How should I get to Providence, RI by train or bus from New Jersey/NYC?

The train is great if you can afford it. You can get on in Trenton, Metropark or Newark.

Hrm. How much are we talking here? Approximately. I’d like to compare bus and train fare. Also, if anyone’s actually done a trip like this I’d like to know how it went. I’ve never had a very long trip via public transporation before.

I second @janbb go – - a Train would be best. Buses stop every 50 feet, at least the last time I traveled by bus.

I have taken the train and it’s lovely. But not in a while so you’d have to look up the current cost.

@Tropical_Willie I had a friend who took the bus from his place in Boston to my house in Jersey and it broke down, which sucked. I’m wary of that too. Buses can feel cramped. A train would feel much better but again – I assume it’s much higher in price. Right?

There are a number of long-haul cut rate bus companies that regularly transit the New York to Boston route. In fact, you might be able to find a cheap charter to one of the Connecticut casinos (partially sponsored by the casinos to attract customers from your area) and it would be pretty simple to meet your friend there – and you could be entertained and warm while you wait to meet him.

The last time I took one of those trips was Worcester to New York City in the mid-70s. I would imagine that things have changed a bit since then …

If you’re planning that bus trip, expect to spend around 8 hours in transit.

I took a bus once from Westchester County to Cape Cod. That was about 25 years ago and I don’t remember it being too bad. I’ve also taken a train from NYC suburbs to Vermont, and that wasn’t bad, also.

Now there are these charters that run out of Chinatown (NYC) to Boston, that are pretty cheap. To get to Providence RI, however, is a bit off of that path. I suggest you google it and see what you come up with. There are casinos in RI and there may be buses to the casinos, as they’re always looking to provide cheap transportation to get people to their places to spend money.

Is it that you lease a car and that’s why you’re concerned with mileage? Because if you have a car, the best and most convenient way to go, especially with this cold, would be your own car.