandchildren on the train just to ride the train with no set destination.
Hi C.,
I used to live in Northern VA and I would take the train from DC to Manhattan regularly for work. I didn't understand your costs - is that three airlines tickets at $600 and however many train tickets you need at $155. If the cost difference really is that much - I would say the train! Also, as far as I know, Amtrak still doesn't charge for luggage! Most of the airlines are charging $25-$50 per bag and some of them charge for carry-ons also!
Your flight would be 2 hours but then you have the at least 90 minutes before the flight plus the time getting from whichever airport to wherever you are heading. If you are going to Manhattan, it is so much easier to arrive in Penn Station and either get a cab or switch to the subway.
We like travelling by train and have taken our 5 year old to NYC many times from DC via train. We had a great time! He quite often sleeps for part of it. Oh, in calculating costs, don't forget all the tolls to get to NYC! Amazing that even the interstate has tolls and they really add up.
C.
I would double check the train schedule to make sure there is an actual train that goes where you are planning to go at the time of day you need to go.
I was looking to do Amtrak from Dallas/Fort Worth to the Houston area then on East towards Florida. The station is only open for about half an hour at midnight. The train comes through and it is the only business the train station does all day so they are closed otherwise. Same thing with Newton Kansas. If there is a train that goes where you are needing to go then I say go with the train. Your driver can relax and enjoy the scenery, you can enjoy pointing out all kinds of things, and the kids can have this wonderful unique experience.
Take fruit for hydration, plenty of things to keep the little ones entertained. There are a lot of tips on some road trip web sites. I always look at them or the books in the library about different places we are planning on seeing. Like when we went to Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, etc...we have roadside geography books and were on the look out for many different aspects of formations, certain mountains, domes, roadside battle grounds, etc....
I live in MD and that drive is EASY!! I'd drive it :).
Truly, I'd rent a car and drive from Richmond to NY. A one or two day rental plus gas should be equal to or less than the cost of the train, and you won't have to deal with keeping your kids contained in such a public space.
I would drive although the train sounds fun. I had looked into taking the Amtrak train from here in FL to PA, the problem I had was that the stations are in the worst areas. I didn't want to be in a bad neighborhood at night with just me and my daughter.
Driving you can take your time, stop when you want and enjoy the scenery.
I lived in Richmond for years while my boyfriend lived in NYC... done this commute MANY times. Fly. The train ride is long and not nearly as glamorous and romantic as people may think.
Where in NY are you traveling to? If you are going to somewhere upstate, you could fly into NYC and then take the train north so the kids can experience both.
My son is 3.5 and we travel frequently, so he's used to it by now. He's great on a plane from NY to FL for 3 hours. On a train for 6? Probably not.
Have a great trip!
I would drive as well unless the train is less expensive. I can't, for the life of me figure out how the flight would be 3.5 hours when from Philly to Orlando is only 2.5!
I'm in RVA, WOOT WOOT! :)
Honestly... having driven, with kids, from VA to CT, NY, NJ... I'd drive. You can stop when you want and work around the kids schedule, you will be less stressed worrying about bothering other people, you're in your own comfort zone...
BUT, if it had to be plane or train... and I hate flying... and money was no object... I'd take the plane, just to get it over with.
If you're looking for the cheaper alternative, obviously, take the train.
It costs less $ in fuel for an SUV to drive it (and the same amount of time) to drive than paying for the train.
ETA: If you're staying in VA even for the day, let me know which airport/train station you'll be using, I can let you know where to go for some fun stuff with the kiddos!!
While the plane will be faster I would try out the train for that part of your trip. You can get up and walk around whenever you want and I'd guess that the kiddos will likely nap for part of the time as well. It's worth really checking into. I do think you may want to consider where you will be stopping at different parts of the trip though just to be sure you aren't going to be stopping for a wihle in an unsafe area. Sounds like tons of fun though! I loved taking the train from Montana to California.
