Amtrak

I'm going to be making weekly mid-week trips down to D.C. for a couple of months via Amtrak. Where is the best place to park and depart - Metropark or Newark? Gut says Metropark but wanted to confirm. 

From South Orange/Maplewood, Newark is easier to get to than Metropark .  Plus, if there's some traffic tie-up on the way to Metropark on the Parkway, there's no other option to get around it. 

First thing in the morning, there's a lot of traffic entering Metropark and the parking garage, and it might be difficult to find parking since so many commuters get there early in the morning.  There's a parking lot right behind Newark Penn Station, on the Ironbound side, which is convenient, in addition to other nearby public parking. 

Finally, better take-away breakfast options at Newark Penn Station.

I do this trip pretty regularly and Newark is much better. It takes less time to drive there, there is no Parkway involved, the parking lot behind the station has the car ready when you text ahead and you are home in 20 minutes or so. I did Metropark a couple times and it was a nightmare - 20 minutes to find a parking spot and then traffic on the parkway home.

Thanks so much for the responses. Typically I'll be traveling there after 6pm the night before the meetings and leaving after 5pm the last day of the meetings. Does that change anything?

Assuming it doesn't, which lot in Newark?

I've done both, but prefer Metropark because I can get the Acela there. Also, for me Uber is easier than dealing with parking.

My meetings start at 8am in DC so the only train that would get me there in the morning would be 3:45 from Newark or 4am from Metropark. Not gonna do that.

Employer won't spring for the Acela and it doesn't seem to save too much time anyway - maybe 20 minutes. Hadn't thought of Uber- anyone know the fare from South Orange to Newark Penn?

But you are heading further south for Metropark so even if it might take a few minutes longer, it's a wash in total commute time. And it's less crowded. The Acela doesn't save much time and it's usually 3x more. After 7pm, parking should be easy but I agree that it is congested getting out of the parking lot.

NizhoniGrrrl said:

I've done both, but prefer Metropark because I can get the Acela there. Also, for me Uber is easier than dealing with parking.

You can get the Acela in Newark.  I do it all the time.

conandrob240 said:

But you are heading further south for Metropark so even if it might take a few minutes longer, it's a wash in total commute time. And it's less crowded. The Acela doesn't save much time and it's usually 3x more.

This was my thinking too until I heard of the parking issues. 

There is a lot directly behind Penn Station that is open and attended 24/7. It's well lit and there are plenty of police around -- Newark, PA and railroad police.  I've used it a lot and have come back late at night sometimes.

Looking like $9 per day at Metropark and $22.50 per day in Newark. 6 minutes shorter to get to Newark than Metropark.

Hmmm....

I never had a problem parking at metropark - but getting out of the place can be a nightmare if you come back during the rush hour.  

Enough conflicting info here that I'm gonna try both, Metropark first. Will report back (as if anyone else cares ;-)

On DC business trips I always leave from/come back to Newark Penn - it seems that all Amtrak trains on that route stop there and lots of times I have to change my return ticket. Much more flexibility (for me) with Newark Penn. Plus there are always cabs outside the station if I need to take a cab home.

jimmurphy said:

conandrob240 said:

But you are heading further south for Metropark so even if it might take a few minutes longer, it's a wash in total commute time. And it's less crowded. The Acela doesn't save much time and it's usually 3x more.

This was my thinking too until I heard of the parking issues. 

I hesitate to add anything because it's a sample size of only one, but when I drove the kid to Metropark to catch a midday train, there was sufficient parking by the time I got to the top deck. Your timing sounds even more congenial and might avoid the problems that cleg encountered.

ETA: I cared less when you said it was business, not baseball, but still ...

The business is trying to win the bid to reconstruct the bridge right outside Nats' stadium. There will be baseball involved.   

Hey, good luck! Too bad it's too late to call it the Denard Span.

Ha! Frederick Douglass's descendants would not like that!

jimmurphy said:

Looking like $9 per day at Metropark and $22.50 per day in Newark. 6 minutes shorter to get to Newark than Metropark.

Hmmm....

i pay 14 in newark

Roundtrip Fare is 12 bucks cheaper at Metropark. Splitting hairs now.

jimmurphy said:

My meetings start at 8am in DC so the only train that would get me there in the morning would be 3:45 from Newark or 4am from Metropark. Not gonna do that.

Employer won't spring for the Acela and it doesn't seem to save too much time anyway - maybe 20 minutes. Hadn't thought of Uber- anyone know the fare from South Orange to Newark Penn?

Hi,

I used to take Uber fairly frequently in the morning to Newark Penn. It's less than $20 from South Orange. Just depends which way the driver goes (SO Ave or 280). Since you won't be going early in the morning, 280 shouldn't be too bad. When I would drive to Penn, I usually parked at the Hilton for $20-24.

L_W said:

Hi,

I used to take Uber fairly frequently in the morning to Newark Penn. It's less than $20 from South Orange. Just depends which way the driver goes (SO Ave or 280). Since you won't be going early in the morning, 280 shouldn't be too bad. When I would drive to Penn, I usually parked at the Hilton for $20-24.

Thanks very much!

Hilton is the more expensive option for parking.  The lot behind Penn Station is less expensive (and also well-lighted/guarded/24/7)

is that the Edison lot? Says 22.50 per day online.

jimmurphy said:

is that the Edison lot? Says 22.50 per day online.

One Gateway Center Garage

You can reserve through Parking Panda - right now they advertise $15.00

Ok thanks very much.

I do this frequently (including tomorrow). I am regularly on the 7:15 Acela to Philadelphia out of Newark.

I have tried MetroPark, but the variability in terms of traffic on the GSP plus the nightmare of leaving the parking structure during rush hour has cured me of that (I once spent 40 minutes leaving the parking structure at Metro Park- no joke).

I often take Uber to Newark for about $20. Parking is $22 a day at the Central Parking at 984 Raymond Ave. 

Looking at maps and thinking rationally, driving to MetroPark is a no-brainer.

In real-world experience, I've settled on Newark for overall experience and peace of mind. Call me crazy.

marcsiry said:

I do this frequently (including tomorrow). I am regularly on the 7:15 Acela to Philadelphia out of Newark.

I have tried MetroPark, but the variability in terms of traffic on the GSP plus the nightmare of leaving the parking structure during rush hour has cured me of that (I once spent 40 minutes leaving the parking structure at Metro Park- no joke).

I often take Uber to Newark for about $20. Parking is $22 a day at the Central Parking at 984 Raymond Ave. 

Looking at maps and thinking rationally, driving to MetroPark is a no-brainer.

In real-world experience, I've settled on Newark for overall experience and peace of mind. Call me crazy.

The lot behind the station is $14 if you get there prior to 7am, i think. I usually am. When I am not it runs about $17 or $22. Way cheaper and easier to get in and out of than the Hilton lot. There is a Starbucks in the Hilton, some decent breakfast places, and it is just a livelier and more dynamic place to wait for a train.  I will be there tomorrow morning taking a 6:30 to DC.

I'll have to try hanging out in the Hilton. With the colder weather, the inhabitants of Newark Penn are getting a little more friendly. I frequently get approached while waiting on line for coffee at the Dunkins.

By the way, one correction- the parking lot is an Edison Park Fast, not a Central Parking, and yes, the early bird is $14/day. I really like the text-ahead function for pickup, but I've found it works better if I text 20-30 minutes vs. 5-10.

The Starbucks is next to the Hilton, although I believe it is owned by the Hilton. One of the few Starbucks without a restroom. They used to let people use the Hilton restroom, but they stopped that. I believe that Metro Cafe has one. Good breakfast choices too. (Sometimes our choices need to be made by where we can pee, because God knows it's better than Penn Station.)