Amtrak luggage questions NY to EWR

[LWcalif]

I'm not looking for the most cost effective way, but for the easiest way to get to EWR from Manhattan port for a 5:30 pm flight on a Sunday.

 

If I have a ticket, Amtrak will let me check my bags at Penn Station, so I can spend the day in NY without lugging my bags with me, and it's only a 22 min. trip from NY Penn Station to EWR.

 

I will have 2 bags within their 28 x 22 x 14 limit. However, one will be near the 50 lb limit and I can't lift it into the overhead bin myself (I'm traveling solo). On this train there are no checked bags or lower baggage storage areas.

 

If I can find a Red Cap Porter, will they help me get my bags into the overhead bin? Or are they just primarily for helping people with lots of luggage on to the train?

 

Their 3rd bag policy size is 12 x 12 x 12. My 3rd bag is 16 x 11 x 6. I called Amtrak and they said if it didn't meet their requirements I could be denied boarding, even though I would keep the bag on my lap for the long 22 min. trip.

 

Since I'm traveling alone, I don't want to take a chance of not being able to board the train, and having to find another way to the EWR at the last minute.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the 12 x 12 x 12 bag limit?

[njhorseman]

If you aren't looking for the most cost effective way and are looking for the easiest way, then you shouldn't even be considering a train, whether Amtrak or NJ Transit.

 

The easiest way from Manhattan to EWR is to book a car service.

 

If you want to spend the day in NY first, then take a taxi from the cruise terminal to one of the locations of Schwartz Travel and store your luggage there (pick the location closest to the area of Manhattan you want to visit).

http://www.schwartztravel.com/

 

Then after you're done sightseeing, pick up your luggage and take a car service to EWR. Two of the larger services in NY are:

 

Dial 7 http://www.dial7.com

 

Carmel http://www.carmellimo.com

 

If you really don't want to spend the money for a car service, then take the express bus from Manhattan to EWR. It only costs $16, and your luggage will be stored in the compartment under the bus:

 

http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

[138east]

I agree with the strategies recommended by njhorseman.

 

Forget the train. NY Penn Station is very large and complicated and usually overwhelmed with travelers. Not every entrance offers easy access with luggage. At the airport end you have to get your luggage up to the monorail to ride to your terminal and then down to the checkin.

 

Plan to ditch your luggage on West 36th at Schwartz travel. This location is about 5-6 short street blocks from the airport bus, which leaves from the outside street level at Port Authority Bus Terminal. You don't have to deal with the inside of the bus terminal, which is like Penn Station - large and complicated and overwhelmed with travelers. The airport bus will drop you off right at your terminal on the ground level at EWR.

 

A car service would be the easiest way to get to EWR, but would be the most expensive.

[LWcalif]

Thanks for the recommendations! Looks like I will check my bags at Schwartz, and I think I will plan on walking over to the bus.