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New York to Boston train

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Helpful info about taking the train from New York to Boston

  • Tickets on Amtrak trains from NYC to Boston cost $116 on average. This average accounts for cheaper tickets for Northeast Regional trains and higher-priced tickets for Acela trains. Amtrak Acela tickets are usually more expensive because the Acela is a high-speed train with only Business Class and First Class fares offered.

    • The train from NYC to Boston takes 4 hours and 26 minutes on average. Northeast Regional trains may take a little longer than this average, while faster Acela trains usually reach Boston in 3 hours and 31 minutes. Acela trains travel as fast as 150mph on the route from New York to Boston.

    • Amtrak Northeast Regional trains make 20 stops between New York and Boston, including New Haven, New London, and Providence. Meanwhile, the Acela’s New York to Boston train schedule includes just 5 stops between NYC’s Penn Station and Boston’s South Station.

    • No need to pack light, you’re allowed to bring plenty of luggage on the Amtrak train from NYC to Boston. Amtrak allows each passenger to bring two personal items, two carry-on bags, and two checked bags for free. When you leave from Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall in New York, you can check a bag at the Amtrak customer service desk near the platforms.

    • Trains from New York arrive at two stations in Boston: Back Bay Station and South Station. The best train station to arrive at in Boston depends on where you’re heading after your train trip. If you’re going to Fenway Park for a baseball game or Newbury Street for shopping, choose a train ticket arriving at Back Bay Station, which is closer to these spots. South Station is the better station to choose if you need to connect to Logan Airport via public transit, or if you’re staying in downtown Boston, the Seaport, or the Financial District.

    • All Amtrak trains from New York to Boston offer free WiFi, power outlets, and restrooms in every car. If you upgrade to Business Class, you’ll enjoy a wide, comfy seat with extra legroom and a free non-alcoholic beverage. First Class seats on Acela trains are even more luxurious, with lumbar support and adjustable headrests. First Class passengers can access the First Class lounge in Moynihan Train Hall and receive a complimentary meal and beverage service onboard the train.

    • The New York to Boston train schedule includes 7 Amtrak Acela departures and 9 Amtrak Northeast Regional departures per day. Trains leave New York every few hours between 2:00am and 7:00pm, and trains on this route are usually the most crowded on Thursdays.

NYC - Boston Amtrak Timetable

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Train Trip Information: New York to Boston

There are 18 daily trains from New York to Boston. Traveling by train from New York to Boston usually takes around 4 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in 3 hours and 31 minutes.

Distance190 mi (306 km)
Fastest train3h 31m
Lowest price£25.02
Trains per day33
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from New York to Boston

(Based on 209 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Mahima

2 January 2023- Couples trip

Amtrak Northeast Regional

The lights could be dim for late night travel.

The lights could be dim for late night travel.

4.0

Jim

26 December 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The space and the seats were very comfortable. Cons: The cleaning of the restrooms.

Pros: The space and the seats were very comfortable. Cons: The cleaning of the restrooms.

5.0

Shreya

26 December 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

The price was amazing!

The price was amazing!

4.0

Lah

29 November 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I had a wonderful time with family and enjoy the trip so much, it was really comfortable, I can also work on the train and watching movie. Cons: I hope it arrives onetime because these day it getting dark so early. Tips: No.

Pros: I had a wonderful time with family and enjoy the trip so much, it was really comfortable, I can also work on the train and watching movie. Cons: I hope it arrives onetime because these day it getting dark so early. Tips: No.

4.0

Jeannine

24 November 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Good but the penn station train hall was IMPOSSIBLE to get into. Took me and other travelers thirty minutes to find the one door that was open

Good but the penn station train hall was IMPOSSIBLE to get into. Took me and other travelers thirty minutes to find the one door that was open

New York to Boston Route Map

New York Boston

Trains NYC to Boston

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What is a cheap ticket price for trains from New York to Boston?

In the last month, £78.70 was the average price of a train ticket from New York to Boston. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 27 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £48.15 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£121£81£40JanFeb

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from New York to Boston will vary between £61 and £113. Planning a train trip to Boston within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from New York over the next 7 days is £65. 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

£121£97£73£48£24MAMJJASONDJF

If you are trying to decide when to travel from New York to Boston 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 £64 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from New York to Boston in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £102 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

£161£129£97£65£323020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Boston from New York will be about £48.15 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which trains can you take from NY to Boston?

Amtrak service from New York City to Boston consists of the Northeast Regional train and the Acela train. The Northeast Regional is more affordable but slower, while the Acela is pricier but faster. Between the two, the Northeast Regional is the more popular option for most travelers, with 10 scheduled trips per day.
TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak26h 38m£95.19
Amtrak Acela63h 44m£144.09
Amtrak Northeast Regional104h 35m£62.36
  • 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 2 Amtrak trains from New York to Boston every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £40.

  • 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 6 Acela trips from New York to Boston 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 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 10 daily train trips from New York to Boston, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from New York to Boston 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.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.

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.

Is it worth taking the Acela over the Northeast Regional?

The primary advantage of Acela is that it is faster than Amtrak's Northeast Regional train. In most cases, choosing the Acela will mean that you save 40 minutes to an hour on your one-way trip from NY to Boston. However, Acela tickets cost roughly $50 more than Northeast Regional tickets for any given travel date.

Whether the Acela is worth it will mostly depend on how much of a hurry you are in. There are some other benefits to the Acela, such as faster WiFi, larger tables, and a special cafe car.

How long does the train take to get from New York City to Boston?

Depending on whether you take the Amtrak Northeast Regional or the high-speed Acela train, the trip takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours. With several additional stops in Connecticut and Rhode Island, the Northeast Regional can take up to an hour longer than the Acela to complete the 190-mile journey from New York to Boston.

When are NY-Boston trains the most crowded?

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from New York to Boston on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs New York at 02:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. 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 New York to Boston?

There are 18 scheduled trains on most days. 33 of these are direct connections to Boston. 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 Boston 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. Or hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.

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. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbor, if you will):

Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.

From Boston, travelers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.

Station Information

Where is the train station in New York?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Main departure station: NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

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:

  • NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

  • 100 Middlesex Essex Tpke

Where is the train station in Boston?

Boston, MA - South Station - BOSSST-0

Image credit: Tony Hisgett

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: South Station

South Station is the largest and busiest train station in Boston, and a major transportation hub for the greater New England area. South Station's 13 tracks are used by Amtrak, Acela, the MBTA commuter rail, and the MBTA subway system (a.k.a. the "T") with connections to the Boston Logan International Airport. You can also access intercity bus service in the adjacent South Station Bus Terminal. South Station's historic train terminal opened in 1899 right in downtown Boston, and is close to many points of interest like the Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, and the hip Seaport district. At the terminal, you'll find free WiFi, luggage storage, a 24-hour information booth, and 14 dining options, including that New England favorite, Dunkin'.

Train stations in Boston:

  • South Station

  • Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

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