Publication Date

November 14, 2014

Perspectives Section

Perspectives Daily

Want to attend the AHA annual meeting, but aren’t sure how to get there? Are you looking for ways to save money on travel so you can revel with fellow historians in the Big Apple? To assist you in these endeavors, the AHA staff has kindly put together a few tips on inexpensive travel options.

The last of the horse-drawn carriages. Photo by Brown Brothers. Courtesy of the New York Times photo archive.

If you’re coming from within a few hours of the city, you may want to consider taking the train. The cheapest Amtrak fares for December 31 departures for New York City are $52 (one way) from DC and Boston, and $41 (one way) from Philadelphia. Some lines have quiet cars with wireless hot spots, so you can finish polishing that big presentation… or writing that last-minute paper!

In addition, Amtrak is offering AHA annual meeting attendees a 10 percent discount off the best available fare to New York City between December 30, 2014, and January 8, 2015. To book, call Amtrak at 800-872-7245 or contact your travel agent. Refer to Convention Fare Code X47U-915. Please note that this discount cannot be booked via Amtrak’s website; you must call Amtrak directly and provide the fare code.

Buses can be even cheaper, and there are alternatives to your grandparents’ Greyhound. The new buses are more comfortable, and some offer WiFi on board (so you can continue work on the aforementioned pursuits). Bus fares can range from around $50 for DC-area departures to $100 for those coming from the Midwest, so it can be worthwhile checking bus companies servicing Manhattan.

Want the majestic bird’s-eye view on your approach? Flights are more expensive, but it is possible to get a good deal. You can compare the prices of airline tickets on websites such as Travelocity, Priceline, and Kayak. Some airlines worth looking into might not be listed on these sites; among them are Frontier and JetBlue. A ticket from Chicago to NYC on United costs $314, while on Spirit it costs $216. It is often slightly cheaper to buy directly from the airline, but Travelocity offers “last-minute deals,” which might be cheaper if you’re purchasing your ticket late.

We wish you the best of luck in your travel arrangements, and we look forward to seeing you in January. Bon voyage!

This post first appeared on AHA Today.

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