Train to Boston, MA - Book cheap tickets online with Amtrak

Trains to Boston

Taking the train to Boston is a great way to travel quickly and conveniently from a number of major Northeast cities including New York, Washington DC, and Chicago. Boston has three main train stations and a good local transport network, making it easy to get to wherever you are staying or need to go. Amtrak are the company who run every intercity train to Boston, although they operate a number of different services and there are many different options when it comes to travel class and ticket type. Something to suit every budget and itinerary!

Amtrak trains to Boston

Amtrak operate all passenger train services into Boston, via a number of different services. Amtrak are the biggest railway operator in the United States and cover routes all across the country. The main train station end point Amtrak uses in Boston is South Station, including their routes from New York City and Washington, DC. Amtrak trains offer a range of services and ticket classes on board, depending on the service chosen.

The four intercity routes Amtrak operates by train to Boston are the Acela Express (from New York City and Washington, DC), Northeast Regional (from New York City and Washington, DC), the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago, and the Downeaster service from Portland, Maine. Both standard and Business class tickets are available on all services, as well as free Wi-Fi and a range of catering options from basic snack cars to full in-seat dining option for business class passengers. There are also dedicated Quiet Cars on all services, and passengers are allowed to bring dogs and bicycles on board provided they are on a leash and under control (dogs) and stowed away safely in dedicated areas or folded up (bicycles). There are also special sections for disabled passengers. Passengers are allowed to bring on 2 items of luggage (weighing up to 50 lbs) and 2 carry-on items (weighing up to 25 lbs), with the option of checking up to 4 bags in to pick up at their destination if they prefer.

Main train stations in Boston

The main stations you'll arrive by train to Boston are North Station, South Station, and Back Bay. Of these, Back Bay and South Station receive the largest number of intercity services. All are centrally located and well connected by subway and buses, although South Station is the largest in terms of passenger facilities and amenities including left luggage storage, disabled passenger facilities including accessible toilets, induction hearing loops, brail notices, and passenger assistance services on request. There is also a large range of shops and eateries, ticket and cash machines, and lots of accommodation options nearby. Back Bay Station also boasts a full range of services, as well as specific passenger services like Amtrak travel lounges and waiting rooms.

How can I find cheap train tickets to Boston?

The easiest way to find cheap tickets for a train to Boston are to book well in advance and to remain flexible. This means not only having different times and days on which you can travel in order to find the best deal, but also looking at side stations in small towns along the commuter belt of the city that might be cheaper to pick up a connecting mainline train service to Boston. In any case, it’s wise to have a look around at different options, and for that Omio comes in handy. With Omio, you can see all the possible ticket options and prices for different departure times and services for the date or dates you have chosen. This makes it easy to see the cheapest and most convenient fares all in one place, instantly after starting your search.

Before you travel to Boston by train—good to know:

Boston is a city full of fabulous sites and rich in history. It also, however, has plenty of understated and underrated gems. Sure, stroll around Seaport, head out to Cambridge for a Harvard University visit, and take in the historic colonial sites of Beacon Hill. But you can also get off the beaten track a bit and explore the bars and student-heavy cafes of up-and-coming areas like Allston and Brighton, or soak up typical Boston atmosphere around Back Bay and even get around the city by water taxi from trendy Easy Boston. If you’ve got little ones to entertain, break up trips around historical sites with a squirrel-laden walk through Boston Common, a clam chowder at the harbourside food market, or a trip to the Children’s Museum at Fort Point.