Travel question wedding in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) from Philly

We have a wedding in Williamsburg on a Sunday in February.

My daughter lives in Philly, the wedding is from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm but we could leave earlier

How possible would it be to get the train from Philly and get to Williamsburg by 10:30 am?

We want to spend time with our kid, don’t actually want to spend $500 or so for a hotel on a Saturday night. I would think that getting back to Philly would be ok, I think we could leave earlier after lunch. We don’t need to stay for the dancing on a Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for any advice

Train is around 1 1/2 hours so definitely doable. Not sure which sunday but this coming sunday could get on a 7:17 am out of Philly and be at Penn station at 8:45 am - plenty of time to subway down to Williamsburg ahead of 10:30. Just look at Amtrak going from 30th street station in Philly to Penn Station in New York then google maps can help with transit from Penn station to wherever you’re going in Williamsburg. Hope this helps.

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Even if wedding is in Williamsburg, one can stay in one of the many hotels nearby and not IN Williamsburg for considerably less if that’s desired.

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Totally doable. Amtrak will have the most seamless, comfortable, fast, and likely most expensive, service. Alternatively, you can take SEPTA to Trenton and switch to NJ Transit.

Typically, you get the best fares on Amtrak by booking in advance, whereas the other option is a “just show up” one. You can also mix – Amtrak to NY, then the messier option home if you feel like you might want flexibility.

But easily a day trip.

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Thanks so much.

I know we could stay but we’d much rather spend time with our kid.

Sounds like it’s an easy decision and very doable.

Another question. I know we could take a train out to Brooklyn. Would it be possible to uber or taxi to Brooklyn?

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You should have no problem taking a taxi/uber on a sunday morning from Penn station to Williamsburg - should take at least 1/2 hour for trip (more if lots of traffic). There is almost always a taxi line if you go out the front door of Penn station (7th ave side) but can order an uber anywhere around there as well.

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Is this a typical nyc wedding? Usually the cocktail hour would start around 12:30, then the reception at 1:30, dances, speeches, and then food courses. Just to give you an idea of timing. I think Amtrak is tbd way to go, especially this far in advance (prices just go up). Refundable tickets should only have a small up-charge this early on. I’d take a taxi or Rideshare from Penn station and back. We’ve taken Amtrak from Boston to NJ as late as 7 pm on a Sunday (and it was full).

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No idea about a typical NYC wedding as we’ve never been to Brooklyn and have only been to NYC once to see the Statue of Liberty lol

This is the schedule

Welcome Event: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Ceremony: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Cocktail Hour: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Brunch & Reception: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Also the doors will be locked at 11am sharp for the ceremony.

The night before is a wedding eve toast with a cash bar. Idk what the group rate at the hotel is but the cash rate is $550.

February 15, we have to RSVP by 10/15. It’s a friend of my husband’s, the parents of the groom live in Ohio.

Also there is very little information on the wedding website

The father of the groom is a very old friend of my husbands

He called and asked if we would attend the wedding. NYC in February. Ok.

My husband wanted to drive to nyc and then drive to Philly to see our daughter. That’s how much he knows about nyc. I said no, we will drive or fly to Philly and take the train to nyc. I wasn’t expecting a brunch and we have to commit 100+ days before.

We’ve already committed to the friend. They have very little family and will probably have very few people from the grooms side so it’s a nice thing to do. We did not invite them to either of our kids weddings

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Agree that a day trip is totally doable – it will just be a very early morning to be dressed for a wedding and out the door in time to make the train. Hopefully D isn’t too far from 30th Street Station.

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You would spend more in parking and tolls than on train fare. A Brooklyn brunch wedding sounds like a good time, with good food (my favorite part of weddings is the cocktail hour).

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Take the train to NYC. It’s a bit of a long walk to the Brooklyn Subway in Penn Station (at least that’s what we experienced). So…definitely plan for a taxi or uber. You will be in wedding clothes in the winter and you want to minimize your outdoor walking when you get to Brooklyn.

Have a wonderful time!

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This is so helpful!

One more question. Amtrak is very inexpensive. Any reason to take the Acela

I think I’ll book a refundable ticket now

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In my opinion…from Philadelphia…no. But I’ll let others weigh in.

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No. The difference in time is nominal. There are trains that make more stops, but not so many more that you should pay.

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On Sunday subways usually don’t run as frequently. I would definitely take an uber.
Parking outside of Manhattan is usually not as bad. That being said it’s easier to take public transportation around nyc.

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Thanks so much! This was very helpful!

$91 round trip.

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Daughter said the train station is about 20 minutes from their house

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In February, I’d get an uber for that…you will be in wedding clothes!

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I learn so much interesting East Coast wedding etiquette on cc. A cocktail hour at 11:30 a.m. is a new one for me.

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