Taxis/ride shares/rental cars near train stations

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virtuososprey

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Hi everyone, new Dad here (Raleigh, NC area). My DD is expecting an offer, she completed all the steps (LOA, medical, CFA, nomination) and eagerly waiting for an offer. We are scared ****less but she is really excited and happy to support her in any way possible. We are beginning to make plans for R-day. The last two times we visited West Point, we flew into Albany and rented a car. This time around, we are trying to see if it makes sense to fly into NYC (direct, frequent flights) and take a train. Having never done this before:

1) Is it easy to get taxis or ride share from either Garrison or Peekskill train stations? And how much do these cost?
2) Is it possible to rent a car near these stations?

Thanks!
 
I would fly into either LaGuardia Airport in Queens or Newark Airport in New Jersey and rent a car for the just over one hour drive from either airport. You would probably encounter more vehicle traffic driving from LaGuardia than Newark, but you never can be certain. The train option would begin at Grand Central Station in Manhattan aboard the Metro North Railroad. You would take the Hudson Line to the Croton-Harmon Station or the Peekskill Station and then get a taxi. Garrison Station is closer, but you may not be able to get a taxi readily there.
 
JDBx3 said:
I would fly into either LaGuardia Airport in Queens or Newark Airport in New Jersey and rent a car for the just over one hour drive from either airport. You would probably encounter more vehicle traffic driving from LaGuardia than Newark, but you never can be certain. The train option would begin at Grand Central Station in Manhattan aboard the Metro North Railroad. You would take the Hudson Line to the Croton-Harmon Station or the Peekskill Station and then get a taxi. Garrison Station is closer, but you may not be able to get a taxi readily there.
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Following.
And we are in the same situation - DS received a LOA and we are excitedly awaiting a decision.
 
JDBx3 said:
I would fly into either LaGuardia Airport in Queens or Newark Airport in New Jersey and rent a car for the just over one hour drive from either airport. You would probably encounter more vehicle traffic driving from LaGuardia than Newark, but you never can be certain. The train option would begin at Grand Central Station in Manhattan aboard the Metro North Railroad. You would take the Hudson Line to the Croton-Harmon Station or the Peekskill Station and then get a taxi. Garrison Station is closer, but you may not be able to get a taxi readily there.
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Thanks @JDBx3! Are there any rental car options at Garrison or Peekskill?
 
Exactly what others have said. You need a car. West Point is isolated, and the dining/lodging options in Highland Falls are limited. There is a lot more options in Woodbury and Newburgh, both of which are about 20min drive away. For RDay to stay at the Thayer Hotel, you have to pretty much book and pay now, and it will be expensive. There is an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Peekskill that is about 5 miles from the train station, which they may come and pick you up. Garrison is very small, so there are very few services in and out of there. Cadets sometimes have the option of taking the ferry to and from West Point to the Garrison station, but this too is hit or miss. My DS almost got stuck in Garrison on his way back from a day in NYC as Uber and Lyft are not reliable there. Thank God for MacMoms! IF you are insistent on taking the train, LGA (LaGuardia) is a good option to fly into. There is a bus from the airport to the station that will take you north. If you are ok with renting a car at an Airport, fly into EWR (Newark) as you dont have to cross the Hudson on the NY side. I have done both several times, and ALWAYS ran into traffic crossing over coming from LGA. EWR is under renovation, and so there are a few gotchas, but easily managed. The drive from EWR to West Point is between 1hr to 2hrs depending on traffic, and your route.

Hope that helps.
 
virtuososprey said:
Thanks @JDBx3! Are there any rental car options at Garrison or Peekskill?
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Croton-Harmon has the most express trains running north from grand central so I think it's a better option if you want to rent a car. There is an Enterprise car rental nearby, but not in close walking distance maybe 2 miles tops from the station. They are very nice there and I think they might agree to pick you up.
You could also fly into Westchester County Airport. (HPN) and rent a car there. Charlotte is a direct flight but I think Raleigh would have a stop.
I'd take a look at the Holiday Inn in Fort Montgomery which is on the newer side for nearby hotels.
 
virtuososprey said:
Thanks @JDBx3! Are there any rental car options at Garrison or Peekskill?
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Garrison does not have a rental car place. It is a train stop, but more for people who live in the area and commute towards NYC. Only time uber/lyft is reliable is around major holidays. It's really only a train station cadets know how to get around and upperclassmen usually help people out by offering rides

Based on your circumstance, recommend flying into laguardia, newark, or jfk. laguardia is pretty deep in nyc so id recommend newark. also, too many bad experiences from traveling from laguardia. Definitely rent a car as it gives you an opportunity to explore the hudson valley
 
toomuchtimeonmyhands said:
Garrison does not have a rental car place. It is a train stop, but more for people who live in the area and commute towards NYC. Only time uber/lyft is reliable is around major holidays. It's really only a train station cadets know how to get around and upperclassmen usually help people out by offering rides

Based on your circumstance, recommend flying into laguardia, newark, or jfk. laguardia is pretty deep in nyc so id recommend newark. also, too many bad experiences from traveling from laguardia. Definitely rent a car as it gives you an opportunity to explore the hudson valley
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Thank you!🙏 Super helpful
 
I am an admin on the WP Moms page...and a lot of folks/moms are like: 'I don't want to rent a car. I am afraid to drive in the city.' You can do planes, trains, and automobiles/Uber/Taxi to get to USMA from anywhere but it does not mean you will have transportation on post--it is a military base in a remote area so you don't know if your Uber or taxi has permission and then the distances between things...do you want your incoming cadet candidate walking the mile up hill on R-Day from the Thayer? Spoiler Alert: No, you do not...and you do not want to have to do that either. Also there are events on post the afternoon before R-Day...like the AoG reception--which you and your cadet candidate will want to attend. Swallow the pill and rent the car.
If you fly in and out of Newark...there is no driving in NYC--just highways around the city and then country roads. Bring Google Maps and get the toll buzzer/EZ Pass for the rental.
 
DrMom said:
I am an admin on the WP Moms page...and a lot of folks/moms are like: 'I don't want to rent a car. I am afraid to drive in the city.' You can do planes, trains, and automobiles/Uber/Taxi to get to USMA from anywhere but it does not mean you will have transportation on post--it is a military base in a remote area so you don't know if your Uber or taxi has permission and then the distances between things...do you want your incoming cadet candidate walking the mile up hill on R-Day from the Thayer? Spoiler Alert: No, you do not...and you do not want to have to do that either. Also there are events on post the afternoon before R-Day...like the AoG reception--which you and your cadet candidate will want to attend. Swallow the pill and rent the car.
If you fly in and out of Newark...there is no driving in NYC--just highways around the city and then country roads. Bring Google Maps and get the toll buzzer/EZ Pass for the rental.
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And Palisades Parkway is *gorgeous*
 
According to some OG moms, you can take the train to Peekskill and get enterprise to pick you up there and take you to their cortlandt office. We’ve kicked the idea around for random visit times, but I’d definitely recommend checking all the details before choosing that option.

Would I do any of that on R day? Heck no. You want easy, guaranteed, complication avoidant travel that weekend. Keep it easy on your CC and yourself.
 
DrMom said:
I am an admin on the WP Moms page...and a lot of folks/moms are like: 'I don't want to rent a car. I am afraid to drive in the city.' You can do planes, trains, and automobiles/Uber/Taxi to get to USMA from anywhere but it does not mean you will have transportation on post--it is a military base in a remote area so you don't know if your Uber or taxi has permission and then the distances between things...do you want your incoming cadet candidate walking the mile up hill on R-Day from the Thayer? Spoiler Alert: No, you do not...and you do not want to have to do that either. Also there are events on post the afternoon before R-Day...like the AoG reception--which you and your cadet candidate will want to attend. Swallow the pill and rent the car.
If you fly in and out of Newark...there is no driving in NYC--just highways around the city and then country roads. Bring Google Maps and get the toll buzzer/EZ Pass for the rental.
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Agree 100%. We will give flying into Newark a try for sure! We had a rental car both times we visited West Point but we flew into Albany with a connection. Flying to Newark should be direct/better.
 
virtuososprey said:
Agree 100%. We will give flying into Newark a try for sure! We had a rental car both times we visited West Point but we flew into Albany with a connection. Flying to Newark should be direct/better.
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RIght? It does not make sense to fly into New Jersey to go to New York--but it is normally a direct flight and cheaper. The car rental is easier...again, just get the EZ Pass...you will need it. Safe travels and enjoy. Going during the winter is good--it shows your kid what it will be like when he or she lives there next year and for four years. My kid matriculated from living on the equator. He had been to West Point many times but almost exclusively during the summer months. The first winter there floored him. They had morning formation outside and it was single digit temperatures. He is not one to complain but one he said, "Why couldn't it be 'Key West Point'?" and here we are. GO ARMY! Drive safely and enjoy the holiday season and the college visits with your kid.
 
DrMom said:
RIght? It does not make sense to fly into New Jersey to go to New York--but it is normally a direct flight and cheaper. The car rental is easier...again, just get the EZ Pass...you will need it. Safe travels and enjoy. Going during the winter is good--it shows your kid what it will be like when he or she lives there next year and for four years. My kid matriculated from living on the equator. He had been to West Point many times but almost exclusively during the summer months. The first winter there floored him. They had morning formation outside and it was single digit temperatures. He is not one to complain but one he said, "Why couldn't it be 'Key West Point'?" and here we are. GO ARMY! Drive safely and enjoy the holiday season and the college visits with your kid.
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How dare you. West Point is like Lake Wobegon. All the Cadets are above average, it’s always sunny and mild, the Hudson never freezes over, and Highland Falls dining is a virtual gastronomic cornucopia.
 
virtuososprey said:
Hi everyone, new Dad here (Raleigh, NC area). My DD is expecting an offer, she completed all the steps (LOA, medical, CFA, nomination) and eagerly waiting for an offer. We are scared ****less but she is really excited and happy to support her in any way possible. We are beginning to make plans for R-day. The last two times we visited West Point, we flew into Albany and rented a car. This time around, we are trying to see if it makes sense to fly into NYC (direct, frequent flights) and take a train. Having never done this before:

1) Is it easy to get taxis or ride share from either Garrison or Peekskill train stations? And how much do these cost?
2) Is it possible to rent a car near these stations?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I strongly recommend flying into Newark and renting a car. Newark is closest and easiest to navigate to WP. Another thing that i strongly suggest is to come 2 days early. Not one day early…. The weather can result in plane delays in the summer. Happened to us, and spent the night on the floor at Midway. The other option is to come a week early and spend a nice family time in NYC.
I do not believe that any trains stop at Garrison. Your Train destination is Peekskill. Cost???? look it up on Rome to Rio or on the Grand Central website. The $$ changes with time of day.

If you are determined to take a train, there is a train running from Grand Central Station up the East side of the Hudson “Metro North” or Long Island Railroad. I Believe (but not sure) that the final destination is Poughkeepsie. Anyway buy a ticket to Peekskill and get on the train. Get off at Peekskill and call an Uber or a taxi or try to rent a car. good luck.
 
DrMom said:
RIght? It does not make sense to fly into New Jersey to go to New York--but it is normally a direct flight and cheaper. The car rental is easier...again, just get the EZ Pass...you will need it. Safe travels and enjoy. Going during the winter is good--it shows your kid what it will be like when he or she lives there next year and for four years. My kid matriculated from living on the equator. He had been to West Point many times but almost exclusively during the summer months. The first winter there floored him. They had morning formation outside and it was single digit temperatures. He is not one to complain but one he said, "Why couldn't it be 'Key West Point'?" and here we are. GO ARMY! Drive safely and enjoy the holiday season and the college visits with your kid.
Click to expand...
Look at a map and you will see why Newark makes sense.
 
edhvoice said:
I strongly recommend flying into Newark and renting a car. Newark is closest and easiest to navigate to WP. Another thing that i strongly suggest is to come 2 days early. Not one day early…. The weather can result in plane delays in the summer. Happened to us, and spent the night on the floor at Midway. The other option is to come a week early and spend a nice family time in NYC.
I do not believe that any trains stop at Garrison. Your Train destination is Peekskill. Cost???? look it up on Rome to Rio or on the Grand Central website. The $$ changes with time of day.

If you are determined to take a train, there is a train running from Grand Central Station up the East side of the Hudson “Metro North” or Long Island Railroad. I Believe (but not sure) that the final destination is Poughkeepsie. Anyway buy a ticket to Peekskill and get on the train. Get off at Peekskill and call an Uber or a taxi or try to rent a car. good luck.
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There is a stop at Garrison, but there isn’t much there. A ferry is available on weekends and holidays from Garrison to South Dock at West Point, but it’s only for Cadets, staff, and dependents. Taxis/Uber/Lyft are spotty from Garrison.

Do NOT take the LIRR. There are some similar sounding names (Cold Spring vs Cold Spring Harbor). But you will go the wrong way. Take Metro North.

As others have written you really need a car to get around. West Point is in a fjord and the terrain is steep.
Shuttles will run on R-Day.
 
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