Hello, what are some people’s opinions on whether to do Amtrak (Acela) or drive the car, to attend Tiger Tuesday at Princeton (mid-February) from Boston?
Let’s assume that price is not a differentiating factor, because we have some saved Amtrak miles and good gas mileage with reasonable gas prices. What are some other things to consider?
Specifically, will parking be a problem once we get to Princeton, e.g. because of snow? Are there reasons we would want access to a car while at Princeton? Is the time really as close a call as it seems (about 5.5 hours each way whatever method)? It would be one adult and one teen. I’m leaning toward the train because of sleeping and doing email and so forth, but leaning toward the car for flexibility/timing and being able to stop for food whereever/whenever we feel like it.
I have done the drive in July and it was very simple, but this will be February. I’ve also done the train years ago, before the Acela was invented, and DS has done the Acela more recently.
The train is pretty convenient and you don’t have to worry about the weather. Depending on where you are staying, you don’t need a car. However, you can always take a taxi or Uber if you need to get around town.
Definitely take the train: Amtrak to Trenton, NJ Transit from Trenton to Princeton Junction, Dinky from Princeton Junction directly to the campus. It’s not easy to find parking spaces in Princeton and they’re all metered. Also, everything is within walking distance.
Or you can Amtrak to Newark. Not sure which is easier. From Newark, njt to Princeton junction. Dinky to Princeton. If you go on the njt website you can plug in times.
Thank you! The couple of times DS has done this, and when I did it in the ancient days, we took Amtrak to NYP (Penn Station in New York City) and then New Jersey Transit to Princeton Junction.
It is appealing to me to have the trip to sleep or do email or whatever on Amtrak, but concerning in terms of not being on our own schedule in case we wanted to stay for one more session or something, or stop at a restaurant for a meal. Probably a toss-up in the end? But maybe driving is worse in winter due to the snow, yes.
ETA - either way, we’d do it as a day trip. So no hotel, though we’d have a backpack of stuff with us, I presume.
Penn station is an option, too. I am not sure which of the options is easiest. I guess whichever one take you closest to Princeton, and has the best transfer times to njt.
Day trip? Wow, that’s kind of rough. Not sure how much time that would leave you at Princeton if you took the train, however, driving 11 or 12 hours with stops is a lot.
You and your parent are more than welcome to stay with me here at Princeton! My next door neighbor took a semester off and I was given access to his room, so I can host guests!
@Homeless2Princeton - thank you so much! You’re very kind. Please save that offer for someone coming from a bit further, because we will be able to get back home the same day. 