TL;DR

Combining a visit to Boston and New York City makes sense when traveling to either city for several days. Transportation between the two sites is well-established, and there are many different things to see in both places. But what’s the best way to travel from Boston to New York or vice versa?

Long story short: The fastest way to travel from Boston to New York is by train, with Amtrak’s Acela service taking just 3 hours and 30 minutes. This high-speed option combines comfort and efficiency, placing you right in the city center—quite convenient! But is the train ride the best way to get from Boston to New York?

Continue reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of different transportation options, such as train, bus, car, or plane, between Boston and New York.

Travel by Train: Fastest Option

Amtrak’s Acela Express: High-Speed and Comfort

The Acela Express is Amtrak’s high-speed train service. It is the fastest option for traveling between Boston and New York City, taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes for the entire trip. The Acela Express features spacious and comfortable seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, and power outlets at every seat.

If you’re traveling first-class, you’ll receive additional perks like at-seat meal service and access to exclusive lounges. Fancy!

The Acela typically only stops at major stations like:

—  Boston, MA - South Station (BOS)

—  Boston, MA - Back Bay Station (BBY)

—  Route 128, MA (RTE)

—  Providence, RI - Amtrak/MBTA Station (PVD)

—  New Haven, CT - Union Station (NHV)

—  Stamford, CT (STM)

—  New York, NY - Moynihan Train Hall (NYP)

—  Newark, NJ - Penn Station (NWK)

Another benefit of going by train is the stunning views during the entire train ride.

Ticket prices for the Acela are usually higher than for other transportation options; expect to pay between $100 and $250 for a one-way ticket.

Amtrak’s Northeast Regional: A Budget-Friendly Alternative

The Northeast Regional train is a budget-friendly alternative to the Acela Express. The journey takes slightly longer, with an average travel time of 4 hours and 2 minutes. This train features comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and power outlets like the Acela Express. The Northeast Regional makes more stops along the route than the high-speed train, including smaller stations between Boston and New York.

Ticket prices for the Northeast Regional are generally lower than those for the Acela, ranging from $50 to $150 for a one-way trip. This makes the Northeast Regional a competitive alternative to the high-speed train if you are traveling to New York on a budget and want to save some money.

You can purchase tickets for both trains online through Amtrak's website or mobile app. Prices are usually much lower if you book at least 3-4 days in advance.

Departure and Arrival Stations

In Boston, trains typically depart from two main stations:

—  South Station: The primary hub, located downtown

—  Back Bay Station: Convenient for those in the Back Bay area

In New York, all trains arrive at Penn Station, located in Midtown Manhattan. It’s very convenient to access all parts of Manhattan from there.

If it’s your first time traveling by train in the US, arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. When boarding, they follow a strict embarking protocol and security procedures and don’t allow latecomers to get on the train. It reminded me of boarding a plane.

Travel by Bus: Cheapest Way to Go

While bus travel takes longer than trains or planes, it's the cheapest option for traveling from Boston to New York. Ticket prices usually range from $19 to $70, depending on the company and time of booking. Buses typically leave from Boston's South Station and arrive at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.

Choosing the Right Bus Service

Flixbus USA operates hourly services, with a journey time of about 4 hours and 20 minutes. At least, this is how they advertise their schedule. During my travels in Boston, I met a young couple stuck in traffic for more than eight hours while traveling from New York to Boston with Flixbus. I’m sure they are not the only ones...

In addition to Flixbus, you can also choose other transportation companies like Greyhound, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Megabus.

Here a comparison between the different bus providers:

—  Megabus is the most budget-friendly option, and it stands out for its budget-friendly fares, often starting as low as $1 when booked in advance. ****

—  Flixbus provides competitive, budget-friendly alternatives, with fares starting as low as $15 (up to $70). Still, both bus services often come with lower reliability and more basic comfort than others.

—  Greyhound and Peter Pan provide moderate comfort, including Wi-Fi and reclining seats, with a solid reputation for reliability at mid-range prices.

For the best deals, I recommend you book your bus ticket at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

Driving from Boston to New York: Flexibility and Scenery

While driving from Boston to New York often takes longer than traveling by train, this option offers flexibility and the most scenic views. In addition, you’ll have several route options to choose from, which I will highlight below.

Routes and Mileage

Fastest Route for Driving

The fastest route from Boston to New York City by car typically takes around 4 hours and covers about 215 miles. You’ll travel via the interstate highways, passing through Connecticut cities such as the capital, Hartford, and then along the coast through New Haven and other suburban towns of NYC.

—  When traveling from Boston to NYC via the fastest route, you will start on Interstate 90 West, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, a toll road.

—  When leaving Sturbridge, MA, take I-84 and continue on this road until you reach Connecticut’s capital, Hartford. You can prep your historical knowledge at the Vernon New England Civil War Museum. This research center was founded by Veterans and has existed in some form since 1896.

—  In Hartford, you have two options for your route. You can continue on I-84 through Waterbury and Danbury or take I-91 South through New Haven and Stamford. If you decide on the second option, you can take a guided tour of Yale University and visit the University Art Gallery or the Museum of Natural History in New Haven. If you get hungry, try the local favorite, clam pizza.

To avoid unnecessary delays due to heavy traffic, avoid rush hour from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM in and around Boston, Hartford, Stamford, and NYC. Plan your trip schedule accordingly.

Scenic Route for the Full Experience

If you have extra time and want to enjoy the scenery, take the scenic route through Massachusetts and the Hudson River Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass quaint towns and farmland. The scenic route will take you roughly six hours.

—  As you travel west through Massachusetts, you will come across Springfield. While here, you can visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame or the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss. Springfield is the birthplace of the book’s author, Theodor Geisel, making it a terrific place for families to visit.

—  After entering New York State, you can head south on Highway 115 S to visit Hyde Park. You can find the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site along the Hudson River and the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in the center of the town. Both of their former homes are open to the public. If you have extra time, be sure to make a reservation at the Culinary Institute of America, where you can enjoy gourmet creations cooked by students. I have yet to try it out, but it sounds fun.

—  Continue on US Highway 9 South to Beacon. This charming town is famous for Dia Beacon, a museum and grounds filled with massive sculptures and other artworks. Alternatively, you can also visit Hudson Highlands State Park for some hiking.

—  After crossing the Newburgh Beacon Bridge on Interstate 84, take Highway 300 south toward Cornwall and West Cornwall. Visit the Storm King Art Center, an outdoor museum with one of the largest collections of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the US. It’s a great spot to pack a picnic and enjoy the surroundings.

—  Finally, return to the highway and continue driving south for 1.5 hours to reach New York City.

Rental Cars and Car Sharing Options

Instead of taking your own car from Boston to NYC, you can rent one from a multitude of major car rental companies. They all operate in Boston and New York and offer a range of vehicles for different travel purposes.

For shorter trips, consider car-sharing services like Zipcar or Turo are cost-effective options. Zipcar offers hourly or daily rentals and easy app-based booking, which is perfect for quick getaways. Turo provides flexibility in vehicle selection and personalized pick-up/drop-off options, often at lower prices than traditional rentals. This makes Turo ideal for both short and long-term trips.

If you’re planning long-term trips, traditional car rental services like Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis offer more vehicle options, one-way rentals, and better rates for multi-day use. They are the perfect choice for only a one-way trip between cities.

Parking and Traffic Considerations

Traffic can be heavy, especially during Boston and New York rush hours. Therefore, I recommend planning your departure time around peak congestion periods. In particular, for New York, renting a car in one of the significant outskirts and then taking public transportation to the city center can save you plenty of time.

In addition, finding parking in New York City is like getting tickets for a Taylor Swift concert – expensive and in high demand. So avoid costly parking fees by leaving your vehicle outside the main areas.

Tolls represent an additional cost factor, which typically range between $15 to $20, depending on the route you take from Boston to New York. The main tolls occur along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), Interstate 84, and Interstate 95, as well as when crossing into New York through the George Washington Bridge or Tappan Zee Bridge (Mario M. Cuomo Bridge). The toll prices also vary based on the payment method, with E-ZPass being more cost-effective than cash or pay-by-mail options.

Travel by Plane: Fast, But Is It Worth It?

Flying is the fastest way to travel between Boston and New York, with a flight time of just over an hour. However, when you factor in airport security and travel to and from airports, the total journey time can be similar or even longer to taking the train. On top of that, you usually face restrictions in terms of luggage, something you can avoid when taking the train.

Choosing the Best Airlines for Boston to New York Flights

You can fly from Boston to New York City in about 1 hour and 15 minutes on many airlines, including JetBlue, Delta, and American Airlines, which offer frequent daily flights between Boston and New York with competitive pricing options.

You can often find one-way tickets starting from $36 to $50. However, fares can frequently reach over $300 for last-minute bookings.

For the best deals, consider flying early morning or late evening flights and choosing midweek flights (Tuesday to Thursday) rather than weekend travel.

Final Words: Which Travel Option is Best?

In summary, taking the train is my preferred transportation choice between Boston and New York as it offers the best balance of speed, comfort, and price. I especially liked traveling with Acela Express; it was a very comfortable trip that only took 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The high-speed trains offer comfortable seating and excellent Wi-Fi, and you’ll enjoy many great scenic views along the way. As a bonus, the train also represents the most environmentally friendly transportation option.

For a more budget-friendly alternative, you can check out bus services like Flixbus, which offer hourly departures with journey times around 4 hours and 20 minutes. Remember, though, that travel time when traveling by bus will most frequently inflate to around 6 hours or more due to traffic and other inefficiencies.

Planning to visit New York for a few days? Be sure to check out my comprehensive travel guide for visiting NYC.