Planes Trains and Automobiles

[+ VictorPowers]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

[+ VictorPowers]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

[jjkrkwood]

Everything is reliable, until it aint. I DONT fly, and have taken the rails with no issue.... But then you occasionally read about trains that derail, or get stranded..... Shit happens, and its unpredictable... flying for me seems so stressful now..... If you have the time, give the rails a try....

[jjkrkwood]

Everything is reliable, until it aint. I DONT fly, and have taken the rails with no issue.... But then you occasionally read about trains that derail, or get stranded..... Shit happens, and its unpredictable... flying for me seems so stressful now..... If you have the time, give the rails a try....

[mike carey]

@VictorPowers trains and planes can be unreliable anywhere. In the North East, trains are likely to be quicker and cheaper, but not always. When I was last there, I used Amtrak not flights, and I have Amtrak points to show for it. (There are buses too.) I travelled to various locations between DC and Hartford, usually booking shortly before I travelled.

[mike carey]

@VictorPowers trains and planes can be unreliable anywhere. In the North East, trains are likely to be quicker and cheaper, but not always. When I was last there, I used Amtrak not flights, and I have Amtrak points to show for it. (There are buses too.) I travelled to various locations between DC and Hartford, usually booking shortly before I travelled.

[+ FrankR]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

I would say that trains are convenient for short distances, usually when you hop from center city to center city. If you need a longer reach, they get time consuming and expensive. Do compare prices AND how long the trip will last - you will find that flights are both cheaper and much shorter for longer distances. Even the Acela express train don’t cut back all that much on time and is expensive. ?

 

In terms of reliability, trains have failed me on a number of occasions. Had to rent a car and drive. It is what it is... ?

[+ FrankR]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

I would say that trains are convenient for short distances, usually when you hop from center city to center city. If you need a longer reach, they get time consuming and expensive. Do compare prices AND how long the trip will last - you will find that flights are both cheaper and much shorter for longer distances. Even the Acela express train don’t cut back all that much on time and is expensive. ?

 

In terms of reliability, trains have failed me on a number of occasions. Had to rent a car and drive. It is what it is... ?

[RealAvalon]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

The Amtrak from New York to Washington is the grubbiest train I have ever been on anywhere. It really was a mess, the bathroom was filthy. But, it did leave and arrive on time

[RealAvalon]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

The Amtrak from New York to Washington is the grubbiest train I have ever been on anywhere. It really was a mess, the bathroom was filthy. But, it did leave and arrive on time

[+ VictorPowers]

I would be looking for short routes. Nothing crazy long. No way I’ll depart SLC on a train headed East! That’s a LONG journey!

[+ VictorPowers]

I would be looking for short routes. Nothing crazy long. No way I’ll depart SLC on a train headed East! That’s a LONG journey!

[RealAvalon]

I would be looking for short routes. Nothing crazy long. No way I’ll depart SLC on a train headed East! That’s a LONG journey!

New York to Montreal was a very nice ride. Clean, spacious, pretty scenery. Maybe its more of a tourist route and less a commuter route

[RealAvalon]

I would be looking for short routes. Nothing crazy long. No way I’ll depart SLC on a train headed East! That’s a LONG journey!

New York to Montreal was a very nice ride. Clean, spacious, pretty scenery. Maybe its more of a tourist route and less a commuter route

[mike carey]

I would be looking for short routes. Nothing crazy long. No way I’ll depart SLC on a train headed East! That’s a LONG journey!

Indeed! On that trip the train journey is an aim in itself. Of course if we were sharing a compartment that would be different.

[mike carey]

I would be looking for short routes. Nothing crazy long. No way I’ll depart SLC on a train headed East! That’s a LONG journey!

Indeed! On that trip the train journey is an aim in itself. Of course if we were sharing a compartment that would be different.

[+ not2rowdy]

Maybe a “premium” bus service would be an option. Here are some links:

 

Megabus

https://us.megabus.com

Miami to Boston

 

BoltBus

https://www.boltbus.com/where-we-go/

Wash DC to Boston

 

LimoLiner

https://www.limoliner.com

NYC to Boston

 

Vamoose Gold

https://www.vamoosebus.com

NYC to Wash DC

 

BestBus

https://www.bestbus.com

Wash DC to New York

 

And something closer to home:

https://saltlakeexpress.com

[+ funguy86]

I have had good luck with Boston to New York (about 4 hours) unless you use the Acela which is more expensive. The Boston to DC was too long

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

And don't forget Vonlane around the Texas Triangle... They run a GREAT service.

 

http://www.Vonlane.com

[mike carey]

Indeed! On that trip the train journey is an aim in itself. Of course if we were sharing a compartment that would be different.

@liubit, what did you not like about my post?

[liubit]

@liubit, what did you not like about my post?

Sorry, @mike carey, I meant to put a smile, but my stupid finger pressed the wrong emoji. Thanks for pointing it out to me, it is now corrected.

[marylander1940]

As I become older and wiser, I try to alter the way I do things in this world of hiring. Winter I feel will be right around the corner and I thought of a good tactic to stay ahead of these storms. Flights can be a mess in many of the east coast cities I frequent. How reliable is Amtrak or commuter rails in the east during winter?

I have only been stranded so to speak 2x with flights being grounded, but that event is always stressful and I’d like to be more calculated in my travel arrangements.

 

depends... I would suggest you only take Amtrak if you're going from DC to NYC or from there to Boston, but schedules and distances make no sense if you're going every where else. Buses take longer, for example Amtrak to NYC is 3 1/2 hours but a bus is at least 5 and you might ran into traffic.

 

Avoid Greyhound at all costs! That must be your last choice. Megabus keeps expanding in the East Coast and is reliable, always double check the schedules of the Chinese Bus and the size of luggage allowed for check in.

 

I would wait to see how the weather is while being aware of alternatives.

 

Sometimes in Washington we don't have snow during the winter. If a storm is coming you'll get a warning and Delta ( you're based in SLC and I guess that's your choice) will give you a waiver to chang your flight. You can stay till after the storm or take Amtrak/Delta before it hits. In this part of the country 90% of the time the weather comes from the West and we know exactly what's coming.

Edited July 18, 2019 by marylander1940

[+ Charlie]

Flying makes no sense in the northeast for any trip under 300 miles. Trains don't make sense for most trips over 500 miles. Buses only make sense for trips under 150 miles. In bad weather, trains are more reliable than the other two.

[+ WilliamM]

Flying makes no sense in the northeast for any trip under 300 miles. Trains don't make sense for most trips over 500 miles. Buses only make sense for trips under 150 miles. In bad weather, trains are more reliable than the other two.

 

If you are really going to Boston suburbs, rather than the city, some trains stop at the Route 128 station. And one train a day stops at Worcester and later Framingham.

[+ VictorPowers]

I’m not really interested in Busses I’m mainly inquiring about train routes. I don’t want to waste a whole day on the train so likely just short distances.