Need Help - NJ transit - Penn to PHL 30th St

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

My daughter needs to get to Valley Forge, PA, and Amtrak is too expensive for her. I see that she can take NJ Transit North Corridor from Penn Station to Trenton, then transfer to SEPTA to take her to 30th St. Station. From there she can get a shuttle to her hotel. It takes about an hour longer than Amtrak but is significantly cheaper. Is anyone familiar with this route? Is it easy to do? Is the Trenton transfer in one building? Is the area safe? Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

My daughter needs to get to Valley Forge, PA, and Amtrak is too expensive for her. I see that she can take NJ Transit North Corridor from Penn Station to Trenton, then transfer to SEPTA to take her to 30th St. Station. From there she can get a shuttle to her hotel. It takes about an hour longer than Amtrak but is significantly cheaper. Is anyone familiar with this route? Is it easy to do? Is the Trenton transfer in one building? Is the area safe? Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ha ha! I am the queen of mass transit! Yes, I have done this route many times--although not since the late 1980s, I admit. This is known as the college student's path to Philly.

It was and I'm sure is still quite safe. I remember the transfer being in one building. You could call SEPTA and confirm this--here's their number, from the SEPTA website: "Call 215-580-7800. Agents are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m."

The Trenton train station is safe--it's the state capital, so they try to keep it tidy.

It takes longer b/c there's a stop and a transfer and the trains are pokey little commuter trains, not big fast direct Metroliners. And it's delightfully cheaper--I think it was about $15 less in my day, probably an even bigger difference now.