Are you going to be downtown Philly? I would do the train or Megabus. Definitely do NOT take regular Greyhound - horrible.

If you are going to be in the western/southern suburbs I have a good back-way to drive.

It will take you 3-4 hours to get to the train station, to Philly, into a cab/subway in Philly to your hotel. You are much better off taking the 2 1/2hr drive direct. Most people drive in Philly. It is much easier and cheaper to do than DC.

It will take you longer to take the train then to drive yourself.

I have family in Philly. We make the drive all the time. From where you are it is a little over 2 hours. No more than 2.5hrs anywhere into the city.

When you take a train you have to get to and from the station here in DC and again in Philly. The only transportation in Philly I would take is a cab. Do not like their subway.

Train for sure. I usually take the Acela but took the regional last week and it was fine. Acela is about 1.5 hours to Philly, regional is a little longer (plus the regionals often run late, and true to form my train last week was about 25 minutes late). Regionals are about 1/2 the price of the Acela.

I think if you book the train at least 2 weeks ahead, it's around $25 to Philly. Not sure if it was a promotion or a regular deal.

I live in Suburban VA and take Amtrak to Philly. On weekdays, I take the VRE to Union Station (and back).

Absolutely the train is the way to go. Take the regional rather than the Acela if you want to save some money.

OP again. I'm leaving after work on a Thursday, so don't want to battle the 95 corridor if I can help it.

I guess given my rush-hour departure, perhaps train is the way to go.

I agree with 11:52. I live in SS not far from you. We're both close enough to 95 that it isn't worth the time and effort to get to the train station IMO.

I've made this drive twice in the past two months, leaving SS around 10-11 AM on weekdays. No traffic issues.

The train is really nice but you still have to get to/from the train station on both ends... I live in the VA suburbs and while I have taken the train before, getting to either Union Station or New Carrolton for the Acela is a hassle and makes it almost not worth it.

OP here. Work isn't paying since this is an "extra" conference, so on my own dime. However, do want to take a comfortable option, so not sure about Greyhound.

I remember years ago taking the Boston-NY Greyhound bus, and it wasn't a pleasant experience--plus, there was a drunk guy in the back that had to be escorted off before we departed.

So no Fungwah-type bus here? And why is Megabus better than Greyhound?

Acela or regular Amtrak are nice and get you to downtown. Check for pricing.

I make this trip on my own dime and usually take the bus. Greyhound has the most options but I prefer MegaBus.

If work is paying, take Acela. Easy.

Greyhound has buses from Silver Spring to Philly (making stops in Baltimore and Wilmington). I think it takes about 3.5 hours. Longer than Amtrak, but cheaper.

I've done Amtrak and it's fast and easy and I would do it again, but Greyhound is another option.

I'm new to area, and planning on traveling alone to Philly for a conference in a few weeks. I'd prefer not to drive, since I just want to veg out before the conference. I'm thinking I'll take Amtrak. Any other options I'm missing? I used to take the Fungwah(sp?) bus from Boston to NY years ago; not sure if there's a similar option here.

I live in Upper NW, close to downtown Silver Spring.

TIA.