Boston and New York

Me and the present Mrs Treelo are at the discussion stage on our next jaunt to the US - hopefully in Jun-ish next year. We are looking at combining a visit to New York city and Boston with perhaps a fly drive diversion to Toronto for a couple of days. The question is, what's the best way round - fly to Boston (stay a few days), drive to Toronto for a couple of days and then finish off with the rest of the fortnight in NYC before flying back from there OR fly to NYC, drive to Toronto, then to Boston and back to UK.
We really would appreciate the benefit of your advice as we have only changed aircraft in NYC before and have seen nothing of it. We were also looking at taking in a show while in NYC - any advice? Thanks:)



Moved to Travel forum due to lack of VS subject matter... Nick

[Nottingham Nick]

Treelo

I am a big fan of Boston, so am biased.

We looked at doing a similar thing to you last year (without the Canada bit).
I found that hiring a car in NYC was much more expensive than in Boston. We flew into Boston, picked the car up after a few days enjoying Beantown.

IMHO, You don't need a car in Boston.. in fact it can be a liability, most city centre hotels have a hefty charge for parking. I think the same applies in NYC.

We drove down to New York, and dropped the car off at EWR... I would hesitate to recommend this though, as there was quite a hefty drop off charge and the Dollar depot at EWR wasn't too happy having a Mass. car left with them. [:I]

How about this for a suggestion? Fly into BOS, have a day or two there and then get the train (Acela? ) or fly (Jetblue?) down to NYC, where you can also stay for a few days and do the tourist things. Return to BOS, pick up a car for a week and drive up to Toronto. (I assume there is still no problem taking US rental cars into Canada.. it is a few years since we last did it!).

After a week or so touring, you can drop your car off at Boston and fly home. Doing that you will avoid drop off charges / NYC supplements and only pay for the car for one week.

Just some rambling thoughts.

Nick

Thanks Nick, more ideas to ponder:)

Another question which I forgot till you mentioned EWR. If we do decided to fly to or from NYC, which is best (easiest?) EWR or JFK?

JFK and EWR are pretty similar really, although I do find that I prefer JFK.
Parking, as Nick siad, can be a nightmare in Boston, especially when you've got a Dodge Ram 1500 like we had on our last trip to BOS!:D

Cheers,
VS045

2004 Fle in to JFK we did a week at NYC then took rental car to varous sites in NY state and Pennsylvania inc Niagara falls and then to Toronto

We had to drive back to Buffalo as National would only allow one way rental within USA. Then flew Jet Blue to JFK.

Saved £200 by picking up car from Manhattan rather than JFK and National where significantly the cheaper for droping of at a different location. picked the car up a few blocks from Licoln tunnel entrance to avoid NYC traffic.

As for parking I alway look for the word Valet. Leave the car at the hotel for any local trips. I seem to remember the trams or my legs did the job in Boston but I was a much younger and poorer man when there last.

AMTRAK sounds different(never been on a train in USA before) so that could be quite an adventure. Unfortunately, can't find a JetBlue route from BOS to JFK or EWR, although there will be loads of other carriers I'm sure. There's just something about the train...............[y]

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Treelo
AMTRAK sounds different(never been on a train in USA before) so that could be quite an adventure. ......... There's just something about the train...............[y]

Have a look at this from the Amtrak site.

The Acela Express, I can't remember if we saw it at the train sation at EWR or at Pann station, but it is quite impressive.. if you like that sort of thing [8D];)

Nick

[mcmbenjamin]

Well the Acela Express is currently down as it has brake problems. They say it will be up soon but your guess is good as mine.

Also there is the Delta Shuttle and US Scar-ways (Airways) shuttle. And a Exec. Bus.

will get you links

[Decker]

Love the Acela - feels like 1st on the EuroStar. Was going to use it for travelling from Washington to Newark over July 4th w/e but then thought - Sebring for < $300 for a 4 day rental - drive it

I would leave picking up the car until the end of your Boston/NYC stay and return the car before the start of the Boston/NYC stay. Cars in both towns are a pain due to limited parking and both have a great transport system. This is from someone who chooses to drive everywhere in London! Just remember that parking tickets are handed out liberally in NYC (I think Boston too) and unless you know all the local rules, I think its tempting fate.

It may be cheaper to return the car to the same pick-up point. Acela train between Boston - NYC Penn Station - Washington is a great service (like Eurostar as mentioned before). Slurge on business or first class. You get complimentary food and drink in F. Both classes have fab space for comfort and you still do get to see the country side.

Mind you before returning your car, Mrs Treelo might enjoy a day's drive to Woodbury Common which is an hour north of NYC. It may be a painful trip for your wallet for the designer factory outlets there are great. Thats the only time I hire a car for one day while in NYC. If in Boston, you take an hour's drive up to Maine for the same types of shops but Woodbury Common is really nice.

Treelo said

Unfortunately, can't find a JetBlue route from BOS to JFK or EWR,

I believe internal flights generally fly via La Guardia, this may be why.

g

[honey lamb]

I believe internal flights generally fly via La Guardia, this may be why.

JFK is JetBlue's hub although they do have flights from LGA. However they only fly to Florida and California from BOS.

Thanks guys for all the hints. My experiences in the US is constrained to Florida, Las Vegas, California (albeit from north to south of that state) and the Grand Circle (Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico etc etc taking in the canyonlands and lots of National Parks) so any advice for the NE is gratefully received. Having said that, the Grand Circle trip is one I could heartily recommend. Lots of driving, but well worth it.

Anyone else got any inputs to the proposed NE trip?:)

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Treelo

Anyone else got any inputs to the proposed NE trip?:)

I can give lots of hints in Mass. What sort of things do you want, hotels, shopping, site, sports or eating.. to name but a view?

BTW I will move this topic to the Travel forum, which is a more apt home for it [8D];)

Nick

Sorry Nick, been away for a couple of days (business unfortunately, not leisure!)

Would love some advice on where to stay and where to eat. Intend to fly to Boston drive to Toronto, back to Boston, train to NYC (great suggestion BTW:), train back to Boston and spend the last few days based there. So we'll only have the car - and the associated parking charges - for the drive to, time spent in, and drive back from Toronto (again thanks for the idea)

Bad News guys, the Acela train service or (trains) has been pulled for a short while, due to brake fault.
Also Amtrak is nice, the service is a bit slow but nice.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Treelo

Would love some advice on where to stay and where to eat.

Sorry to answer a question with a question, but what sort of hotel / food do you like?

For the time in Boston without a car, there are numerous city centre hotels, available - at a price. The Sheraton at the Prudential Centre is a particular favourite of mine.

If you want to get out of the city centre, then there is a perfectly adequate Courtyard by Marriott at Brookline (where they play the golf!). It has the advantage of being on the Green line of the T and not too far from the city.

If you are travelling on a bit of a budget, then there is a Motel 6 at Braintree which is VERY close to the Red line of the T, it is also near a great shopping plaza with Best Buy, Borders, CompUSA, ToyRUs, Sports Authority etc, etc. Also in this plaza is one of two Hilltop steak houses, which is well worth a visit if you are a meat eater.

The Motel 6 also offers free parking, but is a fair way out of the city. The T pass offers great value though - it is valid for one , three or seven days for unlimited travel (incuding the Blue line out to the airport) it is clean and safe..but not particularly fast

Cambridge is also worth looking at.. it is only just over the Charles River and well served by public transport.

I could bore you for a while, but will take a break.
You should also consider a visit to Fenway Park.... home of the World Champion Redsox [y][y] Even if you are not a fan of baseball, it is a great atmosphere, we went last year, having bought tickets on the internet and had a great time. All games sell out though, so you will have to book well in advance.

Hope this helps... keep the questions coming.


Nick

Wow Nick, what are you a walking guide to Boston?!?[:p] Let me have a look at your post more closely before I come back for some more. Ta[y]

The other point is that the Boston drivers are mental!
We pick up a 4X4 from Logan and then drive up to Vermont regulary. I would hate to do Bostin anything smaller well, than a Hummer really

take a trip into New Hampshire for the shopping, they have no sales tax on clothing, and other goods.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by AlanA
The other point is that the Boston drivers are mental!

LOL [8D] No argument there, Alan... it is almost as bad as Paris driving round Boston.. it must be the biggest city in the US that doesn't have roads laid out in the grid system.

I do think the drivers in Chicago drive faster though!!

Nick

A trip we have enjoyed is to take the commuter rail from the fleet centre to Salem only a short walk into town from the station.

Originally posted by jaguarpig
A trip we have enjoyed is to take the commuter rail from the fleet centre to Salem only a short walk into town from the station.

I would recommend this too

You've got to watch out for "duck tours" too!:D

Cheers,
VS045

[ChuckC]

Hi Treelo,

I too would not drive from BOS to NYC. Odyssey correctly notes that the Acela service is currently sidelined; however, Amtrak has added non-Acela service to compensate.

If you wait until the end of June to begin your trip, you may end up in Boston on 4th of July when the Boston Pops puts on a "must see" concert in the Shell on the Charles River; it's free and includes fireworks. Speaking of music, if you like classical, the summer home of the Boston Symphony is about 3 hours west of Boston in the Berskhire Mountains; "Tanglewood" concerts begin just after 4th of July. The area is gorgeous and sports many good lodging and restaurant offerings. Check out http://www.bso.org for more information.

Regards,
Chuck-

Thanks for the many, useful replies guys.

Chuck

Unfortunately, work commitments mean we must travel early Jun so will miss what sounds like a great concert. Another time perhaps. We did spot the AMTRAK replacement for the Acela service - looks OK to me[y]

VS045 and DWiles

Thanks for the duck tour and Salem ideas - both are pencilled into the itinerary:)

And the car will be used only for the drive from Boston to Toronto and then returned. I think we had already decided on that course of action. Mrs Treelo comes from London so she understands the problems of driving/parking in a big city. Advice on the best rental location would be appreciated - I'm assuming I don't need to all the way out to Logan to rent?