Amtrak’s Night Owl travels to Philadelphia, Washington, DC and more

Here’s the good news. Yes, you can actually travel to Philadelphia from New York’s Penn Station for a measly $10 each way on Amtrak, thanks to the so-called Night Owl fares that the company launched last year. That’s cheaper than a drive to Philly once you factor in tolls on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the New Jersey Turnpike ($21.67 with Fast Pass), not to mention the cost of gas. For many of us, that’s even cheaper than the price of the Long Island Rail Road train that will get you to Penn for the trip to Philly.

However, a closer look at Amtrak’s fares over the next few weeks reveals that there’s a catch: you have to be willing to leave Penn at odd times — a little after midnight, say. with a train arriving just before , the $10 round-trip trains from Philly typically run on a more reasonable schedule and run during the 8 or 9 PM hours.

Where things get a bit more interesting is for trips further afield. Trains from Penn to Union Station in Washington, DC, a 3 1/2-hour trip, can be as low as $20 (departing on select days at 5:45 a.m.) or $25 (4:50 a.m.), while return trips depart in during the 21:00 or 22:00 hours is often $25 as well. Booking at least a week in advance is the best way to ensure you get the lowest price.

The same is true of travel to Boston from Penn. For trains departing during 7 p.m. on select dates, prices can be as low as $25 for the 4 1/2-hour tour. Return trips to Penn between 9pm and 10pm are also often $25.

Assuming Amtrak’s trains run on schedule—not always a safe bet, to be sure—all three destinations are cheaper to visit by train than by car, let alone by plane. Not only do Amtrak’s Night Owl fares beat the cheapest airfare, they come with fewer restrictions and can be more convenient (crazy departure times notwithstanding). Wi-Fi is free on all trains, you can take up to three bags with you for free, the middle seats are unsold and the trains land you right in the middle of the city.

For more information on prices and schedules, visit amtrak.com.

Newsday writer and restaurant critic Scott Vogel aims for a refreshing, gimlet-eyed take on Long Island’s food scene, often while drinking a refreshing gimlet.