Getting to & from Atlantic City
The next day I will be taking a bus up to NY to watch a Mets game. Is it a Greyhound that is the cheapest way to make that trek round trip? I've never taken a Greyhound bus so again can I just show up and grab a ticket at the last minute or should I purchase one in advance? Any idea of cost and I've also seen something about getting Freeplay at the casinos. Which ones and how much?
Thanks for any help in advance.
Our resident bus traveling aficionado should be with you shortly with some advice.Quote: ThaMaShaneI'll be flying in to Philly on May 19th. I plan to catch a Phillies game and then take the train to AC. I have read the train will be back up and running on the 12th but the website won't show any of the schedules for that time yet. Does the train run a frequent schedule on a Sunday? Also will it be a problem to just score up and grab a ticket a half hour or so before boarding?
The next day I will be taking a bus up to NY to watch a Mets game. Is it a Greyhound that is the cheapest way to make that trek round trip? I've never taken a Greyhound bus so again can I just show up and grab a ticket at the last minute or should I purchase one in advance? Any idea of cost and I've also seen something about getting Freeplay at the casinos. Which ones and how much?
Thanks for any help in advance.
I think the bus was quoted as being $23 each way.
2 options to AC
Greyhound with casino bus bonus. Its like $20 freeplay. Bus tickets were $30 I think but that was a few years ago.
Or 2nd option is NJ transit to AC bus terminal which is 2 blocks from Ballys. No bus bonus but round trip is maybe $25. They run a solid every 1/2 hour accept nights its every hour. I actually prefer them to go to AC from Philly.
Avoid the trains
AC to NY is probably best NJ transit as well. Greyhound has a new ticketing system that makes it expensive. Definitely get one way on Greyhound and buy the other direction when you return.
For the most part just buy the tickets when you arrive. Especially Greyhound which is now making you pay to change your bus if you dont catch the scheduled time
NYC back to AC there is a $25 freeplay bonus on the Greyhound line
From the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 319. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0319.pdf
The fares are $18.00 and $39.00, respectively. For adults age 62 and children (age 5-11) , they are $8.20 and $17.45. (You might save a lot with "round trip excursion fare." Read about it on the 319 schedule above.)
And to get from Philadelphia to Penn Station on 34th Street: the Septa train goes to Trenton. And the NJ Transit train goes to NY from Trenton.
Quote: ChesterDogFrom Philadelphia Greyhound Station near 11th and Market to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 551. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0551.pdf
From the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 319. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0319.pdf
The fares are $18.00 and $39.00, respectively. For adults age 62 and children (age 5-11) , they are $8.20 and $17.45. (You might save a lot with "round trip excursion fare." Read about it on the 319 schedule above.)
And to get from Philadelphia to Penn Station on 34th Street: the Septa train goes to Trenton. And the NJ Transit train goes to NY from Trenton.
Glad I am not the only one who takes the bus.
Something people on the West coast cant imagine.
The bus, the train, the horror, the horror
Quote: darkozQuote: ChesterDogFrom Philadelphia Greyhound Station near 11th and Market to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 551. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0551.pdf
From the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 319. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0319.pdf
The fares are $18.00 and $39.00, respectively. For adults age 62 and children (age 5-11) , they are $8.20 and $17.45. (You might save a lot with "round trip excursion fare." Read about it on the 319 schedule above.)
And to get from Philadelphia to Penn Station on 34th Street: the Septa train goes to Trenton. And the NJ Transit train goes to NY from Trenton.
Glad I am not the only one who takes the bus.
Something people on the West coast cant imagine.
The bus, the train, the horror, the horror
DarkOz, why don't you just pick him up in your helicopter?
Quote: DRichQuote: darkozQuote: ChesterDogFrom Philadelphia Greyhound Station near 11th and Market to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 551. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0551.pdf
From the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to Atlantic City, I take the NJ Transit bus 319. See: https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0319.pdf
The fares are $18.00 and $39.00, respectively. For adults age 62 and children (age 5-11) , they are $8.20 and $17.45. (You might save a lot with "round trip excursion fare." Read about it on the 319 schedule above.)
And to get from Philadelphia to Penn Station on 34th Street: the Septa train goes to Trenton. And the NJ Transit train goes to NY from Trenton.
Glad I am not the only one who takes the bus.
Something people on the West coast cant imagine.
The bus, the train, the horror, the horror
DarkOz, why don't you just pick him up in your helicopter?
I cant let him see my secret identity. Thats how I manage to keep AP'ing.
I fly in the Batcopter and no ones knows. Its undetectable.
I have to maintain my secret identity
I am Batman
EDIT: according to Axelwolfs fantasies I also fly in my invisible airplane when dressed as a woman.
I am Wonder Woman
Quote: ThaMaShaneSo are you saying take the train from Philly to AC and then take the train from AC to NY when I am ready? Seems like when I looked the train to NY was like 4 times more expensive than the train from Philly to AC but I could easily be wrong.
I think the bus was quoted as being $23 each way.
No. Take the subway from Philly (Spectra?)to its northernmost point. There you can connect to the southernmost point of the NJ transit train that takes you to NY. You pay two subway fares, maybe $8 total. You don't want to go anywhere near AC, which is east of Philadelphia. You want to go north.
You have two choices- Amtrak or the commuter trains. Commuter trains take about an hour longer but save a good bit.
Quote: billryanNo. Take the subway from Philly (Spectra?)to its northernmost point. There you can connect to the southernmost point of the NJ transit train that takes you to NY. You pay two subway fares, maybe $8 total. You don't want to go anywhere near AC, which is east of Philadelphia. You want to go north.
You have two choices- Amtrak or the commuter trains. Commuter trains take about an hour longer but save a good bit.
I got the impression he wanted to go to AC first to gamble then head on to NY.
Yes if he is just trying to go from Philly to NYC then there is no need to go thru AC
Quote: billryanOkay, if he is headed to NY from AC, bus is better. There are some non greyhounds that go to AC from Flushing, which is where the Mets play. If you take the greyhound to the Port Authority, you have an hour train ride to get to the game.
What would those buses be? Got a name or number? I really have no desire to head into Manhattan an hour. I just plan to stay in Flushing/Brooklyn.
Quote: ThaMaShaneWhat would those buses be? Got a name or number? I really have no desire to head into Manhattan an hour. I just plan to stay in Flushing/Brooklyn.
We just called them "Chinatown " buses. There were several companies, but it's years since I left. It shouldn't be hard to find Flushing to Atlantic City bus info.
Quote: darkozGlad I am not the only one who takes the bus.
Something people on the West coast cant imagine.
The bus, the train, the horror, the horror
I love riding on trains. I can't the believe the U.S. doesn't have a more prolific rail infrastructure. I'd do a helluva lot more traveling.
NJ Transit is slower, more expensive and has stops along the way. But as Oz said they are running every half hour to an hour, but so does Greyhound. You get no slot Money from NJT and have to buy each ticket separate from a kiosk or agent booth.
If you are only going to AC to gamble, you may also consider cancelling your reservation at Harrahs and going to Parx or Sugar House Casino in Philly. You could probably get an Uber for less than $30 each way or even rent a car for $30/day.
That's the beauty of the tri-state area, there are SO many transportation options, you can't lose!
Where have I heard this before in Atlantic City?Quote: BedWetterBetteryou can't lose!
Quote: TinManThe buses are convenient and relatively cheap. Port Authority is a miserable hellhole. Most of the homeless people are harmless, but still want to be aware. One part of the actual trip itself I hate is there are usually a few people who buy fast food before getting on the bus and you spend the next two hours smelling Big Macs and fries.
Are you sure the bus companies aren't hiring the homeless in order to add character to the terminal experience? That smell of burgers in the morning could be getting piped into the bus, similar to how some casinos infuse their air with various perfumes. Maybe our resident expert will chime in on the topic.
Quote: ThaMaShane
I've also seen something about getting Freeplay at the casinos. Which ones and how much?
A lot of casinos give freebets, as well as bonuses on the first cash deposit. As a rule, first deposit bonuses are much higher.
I can’t remember specific casinos, but you can check their official sites, on which they usually post all the information about freebets and first-deposit bonuses. Or on aggregator sites that collect casino information in specific states or cities.
Quote: MaxPenAre you sure the bus companies aren't hiring the homeless in order to add character to the terminal experience? That smell of burgers in the morning could be getting piped into the bus, similar to how some casinos infuse their air with various perfumes. Maybe our resident expert will chime in on the topic.
well
not Greyhound as far as the homeless go.
However the Asian buses to the Sands from NYC had a very large contingent of homeless who travelled every day and many 2x per day.
they would be sold their tickets on the return trip to NYC so the homeless would retain their presold seats. the bus company had their seats guaranteed sold in advance, of course.
there often would be angry remonstrations that people must keep their shoes on because the sleeping homeless would want to get as comfortable as possible. they were basically using the buses as sleeping domiciles. The foot odor on those buses could be overwhelming at times
that was a 3 month period for me back in 2013, the beginning of my AP days. I have no idea if things are still the same.
Quote: valku13A lot of casinos give freebets, as well as bonuses on the first cash deposit. As a rule, first deposit bonuses are much higher.
I can’t remember specific casinos, but you can check their official sites, on which they usually post all the information about freebets and first-deposit bonuses. Or on aggregator sites that collect casino information in specific states or cities.
AC casinos have done away with the match play coupons for bus riders. Here is a breakdown of slot free play offers by bus company and location.
Panorama to AC casinos Caesars, Tropicana and Resorts - $30 Slot play with $40 ticket purchase.
Greyhound to AC casinos Caesars, Tropicana and Resorts - $25 Slot play with $42 (weekday)ticket purchase.
Raritan Valley to PA Sands - $35 slot play with $33 ticket purchase.
Lakeland Bus to PA Sands - $35 slot play with $30 ticket purchase.
Transbridge to PA Sands - $35 slot play with $40 ticket purchase.
Martz to Mt. AIRY - $30 slot play with $30 ticket purchase.
Quote: DRichI went from Las vegas to Atlantic City 51 straight weeks back in the 1990's. I would leave Las Vegas on a Sunday afternoon arrive into Philadelphia, rent a car and drive to AC. On Thursday evening I would fly back to Las Vegas.
why did you do this?
Quote: sodawaterwhy did you do this?
Work
"Work"Quote: DRichWork
Quote: DRichI went from Las vegas to Atlantic City 51 straight weeks back in the 1990's. I would leave Las Vegas on a Sunday afternoon arrive into Philadelphia, rent a car and drive to AC. On Thursday evening I would fly back to Las Vegas. Most of the time I stayed at the Showboat. I remember on one of those trips I was sitting at the bar in Showboat around 10am and there was breaking news of the Oklahoma City bombing. I didn't play much or work much that day. The news was too compelling.
Last time I did this, I took the train from Philly to AC.
I enjoyed it, having never been on a proper train before. The guys were wearing conductors hats and everything.
Also, I played dumb games on my phone instead of driving.
Quote: RigondeauxLast time I did this, I took the train from Philly to AC.
I enjoyed it, having never been on a proper train before. The guys were wearing conductors hats and everything.
Also, I played dumb games on my phone instead of driving.
I still remember the ACES train debacle a few years back. A one way ticket cost MORE than a round trip Bus ticket and took an hour longer to arrive with NO slot play rebate. How did they possibly think that would work for AC players?
