Folks looking to travel to Manhattan from Northern Virginia have several choices for transportation, but which is the best? We’ve broken down the experience, travel time, and cost of each option so you can make it to the Big Apple with ease.
Train
Experience: There’s a reason Amtrak is the preferred method of transportation for Northeast Corridor business travelers. Seats are larger with more legroom than a standard bus or plane and you’ll get work done on your laptop. There are two DC to New York options: the Northeast Regional and the Acela Express. The Acela is a bit more luxurious, gets you there faster, and has a better dining car. First-class tickets get you at-seat meals. Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall is clean and airy — so pleasant you’ll almost welcome a train delay.
Travel Time: Unlike planes, you don’t have to arrive an hour early to catch a train. Amtrak is convenient to Northern Virginia; you can get on or off at stops across the state, including in Alexandria. The Northeast Regional takes about 3.5 hours to get from DC’s Union Station to New York, while Acela is under 3 hours. Trains run about every hour from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with extended hours on weekends.
Cost: Prices vary depending on time of day, day of the week, and how far ahead you book. Northeast Regional tickets start at $20 (for night owls) and at $71 for Acela.
Plane
Experience: You know the drill: Get to your closest airport. Stand in line for security. Find your gate. Stand in line to board. Hope there are no delays.
Travel Time: The flight itself is only about 1.5 hours, but consider the time it’ll take to get into the city from LaGuardia, Newark, or JFK, none of which is very convenient to Manhattan. Flights depart regularly throughout the day, starting around 6 a.m. until about 9 p.m.
Cost: You can find a round-trip ticket from DCA or IAD for $150. You’ll need to pay for checked bags and to get to the city and back. A taxi one way to Manhattan from the airports will cost at least $30.
Car
Experience: There are some perks to jumping in your car and setting off. You don’t have to deal with people (except other drivers) or worry about booking tickets. You don’t have to haul luggage onto overhead racks or onto Metro. You can leave any time you want. Downsides: You’ll drive for several hours, have to navigate traffic in the city, and will have to figure out parking in NYC.
Travel Time: At least 4 hours.
Cost: You’ll pay about $55 in gas and tolls one way, and you’ll have to pay for parking once you get there. Overnight parking in Manhattan garages averages $40 to $60.
Luxury Bus
Experience: Imagine the first-class version of a bus trip and you get The Jet, created by a guy who frequently took the bus from DC to New York for work. The 14-seat, 45-foot motorcoach has built-in motion-canceling technology that promises a smooth ride, reclining seats with footrests, in-seat food and drink service (with complimentary beer and wine), Wi-Fi, touchless restroom sinks and soap dispensers, and a UV filtration system to kill germs. You can take two large checked bags and two carry-ons. The bus drops you off right at Hudson Yards.
Travel Time: It will take around 4 hours if it’s not rush hour, but as with any bus trip, it’s subject to the whims of traffic. Keep that in mind if you have an important same-day engagement (like a job interview). And build in some time to get to DC to catch it. The coach departs from 565 13th St. NW at F Street. It currently operates Monday through Wednesday, usually with two departure options a day.
Cost: From $99 to $199 one way.
Discount Bus
Experience: While we wouldn’t recommend a cross-country bus trip (No food! Uncomfortable seats!), this trip is short enough to be bearable. Bags are stored below the bus so you don’t have to do any heavy lifting. With charging outlets and free Wi-Fi, you can sit back and easily get some work done on the double-decker Megabus.
Travel Time: Expect the Megabus to take about 4.5 hours one way. It leaves from and arrives at Union Station’s bus terminal. There’s one that departs about every hour. For those who want to travel at 3 a.m., you’re in luck.
Cost: The average cost from DC to New York is about $25. If you book far in advance, tickets can be as low as $1. If you sign up for Megabus points and take it a lot, you’ll be rewarded with discounts.
Feature image, EG-Keith Photography/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our July issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
