PP here who said I took the train with 10 year old son last week.

If you're willing/able to come at off times, you can get a great deal on amtrak too...

The total for roundtrip passage for my son and I was only $147!

The downside was that our train left DC at 6:25 am on a Sunday morning, which I realize may be too early in the am for some...

On the way home, our train left New York at 6:25 pm and arrived in DC just before 10 pm.

I've taken the Vamoose Gold Bus ($50-60) a couple of times from Arlington and it was very pleasant, although the regular bus is also nice. If you're in DC and taking the bus, stick to DC2NY or Bolt.

Have done the Vamoose and found it clean, comfortable and very safe. I agree about the benefits of having room to move around on the train though. I'd probably suck up the expense and do that until your child is old enough to sit tight for 5 hours.

Love the Bolt bus.

Op here - we live in VA, but my husband will drive us to the bus stop or the train station.

Anonymous wrote:Depends where you live. If in bethesda, the bus is definitely more convenient.

Definitely true. Much easier to take the bus if you're in the Bethesda area (Vamoose bus), versus hauling into DC. I agree that the clientele seems to be mostly young people or grandparents.

Depends where you live. If in bethesda, the bus is definitely more convenient.

I've done both train and bus a lot (though not with a toddler) and the Acela train is fantastic if you're willing to pay the money. But the regular Amtrak isn't all that great to me and I've had so many random delays and there are so many stops that I'd pick the bus over the Acela. But the nicer buses - Bolt or DC2NY are both good (not Chinatown and not Greyhound). They make either one stop or none and generally take 4.5 or 5 hours. Both have nice clientele and are not scary at all (not sure why some people mentioned safety as an issue, it is not on those buses).

I'm not the PP, but I've traveled solo with my 18 month old and I don't think there's any way to do it with less than a suitcase, a diaper bag, and a stroller. It's really not that bad, and there's usually plenty of room on the Acela to store things.

I am broke as hell and I would do train instead anytime! I have done it with my DD when she was 2 and recently now that she's 4. I could never do bus with her by myself. Not only it would be harder, but I would also worry about safety.

Train is definitely more comfy, but bus is way cheaper.

My son and I took the train in last weekend...but my son is 10, so your experience with a toddler might be a bit different.

Is there any way to lighten your load at all? I'm just wondering how hard it will be for you to push your son in the stroller plus wheel a suitcase by yourself to get on the train?

Definitely Amtrak. Acela if you can afford it. Both takes you directly into the city, near Times Square. No hassles of having shuttle in from the airport.

Ugh, the bus to NYC is always such a pain in the ass, but it is SOOOO much cheaper. If money is not a concern, train all the way. Especially since you and your toddler can walk around if he gets antsy.

I've never traveled by train before (nor bus in this country). Which would you choose to travel alone with your toddler (one small luggage, one backpack and one umbrella stroller). Also, if we go by train I won't buy a ticket for my toddler (not 2 yet).