New York, NY to Philadelphia, PA train with Amtrak

From New York to Philadelphia by Northeast Regional Train

Introduction

New York and Philadelphia are two of the largest cities in the United States, and as it happens, are also some of the best-connected cities by rail in the entire country. In this article, I’m going to take the Amtrak Northeast Regional train between the two, showing you the full experience both at the station and on board the train, as well as highlighting how to make the most out of your train trip. Join me as I show you why taking the train to travel from New York to Philadelphia is the best way between the two cities.

Route Overview

Trains between New York and Philadelphia are operated entirely by Amtrak, the national railway company of the United States. There are several service options on this route, but the two most common are the Northeast Regional and the high-speed Acela. The train covers approximately 145 kilometers (90 miles), with journey times ranging from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on which service you choose. As expected, the faster trains (typically Acela) are generally more expensive.

You can also travel by bus from New York to Philadelphia, but with longer journey times and the risk of encountering traffic along the way, I’d always choose the train for this route.

Transportation Experience

I booked my ticket using Omio, which allowed me to compare different travel options and schedules in one place. Best of all, the mobile ticket was sent straight to my phone, which made boarding easy without needing to print anything.

Taking the train from New York to Philadelphia is a great experience, with prominent stations located right in the heart of each city. With no stress or hassle, you can just sit back and relax while the train whisks you to your destination.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

All trains depart from New York Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. The station is conveniently located near 34th Street–Penn Station on the New York Subway, served by lines 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E. Inside, you'll find a variety of coffee shops, restaurants, and ticketed seating areas. Be sure to head to the Moynihan Train Hall, located just west of the older concourse, as this is where Amtrak trains now depart.

Catching the train here is easy, especially since there’s no need to check in. I simply checked the departure board to find my track number, then headed to the boarding area once the train was marked as “Boarding.”

The train arrives at Philadelphia 30th Street Station, situated on the west side of the city. Convenient onward connections are available, with SEPTA commuter rail and SEPTA Metro services offering frequent links to other parts of the city.

Schedule & Frequency

The trains from New York to Philadelphia are some of the most frequent long-distance trains in the entire country, with a typical day seeing around 50 departures, from very early morning to the latest trains leaving after midnight.

The route is fairly reliable, but since these tracks are also shared with various commuter services, delays can happen. Plan ahead, and avoid making firm plans immediately after your arrival in case of delays.

I traveled on Northeast Regional 141, departing at 08:24, with a journey time of 1 hour and 20 minutes. This is a slower and less luxurious option than the Acela, but I think it offers much better value for money.

Onboard Experiences & Services

I chose to book Coach Class for this journey, which features comfortable leather armchairs with generous legroom and a recline feature. Coach Class does not include assigned seating. You simply choose an available seat after boarding.

You can also upgrade to Business Class, which allows you to reserve a specific seat and offers extra legroom. It also includes complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, which I think is a nice touch.

All passengers have the option of visiting the café car to purchase a selection of drinks and snacks. Coffee is available, handy if you’re catching an early morning train. There are also items such as cakes, nuts, and chocolates, as well as more substantial options, such as sandwiches and salads. As it was a relatively short journey, I didn’t buy anything.

All seats have access to power sockets, and free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire train ride, which worked a treat for staying connected. Drinking water dispensers are located at the end of each carriage and are available for free to all passengers.

Space for large luggage items is available and found at the end of the carriages, while smaller items can be stored above your seat. Unlike most other long-distance trains in the United States, a checked baggage service is not available on the Northeast Regional or the Acela; however, there is a generous limit of two personal items and two carry-on items per person.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Tickets on the New York to Philadelphia train route are priced based on demand, so it’s best to book far ahead to secure the best deal for your journey.

I booked my trip one month in advance, and here’s what I paid:

If you book early enough, you can even get a ticket on the Northeast Regional for just $11 (€9.40)!

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

• Use the correct train hall: All Amtrak departures leave from Moynihan Train Hall, located across the street from the older, more crowded building where most LIRR and NJT trains operate. Don’t confuse the two.

• Arrive early: Both New York Penn and Philadelphia 30th Street Station are among the busiest and largest in the U.S. Arriving about 30 minutes before departure will help ensure a stress-free experience.

• Choose the Northeast Regional: This option offers great value for money. The Acela is faster but often not worth the significantly higher price.

• Sit on the left-hand side: This is where you get the best views of the Manhattan skyline on departure and of downtown Philadelphia as you approach your destination.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed my journey on the Amtrak Northeast Regional. It was a smooth, stress-free way to travel right from the heart of Manhattan to downtown Philadelphia. With so many departures each day, the train offers great flexibility, making it easy to travel whenever it suits your plans. Ready to go? Plan and book your journey on Omio today!

About the Author: Albie Pearce

• Job Title: Global Rail Traveler / Content Creator
• Bio: Passionate global rail traveler from the UK since a very young age—I’ve traveled on thousands of trains in over 60 countries. I create engaging videos highlighting the very best of my train travel experiences from around the world.