Intercity Mass Transit

Amtrak

Please note, new shedules are going into effect on June 21. So, information here may change!

Unboxed Bicycles

There used to be several trains serving NYC that allowed you to roll your bike onto the train's baggage car. Well, with recent schedule changes, there's only one left, The Adirondak. But, don't count your chickens before they hatch, since this too could disappear during the next schedules change.

The Adirondack serves the corridor between Montreal, QC, Albany, NY and NYC.

Bikes are accepted at all stations with Amtrak personnell. Reservations are required and a small service charge applies.

When boarding in NYC, be aware that boarding announcements give you very little time to get to the train and Penn Station has several odd routings to platform elevators. So, about 20 or 30 minutes before your train, ask a "Red Cap" -- who are folks that help passengers move their baggage around -- which platform your train is going to be on. Then go down as soon as you can so you'll have plenty of time to get to the platforma and work with the train crew to get your bike settled in.

Boxed Bicycles

Tains with baggage service accept bikes if you put them in a box. But, the catch is, there are very few trains with baggage service. And the double whammy: baggage departments aren't necessarily open at the times those trains arrive/depart. So, while Amtrak can provide you with a bike box for $10, make sure you've got everything lined up ahead of time. Seems Amtrak is more and more becoming a long distance commuter service, rather than a means of interrcity transportation.

Buses

A number of relatively new bus companies have begun offering service between New York's Chinatown and Chinese neighborhoods in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Not only do these buses run frequently at rock-bottom prices, but they take bikes no questions asked and no boxes necessary. Call ahead to make sure there will be a full-size coach with luggage comparatment available at the time you're traveling.

Fung Wah is the best-known of this new breed of bus service. Other "Chinatown bus" options are listed here.

The following bus information is courtesy of Transportation Alternatives:

• Adirondack / Pine Hill Trailways: 800-858-8555. Serves the Adirondacks. No fee, travels in luggage bay if space available, must be boxed or bagged (supply your own) and cannot exceed 8" x 32" x 60". No guarantee that a connecting carrier will accept it.
• Bonanza Bus: 1-888-751-8800 or 212-947-1766 or 1-800-556-3815. Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Boston, Northeast. Boxed bikes only, $3.00 charge.
• Greyhound: 800-231-2222. National service. Bicycles must be packed in wood, leather, canvas or other substantial carrying case, and securely fastened. Carrying case cannot exceed 8" x 32" x 60". A charge of $15 will be assessed for each bicycle transported.
• Martz Trailways: 800-233-8604. Serves Philadelphia, Poconos. No fee, but provide your own box.
• Miami Express: 212-781-7954. Serves Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami. Collapsible or boxed bikes only, $0.50 per pound.
• Peter Pan: 800-343-9999. Serves the Northeast. No fee, travels in luggage bay, take off front wheel. However, be prepared to box your bike and pay, especially during holidays.
• Trailways: 800-858-8555. National service. No fee, must provide you own box or bag.