Let's look at the options:
Yes, you can drive your car. Gas is cheaper than it was but it'll take you at least 2+ hours just to get yourself to the tunnel where you'll sit for another 30 minutes just to land in midtown. You'll pay tolls up and back on the NJ Turnpike and another $6 bucks to get through the Lincoln Tunnel into NYC (fortunately it's free to leave-lol) and then there's parking which you'll be lucky if that only sets you back $30 bucks (and you could easily spend much more). Oh, and gas which is currently averaging around $1.75/gal. When all is said and done it's a pricey trip.
You could take Amtrak. Amtrak's a good ride but will cost you an arm and a leg starting at around $45 bucks at the cheapest for a one way ride. More if you take the high speed Acela. And you'll pay $17 bucks to park your car in the garage. It is however, the fastest way to get there and probably the most comfortable. However, no WiFi and if you train back to Philly after 10pm - no cafe car (a sobering experience, let's say).
www.amtrak.com
Then there is the local train option - for around $20 bucks each way you can take Septa to Trenton, change trains to the NJ Transit and get to NYC that way. You'll ride with the hoi polloi on seats that have seen better days and you guessed it, no cafe car-ever! And if you take it during commuter hours, be prepared to stand the entire way.
And now the good news - you've got some other options these days: The Bolt Bus and the Chinatown Bus.
My personal favorite is the Bolt which leaves from both down town Philly and from the Cherry Hill Mall. The mall departure point is especially good for us southern NJ suburbanites and unlike China Town, there is loads of free parking. The Bolt bus is brand new, comfortable, has free WiFi so you can work or surf or Facebook while you ride and you can order tickets and guarantee your seat online. Seats are guaranteed as long as you show up 15 minutes prior to departure. Fail to do that and your seat could be sold to another passenger.
www.boltbus.com
The China Town bus has been an option for a while. You may have heard a few hipsters and PA's mention it. I've never taken it yet myself and understand that while it's the cheapest option it can also be reminiscent of Toad's wild ride (that's a reference from the children's book "Wind in the Willows" for those of you who didn't get it.). The drivers drive fast and there have been accidents. Would you expect anything else? After all, "it's Chinatown."
www.chinatown-bus.com
In any case, all options will get you outta Dodge and given that Philly is only a market made even more stale in this rancid economy, why stay a second longer where you aren't wanted or needed? Strike out and bring back some work. You'll be a hero and your inert friends and colleagues will love you for your adventurous spirit.
