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Trains from New York to Washington DC

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New York - Washington DC Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 41 daily trains from New York to Washington DC. Traveling by train from New York to Washington DC usually takes around 4 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in 2 hours and 49 minutes.

Distance204 mi (328 km)
Fastest train2h 49m
Lowest price$37.69
Trains per day28
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines9

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from New York to Washington

(Based on 180 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

kerry

May 12, 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Easy to navigate station Helpful staff Comfy quiet train. Cons: It was all good.

Pros: Easy to navigate station Helpful staff Comfy quiet train. Cons: It was all good.

4.0

Dionne

May 12, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Encouraging passengers to not put items in the seats in order to dissuade anyone from sitting next to them

Encouraging passengers to not put items in the seats in order to dissuade anyone from sitting next to them

5.0

Kashif

May 10, 2022- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Amtrack is best

Amtrack is best

4.0

Leslie

May 10, 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Comfortable and lots of leg room. Cons: Wasn’t told anything about drinks both me and the lady next to me had to go to the food car and buy a couple of drinks each. Tips: Probably if your going more than a couple of hours take some drinks with you.

Pros: Comfortable and lots of leg room. Cons: Wasn’t told anything about drinks both me and the lady next to me had to go to the food car and buy a couple of drinks each. Tips: Probably if your going more than a couple of hours take some drinks with you.

5.0

Caroline

May 9, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

on time, clean, comfortable, good deal price.

on time, clean, comfortable, good deal price.

New York to Washington DC Route Map

New York Washington

Train service from New York to Washington DC

See more details

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

Typically $145.32 is the average price you should expect to pay for a train ticket to Washington DC. Considering the long haul nature of the trip to Washington DC and taking into account ease of train travel tickets this price is a great deal It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$234$156$78MayMay

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from New York to Washington DC will vary between C$116 and C$227. Planning a train trip to Washington within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from New York over the next 7 days is C$123. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

$162$130$97$65$32JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from New York to Washington DC by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$107 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from New York to Washington DC in November, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$155 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$260$208$156$104$523020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Washington from New York will be about C$93.04 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

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

There are 9 train lines with service from New York to Washington. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 15 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak158h 20m$181.62
Amtrak Acela83h 0m$287.81
Amtrak Cardinal13h 33m$226.00
Amtrak Carolinian13h 23m$147.75
Amtrak Crescent13h 50m$210.31
Amtrak Northeast Regional133h 40m$144.03
Amtrak Palmetto13h 32m$170.22
Amtrak Silver Service13h 34m$192.56
Amtrak Vermonter13h 29m$180.77
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 15 Amtrak trains from New York to Washington every day, as well as 102 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $38.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Acela

    Amtrak Acela

    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 8 Acela trips from New York to Washington every day, including the weekend. As it is Amtrak’s most premiumly priced service, the average Acela train ticket for this route costs around .

  • Amtrak Cardinal

    Amtrak Cardinal

    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 33 minutes.

  • Amtrak Carolinian

    Amtrak Carolinian

    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 23 minutes.

  • Amtrak Crescent

    Amtrak Crescent

    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 50 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $170.

  • Amtrak Northeast Regional

    Amtrak Northeast Regional

    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 13 daily train trips from New York to Washington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • Amtrak Palmetto

    Amtrak Palmetto

    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.

  • Amtrak Silver Service

    Amtrak Silver Service

    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 $143 and the average train journey lasts about 3 hours and 34 minutes.

  • Amtrak Vermonter

    Amtrak Vermonter

    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 $38.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there other train stops between New York and 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.

Is it safe to travel by train from New York to Washington during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from New York to Washington DC?

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.

How long is the train journey from New York to Washington DC?

The distance between New York and Washington DC is approximately 204 miles, or 328 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 8 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 49 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.

When are trains the most crowded?

Because many passengers travel from New York to Washington DC at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for trains. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for train travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the train, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs New York at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

How many train departures serve Washington DC each day?

There are 41 scheduled trains on most days. 28 of these are direct connections to Washington DC. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

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

City Information

New York

NYC-0NYC-1NYC-2

New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square.

NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.

With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world.

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, and follow that up with a drink (or two) at one of the many bars in the area.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in New York?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Departure stations

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

All train stations in New York:

  • Penn Station

  • 4 Veterans Plz and 1 Croton Pt Ave

  • Albany-Rensselaer Train Station

  • 41 Main St

  • 455 Rhinecliff Rd

  • 69 S Front St

  • Amtrak Metro-North Station - 5 Buena Vista Ave

  • Schenectady, New York

  • Regional Transportation Center - 1 Walsh Cir

  • 321 Main St

  • Louise M. Slaughter Station

  • 825 Depot Ave W

  • 75 Exchange St

  • Highway 7 Park and Ride

  • Downtown Transit Center - Pearl St

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Arrival stations

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

Train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

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