car from DC to NY

Hi everyone,

I really apprecaiate any help that we can get. We are five adults that arrive from Europe to Newark NJ on the begining of Sept, and want to take a train directly to Washington DC. After staying in DC (9 days), we would like to go back to New York (stay 8 days), but this time with a car so that we can make a stop Philadelphia. The problem is that we have fine medium-large suitcases (we are staying for 17 days). Avis and Hertz do not have cars large enough for the transport.

What should we do? Should we leave some luggage at the train station in NJ, or is there any car agency with large enough car that van help us?

Thanks for all suggestions.

car from DC to NY

What does stopping in Philadelphia have to do with a car instead of a train? The train line between Washington and new York passes directly through Philadelphia, and all trains stop there. Parking in Philadelphia is not easy, and the streets in center city are narrow -- I would definitely take the train.

car from DC to NY

Hi Greenwhiteblue,

The reason is that we would like to make a stop in Newark Delaware on the way. Newark was the city that my family and I stayed when I was a small kid and I have lots of memories from the city. For the sake of making things simple I did not mention Newark before.

Furthermore, we have luggage and taking them out at the station and into the city and back is not an easy alternative no matter how difficult parking would be.

Perhaps a %26#39;mini van%26#39; would suit your needs? Most of the car rental companies offer them. Dollar Rent A Car (for example) offers a Dodge Caravan (model name).

Website: http://www.dollar.com/fleet/fleet_vehicle_detail.aspx?CarType=US|COUNTRY|MVAR

They say that it holds 7 passengers, 2 large suitcases and 3 small suitcases. Presumably if you only have 5 people as opposed to 7, there will be more room for more luggage. I would assume that Hertz says they offer the Hyundai Entourage in this class, same specs regards passengers %26amp; luggage, and I would assume that Avis has something similar.

One note for when you reserve the car... I would be sure to stress to them that this size vehicle is a non-negotiable point for you, and the only size which is acceptable, and then you should be sure to get the right one when you go to pick it up. I say this because sometimes they run out of cars and try to give you something else when you show up to pick up your car. It%26#39;s happened to me several times, here in NYC and in two other countries, though they are trying to give me a larger car than I%26#39;ve booked (as I always book a tiny one). Just this scenario is why I knew about the Dodge Caravan%26#39;s at Dollar Rent a Car ; )

Good luck to you, hope you have a great trip!

This is just a thought, having lived in or around DC, Philladelphia and NYC for many years. If the only reason you%26#39;re renting a car is to visit Newark, DE (for a day, I assume), why don%26#39;t you take the train to Philadelphia and just rent a car there for your trip to Newark? It will still end up costing you more money since 5 Amtrak tickets can add up, but it may not be much of a difference when you factor in the expense and hassles of car renting and the cost of parking in all these cities.

BTW, when renting a van, I%26#39;ve rented from Dollar many times with good outcomes, but never a van -- however, every van I%26#39;ve seen on their lot in Los Angeles, where I fly at least annually, is the smaller sized Dodge van. To fit your suitcases in (did you mean to say you have ';fine suitcases'; or was that a typo for ';five suitcases';?) you%26#39;ll need to put down that last row of seats, so it will be a squeze for the 5 of you.

But the train also stops in Newark, DE!!

Thanks everyone. Yes it is 5 suitcases and we are discussing taking less but we have three ladies with us that consider taking less suitcases for a 17 day trip is very difficult. All these suggestions are great. I am going to try the car rental agencies mentioned and see if I can get a large car. Stopping at Phil and then taking a short ride back to DE is also a good idea.

Do you guys know if one can leave excess luggage in Newark airport for 9 days and how much it costs? That way we will experience so much freedom.

GWB is correct, the train does stop in Newark De. You can price a multi city train ticket at Amtrak.com I picked some arbitrary dates in Sept. and did an itinerary

Newark Airport to Washington DC

Washington DC to Newark De

Newark De. to Phil

Phil to NYC Penn station

using the promotion code V383 I got a price of $652 for 5 adults. Sounds reasonable to me with no headaches about parking and driving.

If you do decide you want to drive, be warned that insurance for non US citizens can double the price of the car rental. One place to check is

whizzcarrental.com

who include all insurance in the price quote. You might also try

http://www.airline-network.co.uk/CarHire/?

You want a minivan (or on the UK site they might call it a people mover).

Before renting a car, make sure you ask about one way drop charges. Many car rental companies charge extra for allowing you to pick up the rental in one city and drop it off in another.

Also, ask about mileage charges. Make sure you get unlimited miles or you may end up paying extra for going over the allowed mileage.

:)

Good luck!