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How to get from Boston to New York
Amtrak trains from Boston South Station reach New York Penn Station in about 3 h 45 to 4 h 30, centre to centre. Buses are the cheapest at about 4 to 5 hours, and flights are about 1 h 15 in the air but rarely faster door to door.
Best option: Train. Amtrak runs city centre to city centre with no airport security, and the time is competitive with flying.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Amtrak Acela or Northeast Regional from Boston South Station (or Back Bay) to New York Penn Station | about 3 h 45 (Acela) to 4 h 30 (Northeast Regional) | roughly hourly or more on weekdays | about $30–90 on Northeast Regional, about $100–250 on Acela | Fares rise as trains fill; book ahead for Fridays, Sundays and holidays. |
| bus Intercity buses from South Station Bus Terminal to Manhattan (several companies, e.g. Greyhound, Peter Pan, FlixBus) | about 4 to 5 h, longer in traffic | frequent, many a day | about $20–50 | Cheapest option; traffic on I-95 can add an hour or more at peak times. |
| flight Flights from Boston Logan to LaGuardia, JFK or Newark | about 1 h 15 flying; about 3 to 4 h door to door | many a day | about $80–250 one way | Only worth it when connecting to another flight; airport transfers eat the time saved. |
| car I-90 and I-84 or I-95 south-west into New York | about 4 to 5 h (about 345 km), much longer in traffic | fuel plus tolls of roughly $15–30 | Parking in Manhattan is expensive, often $40–80 a day. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Back Bay station is a convenient alternative boarding point to South Station.
- Acela saves only 30–45 minutes over Northeast Regional; compare prices before paying extra.
- Avoid driving into Manhattan on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings.
- Amtrak and bus arrivals at Penn Station / Midtown connect directly to the subway.
Common questions
Is the train or the plane faster from Boston to New York?
Door to door, they are usually similar. The flight is only about 1 h 15, but adding travel to Logan, security, and the transfer from LaGuardia, JFK or Newark into Manhattan often makes it 3 to 4 hours. Amtrak takes about 3 h 45 to 4 h 30 from South Station straight into Penn Station, with no security queue, so most travellers prefer the train.
What is the cheapest way from Boston to New York?
Intercity buses are the cheapest, with fares often around $20–35 when booked a few days ahead. Several companies run frequent services from South Station Bus Terminal to Manhattan. Amtrak Northeast Regional saver fares booked early can also be inexpensive. Expect the bus to take longer at rush hour or on holiday weekends because of traffic on the highways.
Do I need to book Amtrak tickets in advance?
It is strongly recommended. Amtrak prices rise as seats sell, so booking a week or more ahead can cut the fare significantly. Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and holiday periods sell out on some trains. Northeast Regional seats are unreserved within coach class, but you still need a ticket for a specific train. Acela has assigned seating.
Can I do New York as a day trip from Boston?
It is possible but tiring: about 8 hours of travel in total by train or bus, leaving perhaps six to eight hours in the city. An early morning Amtrak and an evening return work if you plan one or two neighbourhoods. Most visitors find at least one night in New York far more worthwhile.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.