Hotel to Cape Liberty Ground Transportation

[Jyllie63]

Does anyone know the FARTHEST away from the port you can stay and still get ground transportation? We are coming from Ohio and plan to stay in Allentown prior to the cruise which I know is pretty far away. Just wondering if we stay a little closer would ground transportation be an option? Trying to avoid traffic congestion. Does Uber service hotels that are 45-60 minutes away?

[meadowlander]

1 hour ago, Jyllie63 said:

Does anyone know the FARTHEST away from the port you can stay and still get ground transportation? We are coming from Ohio and plan to stay in Allentown prior to the cruise which I know is pretty far away. Just wondering if we stay a little closer would ground transportation be an option? Trying to avoid traffic congestion. Does Uber service hotels that are 45-60 minutes away?

Check Trans Bridge which has cruise transit service from the Leigh Valley Airport in PA to Cape Liberty & Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, Jyllie63 said:

Does anyone know the FARTHEST away from the port you can stay and still get ground transportation? We are coming from Ohio and plan to stay in Allentown prior to the cruise which I know is pretty far away. Just wondering if we stay a little closer would ground transportation be an option? Trying to avoid traffic congestion. Does Uber service hotels that are 45-60 minutes away?

Allentown NJ or Allentown PA?  Allentown PA is about 90 minutes from Cape Liberty, Allentown NJ about 60 minutes away.

I live Central NJ, bit closer than Allentown... about 45 minutes from Cape Liberty, but I wouldn't consider taking Uber. I've used a limo service when not driving. There isn't a huge Uber presence in this area and it might be difficult to get a ride for that distance.

If you stay closer to the port in the Elizabeth/Newark area getting an Uber will be much easier relatively inexpensive.

[Jyllie63]

1 hour ago, meadowlander said:

Check Trans Bridge which has cruise transit service from the Leigh Valley Airport in PA to Cape Liberty & Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Thanks!

[Jyllie63]

43 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Allentown NJ or Allentown PA?  Allentown PA is about 90 minutes from Cape Liberty, Allentown NJ about 60 minutes away.

I live Central NJ, bit closer than Allentown... about 45 minutes from Cape Liberty, but I wouldn't consider taking Uber. I've used a limo service when not driving. There isn't a huge Uber presence in this area and it might be difficult to get a ride for that distance.

If you stay closer to the port in the Elizabeth/Newark area getting an Uber will be much easier relatively inexpensive.

Sorry…Allentown, PA. I was trying to avoid driving in that area all together 🥴. I’ve done it a couple of times so I’m sure it will be fine. Just not looking forward to it😬. Do you think Parsippany would be a better option for ground transportation?

[meadowlander]

15 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

Sorry…Allentown, PA. I was trying to avoid driving in that area all together 🥴. I’ve done it a couple of times so I’m sure it will be fine. Just not looking forward to it😬. Do you think Parsippany would be a better option for ground transportation?

Parsippany is a much less urban setting than the area around Cape Liberty. Numerous dining choices along US 46. You should not have trouble with Uber service to CL, assuming the hotel allows your car to be left for the duration of the cruise.

 

If you are boarding on a weekend, there should be no traffic issues. On weekdays, if you arrive at the port at 1 pm and later, you will not incur traffic at CL or on the roads leading there.

 

 

[mugtech]

44 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

Sorry…Allentown, PA. I was trying to avoid driving in that area all together 🥴. I’ve done it a couple of times so I’m sure it will be fine. Just not looking forward to it😬. Do you think Parsippany would be a better option for ground transportation?

You can park at the ABE airport in Bethlehem, only costs $3/night and the first 3 nights are free.  Transbridge Bus leaves from the airport the morning of the cruise, about 9 AM.  For senior citizens the bus tickets are $58 each round trip,  don"t know prices for youngsters.  When the cruise ends, the bus loads up around 9-9:30 AM, the ride is non stop in both directions, is about 90 minutes depending on traffic.  The bus trip was only revived this Spring for the first time since 2020

[Jyllie63]

Well, things have changed a bit. I don't necessarily have to stay in Allentown now. The other party I'm with is leaving a day later now, so I can stay anywhere. I'm thinking about the Bridgewater area? I looked at Uber rates and it is do-able, but the previous comment about Uber not being a big presence in that area has me concerned. I really liked the Transbridge Bus, but what I was seeing on their website shows different times than what was posted here. I have reached out to them to find out for sure. I also looked in to a Limo service from the Bridgewater area and it was quite expensive. They did say they are willing to work on the rate for me though. I just need to figure out a hotel that will allow me to leave my car.

[mjkacmom]

I’m going to suggest a hotel in Fairfield NJ, I believe free parking, right off of route 80.

[Jyllie63]

I will check it out! Thanks

[meadowlander]

11 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

I will check it out! Thanks

Trinity Reservations of Hamburg, NJ has park, sleep, cruise packages for Cape Liberty. I believe a location in Clark, NJ is one of their options.

[Jyllie63]

On 8/3/2023 at 2:08 PM, meadowlander said:

Trinity Reservations of Hamburg, NJ has park, sleep, cruise packages for Cape Liberty. I believe a location in Clark, NJ is one of their options.

I looked in to this but it seems Clark might be a little farther/busier than I want to drive. If anyone thinks otherwise, please let me know! 

 

So I want to ask some questions which I assume would be for those very familiar with trains/cabs/buses in New Jersey. I'm not trying to irritate anyone 😁, so if you don't want to answer no worries. I'm sure someone will eventually. 

Is it feasible to take a train/cab to the port? Luggage wouldn't be an issue because my heavy bags can go with my daughter and her family who plan to drive and park at the port. Unfortunately there's just not enough room for all of us which is why I also have to drive. I'm seeing that I can take NJT from New Brunswick or Bridgewater if that's the area I decide on. It looks like it goes to Newark Penn Station and then you take the Path train. I think I would prefer to just take a cab from Newark Penn. Would this make sense or am I way off on the planning here? I'm not necessarily looking to for cheap as I am reliable and I don't want to worry about getting an Uber or Lyft from the hotel. Although Piscataway seems to be in a pharmaceutical business area so maybe transportation would be plentiful? I really wish the Trans Bridge schedule in Allentown was a little earlier 🙃

[meadowlander]

59 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

I really wish the Trans Bridge schedule in Allentown was a little earlier 🙃

Numerous posters from Pennsylvania have had good experiences with Trans Bridge. The bus arrives at Cape Liberty at 12:30. Arrival times for cruises out of Bayonne are not enforced, not looked at. If you have a pre noon arrival time you can arrive later in the day just as you can arrive at the terminal at 10 am with an afternoon arrival time and be allowed onto the ship in order of those who arrived before you and are waiting inside the terminal.

 

You can take NJ Transit train to Newark Penn Station. PATH trains do not go to Cape Liberty, so you would Uber or taxi. Estimate $30-35.

 

You still have to leave you car somewhere. If the hotel you stay at does not allow you to park while cruising look into the parking garage in Hamilton NJ which is adjacent to the NJ Transit train station. Another parking garage next to a NJ Transit station is in Ramsey NJ which is much cheaper.

 

NJ Transit from Hamilton should be direct to Newark Penn. From Ramsey, you will have to transfer at Secaucus Junction.

 

Last option, contact La Quinta on route 3 east  in Clifton NJ. This is the closest location of the 3 to Bayonne. You may not feel comfortable driving, route 3 is a very busy highway. Ask if they allow you to leave your car while cruising. Uber would transport you to Cape Liberty, budget at least $40.

[Jyllie63]

12 hours ago, meadowlander said:

Numerous posters from Pennsylvania have had good experiences with Trans Bridge. The bus arrives at Cape Liberty at 12:30. Arrival times for cruises out of Bayonne are not enforced, not looked at. If you have a pre noon arrival time you can arrive later in the day just as you can arrive at the terminal at 10 am with an afternoon arrival time and be allowed onto the ship in order of those who arrived before you and are waiting inside the terminal.

 

You can take NJ Transit train to Newark Penn Station. PATH trains do not go to Cape Liberty, so you would Uber or taxi. Estimate $30-35.

 

You still have to leave you car somewhere. If the hotel you stay at does not allow you to park while cruising look into the parking garage in Hamilton NJ which is adjacent to the NJ Transit train station. Another parking garage next to a NJ Transit station is in Ramsey NJ which is much cheaper.

 

NJ Transit from Hamilton should be direct to Newark Penn. From Ramsey, you will have to transfer at Secaucus Junction.

 

Last option, contact La Quinta on route 3 east  in Clifton NJ. This is the closest location of the 3 to Bayonne. You may not feel comfortable driving, route 3 is a very busy highway. Ask if they allow you to leave your car while cruising. Uber would transport you to Cape Liberty, budget at least $40.

You have been so helpful! Thanks so much!

 

[Jyllie63]

I may be changing plans yet again. One of my customers at work is a truck driver and told me how high the PA turnpike tolls are. I'm not sure if paying over $100 in tolls each way is worth saving 25 miles. Since I'm coming from Ohio, I can go I-80 across. Does anyone here have an opinion on either route? I can stay in Rockaway and still get a Lyft or Uber. Their train schedule isn't great, but its still an option if I decide to save a bit of money. 

My husband and I used to talk about these things before trips, but he passed away a couple of years ago so now I'm trying to figure it out myself 😬

[meadowlander]

3 hours ago, Jyllie63 said:

I'm not sure if paying over $100 in tolls each way is worth saving 25 miles. Since I'm coming from Ohio, I can go I-80 across. Does anyone here have an opinion on either route? I can stay in Rockaway and still get a Lyft or Uber. Their train schedule isn't great

I would take the route that charges less in tolls especially since it is only a 25 mile saving and you are not under a time constraint.

 

I am not aware of NJ Transit service from Rockaway though Denville, Dover & Mt. Tabor stations are nearby. From the NJ Transit trip planner, you would transfer from train to NJ Transit bus to get to Newark Penn. I think you are making it difficult for yourself.

 

Bridgewater, New Brunswick, Edison all have direct NJT train to NPS. Metropark in Iselin has direct train service & a parking garage.

 

If your cruise sails on a weekend, you would not incur traffic driving directly to Bayonne, if that is your concern.

 

 

 

 

[Jyllie63]

16 minutes ago, meadowlander said:

I would take the route that charges less in tolls especially since it is only a 25 mile saving and you are not under a time constraint.

 

I am not aware of NJ Transit service from Rockaway though Denville, Dover & Mt. Tabor stations are nearby. From the NJ Transit trip planner, you would transfer from train to NJ Transit bus to get to Newark Penn. I think you are making it difficult for yourself.

 

Bridgewater, New Brunswick, Edison all have direct NJT train to NPS. Metropark in Iselin has direct train service & a parking garage.

 

If your cruise sails on a weekend, you would not incur traffic driving directly to Bayonne, if that is your concern.

 

 

 

 

Yea I’m beginning to think you are right. Driving to the port is still an option, just not one I like very well. I don’t understand why I can get to the port without getting on the bridge, but not when I leave the port. 🥴

[njhorseman]

24 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

Yea I’m beginning to think you are right. Driving to the port is still an option, just not one I like very well. I don’t understand why I can get to the port without getting on the bridge, but not when I leave the port. 🥴

What bridge do you think you have to cross when you drive home that you don't have to cross on your drive to the port ? Sounds like you're mistaken. 

[Jyllie63]

23 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

What bridge do you think you have to cross when you drive home that you don't have to cross on your drive to the port ? Sounds like you're mistaken. 

I’ve driven it twice and have been a passenger twice and we have never crossed the same bridge going as we do leaving. Not sure why🤷‍♀️

[njhorseman]

10 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

I’ve driven it twice and have been a passenger twice and we have never crossed the same bridge going as we do leaving. Not sure why🤷‍♀️

Bridges crossing the Delaware River from PA to NJ and return? There's more than one way to go...PA Turnpike/ NJ Turnpike, I 78, I 80, but there's no reason why you can't can't take the same route in each direction. Or are you talking about some other bridge ?

[meadowlander]

44 minutes ago, Jyllie63 said:

I’ve driven it twice and have been a passenger twice and we have never crossed the same bridge going as we do leaving. Not sure why🤷‍♀️

Not sure what bridge you are talking about. Are you talking about bridges in the Bayonne area or crossing from PA to NJ?

 

Where in Ohio are you departing from? If you do not want to drive to the port in Bayonne are you okay with driving to within 20 -30 miles from the port?  Did you contact the La Quinta in Clifton NJ and ask if they will allow you to leave you car for the duration of your cruise? In the past, though a long time in the past, they did allow parking for the length of the cruise at no charge if you lodged there.

Edited August 8, 2023 by meadowlander

[Jyllie63]

Unfortunately I have no idea which bridge I cross when I’m leaving the port. I usually follow GPS and that is how it takes me. I know that it’s probably within 5 minutes of exiting Cape Liberty. I dislike bridges so much that the first time we sailed and were leaving, my gut instinct told me there would be a bridge. I told my 21 year old to drive us out of the garage and by golly I was right. I like to sail under them, not drive on them 😉. 
 

anyway, I appreciate all of the input. As of now we are driving I-80 and staying in the Rockaway area. The hotel is allowing me to leave my car for the week and we will Uber or Lyft to the port. If they don’t show up then I will drive. I’ll just close my eyes if I have to drive over the bridge 🙃🤣.

[Jyllie63]

This is the culprit right here.

[meadowlander]

4 hours ago, Jyllie63 said:

I appreciate all of the input. As of now we are driving I-80 and staying in the Rockaway area. The hotel is allowing me to leave my car for the week and we will Uber or Lyft to the port. If they don’t show up then I will drive. I’ll just close my eyes if I have to drive over the bridge 🙃🤣.

The bridge in the photo is on the NJ Turnpike extension leading to exits 14 A-B-C. Exit 14 A is for Cape Liberty. It is possible to get to CL without crossing that bridge by using 440 through Jersey City. You would still have to drive over water at some point, though not as elevated as using the Casciano Bridge (extension bridge).The NJTP toll recently raised so it is likely your Uber driver may use the 440 route avoiding the Casciano Bridge.

 

There is a route that would avoid crossing water completely. It involves many roads and is time consuming, certainly not as direct as using NJTP.

 

Enjoy your cruise. If it is on Oasis, remember to make reservations for eligible shows prior to boarding, usually 30 days prior to sail date or on the 1st day of the month prior to the month the cruise sails. Do not miss Aqua 80!

 

 

[Jyllie63]

Thanks again! So nice that there were no snarky comments in my silly thread 😀🙃