Atlantic City Weekly

Once you arrive in Atlantic City, you can always expect to have fun: frolicking on the beach and walking the Boardwalk, casino gambling and glitz, fine dining, concerts and nightlife, lots of shopping options, or getting pampered at your favorite spa. Sounds good, except it may take hours until you actually get there -- especially during the summer months when it's difficult to avoid sitting in your car frustrated in shore traffic wasting precious time and gas. But even post Labor Day, by taking alternative modes of transportation to town -- for a weekend getaway, a bachelor party or whatever -- the fun can begin as soon you leave your house. Whether by land, by sea, or by air, here are a few alternative transportation ideas to get you to Atlantic City stress-free, smile on your face, and in the mood to partake in your particular flavor of fun.

If half the fun is getting to your destination, try riding in style in a chauffeured limousine. Relax as your driver picks you up at home in a state-of-the-art vehicle complete with television and bar whisking you off to your destination. Whether traveling alone or with a group, a prompt and courteous driver can get you to Atlantic City in comfort. Joseph Dewes, owner of Joe's Limousine Service in Ventnor, attributes the appeal of his business to the fact that clients are looking for more than just a ride.

Dewes notes that his clients "prefer more of an experience than just transportation to go gamble. We have clients that are capable of driving to A.C., but prefer to relax and just enjoy the service we provide for them."

Can limousines be cheaper than driving? The answer depends on what kind of vehicle you are driving, where you are coming from, and how much your peace of mind is worth. For example, a stretch limousine (holding up to nine passengers) can run about $350 round-trip from Philadelphia to A.C. When you break the price down per person, it can be less than $40 each.

According to Dewes, "Most of our clients believe that is cheap compared to the consequences of driving late at night or if they decide to have a couple of drinks. The appeal of the limousine is the experience itself -- everyone is together enjoying that special occasion and the burden or risk of driving is eliminated from the equation."

According to New Jersey Transit, over 200,000 passengers ventured to Atlantic City by rail in 2007. Comfortable seats and ample legroom are only a couple of the amenities available to you on your way to Atlantic City. Passengers can relax and watch the world go by from comfy chairs as all the other people who elected to drive their cars funnel through backed-up tollbooths and traffic jams.

Pam Hall, a Philadelphia resident and avid A.C. fan, not only takes the train for convenience purposes but also to kick off her shoes, relax, and enjoy the view. Hall looks forward to the "pleasant ride" from Philadelphia to Atlantic City as she passes through "...really sweet little towns that remind [her] of Mayberry R.F.D."

In addition to comfort and convenience, you can't beat the price. For $8 each way, trains run multiple times daily from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal. With a price like that, you can arrive in Atlantic City relaxed and with more money to spend! Once in A.C., a convenient shuttle bus is available from the terminal to take you to all of the casinos.

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