Compare train tickets from Washington DC to New York
Washington DC-New York Train Timetable





Trip Summary
How much are train tickets from Washington DC to New York?
Lowest Price | £22.75 |
Fastest Train | 2h 49m |
Trains Per Day | 16 |
Train Lines | 6 |
Washington DC to New York Route Map

Frequently Asked Questions
Is a train from DC to New York City a good day trip?
Going by Amtrak from Washington, D.C., to New York makes for a long but very doable day trip. If you take the Acela, the train will take an average of 2 hours and 56 minutes, while the Northeast Regional will take about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Your best bet is to plan a day trip for Saturday or Sunday. If you depart Union Station by 8 a.m., you’ll arrive into New York’s Penn Station before noon. That will give you ample time to get lunch, wander the city, and go to a 2 or 3 p.m. matinee.
Broadway shows rarely run longer than two hours, so after the show you can grab dinner, shop on Fifth Avenue or walk The High Line before heading home. If you leave by 8 p.m, you’ll arrive back in D.C. between 11 and 11:30, having spent a full eight hours in The Big Apple.
Is it worth taking the Acela over the regular Amtrak?
The Acela from D.C. to New York is probably not worth the price. It is only 16% faster than Amtrak’s other offerings, and would get you to your destination about 34 minutes ahead of a Northeast Regional train.
Between Union Station in D.C. and Penn Station in New York, the Acela makes 8 stops, mostly in bigger cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Northeast Regional makes 16 stops in many smaller towns such as Aberdeen, Maryland and Princeton Junction, New Jersey.
The average price of the Acela for this route is around $200, whereas a Northeast Regional train ticket averages close to $100. Because the Acela isn’t that much faster than the Northeast Regional but is almost twice the price, it really isn’t worth it for this route unless you prefer the upgraded comfort and upscale amenities that Acela has to offer.
Is taking the train better than taking the bus or flying?
Taking the train from Washington, D.C. to New York is neither the cheapest nor the fastest travel option, but it’s a great way to get from one city to the next without compromising too much in either respect. The average train ticket price hovers just under $100, less than the price of a flight, and you can find tickets for even cheaper than that.
Trains usually take 3 to 3.5 hours whereas a nonstop, one-way flight from DC to New York takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs about $124, not including baggage fees. When you factor in having to arrive at the airport early, the difference in total travel time is negligible. The train is a good alternative for people who dislike flying and want to save some money.
The bus is the cheapest option, with tickets costing around $20 on average. However, bus rides take the longest, with an average travel time of 4 to 5 hours between DC and NYC.
Is it safe to travel by train from Washington to New York right now?
We stand behind CDC guidelines that caution passengers against non-essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak. That said, we recognize not everyone is in a position to completely abstain. Whether it’s for work, to take care of family or to get back home, some circumstances inevitably require travel. If you’re one of those individuals who still needs to book a trip, you can continue to do so on Wanderu.
Know that most train companies are still running at this time, though some have limited service. Visit our COVID-19 travel guide for resources and daily updates on the coronavirus and COVID travel restrictions.
In order to keep vehicles as clean and sanitized as possible, train companies are taking extra precautions for coronavirus. For details on what various companies are doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
How do you find cheap train tickets from DC to NYC?
In the last month, £46.24 was the average price of a train ticket from Washington, DC to New York, NY. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 22 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £57.95 more than that for a same-day booking.
How long is the train ride from DC to New York?
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains from Washington DC to New York are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Washington DC to New York?
There are 16 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Washington DC to New York.
You can also take a train for your return trip from New York to Washington DC. If you're not not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to New York for £7.05.
Which train should you take from Washington DC to New York?
There are 6 train lines with service from Washington, District of Columbia to New York, New York. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 3h 18m | £57.26 |
Amtrak Acela | 4 | 2h 54m | £108.51 |
Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 3h 20m | £67.55 |
Amtrak Northeast Regional | 10 | 3h 27m | £41.50 |
Amtrak Palmetto | 1 | 3h 26m | £55.25 |
Amtrak Vermonter | 1 | 3h 13m | £41.08 |
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
There is one train station in Washington DC:
- Union Station
Where is the train station in New York?
New York has one train station:
- Penn Station
Price trends for trains from Washington DC to New York
Average prices by travel date
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
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