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ACES train makes NYC to Atlantic City less of a gamble
Summer in New York City is all about weekend getaways. The city gets hot, sticky and smelly. Thankfully, we're surrounded by beaches to the north (Connecticut), east (Long Island) and south (New Jersey). But only the trip south can add something unique to your beach getaway: gambling. And that's why thousands of New Yorkers flock to Atlantic City, NJ every summer to enjoy the sand and the slots. And a new express train service is aiming to get people out of the heat and into the action quicker than ever before.The ACES train makes only one stop in Newark in between New York's Penn Station and Atlantic City. The train gets you there in under three hours and it's reasonably priced at $39 each way (with an upgrade to first class for $25 more). It only runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but that's when most people are heading to AC anyway. I rode the ACES train round trip from New York to Atlantic City last weekend and came away with the following thoughts.
Pros
- The price really is reasonable for the ease of the trip, limited stops and traffic-free travel.
- The first class service offers a significantly more pleasant ride and is worth the upgrade.
- ACES service is 30-60 minutes shorter than any bus service.
- A free shuttle is provided to-and-from ACES partner properties (Harrah's, Caesars and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa)
- The trains are not scheduled at the most convenient times for maximizing weekend travel plans.
- Some ACES trains are scheduled to take two-and-a-half hours. Others close to three hours. So the time savings isn't consistent across the schedule.
- There are huge gaps of time when no trains run, so if you want to leave Atlantic City later than 10:45am, you have to wait until 7:25pm (on Sundays).
- There's no wi-fi internet access.
I asked the good folks at ACES about the schedule, and they told me that they were somewhat limited by the schedules of NJ Transit and Amtrak, with whom ACES shares tracks. However, they plan to reevaluate their schedule this summer (six months after their February 2009 launch) to see what, if any, changes should be made. I vote for a northbound Sunday train around 4:00pm.
If you're looking to escape NYC this summer and have a hankering for some roulette, waves and prime people watching, then you're probably already planning to head to Atlantic City. ACES certainly seems like the best way to get there.
Filed under: Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Jul 2nd 2009 12:42AM
Thanks for the review of this viable and popular NYC getaway. It certainly sounds like the ACES train gets you to A.C. much more comfortably than the Greyhound bus in what seems like about the same amount of time. I'm definitely going to try it if they keep their $29 sale fare going this Summer. However, I would say the one difference that you didn't touch on is the casino credit. Do you get a gaming credit when you arrive at one of the ACES partner hotels? Last time I took Greyhound (Fall 2008 I think), to offset part of the $30 (possibly $33) fare, we got $20 cash from the Taj Mahal after signing up for a player card. I think I got a rash from the dirty greyhound seats as well, but that's another story.
Mike Barish Jun 30th 2009 5:25PM
Nick...no gambling credits, but I am happy to report that I am rash free.
Miss Expatria Jul 1st 2009 9:44AM
This is a godsend to those of us who have had to schlep on NJ Transit buses for the last umpteen years to get "downashore." The bus in the winter at an off hour can take as little as 2h10m if the driver has somewhere he's gotta be, but in the summer and on holidays I've sat on that bus for 4, 5, even SIX HOURS in traffic, both ways. What a nightmare. I'm very much looking forward to taking ACES when I get back to the States and make the trip down this summer.
Dave Jul 1st 2009 11:53AM
What route did ACE take from NYC to AC? Via Philadelphia? or did they use a track from Trenton directly to AC?
Mick Scarey Aug 17th 2009 11:31AM
This train is a big scam.
(1) "Straight" service to AC/ Bullshit. This freakin train goes to Philly first. It does not literally go into the Philly station but you are right outside the city as it switches tracks. Talk about false advertising. This is akin to thinking you are taking a non-stop flight to Vegas - but you are really going through Chicago
(2) Comfort? Please! If you are over 6 feet you are in trouble. Very tight.
(3) Time - sucks! 3 hours. This is NOT faster than a bus as a bus goes STRAIGHT to AC. I will say that you can hit traffic but if you leave on a reasonable traffic day you will get there way faster via bus.
(4) Expense - now up to $78 RT. Bus is WAYYYYYYYYY cheaper plus you get extras like slot play and such. Of course you can pay way more for first calss comfort as you will need it if you are tall or large (see above)