Boston, MA to New York, NY by train
Booking your train from Boston, MA to New York, NY
The train from Boston to New York takes roughly 3 h 58 min, costing $ 40.88. There are 30 daily connections from Boston to New York. The first train departs for New York at and the final train leaves at .
Show full description
The journey from Boston, MA to New York, NY
Booking a train from Boston to New York is an excellent way to travel between these two cities. The north-south journey of 231 miles skirts the east coast and crosses three state lines. You can take this journey with several regional services, but the quickest and most direct is Amtrak’s Acela. This flagship high-speed train travels along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, one of the most popular stretches of railway in the country. It’s a convenient trip with quiet carriages, café services, and free Wi-Fi onboard.
The Acela departs from Boston’s South Station, New England’s largest rail hub. The façade was built in the 19th century and has been lovingly maintained even as the interiors were renovated. As a busy depot, it’s crucial to arrive in good time to find your carriage and leave promptly. While services to New York differ from train to train, the following major stations are often visited en route:
- Providence Station
- New London Station
- New Haven Union Station
- Stamford Station
- New York Penn Station
Through leafy New England
Departing from Boston, your train heads south straight for Rhode Island. You’ll pass several stops en route through Massachusetts, including Back Bay. Views are mostly suburban until you reach scenic Forest Hills, where you can catch glimpses of Peters Hill. From here, you cut through Blue Hills Reservation and charming forests that are particularly beautiful in the fall. You cross into tiny Rhode Island and pull into Providence Station.
Leaving Providence, look out for scenic city views as you skirt along the coast. The views to your left are particularly stunning as you pass Warwick. You’ll catch glimpses of Greenwich Bay, an area prized for its seafood. Heading southwest across the countryside, you cross the Pawcatuck River into Connecticut via Westerly.
Skirting the Atlantic Coast
The bulk of your journey is spent traversing Connecticut. This is among the most scenic portions of the trip as you follow the coastline west towards New York. You'll pass picturesque fishing towns, harbors, and ports looking out across Long Island Sound. Your train eventually pulls into New Haven, home to the famed Yale University. From here, you travel west towards Stamford with occasional glimpses out across the water.
The trip from Stamford passes west into Greenwich and New York state. You’re now entering the urban sprawl of New York City, with commuter towns dotted up along the coast. You skirt over pretty Pelham Bay before arriving in the Bronx, following the meandering East River for Manhattan. Disembarking at Penn Station, you can hop directly onto the New York Subway for connections throughout the city.
Discover New York, NY, dazzling city of culture
New York is a captivating city with endless possibilities. An art, music, and performance capital of the world, it’s also among the best culinary cities you can visit. Explore the city’s rich and rewarding history before hitting its charming neighborhoods for a more local and authentic experience.
Prized art collections and unmissable performances
New York boasts three spectacular cultural institutions that can’t be missed. The Met may well be the most extraordinary museum in the world, serving up Renaissance masters and ancient artifacts. MoMA, by contrast, is the place for modern art. Its collections are unrivaled, boasting big-hitters like Pollock and Rothko alongside a superb photography collection. The Guggenheim, too, is an event unto itself. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wight, you ascend the museum’s Rotunda to discover world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Together, the three provide a triple-punch for Manhattan’s unrivaled art scene.
New York is also a performance capital. The night is always young with stellar musicals, classical performances, theater shows, jazz concerts, and more. While a show on Broadway is always a treat, you’ll find delightful and unique showcases Off-Broadway too. If you want to experience something quintessentially New York, you'll find live TV tapings and daring standup comedy clubs. The best spots for a fun night are dotted around Chelsea and Greenwich Village, including giants like the Comedy Cellar.
Picture-postcard New York
New York isn’t short on landmarks and picture-postcard sights. Chief among these is the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Take a cruise to the island and enjoy one of several fine museums. If you want to climb the statue itself, you’ll have to book your tickets in advance. Other top sites include the Empire State Building, complete with its 103-story observation deck. For other noted skyline views, head to the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center.
Leaving urban skyscrapers for relaxing open spaces, head to Central Park. This iconic 843-acre pubic park consists of waterfront eateries, manicured gardens and outdoor concerts. Other sleepy neighborhoods and local streets provide fine excursions to escape the bustle of Manhattan. In Chinatown, you'll find enigmatic Buddhist temples and delectable dumpling shops. In the Upper West Side, you'll find century-old Jewish neighborhoods with distinct delis and cafes. Every corner of New York has its own story that’s well worth exploring on foot.
Multi-faceted gastronomy
New York boasts inspired world-influenced flavors and a deep-rooted heritage of local eats. From unmissable Jewish bagels to Brooklyn-style pizza, you'll find fine eats throughout all boroughs. One of the most popular places to chow down is at a market. Chelsea Market and Gansevoort Market are two of the most versatile, with food stalls and fusions eats. If you're sticking to Manhattan, check out Brookfield Place, an enclave of cutting-edge street food. For an in-depth account of this broad culinary heritage, book yourself a food tour.
Hide full description