Mass transit "how-to" for pedestrian Parisians... ?

[Kyril]

Hi all!

We're planning for our partnership's honeymoon a trip to New York City (we got friends in Brooklyn). For the coaster fan I am, a day in a coaster Mecca like Six Flags Great Adventure must be on the planning!

The only tiny problem here is we're both downtown Parisians and so we don't have a car neither a driving license. We travel everyday through Paris by the "Métro" (subway) or bicycle or Vélib' service (almost free service of in'n'out "rent" bicycles covering 1500 stations). Driving on a bicycle from NYC to Jackson must be some high-thrill ride for sure, but I prefer to get scared and exhausted on a coaster!

Six flags' website isn't very detailing the way to come from NYC without a car... So I'm asking you if you could help us out on this. How to come? By bus, train, both, cab, hitchhiking...?

I've been to the NJ Transit website and it wasn't of much help.

Thanks for your advices!

À bientôt ! (Means see you!)

Kyril

[rjholla2003]

Getting from NYC to the park via mass transit is possible, and not too difficult!  What you would have to do is take either the NJ Transit train, or the PATH train from NYC to Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ.  I personaly suggest the PATH since it runs more frequently.  From Newark Penn, you can take an NJ Transit bus to the park.  Unfortunately, that part of the website is down at the moment, but they have deals where you can purchase your bus ticket AND a park ticket as a combo.

[darkridedan]

The 308 will take you from New York and Newark to the park.

[Kyril]

Thanks both of you for your replies! I found bus 308's schedule and route map.

Is the 308 bus the only way to come from NYC? In late June, the last way back to NYC are scheduled at 8:30PM but the park closes at 10:00PM. Do you think back trips in early august will be scheduled later in the evening?

We'd like to enjoy every minute of the day at Six Flags and don't want to return to NYC too early.

Just to be sure, a cab trip will be extremely expensive?

À bientôt
Kyril

[Bubba Z]

Is this for your Honeymoon ? Did I read that right ?   If you buy me a Crumbs Bakery Cup Cake I will drive you back.

[Kyril]

Hi Bubba Z!

Yup you read right! After 7 years living together we finally decided to get our civil partnership signed.

At first we planned for a big honeymoon trip across the US by taking an America Pass on Skyteam starting in New York, then a week in Orlando at Disney World and Universal, followed by a stop in San Francisco then in Los Angeles including a day at Six Flags Magic Mountain and back to NYC for the flight back to Paris.

Work availability and money (we both work as freelances and have to harass clients to get payed with a six month delay...) made us revise our plans and we went for a more modest but also very exciting shorter trip to NYC coachsurfing at some friends in Brooklyn. We'll do the complete trip later, maybe for our tenth anniversary in 2012.

My partner discovered roller coaster mania recently on RNRC and Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris. I had bugging him for years to go with me to Disneyland Paris and at the end of the first day he asked for an annual pass! So Kingda Ka might be way more thrilling than any coaster he ever went on but he'll survive it.

By the way, we're thinking about a gold flash pass (honeymoon, so we treat ourselves a little). As we're going there the first week of August (probably a week day, avoiding week-ends) is it worth the cost? Does it really cut down line wait compared to the regular flash pass?

And I might offer you a box of Crumbs Bakery Cup Cake (although I don't know what that is)! :-)

Thanks for your answers.

À bientôt
Kyril (still working at 2:40AM)

[Steve]

The gold flash pass cuts you wait time down by 75%. So if the actual line is an hour, your wait is 15 minutes.

[Bubba Z]

http://www.crumbs.com/cupcakes 

I'll take the Artie Lang and the Baba Booey six pack for $22.50  and it's a done deal.  I'll share a couple with you to celebrate your honeymoon!

[Ogolo]

6 Giant Cup Cakes.
Now that is a cheap ride back to the city!

I don't think you will be able to store those cupcakes at the park all day.
So I volunteer to come help eat them!

[redlafrance]

  Wow, now I have to stop in Westfield on way home from work.
for cupcakes! 

Kyril,
  What about buying a Six Flags season pass since you are going to Magic Mountain and Great Adventure?  If you are going to Magic Mountain first you can purchase a pass online
for $ 59.99 USD until 31May.
   

[WadeJ]

Actually, that is a really good point!

Even if they aren't going to SFMM first, even the $89.99 pass from Gadv will make them come out ahead.  Plus, they get the coupon books .

[redlafrance]

Thanks.  Every little bit counts.  

[redlafrance]

I just had a Key Lime Crumbs cupcake!

[Ogolo]

And how was that cupcake?
Crumbs is a few blocks from my office in NYC.
And I've been tempted.