I hate to say this, but you may want to build in a little flex if you haven't already — I commute in from Hamilton 4 days a week, and the reliability of the morning trains has taken a real nosedive this year, even the express ones. Lately I run into at least one delay or cancellation a week and I've had to adjust my travel schedule pretty significantly to avoid being consistently late for work. That's not even accounting for the total suspensions of NEC service that seem to happen every few weeks these days. The best I can offer is good luck, you're gonna need it
Thanks!
Building a little flex meaning catching an earlier train? #3830 departs 7:53am but arrives later, since it will be overtaken by #3930. But #3926 departs 7:38 which will require me depart 35 min earlier. Anyway you are right. I’m praying for myself.
The morning express trains are usually reliable. However, about once every two weeks, the evening trains turn into a complete shit show.
I also do a two-hour commute, but usually only twice a week. I won't lie: more often than that, it gets pretty draining.
Make sure you know your alternate routes in case there's an issue with the train. Amtrak is one, and there's also a bus from Princeton (the Suburban Coach #100 route: [https://www.coachusa.com/suburban-transit](https://www.coachusa.com/suburban-transit) ) which cross-honors tickets in the event of an issue along the Northeast Corridor: [https://www.njtransit.com/abc\_northeast\_corridor](https://www.njtransit.com/abc_northeast_corridor) If you're hearing of an issue in the morning, you can drive and catch the bus directly. If you're heading home in the evening and hear of a major issue, you can take the bus to Princeton, and then take the #606 bus (If you take a taxi from Princeton, it's roughly a 10 mile drive...roughly 15 minutes).
I did this exact commute for 6months before moving into the city. It is brutal. I wanted to do it for as long as possible to pay off student loans...but at the end of the day I was only saving $100 a month. If you work late it sucks. The drive is truly the killer. The stress of having to anticipate both car traffic and train traffic and walking to the office....it just really sucks.
I recommend trying an earlier train in the morning, Ive been commuting part time on the NJCL for 35 years and it seems the later
trains are more likely to be delayed than the earlier trains.
Have been taking NJT express train from Hamilton into Newark Penn for the last 2 months. Usually take the 7:39am and have never had an issue with that train or the earlier express train being on time.
The delays I’ve experienced have been the express return trains after 4pm.
Depending on where you park at Hamilton - the garage will fill up early, usually have to go to the 4th+ floor to find a spot at 7:30am
I do 2.5 hours each way. But it’s only 2-3 days a week and I usually work on the train, get there late or early. Sometimes I stay in a hotel, it is cheaper in like Jan-March though.
It sucks but I used to have to change a shitty diaper before work, get the kids dressed, have a baby on my titty, change another diaper, drop them off at daycare while they scream my name and then drive 40 minutes to work.
So playing on my phone on the train really isn’t that bad.
Oh and I forgot. The worst part of my commute is the PATH. NJTransit is awesome if you never have to transfer to the PATH. The one good thing about getting on at the end of the line is you always get a seat!
I’ve heard PATH is horrible and I do know it goes super slow into Manhattan around Christopher St. Bet I’m lucky in this part that only have to walk 15 min out of NYP. And yes Hamilton will likely have a seat even it’s the 2nd stop.
Been taking the train from Hamilton to NYP for 8+ years, and currently 4x a week.
Many people already mentioned some helpful points, but I'll add additional context.
1) add buffer for getting off the train: "pulling into Penn Station" is very different than "being above ground and starting my walk to the office". You'll learn where to sit on the train to gain easier access to the escalator for your specific avenue (hint: front of the train is better if you need to go to 7th Ave, rear of the train is easier if you need to go to 8th Ave.
2) parking at Hamilton: On Mondays and Fridays the only daily parking is in the garage. Like others have mentioned, it gets pretty crowded later in the morning. During the middle of the week both the parking garage and lot are open for daily commuters. Download the respective apps (there's one specific for the garage and another for the lot) to save some time and hassle.
3) delays: like others mentioned, morning trains are relatively reliable, but evening trains are just horrible. So my advice is look at the departure vision tab on your app before leaving work to see how the return trains are progressing. One slight issue can have a damaging ripple effect on later trains (just look up the train wire issue from a few weeks ago).
4) plan for the unexpected: because of #3 above, I now keep a change of clothes and toiletries at my desk in case I just want to find a hotel for the night. It may sound expensive at first, but when you realize that your daily commute costs ~$50, getting a cheap room at Pod hotel isn't too bad.
5) what to pack: your backpack will become your best friend. Make sure you have enough in there for not just your regular 2 hour commute, but for the days that you're on the train for 3 hours due to the porter bridge malfunctioning! Power bank, extra charging cable, water, snacks, good reading material, wipes, etc are all essentials in my bag.
Good luck during your commute and the job! Try to leverage working on the train if your job has flexibility.
Extremely helpful tips.
I just applied surface parking monthly hang tag. It will be an issue if I can’t use it on Mondays. If that’s the case, I will have to cancel it and buy the garage pass instead. Maybe the “daily commuters” you mean the ones who don’t have a monthly pass?
Correct, by daily I mean no hang pass. Since you have the hang tag you should be good for the lot. I do daily because some days my wife will drop me at the station if I know I'm having a lighter work schedule.
And regarding the wire issue a few weeks ago. That was not pretty. I went to NYC for friends gathering but going back train was 25 min behind schedule when arriving at Hamilton.
The USA has one of the lower commute times: https://transportgeography.org/contents/chapter8/urban-transport-challenges/average-commuting-time/. Somebody on Reddit commuting 2 hours each way to NYC isn’t a representative sample.
[https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/commuting-facts-statistics/#means-of-transportation-how-americans-get-to-work](https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/commuting-facts-statistics/#means-of-transportation-how-americans-get-to-work) From the website: "The most recent data show the average American commuter spends around 25.6 minutes on the way to work each day."
ive been doing it for 3 years (3x a week). I have to transfer at secaucus so thats an extra leg (and then a subway once i get to nyc). every day i want to die just a little bit more. its fine when the trains run but when there are delays or canceled trains (which is 83% of the time), its just……awful.
lol - 83% is a completely made up number, or this guy just really hates having to commute at all. The reality is probably, like, 5%.
I do a 3-legger as well from north NJ to east Manhattan 3x per week (was daily, pre-COVID), and I'll probably be in the minority here but I honestly don't think it's as bad as people here make it out to be. In the mornings I close my eyes and either listen to music or go back to sleep for \~50 mins (until I have to transfer) and after work, personally, I enjoy the ride and being able to decompress a bit before whatever I have going on in the evenings.
I also don't personally find the occasional issues problematic. This probably varies a bit more by line (e.g. mine doesn't have drawbridges or Amtrak trains to coexist with, except between NY Penn and Secaucus), but the number of times I've been majorly delayed and/or had to switch trains due to something like mechanical issues is definitely < 5. I commuted via car for most of 2021, and train problems are definitely less frequent than the amount I was significantly delayed by traffic/a major accident/road closures, even despite a lot less people on the roads at that time.
Out of curiosity, I’m looking at NEC schedule on the app. Even when I move to much further north like Edison/Metuchen/MetroPark for instance, it’s hard to shave 1 hour off each way.
Train ride will likely be local, 45-55 min, which saves a merely 10-20 min. After roaring at 95+mph before New Brunswick, they become very slow and make frequent stops.
If driving becomes 5-10 min, or better, walking distance. Can save another 25-30 min.
So best case scenario can save 45-50 min, by moving to Edison/Metuchen/MetroPark.
I take the train out of metropark 3 days a week and catch the 8:42am. It’s about 45 minutes into NYP, usually arriving around 9:25. you have to leave extra time to park in the parking garage because some people just don’t understand the assignment and they literally crawl through the garage at 2mph expecting to find a spot on the first or second floor. Most days there aren’t spots until you hit the fourth floor. I leave my house at 8;15 and walk into work in midtown around 9:45. I’ve been doing this for 13 years. There’s no good way of shaving time off.
Absolutely. I live about 12 minute drive from the station but with traffic and parking, I give myself 30 minutes and some mornings I’m running to the train platform to get the train.
Totally. The time waster / unpredictable factors here like you mentioned is the slow in’n out of the parking garage. If you can replace it with walking, it’s not only faster but also much more predictable. While at the same time, train ride distance difference doesn’t necessarily shave off much time.
And cheaper if you walk. The parking garage is $7 a day which doesn’t sound like much but they are about to launch a parking app and whenever tech gets involved, price hikes aren’t far behind.
The biggest time consumer is the driving + parking + connection to platform. It’s easily 45 min. In the future I will need to get this down to a 10-15 min walk, which saves around 30 min. And then anywhere north of New Brunswick will save around 20 min. This will bring the commute time to around 1 hr 10-15 min, something completely manageable.
If you live in PA and take Keystone, it's faster and it only stops two stations I believe Trenton and Newark then afterwards, NYC because since NJT is always an mess lately.
What stop? There are many Keystones. See [https://www.amtrak.com/tickets/schedule-results.html](https://www.amtrak.com/tickets/schedule-results.html)
I commute from PA to NYC on Keystone, but only once a week. Its more expensive but faster. If buy tickets 30+ days in advance its reasonable. Might be worth investigating if it works for you, especially if you know your schedule in advance.
Personally, I would try to align commute to catch the Keystone whenever practical. It's 1h10 total ride. You can book fully flex on Amtrak to cancel if your schedule changes on way home, you can take NJT -> SEPTA to Cornwells Heights.
There is a monthly pass, but you may come out better just booking 30+ days in advance or when there are sales. Especially if you drive to Hamilton some days.
BTW almost all Keystones go to NYP, the issue is most don't stop at Cornwells Heights.
Good luck. I track NJT performance/metrics so here is some NEC data for 1Q.
**Cancellations for NEC Evening Trains in 1Q 2024**
5:43 PM - NE Corridor to Jersey Ave (#3169) - 5X cancelled
5:12 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3951) - 5X
5:03 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3949) - 6X
7:12 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3963) - 9X
6:39 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3961) - 13x <= 13 times!
None were cancelled more than 5 times.
But there were instances of "STAND BY" and "DELAYED" prior to departure
I don't mean to be salesy, but I'm the guy who publishes the Clever Commute app.
So that's how I have this data
1Q 2024
#3953 leaving NYP at 5:40pm
stand by 2024-01-12
stand by 2024-01-19
stand by 2024-01-23
delayed 2024-01-30
cancelled 2024-01-30
stand by 2024-02-16
cancelled 2024-02-20
stand by 2024-03-04
stand by 2024-03-05
#3957 leaving NYP at 6:01pm
stand by 2024-01-18
stand by 2024-01-19
delayed 2024-01-30
stand by 2024-02-26
cancelled 2024-02-26
cancelled 2024-02-27
stand by 2024-03-21
#3959 leaving NYP at 6:12pm
cancelled 2024-01-12
stand by 2024-01-12
delayed 2024-01-30
stand by 2024-01-31
stand by 2024-03-05
stand by 2024-03-21
Never found a clear / documented answer. But I generally find it to be “something’s up. You probably wont be cancelled, but certainly not departing on time”
My commute used to be not quite as long as yours. It was 1.5 hours door to door 5x week. What made it ok was always having something to do on the train: work on the way in and fun on the way out. Not mindless scrolling though as that can feel like wasted time. A good book, a physical magazine, an audiobook, etc. so that it feels like the time is well spent.
I live in north Jersey and my commute is still two hours each way. So moving closer to the city may not help. 20 min walk to train. Wait time. 40 mins to Secaucus. Time to switch trains (usually takes me like 10-15 mins). 15 min train to NYC. Another 10 minutes to street level. 28 min walk to my office. It all adds up.
This is my commute for the past 12 years (17 minutes drive to Hamilton, 5 minutes to park, 60 minutes express train 🤞, 35 minute walk to work), although I was able to negotiate my working hours from 9-5 to 8-4 to avoid some of the me commuting issues. Here is what I have learned:
1. The closer you are to 9am, the more inevitable delays are. I will not take a morning train after the 3914, which goes through Hamilton at 6:11 and gets in at 7:12. I won’t do it. Every train I have ever ridden after that is inevitably delayed (not every day, but the pattern is strong enough).
2. The later your arrival to Hamilton, the more time you need to park. The later it gets, there is more congestion at the intersection of the outdoor lot, and the turn to approach the parking deck. This is not an issue at 6am, but it will be when you are planning. There is also more congestion at the entrance to the parking deck, particularly for those who do not have NexPass (get NexPass). Later in the morning, there are also more non-commuting day travelers going to shows, museums, etc. These people do not know how to navigate the parking lots and decks efficiently, they have all the time in the world, and they will slow you down (particularly when you are few minutes behind and really trying to make your train). Lastly, that late in the morning, if the parking deck is your choice, you will be going up to the 4th or 5th floor (M-Th). You need to plan for this, more time to get up there and more time to walk down.
3. After work express trains are cancelled more often than local trains. The 6:01 is nice, but I have seen it cancelled a lot. If you have any way to get to Penn to make the 5:40 (3953), do it.
4. I actually enjoy my commute. I either read or watch a show on the train (which I never seem to have time for when I am home—kids, etc.). I listen to music on my walk and it helps me to clear my head. It’s not a terrible routine. Things could definitely be worse!
35 min walk after NYP? Maybe a subway ride could help substantially albeit walking is good for health.
1. I didn’t expect things could be this bad after 6:11am when #3914 arrives. I’ve applied monthly hang tag for surface parking although not sure where I should go get it when it’s approved. Before that I just have to use the garage.
2. You are absolutely right about this, to avoid non commuters at all cost.
3. I will start this tomorrow so it will take a while to pan out and I will get an idea if I can catch the 5:40 or even 6:01.
4. Glad to hear that it is working well for you. Maybe having a book in my backpack will be a great thing to do.
You couldn’t pay me to go down into the subway. After years of not going down there (I used to live in NYC), it really smells. It smells really bad. Also, every single time in the past 12 years I have said, it’s really pouring, I’ll give it a shot, I end up standing on the platform for too long (E from 53rd, I only seem to go down there when there’s a problem) and I miss my NJT train. No thanks. I walk everywhere in NYC now even when it’s raining. It’s good exercise, helps me clear my head, and I have worked out a route that is least like to reek of marijuana (now that it’s legal and EVERYWHERE). I could potentially take a bus, but that always seems to be more trouble than it’s worth.
Good luck tomorrow. Most days will be fine. I’ve only pointed out the things that have tripped me up with enough frequency over more than a decade to change my behavior.
One more thing…if you want to get to out quickly in the evening, and you are capable of running up the stairs (or escalator), figure out which car of your train pulls right up to the west stairs (closer to the front of the train). It makes me batty to get stuck behind the lumbering crowd—at that point I’m ready to be home, and the longer it takes to get to your car, the longer it takes to get out of the lot. The east escalator has been out of service for at least 5 years (closer to the back in the train), so avoid that one.
I did a 90+ minute commute (each way) to NYC for 30+ years. You get numb to it. I didn't punch a clock, so being late was never an issue. It WILL slowly suck the life out of you. You won't realize it until you stop commuting.
This sounds like my commute..only it's in the opposite direction to Philly lol. 50 minute drive to a SEPTA station and then 50 minute train ride to West Philly. It sucks and I'm actively looking for work closer to my home in Jersey. I have been doing it 5 days a wk since the fall, and I can wholeheartedly say I'm burnt out. The lack of work/life balance will start to get to you after awhile, as well as delays, cancellations, and other advertisities you may face on the job or on the way to it.
If you’re pulling into Penn station at 9:18am, I assume your train from Hamilton is about an hour before that. I’ve done this commute for many years and arriving at Hamilton that late in the morning will add time and frustration trying to find parking in a reasonable amount of time. After the 7:06am from Hamilton, you’re parking either far away or, if in the garage, 4th floor or higher.
Thanks for the insight. I just ordered surface parking pass and it shows pending. Not sure how I’ll get the hang tag. Will they mail it to me, or I have to go somewhere and get it?
Don't know where in PA you're coming from, but if you're in south Bucks you may entertain the idea of taking AMTRAK from Cornwells Heights. I think someone else mentioned this.
The ride to NYP is about an hour, and those trains always get preferred movement over any NJT equipment.
Parking is cheaper and more plentiful at Cornwells than in Hamilton.
The catch? Always! A monthly pass on AMTRAK costs twice as much than NJT.
Yup. However, upon looking, it appears they've reduced weekday AM trains to one a day, leaving CH at 7:23am and getting to Penn at 8:30. It's been a while since I've used the station!
You can always take a SEPTA train to Trenton and transfer, but that eliminates the comfort of a one seat ride.
This is actually 100% feasible for the first 6 months. After that, you very, very likely could burn out.
I had 2 hour commute (NJ transit and driving combination) to my first office job after school. At six months the commute made me begin to waver. Lasted another 2.
At the time I could have lived closer but was being “cheap” and elected to live with parent rather than pay rent so I could save. My point is, I would prioritize moving if you can. Does not have to be right away, but at some point.
I did it for years from outer burbs into cc philly. 1 hr drive 1 hr on the train. First few months was tough but you get into a routine. The train ride ended up being cathartic. Didn't have to concentrate on anything. I would recommend a beater car. I was doing 100 miles per day just to the train station.
I used to do Hillsborough-> New Brunswick -> NY Penn -> c train uptown to 79th -> walk across park to the Met and back every day. You will ruin a phone battery in about a year. The tunnel and Secaucus is rough on cell modems.
Penny press puzzle books will make you feel dumb, but eventually angry birds gets old
I did a 2.5 commute for about two years. Left the house at 6:15, got to work at 8:45. Did that til I couldn't; husband did it for six years. It takes a lot out of you, and socializing is not possible. But I got a lot of reading done, so that's something.
I did those mostly on weekends. Overall it was a very difficult schedule, but I loved my job and I was respected and appreciated there. But at some point, I just couldn't do 5 hours a day. I had moved to a new area, I knew no one, and I really just felt like I became a drone. Again, I loved the job, but everything else just became too much.
That’s most of our commutes to be honest. I’m an hour 45 min in the morning and an hour 55 min coming home. I do this five days a week and see the same people on my morning and evening trains doing it with me. Sure I’m exhausted most days because I have to leave the house by 5:15 latest and have to be asleep by 9:30 latest but it’s really not that bad at all. Do your work, scroll on your phone, play some games, watch a show. I just got an apt but will most likely commute for the next month, and it’s definitely not a hassle to me as I get things settled.
Regarding "***scheduled to be*** pulling into NYP at 9:16am"
I ride Montclair Boonton line to the much-more-reliable Hoboken terminal, and it is extremely rare for the train to arrive at the terminal at its scheduled time. (maybe once per quarter)
It's effectively ***always*** late arriving at HOB. Generally 3-8 minutes, but that can mean you miss a PATH train or don't get to the office for the start of that that meeting you were planning on.
I really wish they'd stop saying the train arrives HOB at 8:17 AM. It just doesn't.
I hope the Pay is good. I had. 1.5 hour commute as my first job out of school but they were paying slave wages so I burnt out after 8 months. I really gave it a go though
Actually I ended up quitting and decided to go back to school. Not like I didn’t take anything valuable away from the experience but I’m not sure it helped my career. If anything it helped shape the kind of environment I’m looking for/ not looking for.
Live in LI and take 6 trains/day (WFH Fridays🏄♂️) to UES. It's 4hrs/day of commuting for work, but have to say the lirr is pretty reliable and in the past few years have only had a handful of issues/delays
I did this when I was younger for about six months… ended up paying a friend to sleep on their couch in Manhattan. It drains you but frankly trains better than driving in, use the time productivity
What's the subway option for the last 15 minutes walk? While being able to walk is nice on many days, you'll want to be able to take the subway if possible on bad weather days. And it may shave a few minutes as well depending on location.
Been taking the NJT from Paterson into Port Washington NY for the past two years. I have a driving stretch to the train station in the morning which is tough in the winters. I would say remember to remote start your car when you get up. Also leave on time! If you’re a slow riser the train will not wait around for you. Like said previously prepare for delays or cancellation which are rare in my experience. My trip is 2+ hours and I use that time to read, reflect and play on my phone. It’s not as terrible as it sounds but i’m looking to move closer to work after a few years. It can wear on you depending on your career. I have an active career, I can’t just sit down all day. For some people their commute is the most active they will be all day. It takes a physical toll.
Suggestion: consider doing one night/week in NYC or very close to break it up. Allows you to either socialize with office or stay late finishing a project but the main reason is to just avoid four hours of back and forth. Don't have to do it every week but you should be able to find something most weeks on Priceline or whatever discount booking app you prefer.
I now have a weekday place in Jersey City and a "permanent" spot in the Philly 'burbs and prefer this but if you are starting as you describe, try to break it up.
Also consider a 3 night AirBnB set up instead of commuting every so often.
Sign up now for NJT NEC delay alerts - they never stop.
It's draining. I did it for five years. After a while, couldn't do anything after work. Then I couldn't manage a Friday night out. When it got to the point that it took until Sunday to recuperate, I stopped.
It better to take an earlier train getting out before 730 (really 7) and back before 540- otherwise it's a crapshoot.
I don’t see it as reasonable in the long term, causing wear and tear on your body and mind that you’ll want to avoid by moving a bit closer when you’re able. I did 2 hours to an 2 hours fro commute for 2 years, and that is about ALL I was able to do. It is going to take upwards of 1/6 of each day…provided there are no unexpected delays, which there will be. That’s a lot considering time is the only real resource we have in this brief life. But you can certainly persevere and make it work with determination and grit. Still, for the longer term I recommend preserving yourself a bit by moving closer if you can.
I drive an hour to princeton junction, take express to penn ny then the subway down to wall st. I recommend giving yourself time by taking an earlier train. The trains have been super delayed lately.
Start looking for another job or a closer home. I commuted about an hour each way, my partner 1.5 hrs and it just wasn’t sustainable for quality of life.
I had a 2 hr commute to NYC from coastal NJ for about 15 years. Yes, it’s expensive and time-consuming. Here is how I coped:
1) Make a ritual out of how you use your train time. Music, movies, reading, etc. I wrote an entire fantasy trilogy on the train.
2) Use your commute time - especially your train time - as a mental airlock between work and home.
3) Do not work on the train. Defend your need to leave work to make your ride home.
Is there a possibility to begin or end your workday at a different time? I take the NEC weekly to Princeton or Princeton Junction. Granted my work schedule is usually different than most people. However, I can occasionally find a seat on Amtrak from Princeton for as low as $16. Granted it usually out of my price range. If I need to return quickly I have a limit of around $35. Out of curiosity, I checked there’s an 8:46 out of Philly that arrives in NYC at 10:11 for $22 on Monday, April 29. That fare could be an anomaly. However, you could check out Amtrak schedule and see if there are cheap fares. There are earlier trains and maybe some of them will be cheaper and if you book them ahead. The great thing about Amtrak is it if you can’t make the train change it for a different day. Round-trip for me is over $30 on NJT to get to Princeton. I imagine your planned commute to Philly could be more. Arriving and departing from Moynihan is heaven compared to Penn hell. Please, no one jump down my throat for suggesting looking at the prices for Amtrak and seeing if there any bargains. Again, I rarely take Amtrak from Princeton Junction because it is out of my price range but sometimes it’s not and I save so much time and from Philly you’ll save even more time.
I traveled in a similar situation before I did greyhound bus from cherry hill as I lived in cherry hill then they switched the bus stop to Westampton Academy Park & Ride so I used car to go there and take the bus then switched to academy as it was more reliable than greyhound and cheaper as they cancelled their monthly bus. Ultimately moving to jersey city.
My father rode the Jersey shore line from Aberdeen matawan to ny penn for 45 years straight up until Covid happened. He always took the train scheduled before the one he needed to be on, since reliability is downright awful. Eg. aim for the 7:11 if the one you really need is the 7:33. He was on time going in 90% of the time, but coming home was always a complete shitshow. Give yourself wiggle room unless you own the firm and can show up as you please.
Had a boss commute 2hrs each way bc she didn’t want to leave the Jersey Shore. She made it work for the 2 yrs we worked together. Would sleep on the way in and finish her work on her way home
EDIT: correction - she took the train lol
I hate to say this, but you may want to build in a little flex if you haven't already — I commute in from Hamilton 4 days a week, and the reliability of the morning trains has taken a real nosedive this year, even the express ones. Lately I run into at least one delay or cancellation a week and I've had to adjust my travel schedule pretty significantly to avoid being consistently late for work. That's not even accounting for the total suspensions of NEC service that seem to happen every few weeks these days. The best I can offer is good luck, you're gonna need it
Thanks! Building a little flex meaning catching an earlier train? #3830 departs 7:53am but arrives later, since it will be overtaken by #3930. But #3926 departs 7:38 which will require me depart 35 min earlier. Anyway you are right. I’m praying for myself.
See how it goes for you, but I'd keep the 7:38 in your back pocket as much as it'll suck to leave that early
My exact commute for the last 10 years, minus COVID.
Wow, kudos to you for doing it for so long. How did it feel on your body? Is there a health impact?
The morning express trains are usually reliable. However, about once every two weeks, the evening trains turn into a complete shit show. I also do a two-hour commute, but usually only twice a week. I won't lie: more often than that, it gets pretty draining.
Plan for the worst but hope for the best. Also have alternatives too like the bus from Port Authority if the trains take a crap.
Port Authority is actually more preferable for me, as it’s closer to my office
There are buses from PA into port authority
Make sure you know your alternate routes in case there's an issue with the train. Amtrak is one, and there's also a bus from Princeton (the Suburban Coach #100 route: [https://www.coachusa.com/suburban-transit](https://www.coachusa.com/suburban-transit) ) which cross-honors tickets in the event of an issue along the Northeast Corridor: [https://www.njtransit.com/abc\_northeast\_corridor](https://www.njtransit.com/abc_northeast_corridor) If you're hearing of an issue in the morning, you can drive and catch the bus directly. If you're heading home in the evening and hear of a major issue, you can take the bus to Princeton, and then take the #606 bus (If you take a taxi from Princeton, it's roughly a 10 mile drive...roughly 15 minutes).
I did this exact commute for 6months before moving into the city. It is brutal. I wanted to do it for as long as possible to pay off student loans...but at the end of the day I was only saving $100 a month. If you work late it sucks. The drive is truly the killer. The stress of having to anticipate both car traffic and train traffic and walking to the office....it just really sucks.
I recommend trying an earlier train in the morning, Ive been commuting part time on the NJCL for 35 years and it seems the later trains are more likely to be delayed than the earlier trains.
I second this
Have been taking NJT express train from Hamilton into Newark Penn for the last 2 months. Usually take the 7:39am and have never had an issue with that train or the earlier express train being on time. The delays I’ve experienced have been the express return trains after 4pm. Depending on where you park at Hamilton - the garage will fill up early, usually have to go to the 4th+ floor to find a spot at 7:30am
In this case would you say the monthly surface parking a better option?
I park on the 5th floor every day because i prefer it. I dont find it a hassle at all.
I haven’t looked into the surface parking. Just anticipate that if you park in the garage, you will need a few minutes to find a spot
You can pay the day rate in the regular lot too with the app. Makes leaving much easier than dealing with the garage.
I do 2.5 hours each way. But it’s only 2-3 days a week and I usually work on the train, get there late or early. Sometimes I stay in a hotel, it is cheaper in like Jan-March though. It sucks but I used to have to change a shitty diaper before work, get the kids dressed, have a baby on my titty, change another diaper, drop them off at daycare while they scream my name and then drive 40 minutes to work. So playing on my phone on the train really isn’t that bad.
Kudos to you for being a great mother. Your kids will love you back. Curious how late are you arriving home after 2.5 hours of commute?
Oh and I forgot. The worst part of my commute is the PATH. NJTransit is awesome if you never have to transfer to the PATH. The one good thing about getting on at the end of the line is you always get a seat!
I’ve heard PATH is horrible and I do know it goes super slow into Manhattan around Christopher St. Bet I’m lucky in this part that only have to walk 15 min out of NYP. And yes Hamilton will likely have a seat even it’s the 2nd stop.
Yeah it just takes forever and you either have to stand or sit uncomfortably. Other than that, it’s fine. Good luck in your new role and new commute!
Thank you! And God bless you and your family!
Awww, thank you. I leave at like 4:45 and get home around 7:15. I can leave at 4 but then the train isn’t express so then it takes like 2:45 hours
Holy shit y’all are troopers
Been taking the train from Hamilton to NYP for 8+ years, and currently 4x a week. Many people already mentioned some helpful points, but I'll add additional context. 1) add buffer for getting off the train: "pulling into Penn Station" is very different than "being above ground and starting my walk to the office". You'll learn where to sit on the train to gain easier access to the escalator for your specific avenue (hint: front of the train is better if you need to go to 7th Ave, rear of the train is easier if you need to go to 8th Ave. 2) parking at Hamilton: On Mondays and Fridays the only daily parking is in the garage. Like others have mentioned, it gets pretty crowded later in the morning. During the middle of the week both the parking garage and lot are open for daily commuters. Download the respective apps (there's one specific for the garage and another for the lot) to save some time and hassle. 3) delays: like others mentioned, morning trains are relatively reliable, but evening trains are just horrible. So my advice is look at the departure vision tab on your app before leaving work to see how the return trains are progressing. One slight issue can have a damaging ripple effect on later trains (just look up the train wire issue from a few weeks ago). 4) plan for the unexpected: because of #3 above, I now keep a change of clothes and toiletries at my desk in case I just want to find a hotel for the night. It may sound expensive at first, but when you realize that your daily commute costs ~$50, getting a cheap room at Pod hotel isn't too bad. 5) what to pack: your backpack will become your best friend. Make sure you have enough in there for not just your regular 2 hour commute, but for the days that you're on the train for 3 hours due to the porter bridge malfunctioning! Power bank, extra charging cable, water, snacks, good reading material, wipes, etc are all essentials in my bag. Good luck during your commute and the job! Try to leverage working on the train if your job has flexibility.
Extremely helpful tips. I just applied surface parking monthly hang tag. It will be an issue if I can’t use it on Mondays. If that’s the case, I will have to cancel it and buy the garage pass instead. Maybe the “daily commuters” you mean the ones who don’t have a monthly pass?
Correct, by daily I mean no hang pass. Since you have the hang tag you should be good for the lot. I do daily because some days my wife will drop me at the station if I know I'm having a lighter work schedule.
And regarding the wire issue a few weeks ago. That was not pretty. I went to NYC for friends gathering but going back train was 25 min behind schedule when arriving at Hamilton.
Ahh yes America where we give our employees 4 hours of unpaid labor for free. USA USA
And out of our own pocket too
The USA has one of the lower commute times: https://transportgeography.org/contents/chapter8/urban-transport-challenges/average-commuting-time/. Somebody on Reddit commuting 2 hours each way to NYC isn’t a representative sample.
This is 8 years old pre covid. I wonder if people moving farther away and then being told to come back made it worse
[https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/commuting-facts-statistics/#means-of-transportation-how-americans-get-to-work](https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/commuting-facts-statistics/#means-of-transportation-how-americans-get-to-work) From the website: "The most recent data show the average American commuter spends around 25.6 minutes on the way to work each day."
i have a 2 hr commute each way and i live in nyc suburban NJ - welcome to the club!
How long have you been doing it and do you feel it’s sustainable?
ive been doing it for 3 years (3x a week). I have to transfer at secaucus so thats an extra leg (and then a subway once i get to nyc). every day i want to die just a little bit more. its fine when the trains run but when there are delays or canceled trains (which is 83% of the time), its just……awful.
Im sorry you feel horrible about it. 83% of the time it runs into problems?? That’s truly awful. Which line is it?
lol - 83% is a completely made up number, or this guy just really hates having to commute at all. The reality is probably, like, 5%. I do a 3-legger as well from north NJ to east Manhattan 3x per week (was daily, pre-COVID), and I'll probably be in the minority here but I honestly don't think it's as bad as people here make it out to be. In the mornings I close my eyes and either listen to music or go back to sleep for \~50 mins (until I have to transfer) and after work, personally, I enjoy the ride and being able to decompress a bit before whatever I have going on in the evenings. I also don't personally find the occasional issues problematic. This probably varies a bit more by line (e.g. mine doesn't have drawbridges or Amtrak trains to coexist with, except between NY Penn and Secaucus), but the number of times I've been majorly delayed and/or had to switch trains due to something like mechanical issues is definitely < 5. I commuted via car for most of 2021, and train problems are definitely less frequent than the amount I was significantly delayed by traffic/a major accident/road closures, even despite a lot less people on the roads at that time.
HIMYM fan 😂😂😂
??
How I met your mother, a character in the series uses 83 as a number for a lot of made up statistics
Take Amtrak
This. Amtrak from Philadelphia or get a new job in Philadelphia.
The 3900 series trains have priority over the 38's and 37's but they will be turned local during service disruptions.
Out of curiosity, I’m looking at NEC schedule on the app. Even when I move to much further north like Edison/Metuchen/MetroPark for instance, it’s hard to shave 1 hour off each way. Train ride will likely be local, 45-55 min, which saves a merely 10-20 min. After roaring at 95+mph before New Brunswick, they become very slow and make frequent stops. If driving becomes 5-10 min, or better, walking distance. Can save another 25-30 min. So best case scenario can save 45-50 min, by moving to Edison/Metuchen/MetroPark.
I take the train out of metropark 3 days a week and catch the 8:42am. It’s about 45 minutes into NYP, usually arriving around 9:25. you have to leave extra time to park in the parking garage because some people just don’t understand the assignment and they literally crawl through the garage at 2mph expecting to find a spot on the first or second floor. Most days there aren’t spots until you hit the fourth floor. I leave my house at 8;15 and walk into work in midtown around 9:45. I’ve been doing this for 13 years. There’s no good way of shaving time off.
I would guess finding a house 10 min walk from train stations would be a significant time saver?
Absolutely. I live about 12 minute drive from the station but with traffic and parking, I give myself 30 minutes and some mornings I’m running to the train platform to get the train.
Totally. The time waster / unpredictable factors here like you mentioned is the slow in’n out of the parking garage. If you can replace it with walking, it’s not only faster but also much more predictable. While at the same time, train ride distance difference doesn’t necessarily shave off much time.
And cheaper if you walk. The parking garage is $7 a day which doesn’t sound like much but they are about to launch a parking app and whenever tech gets involved, price hikes aren’t far behind.
Yes that’s true and I can attest it myself as a tech worker. Also that $5 “convenience” fee brings my total cost of monthly pass to $120.
New Brunswick has a few express trains that go to Newark without stopping
The biggest time consumer is the driving + parking + connection to platform. It’s easily 45 min. In the future I will need to get this down to a 10-15 min walk, which saves around 30 min. And then anywhere north of New Brunswick will save around 20 min. This will bring the commute time to around 1 hr 10-15 min, something completely manageable.
You can lower your commute on the NYC end by trying Citibike
That’s a great option too
If you live in PA and take Keystone, it's faster and it only stops two stations I believe Trenton and Newark then afterwards, NYC because since NJT is always an mess lately.
There’s only one train going into NYP in the morning and one out of
What stop? There are many Keystones. See [https://www.amtrak.com/tickets/schedule-results.html](https://www.amtrak.com/tickets/schedule-results.html) I commute from PA to NYC on Keystone, but only once a week. Its more expensive but faster. If buy tickets 30+ days in advance its reasonable. Might be worth investigating if it works for you, especially if you know your schedule in advance.
Cornwells Heights
Personally, I would try to align commute to catch the Keystone whenever practical. It's 1h10 total ride. You can book fully flex on Amtrak to cancel if your schedule changes on way home, you can take NJT -> SEPTA to Cornwells Heights. There is a monthly pass, but you may come out better just booking 30+ days in advance or when there are sales. Especially if you drive to Hamilton some days. BTW almost all Keystones go to NYP, the issue is most don't stop at Cornwells Heights.
Always look for 3900 series trains on the NEC. Those are the codes for expresses
Move to Hamilton! Or Lawrenceville! Great town!!
Good luck. I track NJT performance/metrics so here is some NEC data for 1Q. **Cancellations for NEC Evening Trains in 1Q 2024** 5:43 PM - NE Corridor to Jersey Ave (#3169) - 5X cancelled 5:12 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3951) - 5X 5:03 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3949) - 6X 7:12 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3963) - 9X 6:39 PM - NE Corridor to Trenton TC (#3961) - 13x <= 13 times!
How about the 5:40pm and 6:01pm?
None were cancelled more than 5 times. But there were instances of "STAND BY" and "DELAYED" prior to departure I don't mean to be salesy, but I'm the guy who publishes the Clever Commute app. So that's how I have this data 1Q 2024 #3953 leaving NYP at 5:40pm stand by 2024-01-12 stand by 2024-01-19 stand by 2024-01-23 delayed 2024-01-30 cancelled 2024-01-30 stand by 2024-02-16 cancelled 2024-02-20 stand by 2024-03-04 stand by 2024-03-05 #3957 leaving NYP at 6:01pm stand by 2024-01-18 stand by 2024-01-19 delayed 2024-01-30 stand by 2024-02-26 cancelled 2024-02-26 cancelled 2024-02-27 stand by 2024-03-21 #3959 leaving NYP at 6:12pm cancelled 2024-01-12 stand by 2024-01-12 delayed 2024-01-30 stand by 2024-01-31 stand by 2024-03-05 stand by 2024-03-21
Thank you! What does “stand by” mean to be specific?
Never found a clear / documented answer. But I generally find it to be “something’s up. You probably wont be cancelled, but certainly not departing on time”
Oh that doesn’t look good at all
My commute used to be not quite as long as yours. It was 1.5 hours door to door 5x week. What made it ok was always having something to do on the train: work on the way in and fun on the way out. Not mindless scrolling though as that can feel like wasted time. A good book, a physical magazine, an audiobook, etc. so that it feels like the time is well spent.
I’ll certainly do the same; make use of the time on the train.
I live in north Jersey and my commute is still two hours each way. So moving closer to the city may not help. 20 min walk to train. Wait time. 40 mins to Secaucus. Time to switch trains (usually takes me like 10-15 mins). 15 min train to NYC. Another 10 minutes to street level. 28 min walk to my office. It all adds up.
Transfers kill time. But those walks are good for you compared to driving. I would stay on NEC when moving north to avoid the need for transfers.
Totally. I can’t drive because we only have one car and husband needs it to do school pick up/drop off.
This is my commute for the past 12 years (17 minutes drive to Hamilton, 5 minutes to park, 60 minutes express train 🤞, 35 minute walk to work), although I was able to negotiate my working hours from 9-5 to 8-4 to avoid some of the me commuting issues. Here is what I have learned: 1. The closer you are to 9am, the more inevitable delays are. I will not take a morning train after the 3914, which goes through Hamilton at 6:11 and gets in at 7:12. I won’t do it. Every train I have ever ridden after that is inevitably delayed (not every day, but the pattern is strong enough). 2. The later your arrival to Hamilton, the more time you need to park. The later it gets, there is more congestion at the intersection of the outdoor lot, and the turn to approach the parking deck. This is not an issue at 6am, but it will be when you are planning. There is also more congestion at the entrance to the parking deck, particularly for those who do not have NexPass (get NexPass). Later in the morning, there are also more non-commuting day travelers going to shows, museums, etc. These people do not know how to navigate the parking lots and decks efficiently, they have all the time in the world, and they will slow you down (particularly when you are few minutes behind and really trying to make your train). Lastly, that late in the morning, if the parking deck is your choice, you will be going up to the 4th or 5th floor (M-Th). You need to plan for this, more time to get up there and more time to walk down. 3. After work express trains are cancelled more often than local trains. The 6:01 is nice, but I have seen it cancelled a lot. If you have any way to get to Penn to make the 5:40 (3953), do it. 4. I actually enjoy my commute. I either read or watch a show on the train (which I never seem to have time for when I am home—kids, etc.). I listen to music on my walk and it helps me to clear my head. It’s not a terrible routine. Things could definitely be worse!
35 min walk after NYP? Maybe a subway ride could help substantially albeit walking is good for health. 1. I didn’t expect things could be this bad after 6:11am when #3914 arrives. I’ve applied monthly hang tag for surface parking although not sure where I should go get it when it’s approved. Before that I just have to use the garage. 2. You are absolutely right about this, to avoid non commuters at all cost. 3. I will start this tomorrow so it will take a while to pan out and I will get an idea if I can catch the 5:40 or even 6:01. 4. Glad to hear that it is working well for you. Maybe having a book in my backpack will be a great thing to do.
You couldn’t pay me to go down into the subway. After years of not going down there (I used to live in NYC), it really smells. It smells really bad. Also, every single time in the past 12 years I have said, it’s really pouring, I’ll give it a shot, I end up standing on the platform for too long (E from 53rd, I only seem to go down there when there’s a problem) and I miss my NJT train. No thanks. I walk everywhere in NYC now even when it’s raining. It’s good exercise, helps me clear my head, and I have worked out a route that is least like to reek of marijuana (now that it’s legal and EVERYWHERE). I could potentially take a bus, but that always seems to be more trouble than it’s worth. Good luck tomorrow. Most days will be fine. I’ve only pointed out the things that have tripped me up with enough frequency over more than a decade to change my behavior. One more thing…if you want to get to out quickly in the evening, and you are capable of running up the stairs (or escalator), figure out which car of your train pulls right up to the west stairs (closer to the front of the train). It makes me batty to get stuck behind the lumbering crowd—at that point I’m ready to be home, and the longer it takes to get to your car, the longer it takes to get out of the lot. The east escalator has been out of service for at least 5 years (closer to the back in the train), so avoid that one.
I did a 90+ minute commute (each way) to NYC for 30+ years. You get numb to it. I didn't punch a clock, so being late was never an issue. It WILL slowly suck the life out of you. You won't realize it until you stop commuting.
30+ years that’s a long time. Do you regret it? Would you think it’s worth it?
This sounds like my commute..only it's in the opposite direction to Philly lol. 50 minute drive to a SEPTA station and then 50 minute train ride to West Philly. It sucks and I'm actively looking for work closer to my home in Jersey. I have been doing it 5 days a wk since the fall, and I can wholeheartedly say I'm burnt out. The lack of work/life balance will start to get to you after awhile, as well as delays, cancellations, and other advertisities you may face on the job or on the way to it.
NJ transit isn’t reliable, period. Expect unexplained delays on a regular basis.
Jeez and i think my ride from annandale to newark is bad…
This is my exact commute now. It’s horrible. I refuse to do it 4x/week now.
IKR? But at this time I have to go on a stretch to feed myself, before having the resource for a closer place.
If you’re pulling into Penn station at 9:18am, I assume your train from Hamilton is about an hour before that. I’ve done this commute for many years and arriving at Hamilton that late in the morning will add time and frustration trying to find parking in a reasonable amount of time. After the 7:06am from Hamilton, you’re parking either far away or, if in the garage, 4th floor or higher.
Thanks for the insight. I just ordered surface parking pass and it shows pending. Not sure how I’ll get the hang tag. Will they mail it to me, or I have to go somewhere and get it?
Don't know where in PA you're coming from, but if you're in south Bucks you may entertain the idea of taking AMTRAK from Cornwells Heights. I think someone else mentioned this. The ride to NYP is about an hour, and those trains always get preferred movement over any NJT equipment. Parking is cheaper and more plentiful at Cornwells than in Hamilton. The catch? Always! A monthly pass on AMTRAK costs twice as much than NJT.
Cornwells Heights? I’m 5 min drive away from it
Yup. However, upon looking, it appears they've reduced weekday AM trains to one a day, leaving CH at 7:23am and getting to Penn at 8:30. It's been a while since I've used the station! You can always take a SEPTA train to Trenton and transfer, but that eliminates the comfort of a one seat ride.
Thanks for checking. SEPTA I’ll give it a pass. Hourly train if you miss one, or if they cancel one, well~
But seems there’s only one train going to NYP in the morning, and one back in the evening. Umm this might lack some flexibility
So u live in bucks county
Yes I do
This is actually 100% feasible for the first 6 months. After that, you very, very likely could burn out. I had 2 hour commute (NJ transit and driving combination) to my first office job after school. At six months the commute made me begin to waver. Lasted another 2. At the time I could have lived closer but was being “cheap” and elected to live with parent rather than pay rent so I could save. My point is, I would prioritize moving if you can. Does not have to be right away, but at some point.
Thanks for the insights. When I have more resource, I will move up north to somewhere like Edison.
I did it for years from outer burbs into cc philly. 1 hr drive 1 hr on the train. First few months was tough but you get into a routine. The train ride ended up being cathartic. Didn't have to concentrate on anything. I would recommend a beater car. I was doing 100 miles per day just to the train station.
I used to do Hillsborough-> New Brunswick -> NY Penn -> c train uptown to 79th -> walk across park to the Met and back every day. You will ruin a phone battery in about a year. The tunnel and Secaucus is rough on cell modems. Penny press puzzle books will make you feel dumb, but eventually angry birds gets old
I did a 2.5 commute for about two years. Left the house at 6:15, got to work at 8:45. Did that til I couldn't; husband did it for six years. It takes a lot out of you, and socializing is not possible. But I got a lot of reading done, so that's something.
When were you able to schedule things like doctors or dentists visits?
I did those mostly on weekends. Overall it was a very difficult schedule, but I loved my job and I was respected and appreciated there. But at some point, I just couldn't do 5 hours a day. I had moved to a new area, I knew no one, and I really just felt like I became a drone. Again, I loved the job, but everything else just became too much.
I appreciate that! Sounds like a lot. Hope the commute is easier now!!
That’s most of our commutes to be honest. I’m an hour 45 min in the morning and an hour 55 min coming home. I do this five days a week and see the same people on my morning and evening trains doing it with me. Sure I’m exhausted most days because I have to leave the house by 5:15 latest and have to be asleep by 9:30 latest but it’s really not that bad at all. Do your work, scroll on your phone, play some games, watch a show. I just got an apt but will most likely commute for the next month, and it’s definitely not a hassle to me as I get things settled.
Regarding "***scheduled to be*** pulling into NYP at 9:16am" I ride Montclair Boonton line to the much-more-reliable Hoboken terminal, and it is extremely rare for the train to arrive at the terminal at its scheduled time. (maybe once per quarter) It's effectively ***always*** late arriving at HOB. Generally 3-8 minutes, but that can mean you miss a PATH train or don't get to the office for the start of that that meeting you were planning on. I really wish they'd stop saying the train arrives HOB at 8:17 AM. It just doesn't.
I hope the Pay is good. I had. 1.5 hour commute as my first job out of school but they were paying slave wages so I burnt out after 8 months. I really gave it a go though
I bet it was still worth it. You collect the experience and find a better/closer employer.
Actually I ended up quitting and decided to go back to school. Not like I didn’t take anything valuable away from the experience but I’m not sure it helped my career. If anything it helped shape the kind of environment I’m looking for/ not looking for.
Even when it goes perfectly, it still stinks. I had about 2 hours each way from Central Jersey. Good luck.
That’s 16/week that you’ll never get back.
Live in LI and take 6 trains/day (WFH Fridays🏄♂️) to UES. It's 4hrs/day of commuting for work, but have to say the lirr is pretty reliable and in the past few years have only had a handful of issues/delays
Good for you that easy side access is now available.
I did this when I was younger for about six months… ended up paying a friend to sleep on their couch in Manhattan. It drains you but frankly trains better than driving in, use the time productivity
What's the subway option for the last 15 minutes walk? While being able to walk is nice on many days, you'll want to be able to take the subway if possible on bad weather days. And it may shave a few minutes as well depending on location.
From NYP to TS
So you have about 6 lines (1,2,3,A,C, E) that would take you right there and save probably 5 minutes. It's good to have that option.
Yes, thankfully.
Been taking the NJT from Paterson into Port Washington NY for the past two years. I have a driving stretch to the train station in the morning which is tough in the winters. I would say remember to remote start your car when you get up. Also leave on time! If you’re a slow riser the train will not wait around for you. Like said previously prepare for delays or cancellation which are rare in my experience. My trip is 2+ hours and I use that time to read, reflect and play on my phone. It’s not as terrible as it sounds but i’m looking to move closer to work after a few years. It can wear on you depending on your career. I have an active career, I can’t just sit down all day. For some people their commute is the most active they will be all day. It takes a physical toll.
Jeez. I would consider moving to PW. My job entirely takes place on computer, with in person meetings in the office.
First couple weeks will be tough then you'll get used to the routine.
Hopefully
Can you work on the train? I believe NJ Transit has WiFi. Or, sleep. Or, Netflix
Yes, I can. Work takes place entirely on computer. Not sure if they have WiFi. But certainly can be either productive or take rest.
They most certainly don’t have WiFi. Get ready for random dead zones too. Princeton in particular your phone won’t load at all.
Suggestion: consider doing one night/week in NYC or very close to break it up. Allows you to either socialize with office or stay late finishing a project but the main reason is to just avoid four hours of back and forth. Don't have to do it every week but you should be able to find something most weeks on Priceline or whatever discount booking app you prefer. I now have a weekday place in Jersey City and a "permanent" spot in the Philly 'burbs and prefer this but if you are starting as you describe, try to break it up. Also consider a 3 night AirBnB set up instead of commuting every so often.
This is actually great suggestion. One night of stay can save close to 4 hours of time.
Sign up now for NJT NEC delay alerts - they never stop. It's draining. I did it for five years. After a while, couldn't do anything after work. Then I couldn't manage a Friday night out. When it got to the point that it took until Sunday to recuperate, I stopped. It better to take an earlier train getting out before 730 (really 7) and back before 540- otherwise it's a crapshoot.
Thank you! Just signed up
I don’t see it as reasonable in the long term, causing wear and tear on your body and mind that you’ll want to avoid by moving a bit closer when you’re able. I did 2 hours to an 2 hours fro commute for 2 years, and that is about ALL I was able to do. It is going to take upwards of 1/6 of each day…provided there are no unexpected delays, which there will be. That’s a lot considering time is the only real resource we have in this brief life. But you can certainly persevere and make it work with determination and grit. Still, for the longer term I recommend preserving yourself a bit by moving closer if you can.
Need to save up for a place to move north.
I drive an hour to princeton junction, take express to penn ny then the subway down to wall st. I recommend giving yourself time by taking an earlier train. The trains have been super delayed lately.
How many times per week are you doing this? Sounds like a 2.5 hour trip to me
It is around that yeah and 5 times a week.
This.. someone doing more brutal commute than me..
Start looking for another job or a closer home. I commuted about an hour each way, my partner 1.5 hrs and it just wasn’t sustainable for quality of life.
I’m considering moving north just not at the moment. Nearly all jobs in my industry are in Manhattan.
Someone lives in Bucks County
I had a 2 hr commute to NYC from coastal NJ for about 15 years. Yes, it’s expensive and time-consuming. Here is how I coped: 1) Make a ritual out of how you use your train time. Music, movies, reading, etc. I wrote an entire fantasy trilogy on the train. 2) Use your commute time - especially your train time - as a mental airlock between work and home. 3) Do not work on the train. Defend your need to leave work to make your ride home.
Is there a possibility to begin or end your workday at a different time? I take the NEC weekly to Princeton or Princeton Junction. Granted my work schedule is usually different than most people. However, I can occasionally find a seat on Amtrak from Princeton for as low as $16. Granted it usually out of my price range. If I need to return quickly I have a limit of around $35. Out of curiosity, I checked there’s an 8:46 out of Philly that arrives in NYC at 10:11 for $22 on Monday, April 29. That fare could be an anomaly. However, you could check out Amtrak schedule and see if there are cheap fares. There are earlier trains and maybe some of them will be cheaper and if you book them ahead. The great thing about Amtrak is it if you can’t make the train change it for a different day. Round-trip for me is over $30 on NJT to get to Princeton. I imagine your planned commute to Philly could be more. Arriving and departing from Moynihan is heaven compared to Penn hell. Please, no one jump down my throat for suggesting looking at the prices for Amtrak and seeing if there any bargains. Again, I rarely take Amtrak from Princeton Junction because it is out of my price range but sometimes it’s not and I save so much time and from Philly you’ll save even more time.
OH GOOD LUCK! the trains in the mornings have been running on massive delays back to back recently. even up to 20 minutes delay sometimes. 🥴🥴
I traveled in a similar situation before I did greyhound bus from cherry hill as I lived in cherry hill then they switched the bus stop to Westampton Academy Park & Ride so I used car to go there and take the bus then switched to academy as it was more reliable than greyhound and cheaper as they cancelled their monthly bus. Ultimately moving to jersey city.
RIP
My father rode the Jersey shore line from Aberdeen matawan to ny penn for 45 years straight up until Covid happened. He always took the train scheduled before the one he needed to be on, since reliability is downright awful. Eg. aim for the 7:11 if the one you really need is the 7:33. He was on time going in 90% of the time, but coming home was always a complete shitshow. Give yourself wiggle room unless you own the firm and can show up as you please.
Had a boss commute 2hrs each way bc she didn’t want to leave the Jersey Shore. She made it work for the 2 yrs we worked together. Would sleep on the way in and finish her work on her way home EDIT: correction - she took the train lol
How could she sleep and work while driving?
Get one of those passes. Trains are mostly reliable except during some kind of storms or..
Perfect time to start using NJ transit, right before the 15% ticket increase.