Metro North fares are based on distance traveled. In addition, there is a whole myriad of fares that are charged for each possible trip, depending on whether the trip begins or ends in New York City, whether it is taken in peak or off-peak periods (all of our weekend travel is off-peak), and whether one is a senior citizen, child, or is otherwise eligible for a reduced fare.

Children always ride for 75 cents per trip on any off-peak train, no matter how far they travel.

The adult off-peak one-way Metro North fares are as follows:

• Grand Central Terminal to Bridgeport: $11.00
• Bridgeport to New Canaan (via Stamford): $ 4.25
• New Canaan to Danbury (via Stamford & South Norwalk): $ 4.25
• Danbury to Grand Central Terminal (via South Norwalk): $10.25

The Bridgeport to New Canaan trip above involves changing trains in Stamford. To purchase tickets for each segment it would cost more than the price above. The same goes for the New Canaan to Danbury trip above, which involves changing trains in Stamford and South Norwalk.

These tickets can all be purchased either at the ticket windows or vending machines at Grand Central Terminal. Tickets between intermediate points can also be purchased at stations en route, but please keep in mind that this could delay the group or take away from your free time at our layover points.

Metro North also offers the opportunity to purchase rail tickets over the internet and receive them by mail, at a 5% savings. However since time is limited before the Fest, you may not receive them in the mail on time.

Long Island Railroad fares are based on distance traveled. In addition, there is a whole myriad of fares that are charged for each possible trip, depending on whether the trip begins or ends in New York City, whether it is taken in peak or off-peak periods (all of our weekend travel is off-peak and involves travel involving Penn Station in New York), and whether one is a senior citizen, child, or is otherwise eligible for a reduced fare.

Children always ride for 75 cents per trip on any off-peak train, no matter how far they travel.

The adult off-peak one-way LIRR fares are as follows:

• Penn Station to Montauk (via Jamaica): $13.00
• Montauk to Penn Station (via Jamaica): $13.00

Both trips above involve changing trains in Jamaica. Your ticket will be punched by the crewmember on the first train, and will be lifted by the crewmember on the connecting train.

These tickets can all be purchased either at the ticket windows or vending machines at Penn Station.

NJ TRANSIT fares are based on distance traveled. In addition, there is a whole myriad of fares that are charged for each possible trip, depending on whether the trip begins or ends in New York City.

Children ages 2-11 always ride for free on any off-peak NJ TRANSIT train.

The adult one-way NJT fare is as follows:

• Hoboken Terminal to New York Penn Station: $1.80

This trip involves changing trains in Secaucus. Your ticket will be punched by the crewmember on the first train, and will be lifted by the crewmember on the connecting train.

When taking more than one NJ TRANSIT line, their fares are structured so that one pays only the larger of the two fares to or from the transfer point. In this case, the one-way fare between Hoboken and Secaucus is $1.80, and the one-way fare between Secaucus and New York Penn Station is also $1.80.

These tickets can be purchased either at the ticket windows or vending machines at Hoboken Terminal.

Your shopping list in review

Assuming you will be with us for both days of the OTOL Metro New York RailFest 2003, this is what you should expect to spend, and how you should obtain the tickets. Obviously, if you are going to participate only one day, or are planning to either join us later in the day or leave the group early, the amount will be lower for you.

** Ticket offices are not open on weekends at New Canaan or Danbury. Purchase tickets aboard the train, unless a vending machine exists at the station.

** Ticket office is not open on weekends at Montauk. Purchase ticket aboard the train, unless a vending machine exists at the station.

Those taking PATH from New York City to Hoboken on Sunday morning should add $1.50 per person to their costs.

As always, bring enough money to cover your meals. We expect to have lunch together on Saturday and Sunday, and can have dinner together on Saturday provided members of the group have some dwell time before their trips home.