Train from New York — Every Route, Schedule & Fare
New York Penn Station is Amtrak's busiest hub in the USA. Every day, trains depart to 20+ cities — the quick 1h 5m sprint to Philadelphia, the 3h 25m Acela to Boston, the overnight Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, and everything in between. Every route we cover is listed below with real schedules, fares, and booking tips.
All Train Routes from New York
20+ routesTrains Arriving into New York
Looking for the reverse direction? We also cover trains to New York from major cities:
Travel Tips for Trains from New York
The renovated Moynihan Train Hall (across 8th Ave from old Penn) is far more pleasant for waiting — better seating, better food, less crowded. Both connect to the same platforms. Track announcements come just 10–20 minutes before departure, so wait near the big board, not at a gate.
Amtrak's Saver fares on the Northeast Corridor (e.g., NYC to Boston from $29, NYC to Philly from $16) are genuinely cheap. The catch: no changes, no refunds. Only book these if your travel plans are confirmed. Flexible tickets cost more but allow free changes.
Acela is faster (saves 20–40 minutes on most legs) but often 2–3x the price. For Boston or DC, the time saving is worth it at business fares — but on Saver pricing, the Regional is the better value. For Philadelphia, stick with the Regional — the time difference is minimal.
Avoid Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings — these are peak NEC times and Saver fares sell out fast. Tuesday and Wednesday morning trains are the least crowded and have the most Saver availability. Book 3–4 weeks ahead for best NEC fares; long-distance trains (Chicago, Florida) are cheapest booked 2–3 months out.
Frequently Asked Questions — Trains from New York
Answers to the most-searched questions about taking the train from New York.
The Amtrak Acela takes 3 hours 25 minutes from New York Penn Station to Boston South Station — the fastest option. The Northeast Regional takes about 3 hours 40–50 minutes and costs significantly less. Amtrak runs 15+ trains daily on this route, departing roughly every 30–60 minutes through the day. Fares start around $29 on Saver. See our full New York to Boston train guide for the complete schedule.
Yes — Amtrak runs the Northeast Regional and Acela express trains from New York Penn Station to Boston South Station multiple times daily. The first trains depart around 5–6 AM; last trains around 8–9 PM. The New York to Boston route is one of the busiest in the USA, with 15+ departures per day.
Amtrak trains from New York Penn Station to Philadelphia 30th Street Station cost from $16 on Saver fares up to $65–70 for fully flexible tickets. The journey takes just 1h 5m to 1h 20m, with trains running every 30 minutes throughout the day. Saver fares are non-refundable — book flexible if your plans might change. See the full New York to Philadelphia train guide.
The Amtrak Acela takes 2 hours 35 minutes from New York Penn Station to Washington DC Union Station. The Northeast Regional takes 2h 50m to 3h 30m depending on stops. Trains run every hour, from early morning to late evening. Fares start at $25 on Saver. The full guide: New York to Washington DC train.
Yes — Amtrak runs the Lake Shore Limited overnight train from New York Penn Station to Chicago Union Station. The journey takes approximately 19–20 hours, departing once daily in each direction (typically late afternoon from NYC). Fares start from $55 in coach. Sleeping car roomettes are available from around $200 and include meals. It's a genuine train adventure — the scenery through upstate New York and along Lake Erie is spectacular.
Yes — Amtrak runs the Silver Meteor and Silver Star from New York Penn Station to Florida. The Silver Meteor serves Miami (approximately 28–30 hours); the Silver Star serves Tampa and Miami via a different route. Fares start around $79–$95 in coach, with sleeping cars available. Note: the famous Auto Train (which carries your car) departs from Lorton, VA (near Washington DC), not from New York.
There is no direct sleeper train from New York to California. The most common route is: Lake Shore Limited from NYC to Chicago (19h), then connect to the California Zephyr to San Francisco/Emeryville (52h) or the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles (43h). Total journey time is 2.5–3 days. Amtrak sells through-tickets for this multi-train journey. It's a bucket-list rail trip — the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada on the Zephyr are unforgettable.
Almost all Amtrak trains depart from New York Penn Station (4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown Manhattan) — accessible by subway (A/C/E and 1/2/3 lines). The adjacent Moynihan Train Hall is the renovated main hall and is more comfortable for waiting. Metro-North trains (to Connecticut, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley) depart from Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street, not Penn Station.