New Jersey to New York metro-type train

[tyniknate]

We are looking to take a metro-type train (like we use in Washington DC) from New Jersey to New York in the beginning of December. There will be about 20 of us, so something economical if possible. Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for?

When I google I get a ton of information, but I'm not familiar with the area as I've only been there once. We would be driving from central Pennsylvania to somewhere in New Jersey. Would like to park the cars and then take some form of transportation into the city for the day.

Can anyone help me? What transportation system should I be looking at?

 

[dgthree]

We are looking to take a metro-type train (like we use in Washington DC) from New Jersey to New York in the beginning of December. There will be about 20 of us, so something economical if possible. Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for?

When I google I get a ton of information, but I'm not familiar with the area as I've only been there once. We would be driving from central Pennsylvania to somewhere in New Jersey. Would like to park the cars and then take some form of transportation into the city for the day.

Can anyone help me? What transportation system should I be looking at?

I live in NJ, and to be honest, I have never taken a train into NYC from NJ for commuting (I did take an Amtrak train out of Newark Penn Station, which stopped at NY Penn, but that was just a stop along the route). Most of the time, I take the bus.

The commuter rail would be NJ Transit, I think, but I don't know exactly how it works (I hear stories of going to Jersey City & transferring to a PATH train into NYC, but really, since I've never done it, this is just hearsay). Maybe you can glean some good information off their website, though.

 

[artesian]

Depends where you live. Will be easy if you can tell us what area you are from. This way can recommend stations and direct train lines to use. There are some lines that you will need to change tracks to make it into NYC. Also will be helpful what part of NYC you need to reach

 

[dawnhaze]

NJ Transit rail service sounds like it might be what you're looking for. The NJT website has a clickable map of their rail system that shows the different color rail lines, where they go, and station info like parking. Fares vary depending on the length of the trip.

 

[NYCDiane]

NJ Transit goes from NJ into Penn Station. I'm not sure of the cost --- I took it only once about 8 years ago and it wasn't too expensive.

Also, what about the PATH train?? Can't get much more economical than that!

 

[mcorbo]

Depends where you live. Will be easy if you can tell us what area you are from. This way can recommend stations and direct train lines to use. There are some lines that you will need to change tracks to make it into NYC. Also will be helpful what part of NYC you need to reach

Yes, knowing where you are traveling to in NJ will help. Would you be traveling to the Philadelphia area, Trenton? from the Poconos? Assuming that the destination is New York City.

The easiest and probably the cheapest is to drive to the NJ Transit station in Secaucus where you can take a quick direct train into Manhattan.

 

[Gracie09]

Park in Harrison (outside of Newark) and take the path. Or park in secaucus and take the nj transit.

 

[amcnj]

Go to njtransit.com and you can view a map of the various rail lines and where they start and stop. Then you can determine which line suits your needs best. The site also has info on each station and the parking there (found under Rider Tools). I know people who take the line originating in Trenton to NYC. They park at the Hamilton station, which is not too far into NJ.

Path trains also connect NY to NJ, but run basically only to Newark, Jersey City or Hoboken in NJ. They are operated by the port authority of NY and NJ. If you are interested in possibly driving that far into NJ, search for PATH (or info about them can be found on panynj.gov and look for PATH).

The PATH routes are also marked on the NJ Transit site rail map so you can see how they tie in with the NJ Transit train routes.

 

[artesian]

Yes, knowing where you are traveling to in NJ will help. Would you be traveling to the Philadelphia area, Trenton? from the Poconos? Assuming that the destination is New York City.

The easiest and probably the cheapest is to drive to the NJ Transit station in Secaucus where you can take a quick direct train into Manhattan.

OP has Hardyston as the city they are from. Way up north so will be a drive down a bit. I'm no ace of those lines but I would think coming from there you can grab Glen Rock Main Line. Looks likes it about a 60 mins trip going through Secuacus street station. You will need to jump in Secaucus to the corridor to get into Penn station

 

[Cristy]

I go to NYC from PA. I take 78 from PA thru NJ. There is a Courtyard Marriott on Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ. There is a parking garage adjoining it, and the PATH (like DC Metro) is located under the parking garage. It is near the Holland Tunnel. The PATH location is NEWPORT and it will take you to Manhattan. We usually get the exit at Radio City.

 

[amcnj]

OP has Hardyston as the city they are from. Way up north so will be a drive down a bit. I'm no ace of those lines but I would think coming from there you can grab Glen Rock Main Line. Looks likes it about a 60 mins trip going through Secuacus street station. You will need to jump in Secaucus to the corridor to get into Penn station

Depends where in the city you want to end up too. The Main Line also can be taken to Hoboken where you can take the path train, in case Penn Station is not as good an ending point.

 

[tyniknate]

We will be coming to New Jersey from the Harrisburg area. I'm really terrible with driving directions, so I want to try to keep this simple.

We hope to end up near Macy's in the morning because we are taking a group of kids to see Santa. Then we would like to maybe visit Time's Square for a little shopping, have lunch somewhere (any recommendations?), and maybe see the Christmas tree?

I really have no idea of where we would like to catch the train in New Jersey. Somewhere closest to Pennsylvania, so we don't have to do a lot of extra diving on our own. The kids love the DC Metro, so we thought it would be a good fit if we could find something similar. I also like not having to drive where I'm not familiar.

Does this info help at all?

 

[Razor Roman]

We will be coming to New Jersey from the Harrisburg area. I'm really terrible with driving directions, so I want to try to keep this simple.

We hope to end up near Macy's in the morning because we are taking a group of kids to see Santa. Then we would like to maybe visit Time's Square for a little shopping, have lunch somewhere (any recommendations?), and maybe see the Christmas tree?

I really have no idea of where we would like to catch the train in New Jersey. Somewhere closest to Pennsylvania, so we don't have to do a lot of extra diving on our own. The kids love the DC Metro, so we thought it would be a good fit if we could find something similar. I also like not having to drive where I'm not familiar.

Does this info help at all?

Drive to the Hamilton, NJ train station, it's right off 295, near Trenton. Big parking garage, and fairly inexpensive to park, then take the train from there. It's NJ Trainsit on the Northeast Corridor line, all the north bound trains end in NYC at Penn Station, which is about 2 blocks from Macy's.

 

[janey99]

Drive to the Hamilton, NJ train station, it's right off 295, near Trenton. Big parking garage, and fairly inexpensive to park, then take the train from there. It's NJ Trainsit on the Northeast Corridor line, all the north bound trains end in NYC at Penn Station, which is about 2 blocks from Macy's.

Macys Herald Square is actually directly across the street from Penn Station NY. They are on opposite corners of 34th and Seventh Ave.

 

[dgthree]

OP has Hardyston as the city they are from. Way up north so will be a drive down a bit. I'm no ace of those lines but I would think coming from there you can grab Glen Rock Main Line. Looks likes it about a 60 mins trip going through Secuacus street station. You will need to jump in Secaucus to the corridor to get into Penn station

Actually, first responder is from Hardyston & takes the bus.

OP's location is showing as "Land of the Lost" She said she is coming from Harrisburg area in a later post.

Still liking the NJ Transit website as a good source of info. =)

 

[Anastasia]

Drive to the Hamilton, NJ train station, it's right off 295, near Trenton. Big parking garage, and fairly inexpensive to park, then take the train from there. It's NJ Trainsit on the Northeast Corridor line, all the north bound trains end in NYC at Penn Station, which is about 2 blocks from Macy's.

Ditto to this.

 

[jiminy14]

Drive to the Hamilton, NJ train station, it's right off 295, near Trenton. Big parking garage, and fairly inexpensive to park, then take the train from there. It's NJ Trainsit on the Northeast Corridor line, all the north bound trains end in NYC at Penn Station, which is about 2 blocks from Macy's.

I agree with the Hamilton station suggestion. My DD visits a friend in NYC quite frequently and this is the station she uses. Parking is $7/day and there are several lots and a parking garage. This is a very busy commuter stop so if you are traveling on a weekday then most likely the garage will be full and you will have to park in the lot near the front of the station. The station is very well lit and safe but the waiting room does close at 9:00 PM.
I think the fare is $15 each way. I'm pretty sure we paid around $60 for the two of us the last time we went. I'm not sure if there is a child's fare but you can check for that and the train schedules online. There are several kiosks at the station where you can purchase tickets with a credit card. There is also a ticket window but that has limited hours and closes early. Tickets can also be purchased on the train but with a $5 surcharge.
Trains run quite frequently on the weekdays because of the commuters. Try to find a train that is an express rather than a local. Both will stop at Hamilton but the express skips several stops in Northern NJ.
The worse part is the mess that is Penn Station. Track assignments are not posted until just before departure so you will find lots of people milling around the boards waiting for the announcement. When announced, there is a mad rush to the train especially if it is during commuting hours.
Penn Station is very close to Macy's about two blocks. If you want to visit other attractions/areas, I suggest you download Hopstop which shows you which subway lines will get you to where you want to go. The subway is the quickest and cheapest way to get around the city.