Newark to Providence - Do I want to drive?

I%26#39;ll be flying into Newark from Portland, OR and need to get to Providence. The flights seem very expensive for such a relatively short distance. The train is an option. How about a rental car? If I%26#39;m not a New Yorker will the drive from Newark to Providence be difficult?

Newark to Providence - Do I want to drive?

The train is convenient. If you are one person only, it may be simpler than the cost of renting a car and driving alone. The Prov train station is just a few blocks from the center of downtown and clean and safe. There are always taxis out front. Driving is not bad, as long as you avoid rush hour in NYC. It%26#39;s about 4 hours from NYC to Prov (and Newark is about 15 minutes south of NYC.) The George Washington Bridge swings you over the mid-north side of the city (Rt 95)- not through city streets.

The big advantage to driving is the views of NYC and CT and RI- and the opportunity to detour through quaint or interesting areas. But, the cost of a car is so close to the cost of the train that, for one person only, I%26#39;d suggest the train.

Newark to Providence - Do I want to drive?

I would do the train as well there is an acela (fast) or commuter type a little slower. Its chaper than driving and a lot cheaper than flying. Enjoy the views.

Thanks so much for the feedback. Is there a train station at the Newark airport or will I have to go somewhere else?

You can take an amtrak train right out of Newark airport. I would also suggest taking the train like others have said. My family is in northern NJ and I go to school up in Providence RI. I drive back and forth all the time an honestly its a little hectic to drive. There is always traffic/construction between Conn and NY. And the drive up is a little monotonous. Driving through Conn seems to take forever. However if you do drive I suggest taking the 287 to the Tappan Zee Bridge. Its easier than crossing over the GWB.

I take this amtrak train route often and given the choice would always prefer it to driving. The acela is GREAT but the non acela regional trains are nicer than one might think and so only if you have a ton of dough to throw around should you worry about buying an acela ticket.

That said, I have two tips...

1. Purchase your ticket at least three days ahead of time to get discounts available on line - I usually go for the AAA discount. I think its 10 percent which is better than nothing.

2. Try and get a seat on the right side of the train. Meaning if you are standing in the aisle facing the direction that the train is moving, go for a window seat to your right. If none are availabe when you board in Newark, dont worry, a ton of people will get off in NYC and you can switch at that time (dont forget to take your punched ticket that they stick above your seat with you).

----This seat tip really only applies if you travel during the day because from that side of the train, you will get great views of the coastline as the train moves through CT.

In case it matters I %26#39;ve heard it is a long walk from the Airport terminal to the Amtrak station at the Newark airport.

It would be a very long walk indeed but you do not need to walk. The airport has a monorail system and you take the monorail right to the train station. It is all integrated -- the same monorail which takes you from one terminal to another or from the parking lots also services the train station. You can even take luggage carts right onto the monorail.

I%26#39;ll be flying into Newark from Portland, OR and need to get to Providence. The flights seem very expensive for such a relatively short distance

There have been some very helpful replies but I can%26#39;t help but wonder why you did%26#39;nt book originally to Prov???

B.