Re: Options to get from NYC/NJ to Washington D.C
I would definitely second (or third, or fourth!) the chinatown buses! I used to live in DC. I'm now in Philadelphia, but I travel to NYC and DC often (especially lately, getting my visas for my upcoming trip!). From Philly, it's $20 r/t to NYC and $28 r/t to DC. I think NYC to DC is around $35. It is by far the cheapest option. It is also by far the least comfortable option! Sit up front, and you'll be subjected to the often-crazy drivers yelling into their bluetooth headsets for the duration of the ride, and it also gets worrisome when you see just how close they tailgate cars in front of them. Sit in the back, and you'll be bounced around and get occasional whiffs of the lavatory (it's BYO TP, by the way!) for a thoroughly nauseating trip! Still, you can't beat the pickup and dropoff locations, and the frequency of the buses is good as well. The most legit company is New Century, and this is who I use now that Apex seems to have gone out of business. www . 2000coach . com
Amtraks are nice but I only use these when I need to travel at odd hours, as the chinatown buses don't run 24/7. They are way more expensive but also comfortable, and most if not all have a cafe car.
Bolt bus and Mega bus are two new options here in Philly, but I have not tried either yet. Reports are good - they are cheap and clean AND safe - however I don't like the fact that you have to book your times in advance. I like traveling on my own schedule, and not worrying about rushing to a bus station by a particular time!