Business travel between Washington, DC and New York City

[bdk3clash]

Over dim sum TheDaveR (nee sfer) and I engaged in a heated debate over the respective benefits of flying versus taking the train between Washington, DC and New York city.

Specifically, Dave mentioned the greatness of the Delta shuttle service, which takes off every half-hour. I countered with Amtrak Acela Express service, which runs every hour. (Let's assume that since this is business travel price isn't an issue.)

Which is better? I voted train since door to door I think your total travel time will likely be shorter than flying, given that both cities' train stations are very centrally located, while LaGuardia (and to a greater extent, JFK) in New York and Dulles/Reagan (and, god forbid, BWI) are relatively far out from their respective city centers, a problem which can be exacerbated by traffic.

Comments?

[nyc999]

I think this largely comes down to where you live, but I prefer the plane. Laguardia isn't that bad of a trip from midtown and Delta Shuttle has it's own terminal so there are no lines. I once arrived at the terminal at 9:25 am and got on the 9:30.

[Hornacek]

Acela. Getting to LGA is a pain. Penn Station is smack dab in the middle of Manhattan.

I've found that Acela is wayyy more comfortable than planes too.

[r2p]

The Train - no contest. The NYC and Washington airports have probably the highest amount of delays in the US (You have not lived until the Newark 28 planes in line for takeoff happens). The other NYC airports are almost as bad but harder to get to the city. If everthing goes right it is a tie but 80% of the time you will be delayed. I have commuted for years between the two areas and I don't even think about a flight especially if it is downtown to downtown. THe added plus the Acela is far more comfortable.

[mrkilla]

LGA is such a pit I'd rather Fly JFK ,

I guess its where your are and where your going


but what is it 2 hours 45 on train and 1 hour 20 on the plane...

Id rather take the plane, and have to drive, taxi etc where im going atleast i feel like "I'm there"

[lapoker17]

train. travel time is fairly close, but you can talk on the phone and spread out more. BTW, if you are flying into anywhere but National, this isn't even a contest.

[ononimo]

train.

faster door-to-door, particularly during rush hours (assuming midtown Manhattan departure)
lack of airport security checkpoint hassle
opportunity to be more productive en route (for laptop/blackberry/cellphone users)

[turnipmonster]

I think train almost definitely, taking cabs and getting in and out of airports is generally a huge pain. only way it is close I think is if you're renting a car upon arrival.

--turnipmonster

[StevieG]

In addition to the "downtown to downtown" factor, and the far greater comfort for the train, you can also use your phone practically the entire time on the Acela, and plug your laptop into an electrical outlet.

I would say that this distance is about the limit for the train making more sense than flying, though. Washington to Boston the shuttle flights win.

[Reqtech]

Doesn't the Metro go to Reagan? I always fly out of Dulles, but if you're flying into DC, you can take the Metro for Reagan to downtown.

[tonypaladino]

Acela and it's not even close.

LaGuardia is the King Shithole of Shithole airports

[freekobe]

a) Delta takes off every hour. It takes off ON the half-hour.

b) The Washington Post did a big feature on the merits of the train, shuttle, and bus to DC. you might find it if you google it, though it's kind of an old story

c) Depending upon when you get your plane ticket, it will be cheaper than the Acela, even factoring in the cab to LaGuardia.

d) All in all, having done both many, many times, it's very close. In perfect weather, I prefer flying. If there's a chance of rain or snow, I prefer the train.