IDK why you are getting downvotes on this. Look I want to support public transit but for family trips taking NJ Transit train all the way makes no sense.

That said I will try to avoid driving into Manhattan if I can. My go to is to park at Secaucus junction, I think that's usually about 25 bucks. Then to just take the train from Secaucus is only a couple bucks each. So even with gas the Turnpike toll its significantly cheaper and faster then taking the train from our local station.

Even our relatives who live by stations that are only a few stops from Penn it usually faster and cheaper then just 2 train tickets.