<p>Do most students from the NYC area take the train home? I went on the university site and saw that there are alternatives, such as Amtrak to DC and then the Metrorail, etc. What is the usual method to get home?</p>
<p>I’m from Long Island. For Thanksgiving and Spring Break, I took the UMD Bus from the Student Union to Port Authority, NYC home and back. It’s like $50 round trip - a great deal. You register for it a few weeks in advance and it runs for all the breaks. One time in October I needed to get home for the weekend and I took Amtrak to NYC. I took the Metro to Union Station where I got on Amtrak. That’s a more expensive option though. It cost me like $120 just one-way (my parents drove me back). Sometimes you can get it for about $48 one-way but that’s going to be a boarding time either really early or really late. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what other train you’re referring to is, since you listed Amtrak as an alternative.</p>
<p>Never take the train home. This is what the Bolt Bus is for.</p>
<p>Are there direct buses to any other metro areas offered through the student union?</p>
<p>Specifically Pittsburgh, PA. I know there is the MegaBus from D.C. proper but it seems like a pain to get to their location. Something direct from campus would be ideal if offered.</p>
<p>There are also buses to Metropark, NJ, and then the NY bus stops in Cherry Hill, NJ (near Philly). The Philly one I think was new this year, so you never know what they may add.</p>
<p>Bornin92: Do you know where I can get information on the bus to Metropark? Does the Bolt Bus stop in Metropark?</p>
<p>I don’t know where Bolt Bus goes…but here’s the page on the Transportation site that gave the info for the Spring Break trip…they will update it for Thanksgiving break next semester but it’ll give you a feel for how it works: [DOTS</a> :: Trips](<a href=“http://www.transportation.umd.edu/trips.html]DOTS”>Break Transportation | UMD DOTS)</p>