Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bicycle and train

Cheap travel from Delaware to NYC?

viewofdelft — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:23:54 -0800

What are the cheapest ways to get from Newark, Delaware, to New York City? I'm a research assistant at the University of Delaware and as part of a long and wonkish I-95 corridor project, we've decided to produce a map or informational pamphlet letting students know the cheapest ways to get from here (Newark, Delaware) to New York City.

A few things to keep in mind:
1. Any mode of transportation is fair game (air, rail, highway, seaports, etc.), as is any type of vehicle (plane, train, automobile, bus, shoes, etc.).
2. Be creative, but within reasonable limits of safety (i.e., no airmailing oneself).
3. It's alright if many of the suggested travel methods begin in Philadelphia (and maybe even Baltimore) if these departure points are more familiar to you.
4. Cost is the most important factor, although I don't want to discourage that outlandish teleportation idea you've been waiting to uncork.

After we've completed the map or pamphlet, I'll contact each of the contributors about mailing them a finished product. Thank you.

Bicycle on Northeast Corridor Amtrak?

neustile — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:29:29 -0800

Has anyone successfully traveled with a bicycle on an Amtrak Northeast Corridor train? (Specifically Boston to New London ferry terminal) I am getting all sorts of conflicting information. Some sites just say "no bicycles on NE Corridor." Some say you have to pack it. (How?) I'm looking for someone that has done this recently on this particular route who can give me advice/tips.

Is there any reason this Amtrak trip won't work?

Quidam — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:03:55 -0800

This summer I'd like to take the Amtrak from Cincinnati, OH to Holland, MI, by way of Chicago, and I'd like to take my bike. Help me figure this out. Probably some time in July, I'd like to visit from friends in Holland, MI. Partially because of the price of gas, partially because I'm familiar with Holland and I know it's bikeable, and partly because, uh, I think it'd be kind of fun to take a train, I'd like to take the Amtrak, and bring my bike.

A search for train schedules on the Amtrak website shows that the train would probably leave Cincinnati about 1:10am, get into Chicago at 10:35am, leave Chicago again at 5:45pm (bonus! 7 hours of free time in Chicago!), and get into Holland at 5:45pm. Essentially reverse and repeat on the way back, with the train leaving Holland at 8:20am and getting into Cincinnati at 3:17am.

I guess I'm sort of trying to figure out if this is feasible/if there's any reason this would be a really bad idea, assuming: a) while I've been on a train before, I'm not an experienced train traveler, and b) I'm a 5'2" 21 year old female.

But I mean, I can take care of myself. I guess my concerns more specifically are:

1) How difficult will it be for me to get the bike on and off the train (yes, I've seen this on the Amtrak site.)

2) Surely there's somewhere at Union Station in Chicago I can check a bike for 7 hours, right? Will that be complicated/expensive?

3) Ought I be concerned at all about boarding/leaving the Amtrak at 1:00am or 3:00am? I guess I'm asking about the general sketchiness of Amtrak stations, especially really late at night.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks Askmefites!

A bicycle for the bus/train/plane

airguitar — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 09:02:05 -0800

How do you take your bike along when you ride the bus/train/plane? Checked baggage? Carry on? In a box? As is?

I'm looking to get a new bike, but I want something that travels well. Ideally something that assembles/breaks down in a few minutes with little tools, if any. Something where I can peddle to the Amtrak, throw the bike in a bag, ride, unboard, reassemble, and jump back on the bike in quick time. Any ideas?