Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 11:20     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
The buses leave every hour or so— there’s no way it’s “easier” to drive yourself than take a bus. If you don’t like buses that’s fine but different.
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 10:10     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Exactly. We took a bus once from Bethesda and there was a mandatory stop at the JR Biden roadside rest in DE and the hassle of driving to and through the Lincoln Tunnel.

I like Amtrak almost as much as Pres. Biden. Great subway, metro connections in both NY and DC. Acceptable bathrooms. Not necessarily great WiFi. The ability to walk around and buy coffee is great. Few delays, but some delays.

In the past, we drove and in the distant past, there were $29 shuttle flights I used.

So I have used every way possible and, for me, train wins.

And, as a Manhattanite, you do not want to drive and park a car in NYC…if extenuating circumstances, such as a physical limitation, getting a car with someone to drive you around is the way to go, if possible.


I cant believe people are actually saying they will drive in nyc or dc….that’s utterly ridiculous. You don’t drive in the city.


?

Are people afraid of city driving? So weird.

Anyway, I think posters are saying it’s easy to drive to the city (rather than take a bus or train or plane), park, and then explore on foot, by taxi, etc.

Nobody has suggested driving around the city (although sometimes that makes sense, depending on where you are going).
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 09:50     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Anonymous wrote:Exactly. We took a bus once from Bethesda and there was a mandatory stop at the JR Biden roadside rest in DE and the hassle of driving to and through the Lincoln Tunnel.

I like Amtrak almost as much as Pres. Biden. Great subway, metro connections in both NY and DC. Acceptable bathrooms. Not necessarily great WiFi. The ability to walk around and buy coffee is great. Few delays, but some delays.

In the past, we drove and in the distant past, there were $29 shuttle flights I used.

So I have used every way possible and, for me, train wins.

And, as a Manhattanite, you do not want to drive and park a car in NYC…if extenuating circumstances, such as a physical limitation, getting a car with someone to drive you around is the way to go, if possible.


I cant believe people are actually saying they will drive in nyc or dc….that’s utterly ridiculous. You don’t drive in the city.
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 09:48     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Greyhound or flix bus out of union station is under $50
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 09:38     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Exactly. We took a bus once from Bethesda and there was a mandatory stop at the JR Biden roadside rest in DE and the hassle of driving to and through the Lincoln Tunnel.

I like Amtrak almost as much as Pres. Biden. Great subway, metro connections in both NY and DC. Acceptable bathrooms. Not necessarily great WiFi. The ability to walk around and buy coffee is great. Few delays, but some delays.

In the past, we drove and in the distant past, there were $29 shuttle flights I used.

So I have used every way possible and, for me, train wins.

And, as a Manhattanite, you do not want to drive and park a car in NYC…if extenuating circumstances, such as a physical limitation, getting a car with someone to drive you around is the way to go, if possible.
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 09:00     Subject: Re:Bus to NYC - what am I missing
We’re going up in April. I hate driving and parking in NYC, so paying for transportation is OK with me. (My wife thinks differently, and I offered to have her drive. She refused. 😀) Buses are subject to the same traffic snarls as cars, so we’re taking the train.
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 08:33     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
We've taken Megabus, Flix bus, and Best Bus out of Vienna to NYC in the past. Not sure if they are still running all of them. Usually around 40ish ea way but timing matters. Some were better than others. Train is nicer but sometimes cost prohibitive for us.
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2026 07:25     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Bus is great because you can sleep, read, do work, watch a movie, and don't have to worry about parking/driving/paying for parking in NYC. The further out you buy, the less expensive
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 22:57     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
I would drive and park, if you have a car. It's not that much more expensive than taking a bus and nicer/greater flexibility.

If you don't have a car - I get it. Bus is the most economical option.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 22:50     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
GoBus from Tyson’s metro is never more than $40 a pop, even short notice.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 18:48     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
BestBus schedule works for us -- we grab in from Vienna metro...
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 18:39     Subject: Re:Bus to NYC - what am I missing
FlixBus is another option. If you are booking for right now, it's about $45-50 per person depending on the time of day. Further out trips and non-weekends are cheaper. Also check Greyhound, which is usually a bit cheaper.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 18:24     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You have to book really far in advance. It’s dynamic pricing. If you do it last minute it’s more expensive. Same with the Amtrak. If you book 2+ months out you can get the Amtrak for $50 each or so.


Each way . Roundtrip Amtrak usually $100+ even in advance, up to around $140 on weekends unless you go pretty early in the morning. .


Not true. I just bought round trip on Amtrak for 4th of July weekend for $75 and that was flex fare


Amtrak is surprisingly affordable and even runs BOGO deals. If you need the most popular time in the Acela then not it’s not cheap, but the regular train is only a half hour slower than the Acela. You get wifi and can walk around, get snacks, go to the bathroom, etc. Much nicer than a bus.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 18:15     Subject: Re:Bus to NYC - what am I missing
I’m not sure what bus you are loonkig at but WashingtonDeluxe is showing $40 on way.

If bus tickets are over $100 then just take the train!
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 12:20     Subject: Bus to NYC - what am I missing
Agree you need to book early. I recently booked the Vamoose for about 40 each way for a trip in late August.
I’ve used Vamoose many times and never had any issues.