Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to New York
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 38 daily train trips available from Washington DC to New York. Traveling by train from Washington DC to New York usually takes 3 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in 2 hours and 56 minutes.
- Distance
- 204 mi (328 km)
- Fastest train
- 2h 56m
- Lowest price
- TRY 1,073.62
- Trains per day
- 37
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Northeast Regional
- Train lines
- 7
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Washington DC to New York Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington DC to New York?
There are usually 101 daily bus trips available from Washington DC to New York.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceTRY 9,510.29 | Avg. PriceTRY 2,037.92Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips38 | Daily Trips101 |
Duration | Duration3h 27mFaster | Duration5h 7m |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Washington DC to New York (Based on 424 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
Washington DC to New York Route Map

There are several train options that can take you from Washington DC to New York:
- Amtrak tickets: TRY 1,074 one-way
- Amtrak Acela tickets: TRY 3,465 one-way
- Amtrak Carolinian tickets: TRY 2,294 one-way
- Amtrak Crescent tickets: TRY 6,149 one-way
- Amtrak Northeast Regional tickets: TRY 1,074 one-way
- Amtrak Palmetto tickets: TRY 1,366 one-way
- Amtrak Vermonter tickets: TRY 1,074 one-way
How do you find cheap train tickets from DC to NYC?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Washington DC and New York cost TRY 6,196.23, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 28 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around TRY 5,940.03 more.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to New York by travel date
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to New York is expected to fluctuate between TRY 4,050 and TRY 9,223 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to New York in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Washington DC is TRY 5,954.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to New York by month
Mark your calendar for October if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Washington DC to New York. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of TRY 6,442. If you're planning a trip from Washington DC to New York during November, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about TRY 11,419 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Prices as travel date approaches
Mark your calendar for October if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Washington DC to New York. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of TRY 6,442. If you're planning a trip from Washington DC to New York during November, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about TRY 11,419 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Which train should you take from Washington DC to New York?
There are 7 train lines with service from Washington DC to New York. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 19 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 4h 25m | TRY 4,398.66 |
| Amtrak Acela | 14 | 3h 1m | TRY 12,766.89 |
| Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 3h 30m | TRY 8,364.40 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 1 | 3h 57m | TRY 9,032.20 |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 19 | 3h 41m | TRY 7,650.84 |
| Amtrak Palmetto | 1 | 3h 26m | TRY 7,148.40 |
| Amtrak Vermonter | 1 | 3h 16m | TRY 8,994.22 |
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 Washington DC to New York every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from TRY 1,073.62.










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 14 Acela trips from Washington DC to New York 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 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 Washington DC and New York, 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 TRY 8,364.40, and the trip usually lasts around 3 hours and 30 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 Washington DC to New York take about 3 hours and 57 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from TRY 6,148.90.
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 19 daily train trips from Washington DC to New York, 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 Washington DC to New York 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 TRY 7,148.40 on the Palmetto.
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 Washington DC to New York every day, with prices starting from TRY 1,073.62.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington DC to New York
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.
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.
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.
There are 38 scheduled trains on most days. 37 of these are direct connections to New York. 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 New York to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to New York for TRY 634.
Trains per day
38
Direct trains
37
The distance between Washington DC and New York is approximately 204 miles, or 328 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 56 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.
Distance (mi)
204
Distance (km)
328
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 2:20am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
2:20am
Last train
10:00pm
Trains from Washington DC to New York 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Saturday
City Information
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, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
New York



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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
Main departure station: Union Station

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.
All train stations in Washington DC:
- Union Station
Where is the train station in New York?
Main arrival station: 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
Need a return trip from New York to Washington DC?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Washington DC
- Washington DC to Norfolk TrainTRY 2,050+
- Washington DC to Atlanta TrainTRY 6,930+
- Washington DC to Newark TrainTRY 5,807+
- Washington DC to New Haven TrainTRY 7,271+
- Washington DC to Charlotte TrainTRY 4,343+
- Washington DC to Philadelphia TrainTRY 3,611+
- Washington DC to Baltimore TrainTRY 1,171+
- Washington DC to New Rochelle TrainTRY 4,831+
- Washington DC to Boston TrainTRY 10,297+
- Washington DC to Newark, DE TrainTRY 1,757+
- Washington DC to Orlando TrainTRY 7,613+
- Washington DC to Chicago TrainTRY 10,151+
- Washington DC to Providence TrainTRY 9,711+
- Washington DC to Richmond TrainTRY 1,513+
- Washington DC to Miami TrainTRY 8,443+
- Washington DC to Raleigh TrainTRY 2,684+
- Washington DC to Charlottesville TrainTRY 1,708+
- Washington DC to Pittsburgh TrainTRY 5,417+
Continue by train from New York
- New York to Washington DC TrainTRY 6,198+
- New York to Chicago TrainTRY 10,297+
- New York to Miami TrainTRY 10,980+
- New York to Providence TrainTRY 6,783+
- New York to Hartford TrainTRY 2,342+
- New York to Pittsburgh TrainTRY 6,735+
- New York to Albany TrainTRY 2,928+
- New York to Poughkeepsie TrainTRY 1,562+
- New York to Boston TrainTRY 6,832+
- New York to Baltimore TrainTRY 5,368+
- New York to Toronto TrainTRY 8,345+
- New York to Ontario TrainTRY 21,716+
- New York to Montreal TrainTRY 4,782+
- New York to New Haven TrainTRY 3,026+
- New York to Rensselaer TrainTRY 2,684+
- New York to Philadelphia TrainTRY 3,270+
- New York to Trenton TrainTRY 1,659+
- New York to Buffalo TrainTRY 4,392+
Check out these popular routes
- New York to Washington DC TrainTRY 6,198+
- Boston to New York TrainTRY 6,735+
- New York to Baltimore TrainTRY 5,368+
- Washington DC to New Rochelle TrainTRY 4,831+
- Orlando to Miami TrainTRY 2,196+
- Miami to Orlando TrainTRY 2,050+
- New York to Philadelphia TrainTRY 3,270+
- Toronto to Montreal TrainTRY 3,465+
- Boston to New Rochelle TrainTRY 4,294+
- Baltimore to New York TrainTRY 5,710+
- Philadelphia to Washington DC TrainTRY 3,758+
- Washington DC to Philadelphia TrainTRY 3,611+
- Philadelphia to Hudson TrainTRY 3,660+
- Montreal to Toronto TrainTRY 3,123+
- York to Philadelphia Train
- Philadelphia to New York TrainTRY 3,172+
- New York to Boston TrainTRY 6,832+
- Philadelphia to New Rochelle TrainTRY 2,245+

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.




