PHL to Atlantic City?

Hey gang. So this is one of those "seriously, is this worth a thread??!" type of questions. Apologies in advance...

It doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get my Vegas fix in May as I had hoped. So, in lieu of dealing with bugs crawling all over my skin, I'm thinking about doing a few nights with the methadone that is Atlantic City.

In my younger days, I'd hop in the car and head north and not think a thing about it. But the older I get, the less tolerant of long car rides my back gets, so I'm (for the first time in a few dozen AC trips) considering flying. But, in order to do my degenerate version of cost benefit analysis, I need some info:

How long is the drive from PHL to AC?

How is PHL as far as getting one's checked luggage and grabbing a rental car (reasonably quickly)?

Anywhere along the route you'd recommend to stop for a late breakfast/early lunch? Or am I better off just waiting until I get to AC?

Anything else I should know?

Many thanks!

 

I'd say it's about an hour drive from PHL to AC. Pretty straight forward ride.

I can't say that I know of any "must stop" places along the way.

I've always gotten my luggage pretty quicky at PHL. Never rented a car ( I live within driving distance) so can't say about that either.

 

I'd also consider taking NJ Transit -- the train -- from Philadelphia to AC. It's about an hour 20 minutes and I think it is about $7 or $8 each way. There are quite a few trains each day both ways and both the Philadelphia and AC train stations are comfortable/not seedy. It is a commuter train but I find it pretty comfortable, the ride is nice, and you don't have to deal with traffic. There are free shuttle buses at the AC train station that stop near the various hotels or you can hop in a cab.

 

This gets my vote if you are going fly though PHL. It's a relatively short ride on the train from the airport to 30th Street Station to catch the train to AC. I think there are 7 quick stops along the way. Once you get into AC, it's just a quick cab ride or jitney to the hotel. Just make sure you get to the stations on time, especially if it's the last train out for the day.

Honestly, I'm surprised the city or whoever runs the airport doesn't do a better job of getting (any) flights into AC, even if it's just 50-70 seat regional jets from places farther out than PHL (I'm looking at you Allegiant!). I know United had a few flights into AC a few years ago, but it doesn't seem they do that anymore.

 

Philadelphia to AC will take no more than an hour, I took this trip in February and also rented a car.

You need to take a bus outside the terminal to the relevant rental center, this takes 15 minutes max.

 

I've done Amtrak from PGH to PHL to ACY (with NJ Transit ticketed as a Thruway for Amtrak). A reminder that the jitneys are FREE for train passengers connecting to a casino. See http://jitneyac.com/atlantic-city-rail-terminal/3790589

 

It's about an hour and fifteen minutes by far but do keep in mind that it is a bit more trafficky on the weekend.

People have neglected to mention that the Atlantic City expressway is a toll road. And that you will have to pay to park unless you have status.

The train is not a bad option if your flight times align reasonably. It is 10.75 each way (7-8 bucks mentioned above is outdated)

 

Another vote for the train. I do that almost every time I go.

 

or if you have Spirit air. Fly into AC airport

 

I made the drive from Philly to AC at least a hundred times. The AC Expressway can be hot or cold; a lot of variable factors. One thing, after the Garden State Parkway exits merge onto the AC, you can get some jams. Sometimes, the last 10 miles takes as long as the first 55 miles. It can get REALLY jammed up on going back to Philly on summer Sundays. YMMV.

A story: Once, about 2 A.M. and somewhat intoxicated, I decided to drive back home to Philly on the AC. There was hardly anyone on the road, so I decided to see if my car would go 100 MPH. About 75, the frame starts to shake, but I push through and around 85, the ride smooths out and I make to 100. Just then, I see headlights in my side view. I'm thinking that it's the State Police and I am dead. Turns out it was another regular car and he went past me doing at least 120.

 

during summer the check in check out day for shore rentals is Saturdays. Can be busy traffic wise.

 

I would also add that you really don't need a car in AC. It's too easy to take the jitneys, ubers, or walk.

 

Spirit has expanded service to Philly, not sure if that's why they haven't expanded service in AC, they currently only offer flights to a few cities in Florida and Myrtle Beach, SC. Seasonal service to AC has not been announced yet. The Airport is managed by the Port Authority of NY/NJ and the United flights to Chicago were scrapped due to low demand.

In 2015 they gave a $600k subsidy to Air Canada for weekend flights from Toronto to ACY on a turboprop, I think it amounted to $125 per seat for each flight. Air Canada didn't renew in 2016 and I would love to know how many seats were sold on that route.

There is a shared ride airport shuttle that is $127 per person each way, that seems outrageous. The train from PHL airport to 30th St. Station runs about every 30 minutes where you can pick up the NJ Transit train to Atlantic City.

If you rent a car and it's close to lunchtime, stop at John's Roast Pork (14 Snyder Ave.) or Tony Luke's (39 E. Oregon Ave.) for a steak or roast pork sandwich. Get both and compare/contrast. As others have mentioned, the travel time to AC can vary depending on time of day. Evenings are busy as commuters return home to NJ, Friday afternoons in the summer are really busy as folks head down the shore, Saturdays are busy as folks drive to their shore rental homes. Outside of those times, it's not bad. On the return trip from AC, Sunday's are busy as folks return home.

The toll is $3.75 each way and parking is currently free at Resorts, and if you earn 25 points in your Total Rewards card, or spend $75 at a restaurant, you get a free parking voucher. Parking fees are collected upon exit and change with demand, I've seen it in the $10-25 range. Even higher for concerts at Boardwalk hall.

 

$127 a person for the airport shuttle? You could probably get an uber for about that price!

 

Update: you could get an uber from PHL to the Borg for less than that according to the internets. How do they stay in business?

 

Agreed, a single ride would be $227 each way. Its a shuttle van called Rapid Rover that serves South Jersey, sounds like they don't want to go to AC.

There is another shuttle called Tropiano that's $55 each way plus tip for driver. Or a limo for $150 including tip. I have never used these guys, but I've seen their vans at the airport in the past.

BTW, Frontier Airlines serves (tiny) Trenton NJ airport and had some great deals recently. TTN is about 1:30 with out traffic to Atlantic City.

 

Yep. Both Frontier and Allegiant are in Trenton. And usually much cheaper flights. I have gone RT for under $100 from Tampa on Frontier.

 

Thanks so much for all the great info, gang!