Amtrak's Night Owl fares to Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and more

Here’s the good news. Yes, you can indeed travel to Philadelphia from New York’s Penn Station for a measly $10 each way on Amtrak, thanks to so-called Night Owl fares the company launched last year. That’s cheaper than a car trip to Philly, once you figure in the tolls on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and New Jersey Turnpike ($21.67 with Fast Pass), not to mention the price of gas. For many of us, that’s even cheaper than the cost of the Long Island Rail Road train that will get you to Penn for the trip to Philly.

A close look at Amtrak’s fares over the next few weeks, however, reveals that there’s a catch: you have to be willing to leave Penn at odd hours — a bit after midnight, say, on a train that will arrive just before 2 a.m. Happily, the $10 return trains from Philly typically operate on a saner schedule, leaving during the 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. hours.

Where things get a bit more interesting is for trips farther afield. Trains from Penn to Union Station in Washington, D.C., a 3 1/2-hour journey, can be as low as $20 (leaving on select days at 5:45 a.m.) or $25 (4:50 a.m.), while return trips leaving during the 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. hours are often $25 as well. Booking at least a week in advance is the best way to ensure you get the lowest fare.

The same is true of trips to Boston from Penn. For trains leaving during the 7 p.m. hour on select dates, fares can be as low as $25 for the 4 1/2-hour trip. Return trips to Penn during the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. are often $25 as well.

Assuming Amtrak’s trains are running on schedule — not always a safe bet, to be sure — all three destinations are cheaper to visit by train than by car, not to mention by air. Not only do Amtrak’s Night Owl fares beat the cheapest airfares, they come with fewer restrictions and can be more convenient (those crazy departure times notwithstanding). Wi-Fi is free on all trains, you can bring up to three bags with you free, middle seats are left unsold, and the trains land you right in the middle of town.

For more information on fares and schedules, visit amtrak.com.