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Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton

Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton

JoeTab
#1Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 8:40pm

Have Hamilton tix in a few mos, and I must get back to Philly after it. I really want to take public transp. Have researched a ton, and it seems like I need to get to Penn Station by 11.15 to get Amtrak back to Philly. Or I need to get back by 11.06 to take Path to Trenton or Hamilton Stations, which would limit my drive to about an hour. Was actually in NY yesterday, and I walked from 34th and Avenue of the Americas to 46th street. It took us about 25 mins to get there. We had our kids and we only crossed when the light was flashing "cross", so that slowed us a bit. Does getting from Richard Rodgers (show is supposed to end around 10.45) to Penn Station, with some time to get to the Amtrak platform seem doable? Are there later trains that go to Trenton or Hamilton from Penn Station (I don't think so, but I will look that up again). Just wondering what other options I might be overlooking. Thanks for taking a look!

Alexander Lamar
#2Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 8:45pm

Have you thought about the Megabus? For me, that would be cutting it to close; you never know what could happen, the show could start a little late or get delayed or something....i wouldn't want to miss part of the show because I had to rush to my train. 

.

WDBNYC2
#3Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 8:52pm

That is not your latest option for NJ Transit.  The last Northeast Corridor train to Trenton is at 1:22 AM.  You also have 12:14 AM and 12:43 AM choices.

Adult fare is $16.25 each way, and you can take any available train (unlike Amtrak, where you are tied to what you booked).





Updated On: 8/12/16 at 08:52 PM

HSky
#4Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 8:54pm

If you're driving to Trenton or Hamilton, just take NJ Transit Northeast Corridor local trains. I prefer Hamilton Station, it's only about an additional 10 minutes up Route 1, parking is cheaper, and I feel safer late at night. From there, it's $32.50 round trip. The NJ Transit trains run about two hours past the last scheduled Amtrak departure and you won't feel as rushed trying to get to Penn Station. 

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Cupid Boy2
#5Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 9:11pm

Like HSky, I'd recommend you go to Hamilton station. When I'm in Pennsylvania and want to go into the city, that's how I do it. Completely safe at night.

ravnquest1
#6Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 9:35pm

Updated On: 6/17/17 at 09:35 PM

nolanativeny
#7Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 9:53pm

Or if you're already driving to Hamilton you could drive to Princeton Junction which has even cheaper parking (but it fills up during the day). 

JoeTab
#8Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 10:04pm

Thanks everyone! I am spoiled w/ a 6 min commute to work, and I am not a huge fan of driving at night. But I need to suck it up and just do it. Grateful to have gotten the tix. Looks like I can get to Hamilton Station from Penn Station by 1.36. And then will have a 60-70 min drive home. I can do that. I appreciate your help!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yA9OoW_XgJQndVejRGNHlVNnM/view?usp=sharing

Updated On: 8/12/16 at 10:04 PM

JoeTab
#9Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 10:08pm

Do you purchase a round trip ticket when you are going from Hamilton into NY? Or do you have to get the ticket back at Penn Station?

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Cupid Boy2
#10Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/12/16 at 10:20pm

You can do either or. 

It takes me the same amount of time to get in and out of the city that it's going to take you, and it certainly is really exhausting to not make it home until 2:30 - especially after a 2 show day if you're feeling ambitious! But it's definitely doable and driving that late at night is nice for the sake of there fewer people on the road.

Updated On: 8/12/16 at 10:20 PM

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broadwaydevil
#11Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:15am

I have done this several times when I lived in Philly. If you don't like late night driving I would absolutely take the Megabus or Bolt Bus. There are more options and it's always on time and never runs into traffic at that hour and drops you right off at 30th Street Station.


Scratch and claw for every day you're worth! Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming You'll live forever here on earth.

WDBNYC2
#12Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:30am

Bolt doesn't run that late at night, but Mega could be an option.  However, if you miss the 11:20 PM, you have to wait for the 1:30 AM.  You also must travel on the bus you booked; there are penalties/restrictions for changes.

dev101
#13Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 12:09pm

I live about 30min from the nj transit station in Hamilton. I take the train all the time into New York and it's the best way to do it! Deff buy your tickets round trip so you can catch an earlier train home when you're ready to leave without having to fumble with the ticket machine again. I always fall asleep on the train on the way home and then I've got a little nap before I have to drive home from the station.

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ClumsyDude15
#14Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 12:16pm

I live in Southern New Jersey near Philly and have taken the train from Hamilton station many times. I agree with everyone that it is a good option (also a lot more accessible of a location than Trenton). I usually take Greyhound from Philly to the city simply because to get to Hamilton or Trenton from where I live is a little more complicated without someone driving (since I don't drive) or in the case of Trenton having to take the Riverline from Camden. 


"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.

JoeTab
#15Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 12:31pm

Great, thanks! Have you ever done a 10.45 finish to Penn Station's 11.06 to Hamilton? Is there a closer station to get on the 11.06? Looks like if we don't get on that we have to get on the 12.14.

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ClumsyDude15
#16Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 12:38pm

I'm sure I have, I'm coming up blank on a recent example of that because I usually do take Greyhound. The last time I took NJ Transit to Hamilton station was when I saw Dear Evan Hansen back in April and my aunt had gone to see On Your Feet. I believe we made the later (12:14) train. 

I'm sure it's do-able to get to the 11:06 but it would be cutting it a little close since you'd be heading from 46th to 34th. 


"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.

JoeTab
#17Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 12:43pm

The Mega Bus home seems like our best option. Seems like we should be able to get out, seeing the whole show, and to the bus stop by the time it departs at 11.20. That will get us to 30th by 1.30. Has anyone parked at or around 30th? We could possibly use Uber to get home. Again, appreciate everyone's input :)

Updated On: 8/13/16 at 12:43 PM

JoeTab
#18Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 12:45pm

So you take Greyhound home as well?

Updated On: 8/13/16 at 12:45 PM

HSky
#19Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 1:01pm

Depending on subway timing, if you caught the ACE from.42nd (entrance at 44th) you might catch the 11:06. Boarding.begins about 10 minutes prior to departure. 

BTW, a tip if you do take NJT, I'd get both tickets in advance. Either use the machines at the station or download the MyTix app. There technically aren't true round trip tickets, it's only the city pairs that matter, so you could buy all HAM-NYP one ways and use them in either direction. There's a round trip listed to make it easier to purchase but no.worries if you accidentally hand over or activate the "wrong" half. Just avoid buying onboard, it's a $5 surcharge IIRC.

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muscle23ftl
#20Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 3:03pm

I always take the Chinatown bus to Philly, it's only $6, much faster since it goes right into the Holland Tunnel and it avoids all the Midtown traffic.


"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

Liza's Headband
#21Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 3:54pm

Does the "Chinatown bus" mean Fung Wah??? If so, DO NOT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE. Unless you'd prefer to increase your changes of dying a horrible death thanks to terribly trained drivers and a poorly serviced/maintained fleet. 

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ClumsyDude15
#22Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 4:55pm

Joe - I have taken MegaBus as well as BoltBus from Philly before, and it is a decent option but sometimes can be a bit of a pain in the butt. I do usually take Greyhound (which can also be a pain in the butt as well, but has been a little more reliable) home, yes. I suggest buying tickets ahead of time online because they are cheaper online in advance than day of purchase. 

MegaBus sometimes depending on the bus also drops off at 6th and Market near the Independence Hall Visitor's Center as well as 30th Street Station. If I had to choose between Mega and Bolt, I'd go Bolt - but if you prefer the option of being dropped off at 6th and Market (which when Mega isn't a huge mess) is a good option. 

The one thing that Greyhound also has going for it is Port Authority is on 42nd Street whereas Bolt and Mega are off the grid on 34th between 11th and 12th which can be a pain in the butt to get to. 


"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 8/13/16 at 04:55 PM

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mikem
#23Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 6:31pm

I agree that the Hamilton Station is great.  One issue is that the parking lot gets filled on weekdays pretty early (before 11am or maybe even 10am), and there's no other parking anywhere nearby.  It starts emptying out again in the later afternoon, but I'm not sure exactly when.  But if Hamilton is full, you can go to Trenton, where I'm not sure the garage ever gets filled.  The Trenton station area is more sketchy, but the garage is directly across the street and it would probably be okay. 

 

One issue with the bus is that it could be REALLY late.  NJ Transit is unlikely to be more than 15 or so minutes late unless there's a major weather issue.  The bus has to deal with traffic accidents and a lot more unpredictability.  The only time I've taken the bus to NY, it had to stop to get passengers from another bus that had broken down, and there was also a lot of traffic.  The bus was about 45 minutes late.  I was worried the whole time I was going to miss the show.  But I might have just been really unlucky (and it may not matter so much on the way home as opposed to the way there).  And the bus is cheaper.

 

And Hamilton probably isn't going to let out until closer to 10:50 or 10:55.  If you were lucky, you might get the 11:06, but I think you'd have to be lucky to have it work.


"What was the name of that cheese that I like?" "you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" "well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"

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ClumsyDude15
#24Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 6:47pm

Mike does make a good point - you kind of want to plan for those unfortunate moments to occur. Ideally, you wouldn't have that be an issue, but definitely book a bus that gives you some wiggle room in case of such an incident. 


"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.

HSky
#25Gettting back to Philly After Hamilton
Posted: 8/13/16 at 8:54pm

I definitely second the notion to backtrack to Trenton if the garage and gravel lots are all full. I wonder if nearby businesses sometimes open their lots on special days. I made the mistake once of not realizing it was a Phillies/Yankees weekday matinee in NY and pulled up around 9 at Hamilton with not a single spot open, yet there were endless streams of people coming from somewhere and walking to the station along Sloan Avenue. My second mistake was foolishly thinking I might stand a chance at Princeton Junction with the scattered surface lots. I would have saved myself at least 45 minutes had I immediately headed to Trenton.