Planes, Trains & Automobiles

PLANE: Many carriers offer service from Washington area airports to Newark, LaGuardia and JFK, starting at about $150 round trip, with restrictions. Once on the ground, here's how to get into town:

From JFK (718-244-4444, http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.htm): Taxi fare for the 15-mile, 40- to 60-minute trip to Manhattan costs $45 plus tolls ($5) and tip. (From Manhattan to the airport, the cost is metered fare, plus tolls and tip.) For $5, the AirTrain JFK (800-247-7433) takes you from the airport to the Long Island Rail Road and E, J/Z subways at Jamaica station and the A subway at the Howard Beach station, from which it's a 60- to 75-minute ride to midtown. MetroCards can be used for subways and buses ($2 per ride) as well as the AirTrain. They are available at the airport and subway stations. Info: 718-330-1234, http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us.

New York Airport Service Express Bus (877-599-8200, http://www.nyairportservice.com) runs between JFK and Grand Central Terminal, the Port Authority bus terminal and Penn Station; the 50- to 70-minute ride is $15 one way, $27 round trip. SuperShuttle (800-258-3826, http://www.supershuttle.com) is $19 one way for shared service. AirLink shared-ride van (877-599-8200, http://www.airlinknyc.com) is $17 to midtown.

From LaGuardia (718-533-3400, http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgaframe.htm): Taxi fare for the eight-mile, 30- to 45-minute trip costs $30 to $35 plus tolls ($5) and tip. The M60 bus, which stops at the terminal, goes to 125th Street and Lexington Avenue, and other stops.

SuperShuttle charges $16 to Manhattan. For the 40- to 60-minute ride, New York Airport Service Express Bus charges $12 one way, $21 round trip to Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority and Penn Station. AirLink shared van is $13 to midtown.

From Newark (973-961-6000, http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/ewrframe.htm): Taxi fare for the 16-mile, 45- to 60-minute trip costs $40-$60, plus tip and tolls ($10-$15).

The Olympia Newark Liberty Airport Express (877-863-9275, http://www.coachusa.com/olympia) goes to Grand Central Station and Port Authority; the trip takes 45 to 60 minutes and is $15 one way, $25 round trip. SuperShuttle charges $19-$23 to Manhattan. AirLink shared-ride van is $17 to midtown.

The AirTrain leaves from the gate level and connects to the Rail Link Station, where you can access trains to Penn Station (one way on NJ Transit is $15 and takes 30 minutes; one way on Amtrak is $28 and takes 25 minutes). Info: 800-626-7433, http://www.njtransit.com; 800-872-7245, http://www.amtrak.com.

From Newark's Penn Station, hop a PATH train ($1.75) for the 35-minute ride to West 33rd Street via Jersey City. Info: 800-234-7284, http://www.panynj.com/path/index.html.

BUS: Greyhound (800-231-2222, http://www.greyhound.com) has terminals in the District (1005 First St. NE), Arlington (3860 S. Four Mile Run Dr.), Springfield (Franconia-Springfield Metro station), Triangle (18518 Jefferson Davis Hwy.), Woodbridge (Amtrak/Virginia Railway Express station), Silver Spring (8100 Fenton St.), New Carrollton (Amtrak/Metro station), Annapolis (308 Chinquapin Round Rd.) and Frederick (MARC train station). Service from the District to New York City starts at $29 one way, with restrictions. Peter Pan Bus Lines (800-343-9999, http://www.peterpanbus.com) shares terminals with Greyhound in Washington, Silver Spring and New Carrollton; tickets start at $22 one way.

Several other companies offer service from Washington to New York City's Chinatown and midtown on the West Side. Tickets can be booked at http://Gotobus.com for $10, $20 or $25 one way, $20-$50 round trip, plus $1 surcharge; check that site for schedules and locations. Washington Deluxe (866-287-6932, http://www.washny.com) and Vamoose (877-393-2828, http://www.vamoosebus.com) also can be booked on their own sites, with no service fee.

TRAIN: Amtrak's Acela Express train goes from Washington's Union Station to New York's Penn Station in 2 hours 45 minutes; one-way fares are $125-$188. Fares for regional service (about 3 1/2 hours) range from $69 to $98 one way. Info: 800-872-7245, http://www.amtrak.com.

CAR: It takes about 4 1/2 hours to drive the 240 miles from the Capital Beltway to New York. Consider parking in New Jersey and taking a New Jersey Transit or PATH train or a ferry into town.

Trains from Hoboken. PATH trains operate daily from Hoboken to several stops in Manhattan for $1.75 each way; commute time to West 33rd Street is 14 minutes. Paid parking available nearby. Info: 800-234-7284, http://www.panynj.gov/path/index.html.

Trains from Metropark. The Metropark station is convenient to the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway and has parking for $5 daily. New Jersey Transit trains along the Northeast Corridor line go into the city; the train to Penn Station costs $8 one way. Amtrak also stops at Metropark, from $23 one way.

Trains from other New Jersey spots. Parking and trains are available at other stops on the Northeast Corridor, including Elizabeth. Info: 800-626-7433, http://www.njtransit.com.

Boats from New Jersey ports. NY Waterway operates ferries from Belford, Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken to numerous points in Manhattan. Fares range from $5 to $20 each way. Metered parking and private lots are available in Hoboken; at Weehawken's Port Imperial lot, rates are $8 to $10 daily; parking at Belford is free. Free shuttle buses connect to points in Manhattan. Info: 800-533-3779, http://www.nywaterway.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 212-435-7000, http://www.panynj.gov.

-- Margaret Roth