10 Tips for First-Timers in Atlantic City

Given Atlantic City’s convenient location near the Northeast Corridor, it’s extremely easy to take the train to get there. Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington DC are 3 major transport hubs in the region that will get you to Atlantic City within a few hours.

There’s daily service to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. The journey along the Atlantic City Rail Line takes about 90 minutes, and you’ll save money by buying your ticket ahead of time. A shuttle bus service provides transport links from Atlantic City Rail Terminal to the city's major casinos.

Atlantic City is a popular weekend getaway for travellers in New Jersey and other states in the region, and you’ll have more lodging options when booking mid-week. Although there are hundreds of hotels and resorts in Atlantic City, finding a room on weekends can be a challenge. Also, rates are generally higher during the weekend, and you’ll have fewer funds available for the casino.

If you avoid booking your hotel on Fridays and Saturdays, you might even find special rates that save you even more money. Some hotels offer midweek excursion packages that sometimes include dining credits, event tickets, and other perks.

Unless you’re a customer of a bank-affiliated ATM, transaction fees can add up in a hurry at the casino. It’s becoming more difficult for travellers to find their banks’ ATMs inside the casino, and harder to avoid erroneous charges that eat into the gambling budget. It’s not uncommon for some of these ATM fees to be upwards of $5 or more for each withdrawal.

The simplest solution is to bring the amount of cash you plan to spend at the casino to ensure none of your hard-earned money is wasted at the ATM. If you don’t feel comfortable carrying a lot of cash when travelling to Atlantic City, there are branches of prominent banks near the casinos.

Unlike other popular USA destinations, taxi rides in Atlantic City are affordable and a viable means of transportation. There are plenty of taxis available near all the casinos and other popular areas in town. The reason why cab fare can potentially be cheap is the capped rate that riders pay before tip.

Taxi rides will never cost more than $13 unless you venture outside of city limits. Since you’re able to cram upwards of 5 passengers inside the vehicle, your party can reach the other side of town for as little as $2.60 plus tip. If you’re not beside a casino or other designated drop-off point, you can phone local taxi operators to pick you up.

New Jersey is renowned for its sandy shores hugging the Atlantic Ocean, and the Atlantic City beaches remain free to the public. Many beaches on the Jersey Shore require daily fees or a beach badge, which add to the overall cost of your beach trip. Since Atlantic City beaches are free and right beside the boardwalk, you’ll save money on seaside activities.

Spend balmy summer days sunbathing or kayaking, surfing, or fishing in the ocean. Atlantic City is one of Jersey’s top surf destinations, and prime surfing spots include Downtown Beach, Delaware Avenue Beach, and Crystal Beach. Beachgoers have plenty of space to sprawl out and all the needed amenities for a relaxing day under the sun.

Atlantic City has a strong fishing industry, and the resort town has tons of places to eat delicious seafood. The city's fishing culture may be overshadowed by the casinos and beaches, but remains a fantastic destination for seafood lovers. Casinos often include seafood buffets for guests, and there’s an annual seafood festival that attracts foodies from across the country.

Many restaurants frequently update their menus according to the day’s catch to give customers the freshest meal possible. In addition to salmon, shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, lobster tail, and ahi tuna, oysters are a beloved delicacy in Atlantic City. Harry’s Oyster Bar & Seafood and Dock’s Oyster House are popular local eateries to satisfy your oyster cravings.

Unless you’re sure this will be your only trip to Atlantic City, a Players Card is a worthwhile investment. Most casinos have a rewards program, allowing you to save points for all sorts of perks for future visits. Use your card at slot machines and tables inside the casino to increase your member status and gain access to exclusive benefits.

Many rewards programs are organised into tiers, and you’ll be eligible for extra bonuses the more times you visit Atlantic City. Discounted hotel rooms and show tickets, complimentary valet parking, player’s lounge access, and comp dollars are some of the benefits you could earn with future casino visits.