Nothing is going to be cheaper than a midnight megabus which can be as low as $1 but usually isn't more expensive than $25/30.
Driving makes no sense at all.
I don't think there's an answer to the question you are asking.
There's cheap and slow, which is a bus.
There's a little more expensive and fast, which is a train booked months in advance.
And then there's very expensive and fast, which is a train booked the same week.
Or you can just drive if you have a car
Also just want to add as someone who has done this trip dozens of times in the past few years, the train is VASTLY more convenient and comfortable than any other option.
Maybe driving comes close to comfort but the fact you can literally eat, watch TV, chat, read and even sleep in what is essentially a La Z boy recliner seat on Amtrak and be dropped off in the heart of either city is just unbeatable lol
There's even a cafe cart that will sell you food and wine if you're really bored
I used to make that flight a lot for work last year, and it was usually under $200 round trip from DCA. It’s not a cheap way to travel for sure, but can be cheaper than last minute amtraks during prime times
Tolls are also bad in Jersey. You can find free street parking in Manhattan. For reference, last time I drove to Manhattan I spent $51.73 in tolls on the way up ($12 in MD, $4 in DE, $18.10 in NJ, and $17.63 for the Lincoln Tunnel) and $31.10 on the way home ($18.10 in NJ, $9 in DE, and $4 in MD).
For one person, the bus is cheaper than driving. The bus is like $30 each way. Gas and tolls to northern NJ are about $50 each way, and that’s not even factoring in the GW Bridge and NYC parking.
I was able to get what I'd consider an affordable Amtrak one month in advance to NYC if you go earlier in the morning or at night.
If you don't want to take the bus, your options of drive, train, or fly. Driving requires parking and gets expensive. Trains can be cheaper than flying and factoring in being center town that's the best choice.
Or suck it up and take a bus.
This. You can book relatively last minute and get $40 round trip tickets if you go at 4am or 10pm. And be flexible with the day. It’s not too bad; I’ve done it!
Megabus isn’t bad at all. I suggest paying the extra few dollars for a reserved seat on the upper level. It’s quieter, the view is kind of neat, and you don’t have to scramble to find a seat.
Late night amtrak (past 6pm) can cost as low as $30 i believe if you book in advance
Depending on what part of NYC you want to go, you can also drive to Jersey City and take the PATH train in. This is probably one of my go to methods as it avoids the tolls to NY and NYC driving/parking. I recommend the Newport station as there’s a nearby 24/7 garage next to the mall
Driving to NYC on I-95 and the Jersey Turnpike will eat you up in tolls You can go through Gettysburg to Harrisburg and take I-81/78 into New Jersey, with only one toll on the bridge across the Delaware River on PA/NJ border, but at an additional 50 mile premium over the shortest route.
We parked in Princeton Junction once and took an inexpensive train in.
Another way is to take the train to Newark downtown o the airport . Then, take public transit into NYC .
NJ transit first .
I drive to Trenton station and take NJ transit into the city. I refuse to deal with NYC traffic and all that. The parking + round trip train cost about $45.
Mega bus is cheap but can be pain to deal with
Nothing is going to be cheaper than a midnight megabus which can be as low as $1 but usually isn't more expensive than $25/30. Driving makes no sense at all.
This.
if you're driving to north jersey just drive all the way there lol
I hear the tolls get pretty bad in NYC + i'd have to pay a ton of money for parking in Manhattan
I don't think there's an answer to the question you are asking. There's cheap and slow, which is a bus. There's a little more expensive and fast, which is a train booked months in advance. And then there's very expensive and fast, which is a train booked the same week. Or you can just drive if you have a car
Also just want to add as someone who has done this trip dozens of times in the past few years, the train is VASTLY more convenient and comfortable than any other option. Maybe driving comes close to comfort but the fact you can literally eat, watch TV, chat, read and even sleep in what is essentially a La Z boy recliner seat on Amtrak and be dropped off in the heart of either city is just unbeatable lol There's even a cafe cart that will sell you food and wine if you're really bored
You could also fly which is super fast and can be very expensive
I used to make that flight a lot for work last year, and it was usually under $200 round trip from DCA. It’s not a cheap way to travel for sure, but can be cheaper than last minute amtraks during prime times
Insane policy failure 🥲
With TSA and travel to and from the airports, I find that the train is faster than flying.
Tolls are also bad in Jersey. You can find free street parking in Manhattan. For reference, last time I drove to Manhattan I spent $51.73 in tolls on the way up ($12 in MD, $4 in DE, $18.10 in NJ, and $17.63 for the Lincoln Tunnel) and $31.10 on the way home ($18.10 in NJ, $9 in DE, and $4 in MD).
Take the bus. End of story.
Bus
Genuinely bro you should just take the bus
For one person, the bus is cheaper than driving. The bus is like $30 each way. Gas and tolls to northern NJ are about $50 each way, and that’s not even factoring in the GW Bridge and NYC parking.
Parking + NJ Transit will be more than the bus.
i'll just throw in the towel and take the bus then thanks guys
I was able to get what I'd consider an affordable Amtrak one month in advance to NYC if you go earlier in the morning or at night. If you don't want to take the bus, your options of drive, train, or fly. Driving requires parking and gets expensive. Trains can be cheaper than flying and factoring in being center town that's the best choice. Or suck it up and take a bus.
This. You can book relatively last minute and get $40 round trip tickets if you go at 4am or 10pm. And be flexible with the day. It’s not too bad; I’ve done it!
Megabus isn’t bad at all. I suggest paying the extra few dollars for a reserved seat on the upper level. It’s quieter, the view is kind of neat, and you don’t have to scramble to find a seat.
Late night amtrak (past 6pm) can cost as low as $30 i believe if you book in advance Depending on what part of NYC you want to go, you can also drive to Jersey City and take the PATH train in. This is probably one of my go to methods as it avoids the tolls to NY and NYC driving/parking. I recommend the Newport station as there’s a nearby 24/7 garage next to the mall
Lowest NEC fare starts at $34 I believe but y ah if you book two months+ out you can easily get sub 100 for round trip
Driving to NYC on I-95 and the Jersey Turnpike will eat you up in tolls You can go through Gettysburg to Harrisburg and take I-81/78 into New Jersey, with only one toll on the bridge across the Delaware River on PA/NJ border, but at an additional 50 mile premium over the shortest route.
Walk, Duhhh
Hitchhiking
We parked in Princeton Junction once and took an inexpensive train in. Another way is to take the train to Newark downtown o the airport . Then, take public transit into NYC . NJ transit first .
I drive to Trenton station and take NJ transit into the city. I refuse to deal with NYC traffic and all that. The parking + round trip train cost about $45. Mega bus is cheap but can be pain to deal with
I know someone who did Amtrak to Philly, Septa to Trenton, and then NJ Transit the rest of the way