Train fares... A Q?

**Bournecrazy** · 06-17-2009, 08:20 PM

Can someone tell me if $194 is ok for a train fare from Toronto to NYC for 2 adults is a reasonable price, i dont know how much your 'average' fare costs. Im planning my trip and trying to work out costs, also is there a cheaper way of getting between each place other than the train?

**ladykemma2** · 06-17-2009, 08:30 PM

wouldn't flying be cheaper and faster?

**Nana2two** · 06-17-2009, 10:02 PM

Depending on where your flying out of, airfare can be cheaper. My nephew and his wife got plane tickets from PA to CA roundtrip for $310 each.Its well worth the extra 100 or so dollars.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-18-2009, 12:02 AM

The train is not a popular mode of transportation in North America, so you may have trouble finding deals. I assume this is the Amtrak/Via route through Niagara Falls? Supposed to be a lovely ride. You might want to search some travel forums for posts about discounts or specials, maybe package deals. If you are leaving from Toronto though, even regular fare is way less than flying.

**Bournecrazy** · 06-18-2009, 03:48 AM

okay thanks, i was thinking of using the train to travel across county as fly drives are so expensive. Ill keep looking but thanks

**ladykemma2** · 06-18-2009, 06:33 AM

trains in north america are a Really Bad Idea. flying to your destination and getting a rental car would be better.

edited to add: well, i take that back. i went and looked at amtrak and seesm there is good, reliable service in the new york boston, pennsylvania, basically new england area.

here in texas, no way...

**phoeny_moonstar** · 06-18-2009, 09:45 AM

Have you tried greyhound?

**Bournecrazy** · 06-18-2009, 10:18 AM

i looked at flights, its like $150 incl taxes for 2 adults between, OT and NY now that is cheap when you work it out to GBP less than 100

that saying the flight to get to NY is like 900 GBP 1-way

I need to figure something else out if i want to go NY, but i have come accross coach-tours that do the west coast and las vegas for about 1100 each

**Dutchie** · 06-18-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Bournecrazy

i looked at flights, its like $150 incl taxes for 2 adults between, OT and NY now that is cheap when you work it out to GBP less than 100

that saying the flight to get to NY is like 900 GBP 1-way

I need to figure something else out if i want to go NY, but i have come accross coach-tours that do the west coast and las vegas for about 1100 each

check your pm

**ladykemma2** · 06-18-2009, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Bournecrazy

i looked at flights, its like $150 incl taxes for 2 adults between, OT and NY now that is cheap when you work it out to GBP less than 100

that saying the flight to get to NY is like 900 GBP 1-way

I need to figure something else out if i want to go NY, but i have come accross coach-tours that do the west coast and las vegas for about 1100 each

no way, the british airways far houston to heathrow is $305 each way. taxes and everything comes to about $1000 which would be about 750 pounds. check british airways.

where exactly were you wanting to go?

**frugalfranny** · 06-19-2009, 12:41 AM

You also have to weigh what you want.........to see the scenery?....then train and/or greyhound......get there fast and spend time in that city? then fly, and depending on where you are going, 'bus' around the cities.

If you will be traveling in the summer, book your motel/hotel/hostel ahead of time, as much as you can, as they can fill up fast.

**Bournecrazy** · 06-19-2009, 06:04 AM

why do i live so far away

i want to go to NY then onto Toronto (or the other way around) then on to other citys across the country

My parents have just come back from the US and they said the trains are a bad idea as most of them are freight trains they get priority on the tracks and you could be sat on the tracks for hours until these frieghts go past.

I will look at british airways again. maybe i missed something

**pat in east texas** · 06-19-2009, 10:47 AM

We take the train (Amtrak) whenever possible. Sometimes the cost is equal to or a little more than airfare, but it's so nice to get there without being packed in like sardines and treated like baggage. If it's an overnight trip we get a "room". The attendants are great. They can't do enough for you. We arrive at our destination refreshed and gladwe took the extra time.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-19-2009, 12:49 PM

Short trips the train can be nice, particularly between big cities as airports are usually way out of town and train stations are usually right downtown (as is the case in Toronto). My husband takes the train when he has to go to Montreal. When you factor in the time to get to the airport and the extra time wasted having to be there waiting for the flight, it doesn't end up taking much longer. Plus no cab fare to and from the airport, a much more enjoyable experience, and it stops in the basement of his hotel.
For longer distances it's just too time consuming though.

**frugal.lass** · 06-22-2009, 11:41 AM

I am about 99% sure it will be cheaper to fly from LGA/EWR/JFK into YYZ and back instead of flying YYZ into any of the NY airports. There is more competition in the US air industry so the tickets are cheaper than the Canadian airlines. There are exceptions to this rule but not often.

I haven't taken the train for a few years so I can't comment on the train vs. plane cost.