- Must visit
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
One of the world's great museums, spanning ancient to modern art across a vast Fifth Avenue complex beside Central Park.
Cheapest price
$99
Average price
$238
Fastest journey
2 h 59 m
Average duration
3 h 4 m
Trains per day
27
Distance
328 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to New York, NY is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to New York, NY will cost around $238 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $99.
Of the 27 trains that leave Washington, DC for New York, NY on Sat, May 30, 27 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, May 30 the direct trains cover the 328 km distance in an average of 3 h 4 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 59 m .
On Sat, May 30 the slowest trains will take 3 h 9 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.
66 Northeast Regional
142 Northeast Regional
88 Northeast Regional
126 Northeast Regional
168 Northeast Regional
2252 NextGen Acela
2218 NextGen Acela
2216 Acela
2214 NextGen Acela
126 Northeast RegionalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to New York, NY among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 33m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $23, and a flight costs an average of $115.
Distance: 203 miles (328 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$87 Average price | $43 Average price Cheapest | $244 Average price | $108 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 9m Average total duration 3h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 32m Average total duration 4h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 33m Average total duration Fastest 2h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to New York, NY:
A bus is $45 (€36) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to New York, NY costing on average $87 (€70).
A bus is $201 (€162) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to New York, NY costing on average $244 (€196).
Other travel options to New York, NY take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 39m.
Bus takes on average 4h 2m.
The journey is about 10m faster (3h 39m by train vs 3h 49m by car) and roughly $20 (€16) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($87 (€70) vs $108 (€87)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Amtrak, Amtrak.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to New York, NY trains for today, Friday, May 29. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
148 Northeast Regional | 2:55 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h32 | 6:27 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
176 Northeast Regional | 3:30 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h28 | 6:58 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
178 Northeast Regional | 4:02 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h22 | 7:24 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2122 Acela | 4:50 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h59 | 7:49 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
136 Northeast Regional | 5:05 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h26 | 8:31 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
80 Carolinian | 5:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h20 | 8:35 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2124 NextGen Acela | 5:25 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h58 | 8:23 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
196 Northeast Regional | 6:08 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h18 | 9:26 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2126 NextGen Acela | 6:13 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h55 | 9:08 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
138 Northeast Regional | 6:35 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h42 | 10:17 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
192 Northeast Regional | 7:12 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h26 | 10:38 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
90 Palmetto | 7:57 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h26 | 11:23 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
186 Northeast Regional · 624 Keystone Service | 8:30 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 4h05 | 12:35 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 1 transfer | |
198 Northeast Regional | 9:15 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h30 | 12:45 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
66 Northeast Regional | 10:00 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 7h11 | 5:11 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
160 Northeast Regional | 5:20 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h25 | 8:45 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
162 Northeast Regional | 6:14 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h31 | 9:45 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
98 Silver Meteor | 7:10 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h37 | 10:47 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
54 Vermonter | 7:28 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h17 | 10:45 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2248 Acela | 7:48 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h10 | 10:58 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
152 Northeast Regional | 8:20 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h39 | 11:59 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2250 NextGen Acela | 8:38 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h10 | 11:48 AM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
164 Northeast Regional | 9:10 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h38 | 12:48 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
118 Northeast Regional | 9:58 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h31 | 1:29 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
82 Northeast Regional | 10:18 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h28 | 1:46 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2252 NextGen Acela | 10:53 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 2h59 | 1:52 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
88 Northeast Regional | 11:25 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h22 | 2:47 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
2214 NextGen Acela | 11:50 AM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h06 | 2:56 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
140 Northeast Regional | 12:16 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 3h35 | 3:51 PM Penn Station, New York, NY | 0 transfersDirect | |
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.
By Thibault Constant
When you think of the United States, you probably imagine big cars, planes, and epic road trips. Rarely will you think about trains. However, while they're uncommon in much of the USA, there’s one region where rail travel is surprisingly decent: the Northeast Corridor. This line connects Boston to Washington, DC, via major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Come along with me as I travel with Amtrak from Washington, DC, to New York, NY by train.

A view inside the Amtrak Acela cafe car, showing a person buying food and drinks at the counter.
Amtrak is the national passenger rail operator in the US. On the Northeast Corridor, it runs two main services: Acela – A faster, premium service that’s often labeled as “high-speed,” though in reality, it only saves a few minutes between NYC and DC. Northeast Regional – An intercity service stopping at major cities along the route. While the Acela is typically more expensive, it offers a nicer interior and a smoother ride. I usually recommend the more affordable Northeast Regional, but for this trip, I opted for the Acela—because why not travel in a bit more comfort?
You can book Washington, DC to New York, NY train tickets on either Amtrak or through comparison platforms like Omio, which I often use to compare prices and travel times across different modes of transport.

An exterior view of Washington Union Station with a clear blue sky, showing the historic facade and a statue in front.
Washington Union Station is one of my favorite stations in the USA, along with those in Chicago and Kansas City (all three stations were finished in an era where train travel was at its peak in North America—what they built was monumental). The main hall, completed in 1908, is stunning—and fun fact: it inspired Mussolini when he commissioned Milano Centrale. The cherry on top? As soon as you exit the station, you get a direct view of the US Capitol. It’s an unforgettable departure sight! New York Penn Station may not be as iconic as Grand Central Terminal, but it recently got a huge facelift with the opening of the Moynihan Train Hall. Bright, modern, and filled with amenities, it’s a big upgrade. Located between 8th and 9th Avenue, it's right next to Madison Square Garden. Step out on 8th Avenue, and you’ll be treated to a great view of the Empire State Building.
New York Penn Station may not be as iconic as Grand Central Terminal, but it recently got a huge facelift with the opening of the Moynihan Train Hall. Bright, modern, and filled with amenities, it’s a big upgrade. Located between 8th and 9th Avenue, it's right next to Madison Square Garden. Step out on 8th Avenue, and you’ll be treated to a great view of the Empire State Building.
Between the Acela and Northeast Regional services, there’s a train from Washington, DC, to New York, NY, roughly every 30 minutes. The Acela runs hourly during peak times and every two hours during the day. The fastest Acela trip between NYC and DC takes about 3 hours, making it the only place in the USA where train travel actually beats flying in both time and convenience. The Northeast Regional typically takes around 30 minutes longer, but it’s often the better deal price-wise.
The Acela is a premium service compared to the Northeast Regional and offers two classes: Business Class – Comfortable with large seats with a table and plugs at each seat. First Class – Even more spacious with meals and alcoholic drinks served to your seat, plus lounge access at select stations. I traveled from Washington, DC, to New York by train in Business Class, which was great but looked too similar to the Coach Class on the Northeast Regional. The free Wi-Fi on the Acela was fast and stable enough to stream, work, and stay connected for the entire journey. Acela trains from Washington D.C. to New York City don't have checked baggage service. You can bring two carry-on bags—max 50 lbs (23 kg)—and one personal item up to 25 lbs (12 kg). Midway through the trip, I visited the Acela Café for a quick lunch. I picked up a Southwest salad and chicken ranch wrap, which was quite affordable and reasonably priced. While the quality wasn’t exceptional, it was decent and better value than you’d expect for train food. The Café Car is also the perfect spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the views. Personally, I prefer traveling west of the Mississippi River with Amtrak, as the scenery is breathtaking, but the views on the Acela aren’t bad either. You'll pass through dense urban areas, historic cities, and lovely waterfront views. I especially love the stretch between Baltimore and Philadelphia, where the train crosses several bridges over wide expanses of water. Sit on the left-hand side for the best views of Chesapeake Bay on this northbound trip.

A shot of the Amtrak Acela Business Class cabin, showing the spacious seats with ample legroom.
The Acela is priced for business travelers, so expect higher fares than the Northeast Regional.
| Item | Cost (eur) |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | €250 |
| Food & drinks | € |
| Travel to departure station | € |
| Travel from arrival station | € |
| Total | € 250 |
The US may not be a train lover’s paradise, but the Washington, DC, to New York train route is a rare gem. It’s fast, convenient, and—by American standards—surprisingly good. So, next time you're traveling in the Northeast, hop on the Amtrak. You might be surprised—in the best way.

An exterior view of an Amtrak Acela train at a platform in New York Penn Station.
Trains from Washington, DC to New York, NY run on average 32 times per day, taking around 3h 39m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $25 (€20) but you can travel from only $23 (€18) by bus.
There are 31 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 203 miles (328 km) distance in 3h 7m.
Distance 203 miles (328 km) |
Average train duration 3h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 (€20) |
Trains per day 32 |
Direct trains 31 |
Fastest train 3h 7m |
First train 3:00 AM |
Last train 11:49 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of New York — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect New York trip today.
One of the world's great museums, spanning ancient to modern art across a vast Fifth Avenue complex beside Central Park.
A leading modern and contemporary art museum with iconic works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, and many major twentieth-century artists.
Famous for dinosaur fossils, space exhibits, and immersive science displays; a classic family-friendly museum on the Upper West Side.
The city's most famous park, with lakes, meadows, bridges, and countless walking routes in the middle of Manhattan.
The bright commercial crossroads of Midtown, packed with giant screens, theaters, and nonstop energy day and night.
An elevated linear park built on a former rail line, known for Hudson views, landscaping, and strong social media appeal.
Large, thin-crust pizza sold by the slice, known for its foldable texture and classic mozzarella-tomato topping. It is one of New York City's most iconic everyday foods.
A chewy boiled-and-baked bagel topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon. It reflects the city's Jewish deli heritage and is a classic New York breakfast.
Hand-sliced cured beef piled onto rye bread, usually with mustard. This deli staple is deeply tied to New York's immigrant food culture.
World-famous fine dining restaurant specializing in refined seafood, elegant service, and one of New York's premier luxury meals.
Legendary Lower East Side deli famous for pastrami sandwiches, classic Jewish deli fare, and a lively old New York atmosphere.
Well-known spot for bagels, smoked fish, and Jewish appetizing classics in a polished but relaxed setting.
New York is one of the priciest U.S. cities. Hotels, dining, and drinks are costly, though budget eats exist.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants; 20%+ for great service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and tip hotel staff.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to New York, NY 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 New York, NY, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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