New York to Washington Train
Direct down the Northeast Corridor in about 3 hours on Amtrak Acela and Northeast Regional, up to 150 mph, more than 30 trains a day. Search live times and fares, then book in a couple of taps.
The New York to Washington route — straight down the corridor
No changes, no connections: the New York to Washington DC train runs direct on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, and the Acela Express tops out at 150 mph.
The train leaves New York Penn Station, under the NY Moynihan Train Hall in Midtown Manhattan, and runs through Newark, Philadelphia 30th Street, Wilmington and Baltimore to Washington Union Station, a few steps from Capitol Hill.
The fastest Acela covers the roughly 225 miles in just under 3 hours; the Northeast Regional takes a little longer because it makes more stops. More than 30 Amtrak trains a day run each way, so you rarely wait long for the next direct train.
Amtrak Acela or Northeast Regional
Both Amtrak trains leave New York Penn Station, arrive at Washington Union Station and appear in the live search above.
Amtrak Acela Express
Amtrak's high speed train reaches up to 150 mph on cleared sections of the corridor and makes fewer stops. It is the fastest direct train: the trip takes just under 3 hours, with Business and First Class, power outlets, free Wi-Fi and a café car.
Northeast Regional
The workhorse of the corridor: frequent, comfortable and the cheapest way to make the trip, in about 3 hours to 3 hours 45 minutes. Roomy Coach and Business Class, power outlets at every seat, free Wi-Fi and a café car — it is where the cheap train tickets usually hide.
Up to 150 mph on the Acela
The Acela train is the quickest way to ride the Northeast Corridor from New York to Washington DC.
See times & faresOnboard classes from New York to Washington DC
Amtrak fares on the route are sold by class: Economy (Coach) and Business Class, with Acela adding a First Class tier on the fastest trains.
Economy
- Comfortable Coach seats with plenty of legroom
- Power outlets at every seat and free Wi-Fi
- Café car on board and a quiet car for a peaceful ride
Business Class
- Roomier seats and a calmer carriage for a more relaxed train ride
- Wider tables, power outlets and free Wi-Fi throughout
- Acela adds a First Class tier with at-seat service
Where the New York to Washington route starts and ends
Both ends of the line are central city train stations, putting you straight into two exciting cities with no airport transfers.
New York Penn Station
Trains leave New York Penn Station, the busiest train station in the country, topped by the light-filled NY Moynihan Train Hall in Midtown Manhattan. The subway, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit all meet under one roof, and the Empire State Building is a short walk away.
Washington Union Station
You arrive at Washington Union Station, a grand Beaux-Arts landmark on Massachusetts Avenue beside Capitol Hill. The Metro, a taxi or a short walk puts you at the National Mall, the Washington Monument and the heart of the nation's capital.
New York and Washington DC: what is waiting at each end
New York, NY
Penn Station sits under Midtown Manhattan, with Madison Square Garden directly above and the Empire State Building a short walk away; Times Square, Greenwich Village and Brooklyn are minutes by subway. Many travelers spend a couple of days here before the trip south: the museums, the food and the skyline are reason enough.
Washington, DC
The nation's capital begins at the station door: Union Station is a short walk from the Capitol building and one Metro stop from the National Mall, where the Smithsonian's free national museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, line up end to end. The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the White House are all in the city center, among the iconic landmarks of the nation's capital.
New York to Washington by train, plane or bus
The main ways to make the trip down the East Coast, side by side: for city centre to city centre travel, train travel is hard to beat.
| Mode | City-to-city time | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Acela) | ~3h direct | from ~$263 | Up to 150 mph, Business & First, city centre to city centre |
| Train (Northeast Regional) | ~3h–3h45m direct | from ~$112 | Most frequent, best value, Coach & Business |
| Flight | ~4h+ door to door | varies | Just over an hour in the air, but two airports, security & transfers |
| Bus | ~4h–5h | cheapest | Slowest, subject to I-95 traffic; no legroom or Wi-Fi guarantee |
Flight
Just over an hour in the air, but two airport trips, security and bags put the door-to-door total at around four hours or more.
Bus and car
The bus is cheaper but slow and at the mercy of I-95 traffic. Driving takes three and a half hours on a clear run, five on a bad one, plus parking in Washington DC.
Train
Turn up at Penn Station a few minutes before departure, walk on with your bag, skip the security lines and enjoy a relaxing train journey with free Wi-Fi and legroom, stepping off at Union Station in Washington DC with your day intact.
Train tickets from New York to Washington DC
Amtrak trains use demand-based pricing, so train fares and ticket prices move with the date, the time of day and how far ahead you book. Booking a week or two ahead usually beats a walk-up fare and is the best way to land cheap train tickets from New York to Washington DC.
Ticket prices are highest on the Acela train and at the busy morning and evening peaks; the Northeast Regional, the first and last trains of the day, and midday and overnight departures are often cheaper. One train ticket covers the whole direct trip, so there is no second leg to price.
Getting the lowest ticket prices
- Book early — the cheapest seats sell first
- The Northeast Regional is usually cheaper than the Acela
- Midday, early and late trains often beat peak prices
Planning your New York to Washington train journey
Schedules, first and last trains
Check train schedules in the live search above: with more than 30 trains a day, short train trips are easy to fit around your plans and a missed train is rarely a problem. The first train from New York Penn Station can have you in Washington DC in time for a morning meeting, and a late one still arrives in the evening.
Getting around at both ends
Both train stations connect straight to local transport: New York Penn Station and the NY Moynihan Train Hall to the subway, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit commuter rail, Washington Union Station to the Metro, with the National Mall one stop away. Taxis, ride-share and car rentals are available at both.
Before you board
- Download the Amtrak app for train tickets and live status
- Arrive a few minutes early at the busy Penn Station hub
- Pick the quiet car if you want to work or rest
New York to Washington trains — frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from New York to Washington?
Yes. Every train from New York to Washington DC is direct — Amtrak runs both the Acela Express and the Northeast Regional straight through from New York Penn Station to Washington Union Station with no change. There are more than 30 departures a day, roughly one or two every hour from early morning to late evening.
How long is the train from New York to Washington?
The fastest train from New York to Washington takes just under 3 hours on the Amtrak Acela Express. Most direct trains run about 3 hours to 3 hours 45 minutes, with the Northeast Regional a little longer than the Acela because it makes more stops along the corridor.
Which trains run from New York to Washington DC?
Amtrak runs the route with two services: the high-speed Acela Express, which reaches up to 150 mph and offers Business and First Class, and the Northeast Regional, the frequent, lower-cost option with Coach and Business Class. Both are direct Amtrak trains from New York Penn Station to Washington Union Station.
How much does the train from New York to Washington cost?
Economy fares start from about $112, with most daytime trains from about $263, and Business Class from about $322. The Acela and peak departures cost more. Fares swing a lot with the date and demand, so early booking is the best way to get cheap train tickets — search live prices above.
Where does the train from New York to Washington arrive?
Trains arrive at Washington Union Station, right beside Capitol Hill and a short Metro ride or walk from the National Mall, the Smithsonian's free museums, the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. You leave from New York Penn Station, under the Moynihan Train Hall in Midtown Manhattan.
What is the fastest train from New York to Washington?
The Amtrak Acela Express is the fastest option, running just under 3 hours thanks to top speeds of up to 150 mph and fewer stops. The Northeast Regional is a little slower but cheaper, and both are direct Amtrak trains down the corridor.
How can I get cheap train tickets from New York to Washington?
Book a week or two ahead: Amtrak uses demand-based pricing, so train ticket prices rise as seats sell. The Northeast Regional is usually cheaper than the Acela, midweek trains often cost less than Friday and Sunday peaks, and midday, early and late trains often beat the busy morning and evening departures.
Do I need an Amtrak account to book New York to Washington train tickets?
No. You can compare and book Amtrak tickets through the live search on this page, with the Acela and the Northeast Regional side by side. The Amtrak app and the Amtrak website are handy for managing your tickets and checking live status.
New York to Washington DC travel: good to know
The journey in short
- Every train on the route is a direct train — no changes down the corridor.
- Amtrak runs it two ways: the high speed Acela and the frequent Northeast Regional.
- Fastest is just under 3 hours; most trains run about 3 hours to 3h45m.
- Leaves New York Penn Station and the NY Moynihan Train Hall; arrives Washington Union Station.
Booking and on board
- Economy from about $112; Business Class from about $322; book early for cheap train tickets.
- Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, a café car and a quiet car on board.
- The Amtrak app handles tickets, train schedules and live status.
Ready for New York to Washington?
See live times and fares for the Amtrak Acela Express and Northeast Regional, then book the train that suits your trip.