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Cheap train tickets from New York to Washington DC

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

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New York to Washington DC Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 36 daily train trips available from New York to Washington DC. Traveling by train from New York to Washington DC usually takes 3 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in 2 hours and 43 minutes.

Distance204 mi (328 km)
Fastest train2h 43m
Lowest price$31.79
Trains per day36
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines9

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New York to Washington DC Route Map

New York Washington

Station Information

All train stations in New York:

  • NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

Train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Washington by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Which train should you take from New York to Washington DC?

There are 9 train lines with service from New York to Washington. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 17 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak43h 43m$164.45
Amtrak Acela92h 59m$261.04
Amtrak Cardinal13h 34m$209.25
Amtrak Carolinian13h 32m$167.03
Amtrak Crescent13h 52m$230.24
Amtrak Northeast Regional173h 48m$152.04
Amtrak Palmetto13h 30m$151.56
Amtrak Silver Service13h 58m$229.13
Amtrak Vermonter13h 25m$178.09

  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 4 Amtrak trains from New York to Washington every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $32.

  • The Acela is Amtrak’s flagship high-speed rail service. Connecting 15 cities along the Northeast Corridor of the United States, the Acela is Amtrak’s fastest running passenger train, developing a speed of up to 82.2 mph. Acela trains are equipped with free high-speed internet, power outlets and extra comfortable seats. In addition, all Acela passengers have access to the line’s signature Corridor Café where they can unwind and enjoy a freshly prepared meal with a glass of wine. There are 9 Acela trips from New York to Washington every day, including the weekend. As it is Amtrak’s most premium service, the average Acela train ticket may cost more than other train lines.

  • The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from New York to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

  • The Amtrak Carolinian is a passenger train service which connects New York City and Washington, DC to some of the most charming destinations in North Carolina. The Carolinian runs an average of 1 trips per day between New York and Washington, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is , and the trip usually lasts around 3 hours and 32 minutes.

  • The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from New York to Washington take about 3 hours and 52 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $159.

  • The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 17 daily train trips from New York to Washington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • The Palmetto is an Amtrak train service that runs a total of 829 miles from New York City to Savannah, GA, connecting 20 cities from the Northeast to the Southeast along the way. Traveling from New York to Washington is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power outlets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departures along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of on the Palmetto.

  • The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from New York to Washington start from $159 and the average train journey lasts about 3 hours and 58 minutes.

  • The Vermonter is an Amtrak passenger train that connects St. Albans, VT to Washington, D.C. by way of New York City. The journey is renowned for the beautiful scenic views that it presents as it passes through the Green Mountains and the Berkshires. Aboard the Vermonter, passengers can enjoy free WiFi, power outlets at every seat and extra legroom. You can also grab a bite to eat or enjoy a refreshing beverage from the train’s café. There are 1 Vermonter trains traveling from New York to Washington every day, with prices starting from $32.

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from New York to Washington

(Based on 415 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Nicholas

January 8, 2025- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The trip was smooth and went by quickly. Cons: Nothing. The headrests are a bit flat making it difficult to fall asleep but otherwise no complaints. Tips: The Penn station Amtrak is closed 1-5am so the train departs in the other main terminal during early hours.

5.0

Juan

January 6, 2025- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Very good

5.0

Prashanthi

December 12, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Love Wanderu! I always use Wanderu to keep the best deals on tickets when I travel.

5.0

Stephany

November 22, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Todo. Cons: Todo está perfecto. Tips: Se los recomiendo.

4.0

Joseph

November 19, 2024- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Did not travel during coronavirus pandemic but it was nice informative besides the small comment that was redacted on the way into Washington briefly in someone else’s favor; corrected and was in mine as well….. Cons: Could have been concluded. Tips: Tablets, pillow, and laptops.

What is the price of a train ticket from New York to Washington DC?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from New York to Washington was $123.05. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $149.67 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from New York to Washington DC by travel date

$303$202$101JanJan

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from New York to Washington DC will cost between $92 and $283. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from New York to Washington DC by month

$253$202$152$101$51FMAMJJASONDJ
Ticket prices for the train from New York to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only $150. If you're thinking of traveling from New York to Washington DC during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $253 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$325$260$195$130$653020100

By booking your train trip from New York to Washington on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $149.67 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from New York to Washington DC

The number of stops between New York City and D.C. depends on which train line you decide to take. The Amtrak Northeast Regional has 14 stops between New York City and D.C, among them major cities like Newark, Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Amtrak Acela only has 7 stops between NYC and D.C., including Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore.
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from New York to Washington DC. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
The distance between New York and Washington DC is approximately 204 miles, or 328 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 43 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains from New York to Washington DC are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs New York at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 36 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from New York to Washington DC.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to New York.

Helpful info about taking the train from New York to Washington

  • The distance between New York and Washington DC is about 200 miles, as the crow flies. The driving distance is closer to 225 miles, and it takes between 4 and 5 hours to drive from NYC to DC with normal traffic. Meanwhile, the train ride from New York to DC takes only 3 hours and 33 minutes on average.

    • Although there is not a bullet train from New York to Washington DC, the Amtrak Acela qualifies as a high-speed train that reaches speeds of about 150mph. Acela trains travel from NYC to DC in as little as 2 hours and 43 minutes.

    • Commuting from NYC to Washington DC is possible, but you’d probably prefer doing it weekly and not daily. The best option is to commute by train, so you can use free WiFi onboard to get work done and avoid traffic that could cause delays for cars and buses. Frequent commuters often prefer the Acela train, since its faster speeds mean you reach DC in less time.

    • Train tickets from NYC to DC cost $147 on average. Tickets are often cheaper than this if you travel on the popular Northeast Regional line, but more expensive if you travel on the Acela train. Premium amenities and faster service push Acela towards the pricier side for a train ticket.

    • Frequent trains make it easy to get from New York to Washington DC without a car, and you won’t even need a car when you arrive thanks to the transit connections in DC. Amtrak trains from NYC arrive at Union Station, a transportation hub that connects to the red line of DC’s metro plus MARC and VRE commuter rail.

    • Your travel options to get from New York to Washington DC include Amtrak trains, intercity buses, flying, and driving. The fastest way to reach DC is technically by flying, but this does not account for the time spent getting to the airport, checking bags, waiting in security, and boarding/deboarding the plane. For shorter trips like these, it’s more convenient (and sustainable!) to take the train.

Is it better to travel by bus or train from New York to Washington?

There are usually 100 daily bus trips from New York to Washington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$59.03
Avg. Price
$128.31
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
100
Daily Trips
48
Duration
Duration
4h 55m
Duration
3h 28m

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