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Boston to Philadelphia train

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Helpful info about taking the train from Boston to Philadelphia

  • You can find cheap train tickets as low as $33 from Boston to Philadelphia. We recommend booking a month or more in advance to score a deal like this one. Amtrak is not always cheaper than flying from Boston to Philadelphia, especially because ticket prices increase significantly if you book at the last-minute. Flights from Boston to Philly usually cost between $40 and $150, while $163 is the average cost of a train on this route.

    • Amtrak’s Acela is the high-speed train from Boston to Philadelphia. The Acela provides luxury train service with faster speeds that can make the trip to Philadelphia in just 4 hours and 50 minutes. On other Amtrak lines, the train ride from Boston to Philadelphia takes 5 hours and 38 minutes on average.

    • You can technically travel from Boston to Philadelphia by train on a day trip, but we don’t recommend it. A round trip in a single day means spending over 10 hours on the train. This doesn’t leave much time to explore the sights in Philly, even if you left Boston early in the morning and traveled back on an evening train.

    • Trains to Philly leave from both South Station and Back Bay Station in Boston. South Station is located near downtown Boston and includes connections to the MBTA red line and silver line. About a mile west of South Station, Back Bay Station is located near Copley Square and connects to the MBTA orange line.

    • All Amtrak trains from Boston to Philadelphia arrive at 30th Street Station, near the UPenn campus. 30th Street Station offers tons of amenities, including WiFi, restrooms, luggage storage, and a lactation suite. New Jersey Transit trains and SEPTA commuter rail and subway service also operate from 30th Street Station.

    • A train ticket from Boston to Philadelphia costs $163 on average. Keep in mind that tickets on the high-speed Acela train are often more expensive, so you might see tickets going for as much as $242. Booking well in advance is the best way to find a cheap train ticket from Boston to Philly.

    • Trains from Boston to Philadelphia include a cafe car with meals, snacks, coffee, and drinks for sale — just remember your credit card, since Amtrak does not accept cash onboard. You can also pick up a snack before your trip from one of the fast food spots in Boston’s Back Bay or South Station, or wait until you arrive in Philadelphia and grab a bite at 30th Street Station.

Boston - Philadelphia Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 17 daily train trips available from Boston to Philadelphia. Traveling by train from Boston to Philadelphia usually takes 5 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Acela train can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance271 mi (436 km)
Fastest train4h 50m
Lowest price$47.00
Trains per day34
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Boston to Philadelphia

(Based on 38 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Makaylah

March 18, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Acela

Pros: Better than the plan was smooth and nice and will be doing this again. Cons: Nothing.

4.0

Alicia

November 24, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: The trip to Boston from Philly is never an easy commute but I prefer to use Amtrak over any other form of transportation. The seating is comfortable and you can either sleep or work in the quiet car. Cons: I would love to get price alerts to get the best deal moving forward.

5.0

Lisa

July 25, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Cons: Too cold; I wish I could have turned off or lowered the air conditioning. Tips: Bring a sweater or jacket.

5.0

Porter

July 22, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Since I stalled on getting a ticket, I had to pay much more than I should have. But that was my fault. Overall, I think I fell in love with Amtrak and train travel in general. It has all the comforts of a plane plus more room to stretch, better food options, interesting scenery, and a quieter ride. People don't like it because it takes much longer, but you always got your tradeoffs. Cons: The gentleman at the station before I first got on was unhelpful and pretty rude about a question I asked about the ride, so that wasn't a good impression. The ride itself was good. It would have been nice if I could tilt my seat back. Also, there were very few stops between new York and Philadelphia, which may have been due to the late time of day but would have made it inconvenient if my destination had been, say, Princeton. Tips: Get your tickets early. The prices skyrocket the closer you get to travel day.

5.0

Chisom

July 21, 2023- Business

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: I love the fact I could work while on the train No check in bags or harassment as the airport I was able to charge my phones and laptop to keep myself busy till the end of the trip Not congested which is my major basic thing I enjoyed . Cons: Just the space.

Boston to Philadelphia Route Map

Boston Philadelphia
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What is the price of a train ticket from Boston to Philadelphia?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Boston to Philadelphia was $127.15. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. 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 $137.56 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$225$150$75AprApr

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Boston to Philadelphia will cost between $93 and $223. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

$225$180$135$90$45MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Boston to Philadelphia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $146. If you're thinking of traveling from Boston to Philadelphia during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $225 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

$250$200$150$100$503020100

By booking your train trip from Boston to Philadelphia on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $137.56 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Boston to Philadelphia?

There are 3 train lines with service from Boston to Philadelphia. Amtrak Northeast Regional is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 9 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak46h 37m$220.94
Amtrak Acela75h 3m$223.49
Amtrak Northeast Regional95h 58m$152.43

  • 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 Boston to Philadelphia every day, as well as 8 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $66.

  • 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 7 Acela trips from Boston to Philadelphia 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 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 9 daily train trips from Boston to Philadelphia, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Boston and Philadelphia is approximately 271 miles, or 436 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Trains from Boston to Philadelphia 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Boston at 5:00am 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.

There are 17 scheduled trains on most days. 34 of these are direct connections to Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia to Boston.

City Information

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.

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Boston?

Boston, MA - South Station - BOSSST-0

Image credit: Tony Hisgett

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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'.

All train stations in Boston:

  • South Station

  • Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

Where is the train station in Philadelphia?

PHLTTH-0 - PHLTTH-0.jpg

Image credit: Ben Schumin

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

Philadelphia has one train station.

All train stations in Philadelphia:

  • 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

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