<p>Hi, </p>
<pre><code>I live in New York City and I am going to be a freshmen at Mount Holyoke College so I am unfamiliar with what buses to take to go to MHC. Can someone tell me what buses are reliable that can travel from New York City, NY to South Hadley, MA with low cost for tickets. Thanks!
</code></pre>
<p>Sorry, the topic should say, “Buses to take when traveling from NYC to MHC.”</p>
<p>Peter Pan Bus Lines run between NYC and South Hadley, $44 one way or $79 round trip. Google them for schedules.</p>
<p>When I was a student, the Peter Pan only came to South Hadley once per day, and you had to leave Port Authority at some awful time like 5:30am. So it’s also worth checking out buses that go to Amherst or Northampton, and then taking the PVTA to South Hadley from there.</p>
<p>Of course the best way to get home during holiday times is to make friends with someone who has a car and lives near a Metro North stop. :)</p>
<p>Does anyone know what buses goes to Amherst or Northampton? Also, how far, in miles, is Amherst from South Hadley? How far, in miles, is Northampton from South Hadley? Also, do I have to buy a metrocard when using the PVTA? If so, how much is the Metrocard for a single ride? If I took a bus that goes to Amherst, how long would it take to go to South Hadley if I took the PVTA? Also, if I took a bus that goes to Northampton, how long would it take to go to South Hadley if I took the PVTA? Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Anonymous456, you are such a New Yorker! Hahah. The PVTA bus system is free to five college students-- no metrocards. The only bus you have to show ID on is the 43, which runs from U Mass to the Hampshire Mall. I can’t give you mileage, but I can give you the estimated bus trip from Amherst/Noho.</p>
<p>Amherst: 30 mins
Noho: 45 minutes</p>
<p>Basically, you will take any bus that stops on the actual Mt Holyoke campus to get to either Smith or Amherst. The Amherst buses will say “U MASS HAIGIS MALL”. A lot of the time (during the week), you need to take this same bus to HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE and transfer to Smith. It sounds hard now, but you will get the gist of it once you actually get on campus. Stop worrying about it now. You’re creating stress where there shouldn’t be any. Best of luck and if you have any other questions, let me know!</p>
<p>FYI: Amtrak runs from PENN STATION to SPRINGFIELD and AMHERST. The SPRINGFIELD train is 3.5 hrs and the AMHERST one is 4.5-5 hrs. If you are willing to pay for a taxi from the Springfield station to MHC, this is really worth it.</p>
<p>Thanks, polyglotism! It would be great if you or anyone could help me in answering these questions. I was wondering how much is the taxi there? Also, do all taxi cost the same, despite the distance from one location to another? How long (in time) is the ride from Springfield station to MHC? Which one is most closest to MHC, the Springfield Station or Amherst?</p>
<p>Thanks, polyglotism! It would be great if you or anyone could help me in answering these questions. I was wondering how much is the taxi in MA? Also, do all taxi cost the same, despite the distance from one location to another? For example, I am thinking about taking the Amtrack from Penn Station to Springfield and then taking a taxi from the Springfield station to MHC because it’s actually faster to reach Springfield than to reach Amherst so my question is would the taxi ride cost the same if I had gone from the Springfield Station to MHC as when the taxi go from Amherst to MHC? Do both taxi ride cost the same despite the distance? How long (in time) is the ride from Springfield station to MHC on taxi? How long (in time) is the ride from Amherst to MHC on taxi? Which one is most closest to MHC, the Springfield Station or Amherst?</p>
<p>Anonymous,</p>
<p>I take the Amtrak from Philadelphia to Springfield all the time! If you want the most cost-efficient method of transportation (but the most hassle) you can take the Amtrak from NYC to Amherst, then hop on a PVTA bus (if you look college-age and get on one of the purple and orange buses (the 38 line) going to MHC, no charge, it’s free to Five-College students!). By the by, the bus stop is a very easy 5-10 minute walk from the Amherst Amtrak station. If you take a taxi from Springfield, expect it to be around $30 total, tip included. There are cabbies waiting outside the station after pretty much every train, but try to make friends with cars just in case!</p>
<p>I was thinking about taking the Peter Pan Bus from New York, NY to Springfield, MA. Is there a PVTA in or near the Sprinfield,MA area that could take me directly from where the bus drop me off to the MHC?</p>
<p>If you can afford the slight extra cost, Peter Pan runs buses straight to South Hadley (LITERALLY right across the street from MHC). You could, theoretically, take the PVTA from Springfield, but as far as I know nothing runs straight from Springfield to South Hadley. You might have to take one to Holyoke or Chicopee, then find another one to South Hadley. They do have bus routes on the PVTA website if you want.</p>