- Must visit
New England Aquarium Whale Watch Visitor Center
Aquarium complex with exhibits on marine life near the harbor; a major family attraction close to downtown Boston.
Cheapest price
$235
Average price
$393
Fastest journey
5 h 7 m
Average duration
5 h 19 m
Trains per day
17
Distance
436 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA will cost around $393 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $235.
Of the 17 trains that leave 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA for South Station, Boston, MA on Fri, Jun 19, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct trains cover the 436 km distance in an average of 5 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 7 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the slowest trains will take 5 h 28 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
178 Northeast Regional
652 Keystone Service · 178 Northeast Regional
94 Northeast Regional
176 Northeast Regional
650 Keystone Service · 184 Northeast Regional
2150 Acela
2162 Acela
2166 NextGen Acela
2170 NextGen Acela
2172 NextGen AcelaOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $34. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 23m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $34, and a flight costs an average of $63.
Distance: 270 miles (436 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$174 Average price | $60 Average price Cheapest | $207 Average price | $102 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 19m Average total duration 5h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 47m Average total duration 7h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 23m Average total duration Fastest 1h 23m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 8m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA:
A bus is $114 (€93) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA costing on average $174 (€143).
A bus is $147 (€121) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA costing on average $207 (€170).
Other travel options to South Station, Boston, MA take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 49m.
Bus takes on average 7h 17m.
Tickets start at around $174 (€143) compared to roughly $102 (€83) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-72.65 (€-59.54). The journey takes 5h 49m versus 5h 8m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA trains for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2166 NextGen Acela | 2:32 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 5h19 | 7:51 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
184 Northeast Regional | 3:23 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h13 | 9:36 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
94 Northeast Regional | 3:59 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h07 | 10:06 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
2170 NextGen Acela | 4:31 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 5h27 | 9:58 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
652 Keystone Service · 178 Northeast Regional | 5:18 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h57 | 12:15 AM South Station, Boston, MA | 1 transfer | |
176 Northeast Regional | 5:26 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h24 | 11:50 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
2172 NextGen Acela | 5:39 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 5h28 | 11:07 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
178 Northeast Regional | 5:54 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h21 | 12:15 AM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 19 | |||||
66 Northeast Regional | 3:25 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h40 | 10:05 AM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
190 Northeast Regional | 5:58 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h08 | 12:06 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
2150 Acela | 6:37 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 5h07 | 11:44 AM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
172 Northeast Regional | 9:08 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h20 | 3:28 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
86 Northeast Regional | 10:51 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h01 | 4:52 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
2162 Acela | 11:09 AM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 5h13 | 4:22 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
174 Northeast Regional | 12:32 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 6h32 | 7:04 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 0 transfersDirect | |
134 Northeast Regional · 184 Northeast Regional | 1:58 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 7h38 | 9:36 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 1 transfer | |
650 Keystone Service · 184 Northeast Regional | 2:15 PM 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA | 7h21 | 9:36 PM South Station, Boston, MA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA run on average 17 times per day, taking around 5h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $61 (€50) but you can travel from only $34 (€28) by bus.
There are 14 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:22, the last at 23:19. The fastest train covers the 270 miles (436 km) distance in 5h 52m.
Distance 270 miles (436 km) |
Average train duration 5h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $61 (€50) |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 14 |
Fastest train 5h 52m |
First train 7:22 AM |
Last train 11:19 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of South Station — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect South Station trip today.
Aquarium complex with exhibits on marine life near the harbor; a major family attraction close to downtown Boston.
Interactive museum on Fort Point Channel with hands-on exhibits for children and families; one of the city's best-known family attractions.
Contemporary art museum on the Seaport waterfront, known for modern exhibitions, harbor views, and striking architecture.
America's oldest public park and a central green space for walking, relaxing, and connecting to the Freedom Trail.
Historic landscaped garden next to Boston Common, beloved for its lagoon, bridges, and elegant city-center setting.
Famous walking route linking many of Boston's key historic sites, ideal for self-guided exploration from downtown.
Creamy soup with clams, potatoes, and onions. It is one of Boston’s signature dishes and a classic taste of New England.
Fresh lobster meat served in a split roll, often lightly dressed with mayo or butter. A quintessential Boston and coastal Massachusetts favorite.
Slow-cooked beans traditionally baked with molasses and pork. The dish is tied to Boston’s historic nickname, Beantown.
Popular oyster bar and seafood restaurant known for fresh shellfish, lobster rolls, and a lively modern atmosphere in the Fort Point area.
Established Back Bay seafood restaurant known for polished service, classic New England dishes, and fresh local catches.
Well-known Boston seafood institution with classic chowder, lobster, and harbor views. A reliable choice for traditional local fare.
Costs are high for dining and coffee compared with many U.S. cities, especially in central Boston.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, USD 1-2 per drink at bars, and round up or tip 10-15% for taxis. Small tips are appreciated for hotel staff and delivery.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA to South Station, Boston, MA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at South Station, Boston, MA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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