12 replies to this topic

[dn4192]

In Aug I am going to train out to a friend in NJ. With where he lives it's about the same distance for him to pick me up at either the Philly station or the Trenton Station, only about 6-7 miles farther to the Philly Station. He doesn't care which station he picks me up from but I was just wondering if folks here knew which is easier to get picked up from in the sense of access and such. Also if he is running a bit late or I am which is a better station to hang out at.

[Green Maned Lion]

Philly is a beutiful old place. Trenton is a boring testament to Jersey bad taste and wasteful political spending.

[PRR 60]

In Aug I am going to train out to a friend in NJ. With where he lives it's about the same distance for him to pick me up at either the Philly station or the Trenton Station, only about 6-7 miles farther to the Philly Station. He doesn't care which station he picks me up from but I was just wondering if folks here knew which is easier to get picked up from in the sense of access and such. Also if he is running a bit late or I am which is a better station to hang out at.

Philly is a nicer station, but parking is expensive (1 hour, $12; 2 hours $17), and street parking in the area is problematic. Just getting to the station door for a pick-up is not a cinch at PHL. Trenton is a much smaller station and the parking garage is much more reasonably priced (up to 2 hours, $6.50). Plus, picking up at the station is much easier at Trenton than Philadelphia. Given the sometimes less than ideal traffic situation getting in and out of Philadelphia, I would vote for Trenton.

[Texan Eagle]

If he has to park the car and wait for you -> Trenton
If you plan to arrive first and wait for him to come and pick-up curbside -> Philly

[fairviewroad]

Depending on where in NJ he is, you could make it easier for him and take the NJT River Line from Trenton to a stop somewhere along the route.

Or the NJT Atlantic City Line from 30th St. to Cherry Hill.

[Acela150]

At PHL there's meters to feed. A quarter gets five minutes. Parking limit is an hour. So after an hour of quarters or the PPA smart cards, you have to refeed. There's always parking on Market street. Between 8 and 4 you get an hour and it's kiosks which accept credit/debit cards. 4pm to 10pm it's 3 hours I think if not 2 hours. This is between 23rd and Schuylkill Ave. It's a short walk and if you have a light luggage load I would do this. If you have a heavy load of luggage have your friend park at meters and if they so choose wait with the car or feed the meter. A fare warning. An expired meter ticket in Philly is $36. It can be overturned if you see the PPA officer writing the ticket. Anything else.. Your screwed.. The parking at PHL which is metered has spots open 24/7 on both sides of the station. If he's running late.. PHL is a better place. A lot of things to do in the area and in the station it's self!

If you choose PHL.. Avoid a train between 4 and 730PM. Traffic is awful at that point in the day.

Edited by Acela150, 02 March 2012 - 04:09 PM.

[dn4192]

Right now leaning towards Trenton, seems easier for him and for me, as Philly can be a mess on a friday night. Just hoping there is/are no long delays...

[amamba]

I grew up in NJ where its also about equidistant between PHL and Trenton. I always do Trenton if I'm on the regional because a) the parking is easier and b) the traffic is better. The station itself is not glorious and grand like PHL, but its easier for the person doing pick up and that is what matters to me. However please be aware that most acelas don't stop in Trenton, so if you are taking acela, you will have to do PHL.

[Shawn Ryu]

Philly is a beutiful old place. Trenton is a boring testament to Jersey bad taste and wasteful political spending.

Being a biased Trenton regular passenger here, but while it is indeeed dull it is very modern and very functional.

[Swadian Hardcore]

PHL 30th Street is a nicer station than Trenton, but Trenton has better railfanning options!

[Thunder Road]

I'll back up what most have said here already, that TRE is much easier for pick-up than PHL. Although beware that in the "back" (eastern) side of the station, the cabs take precedence over everyone else, so don't try to cut into their line. Just wait behind them at the back and then have you friend call you so you can pull up to the front of the line and have him or her hop in.

Or you could just go to the front (west) side....

[dlagrua]

Trenton Station is in a dark high crime neighborhood. It is not in a safe area. I would avoid that station. Park in the adjoining Amtrak parking lot. You can check out the exact rates online.

[amamba]

Trenton Station is in a dark high crime neighborhood. It is not in a safe area. I would avoid that station. Park in the adjoining Amtrak parking lot. You can check out the exact rates online.

Seriously? Enough with the fear mongering. To the OP, you & your friend will be perfectly safe at the amtrak station in Trenton. As a young woman, I certainly wouldn't wander around the neighborhood by myself in the evening flashing cash or with lots of bags, but it is fine in the actual station or walking to the station from the parking area. In fact I normally observe a few police officers in the station keeping an eye on things.

The other bonus of picking up someone in Trenton is saving on the bridge toll over to Philly from NJ. I think it might be up to $5 right now.