Travel from Philadelphia to Princeton Game

Hey,

Are any Philadelphia-area Cornell alumni going to the Princeton game this Friday?

I plan on taking the Septa R-7 train to Trenton, then the NJ Transit trains to Princeton Junction and on to Princeton. Has anyone taken these particular trains before and can comment on how appropriate of a method of getting to Princeton they are?

Depending on time of day and schedules, the connection in Trenton could be as much as a 40 minute wait. I've made the transfer in as little as 5 minutes, but I know people who have had to wait almost the full time between trains (about 30 minutes on a Friday). Driving is faster and easier than the train, but if you don't have a car I think that's pretty much your only way up there.

If you can find an Amtrak train that stops in Princeton it'd be faster to take that, but it'll also be much more expensive. Amtrak stops in Princeton something like once a day, so it's probably not a viable option. If you have a commuter rail pass, you might get away with the Amtrak into Trenton on your pass (not sure how Septa passes work with Amtrak - NJTransit passes get you free rides at certain times), which could shorten your transfer time. I haven't looked at the schedules in awhile, but it's worth checking out.

Also, be sure your train back will get you from Trenton into Philly. Getting stuck in Trenton is no fun at all.

Yeah, the train (or the greyhound bus--- gasp) would be my only ways there.

I have the Septa trans- pass (just the basic one that is good in the city, but it will give me a discount on the ride out to Trenton --- $3 instead of $7)... not sure about how the septa passes work on Amtrak - I don't think they do.

Thanks for your advice...

I take NJ transit all the time and they have, to some extent, integrated their NorthEast Corridor schedule with SEPTA's R7. Here's the dope:

Game starts at 7:00 PM and the Dinky (Princeton) station is a 3 minute walk from the Rink.

Best/last Princeton Jct. shuttle leaves Princeton Jct at 6:40 and gets to Princeton at 6:45.

The NEC Corridor Train #3870 that gets to Princeton Jct at 6:25 leaves Trenton at 6:13. 15 minute wait, but whadda-you-gonna-do? (The "Dinky" is primarily oriented to NY-passengers.)

It, in turn, is met by the SEPTA R7 train that (supposedly per the schedule) leaves 30th St at 5:15 and gets to Trenton at 6:06. The 7 minute connection is ideal -- just enough for the minor delay, just in case.

Note that you should be able to buy a through ticket to Princeton at NJ Transit or SEPTA ticket machines at 30th St. No discount, just a bit more convenient.

That should work

Good luck!