Amtrak from Philly to NYC

I%26#39;ve never ridden the train and would like to go from Philly to NYC in October using it. Most of the schedule says no luggage service. Can you take carry ons? Where are they put?

Do I need to purchase tickets ahead of time and have them mailed to me in Texas? Are schedules reliable so that I could return to Philly Sat. morning and fly home Sat. afternoon late?

Any other tips to make the trip pleasant? I am looking forward to a new adventure.

Amtrak from Philly to NYC

1%26gt; You can take carry-ons, there are racks overhead of your seats...

You should purchase tickets ahead of time to ensure availability at the time you want. You don%26#39;t need to have them mailed, there are kiosks at the station where you can print them out by swiping the CC you used to pay.

Budget allowing, if the cost differential is not too bad, splurge for business class. More comfy seats!

You can book Acela too, which is really nice, but I don%26#39;t think is worth the premium for a 2 hour trip.

Amtrak from Philly to NYC

I took the Amtrak train to NYC when I was in Philly a couple of weeks ago (my first time, too). I made my reservation on their website (different departure times cost different amounts...by comparing price and schedules, I was able to find the cheapest options that still fit my needs). Tickets ran approximately $45 to $125 each way. I presented my reservation confirmation at the station and got my tickets right before I left. It was all very easy. Ride was comfortable and took a little over an hour each way. Can%26#39;t wait to do it again next time I%26#39;m in Philly.

Used to commute on Amtrak from Philly to NY daily. Wanted to comment on the reliability of the schedule: for the most part Amtrak trains run pretty close to on time (within a few minutes); if there are delays due to equipment or rail problems they usually don%26#39;t last for more than 20 minutes to an hour. Sometimes weather wreaks havoc (snow, freezing temps or lots of rain) but October should be fine. There IS work going on on the northeast corridor tracks which may affect schedules somewhat--if you book on Amtrak%26#39;s website there should be info posted about this. Be aware that weekend service is not as frequent as weekday service. If you train back to Philadelphia in the morning (arriving before noon) you should be fine for a late afternoon departure from the airport. Since you%26#39;ll be arriving at 30th St., you can go straight from there to the airport on the R1 regional line.

Can I take a 28'; bag on the train?

here is the link to baggage carry on rules

www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer…

Just what I needed. Thank you.

Does the train have overhead compartments for bags or are those larger cases placed by your seat. Hard to imagine carrying something that large on to a train but I%26#39;m glad it can be done.

Thanks again.

If I recall correctly theres an area near the door of each car for larger luggage. I know there is in the Business Class cars, I am not 100% sure about coach.

I was in coach, and there was an overhead rack for bags.

I was reading the responses. I have a question. We bought ticked to take my son to Yankee stadium next week. I was alittle (well alot) naive about hotel expenses. My husband has since been laid off. Does anyone have an idea of the very cheapest yet safest way to come to NYC/Yankee Stadium from Ohio (we are driving). Should I stay in Jersey or in Philly? Any hotel suggestions, I am doing this broke and without previously traveled to either place. But what the heck, they are going to tear down the stadium and I want to give my husband and son this great memory. ANY HELP would be awesome.

runs4sons,

What%26#39;s your budget for accomodations?

pimple cure

12 million to renovate the Pagoda?

Did I hear this right? WOW!...Is that tax dollars?

I mean, sure, we all love to look up at the Pagoda, but what has it done for you recently?

Im just thinking that kinda money could renovate a high school, build a museum, etc.

Recommendation for lounge?

Hi, I need some help please!

My wife%26#39;s got 2 girlfriends coming down for a girls night out on Friday night. They%26#39;re all right around 30 years old.

After dinner at Melting Pot (Center City - 12th %26amp; Filbert), they%26#39;re looking to hang out and get a few drinks at a lounge.

They%26#39;re not looking for the club scene. Just a place, that%26#39;s hopefully not too far from Melting Pot, that offers drinks and music, and not full of 21 year olds. In case it helps, they all tend to favor Top 40 hiphop (either current or some from the 90s and early 00s), so please no jazz lounges!

Thanks in advance!

Recommendation for lounge?

You might want to check out the Apothecary Bar at 102 S. 13th Street. Low key place with lots of interesting cocktails.

Recommendation for lounge?

The ';see and be seen'; place in the summer is the Continental rooftop bar (18th %26amp; Chestnut). I love it in the summer- the crowd is generally 20%26#39;s-30%26#39;s.

The only drawback is that it can get crowded- if there is a line outside, you can bet that the roofdeck will be so packed you won%26#39;t be able to move, let alone get a drink.

I second Apothecary, and I would also recommend Tria (2 locations) if they are wine drinkers.

I like Alma de Cuba around 16th / Walnut. After the dinner crowd has slowed down it%26#39;s a really cool place to hang out and still be able to carry on a conversation without having to yell. I like to head all the way upstairs where it%26#39;s more quiet than downstairs...it%26#39;s just a really chill place with a cool atmosphere. From the Melting Pot it is maybe 15 minutes walk? Not the closest, but a cool place with great mojitos.

What is going on?

What is going on the weekend of 10/11-10/12 in Philly? The hotel rates seem to be through the roof even on Hotwire. Want to take the BF to Budakkan for dinner and stay overnight for his 40th. Any suggestions? Are there any decent and safe hotels just outside the City that are a reasonable cab ride, have a shuttle service to downtown or located somewhere near public transporation? Thanks.

What is going on?

That is Columbus Day weekend

What is going on?

What is your idea of ';through the roof';?

On hotwire I see a 3 and 1/2 * for $136 in Center City West

Would that fit the bill for you? I%26#39;m no hotwire expert but it seems at least reasonable.

Allentown Fair

Can someone tell me about the Allentown Fair? What is there to do if you don%26#39;t buy tickets for the big entertainment? Or if we do buy tickets, is sitting in the section under the roof too far away to see anything? my daughter-in-law has a bad back and I%26#39;m wondering if everything requires a great deal of walking.

Thanks,

Betty

Allentown Fair

The Allentown Fair is an agricultural/carnivalon a grand scale. It as pretty big name entertainiment, but also has a midway with rides, games of chance, and lots of food. The fairgrounds itself is a good size approximately three blocks by two blocks. There is the agricultural ares where you can see cows, pigs, chickens, etc and produce, baking contests, things like that, then there is the rides and food,etc. and the beer gardens in one corner of the grounds. As for the concert venue it is located on what used to be a horse track. I think it holds maybe 7000. The grandsstands are old but there is a handicapped area. If you call the office they are usually quite helpful. There is a good deal of walkiing involved depending on how much you want to see. Or if you just wanted to see a show there is infield parking where you do not have to walk very far.

First weekend in October?

I%26#39;m planning to travel to Gettysburg the first weekend in October, arriving Friday the 3rd and checking out Monday the 6th. I%26#39;ve been checking some of the in-town hotels online and there are no available rooms. Anyone know what%26#39;s going on? We really want to stay in town so we can walk. Thanks!

First weekend in October?

I believe the Apple cider festival is the first and second weekend in OCT. Its brings in a good many people.

First weekend in October?

P.S. A Bed and breakfast is the best way to go when staying in Gettys. Try the Brickhouse Inn...or even the Dobbin house. There are so many within walking distance to most things.

Thank you - maybe it%26#39;s the Apple festival that%26#39;s causing the overflow. The Brickhouse was one of my first picks but is already completely booked. I will call them to see if they keep a waiting list.

There are a few lesser known B%26amp;B%26#39;s on Baltimore Street where you may have luck, as they are often overlooked...

A Sentimental Journey is a World War II-themed B%26amp;B located a few doors from the Farnsworth House and steps from shops, ghost tours, museums and many restaurants. The rates are surprisingly low, under $100/night.

The Tillie Pierce House B%26amp;B is new, and I%26#39;m not sure of its exact location on Baltimore Street - it%26#39;s an historic building (the residence of Tillie Pierce during the battle) and the rates are much more in keeping with Gettysburg B%26amp;B%26#39;s, over $150/night.

Passages Inn adjoins the Ghosts of Gettysburg HQ (though not affiliated) and I can tell you from personal experience, the inn is beautiful and the rooms very comfortable. However, my experience there was less than spectacular in many ways related to service, and I wouldn%26#39;t stay there again. I seem to be the exception, though, as dozens of other guests have submitted glowing reviews of their experiences there - so perhaps my weekend just happened to be an off weekend for the innkeepers. Anyway, their rates are very reasonable (under $150/night) and as of this morning, they have full availability for the 1st weekend in October.

All these B%26amp;B%26#39;s have websites with room photos/descriptions and rates posted. Good luck!