From Boston to New York City: 4 Best Ways to Get There (2025)

Written by Lavanya Sunkara and Freddy Sherman
Updated May 11, 2023

Both historical and fascinating in their own ways, the cities of Boston and New York are connected by several methods of transportation. From direct flights to express trains and low-cost buses, you have your choice when it comes to traveling from Beantown to the Big Apple.

Fly down for a whirlwind day to grab a delicious dinner and a Broadway show, hit the highway in your car or the bus for an overnight stay to catch a Yankees game, or take a scenic train ride to explore the city's world-famous cultural institutions and attractions. New York City is 216 miles southwest of Boston, and it takes three-and-a-half to six hours to reach, depending on your preferred mode of transportation.

Regardless of the season, you can start planning your trip to New York City with our list of travel options. Once you arrive, join the locals on the subway and commuter trains to make your way around Manhattan and the other boroughs to enjoy all that the city has to offer, from diverse cuisines and happening neighborhoods to sensational entertainment.

Here are four of the best ways to get from Boston to New York City, along with insider advice on what to keep in mind with each option.

On This Page:

  • From Boston to New York by Train
  • From Boston to New York by Car
  • From Boston to New York by Bus
  • From Boston to New York by Plane

From Boston to New York by Train

From Boston to New York City: 4 Best Ways to Get There (1)

Highlights: Experience the fun efficiency of rail travel, a great choice for winter months

Amtrak's Acela Express train is by far the most efficient and comfortable way to get to New York from Boston. Leaving from South Station downtown or Boston Back Bay Station, it will take around four hours to get to Manhattan's Penn Station. The Acela exclusively has Business and First Class cars, and it comes with free basic Wi-Fi connectivity and a café and quiet car. The seats have decent legroom, foldout tables for working/dining, and individual power outlets.

Prices depend on class and departure times. The First Class seat comes with early boarding, a complimentary at-seat meal, and beverages; travelers will also have access to the stations' lounges. For the most scenic views, sit on the left side of the car.

On weekdays, Acela trains depart hourly during rush hour. Budget-conscious travelers can opt for a somewhat longer (by 30 mins), but still pleasant, ride on the Amtrak Northeast Regional train, which also comes with free basic Wi-Fi. The first train of the day leaves at 5:05am, and the last train departs from Boston at 9:30pm (the only train where you can check luggage). Otherwise, you can use the overhead storage on the other trains.

Often, Amtrak offers AAA discounts, but train tickets tend to be on the higher end, even more than flights. When traveling during the winter months, train travel is the best option to avoid flight delays or poor road conditions due to snow and ice.

From Boston to New York by Car

From Boston to New York City: 4 Best Ways to Get There (2)

Highlights: Offers freedom and flexibility, and accommodates kids and pets

Travelers can opt to drive from Boston to New York for more flexibility and if you are bringing pets. If you are leaving from downtown Boston, make your way to I-93 South towards I-90 (Mass Pike) and connect to I-84. Consider staying on I-84 to I-684 instead of using I-95 to avoid traffic.

Apps like Waze and Google Maps will give you the best possible route based on real-time conditions. Leave after rush hour for a quicker ride, but allow additional time on weekends and holidays. Driving time takes anywhere between four to six hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Keep in mind that New York City street parking can be difficult to find, and garage fees are high, including at hotels. A car isn't needed once you're in Manhattan, so consider taking the bus or train instead of driving.

You can rent a car from a company like Budget, Avis, Hertz, or Enterprise to make the drive to The Big Apple. Keep in mind if you are flying into Boston, renting a car at the airport can be more expensive than doing it in the city.

E-ZPass is a cashless toll payment system and device used by 19 different northeastern states, including Massachusetts and New York. If you have one, make sure you bring it, and if you don't have one, consider buying one before the trip. The device is used to pay road, bridge, and tunnel tolls.

In New York, drivers can use tollsbymailny.com to pay any tolls incurred within 48 hours, avoiding rental car surcharges. Most rental cars come with an E-ZPass unit, but review the potential charges and costs carefully before starting your trip.

From Boston to New York by Bus

From Boston to New York City: 4 Best Ways to Get There (3)

Highlights: Least expensive, easy travel that even has some availability to bring your bike

The cheapest way to get from Boston to New York is by bus. Although bus travel takes longer than the train, you can travel between the cities for a fraction of the price. Greyhound has buses leaving Boston's South Station to New York's Port Authority Bus Terminal daily, with hourly buses during rush hour. The vehicles come equipped with reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard toilets. It takes anywhere from four-and-a-half to six hours to reach Manhattan, depending on traffic and the time of the week. Friday evenings often take the longest.

Megabus and FlixBus are two other options for those traveling from Boston by bus. Megabus offers reserved seating, toilets, and Wi-Fi, and drops off customers at 7th Avenue and 27th Street in Midtown Manhattan, within walking distance from Penn Station and many subway lines. FlixBus has over 10 buses per day running between the two cities. Their pickup stop is curbside in Boston's South End area, and drop-off is at 31st Street and 8th Avenue in Midtown, near Penn Station.

FlixBus is also a Greener way to travel from Boston to NYC. The buses emit less CO2 than a passenger car, and you can even buy carbon offset credits to make your journey carbon-neutral. The buses are also bike friendly if you want to bring yours.

From Boston to New York by Plane

From Boston to New York City: 4 Best Ways to Get There (4)

Highlights: Find an in-expensive airline ticket and arrive fast and fresh

Flights between Boston and New York run frequently, and getting on a plane is the fastest option between the two cities. Although long security lines and transfers to and from the airports take time, the actual flying time is just 35 minutes. The best part is that airfares are typically cheaper than train tickets. Airlines like JetBlue, American, Delta, and United operate flights from Boston Logan (BOS) to New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR) airports daily and have comparable fares.

If you are traveling to JFK, you can take the AirTrain and connect to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or the subway in Queens to make your way to Manhattan or any other areas. LaGuardia Airport is just eight miles from midtown Manhattan; you can take the M60 bus from any of the terminals to 125th Street, connecting to the subway (free transfer) to your final destination.

From Newark International Airport (located 17 miles from Midtown), New Jersey Transit trains (referred to as the AirTrain) will bring you to Penn Station. For a private shuttle service from any of the NYC area airports, choose NYC Airporter or Go Airlink NYC (the official airport shuttle partner). Alternatively, you can take an Uber or Lyft ride to the heart of the city.

If you plan to pick up a rental car at EWR, you can take the AirTrain to P3, where most of the car rental companies are located. Payless, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty, Alamo, and others are all at one central facility. At LGA, you need to take a free shuttle bus to the rental car center. Shuttles pick up at a specific area outside Terminal A.

At JFK, car rental companies have counters inside the terminal on the arrivals level near baggage claim. After receiving your keys, take the AirTrain to Federal Circle Station, where you pick up the car.

From Boston to New York City: 4 Best Ways to Get There (2025)

FAQs

What is the best way to get from Boston to NYC? ›

The best way to get from Boston to New York is to train which takes 3h 44m and costs $30 - $500. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $5 - $120 and takes 4h 20m.

Is it better to fly or take a train from Boston to New York? ›

One way on Amtrak averages about 4 hours (3:37 if you take the Acela) while a plane takes on average about 1 hour and 15 minutes. But when you factor in the extra time it takes to get to and from the airports in New York and Boston, along with airport security, the total travel time can get a lot longer.

How much is a train ticket from Boston to NYC? ›

Good to know
Average price (round-trip)$56
Average price (one-way)$26

What is the best way to travel to New York? ›

MTA: Subways and Buses. If you can't walk to your destination, mass transit is the next-best way to get around. The City's rail and bus system is run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and known as MTA New York City Transit.

How much is an Uber from Boston to New York City? ›

TAKE AN UBER. This isn't the most practical way of getting from New York to Boston by any means, but it is definitely an option. A rough estimate of price puts a one-way trip at about 700 dollars.

What is the cheapest way to get from New York to Boston? ›

Travel Information between New York, NY and Boston, MA
Distance189 miles (305 km)
Available travel modesTrain, bus or flight
Ticket price range$29 - $59
Cheapest modeBus • $29 (€25) • 3 h 48 min
Fastest modeFlight • $59 (€51) • 1 h 15 min
1 more row

What are the downsides of Amtrak? ›

The long distance trains are multi-day affairs, and to be comfortable you really want a sleeper car. They are quite expensive— comparable to first class airfare. And they often run late. They start out on time, but the farther down the line they get, the more likely they are to be behind the published schedule.

How long is the travel from Boston to New York on Amtrak? ›

A train trip between Boston and New York is around 3h 55m, although the fastest train will take about 3h 21m.

How much does it cost to take Amtrak from New York to Boston? ›

Good to know
Average price (round-trip)$52
Average price (one-way)$26

Does Amtrak offer senior discounts? ›

And since Amtrak travelers 65 years of age and over are eligible to receive a 10% discount on most trains, it becomes an affordable alternative.

How much is a bus ticket from Boston to New York? ›

The bus trip from Boston to New York is about 208 miles long. The quickest trip with Greyhound takes 3 hours 50 minutes and you can expect only one stop. How much is the Boston to New York bus and how can I buy a ticket? The Boston to New York bus starts from $32.99.

How much is a ticket from Penn Station to Boston? ›

Amtrak Acela operates a train from New York Penn Station to Boston every 3 hours. Tickets cost $50–500 and the journey takes 3h 49m. Amtrak Northeast Regional also services this route every 3 hours.

What is the cheapest month to visit New York? ›

The Best Times to Visit New York City for Lower Prices and Fewer...
  • High Season: Late May through early September and November through December.
  • Shoulder Season: April through mid-May and mid-September through October.
  • Low Season: January through March.
Aug 3, 2024

How do I plan my first trip to New York? ›

15 Tips for Your First Visit to New York City
  1. Time Your Trip Carefully. ...
  2. Leave Your Car at Home. ...
  3. Move Beyond Manhattan. ...
  4. Get Your Bearings With A City Bus Tour. ...
  5. Save Money With Free Attractions. ...
  6. Try The Street Food. ...
  7. Learn Subway Etiquette. ...
  8. Get Out On The Water.

What do I need to know before Travelling to New York? ›

The Essential Things to Know Before You Visit New York City
  1. Know What 'Downtown' Means. In New York, when someone says “downtown,” they don't mean the commercial center of the city. ...
  2. Sidewalks Have Traffic Rules. ...
  3. Follow Taxi and Ride Hail App Etiquette.
Aug 20, 2019

Is it better to drive or take the train to NYC? ›

Although the convenience of a car is hard to beat, trains free you from the costs and hassles of urban parking. They usually deliver you straight to city centers. Train travel, with its spacious seats and room to get up and walk around, is more relaxing and comfortable and the view is usually better.

How fast is Amtrak Boston to NYC? ›

A train trip between Boston and New York is around 3h 55m, although the fastest train will take about 3h 21m.

Is the train from New York to Boston Scenic? ›

Train rides throughout the Northeast offer spectacular views. The route from New York to Boston showcases the scenic landscape of the Connecticut coastline with its countless harbors, ships and bridges. The Albany to Boston route crosses through the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts.

Is the drive from Boston to New York nice? ›

Is the drive from New York to Boston beautiful? Absolutely! If you take Interstate 95, aka the Connecticut Turnpike, you'll see stunning views. The route shows off the lush Connecticut countryside and the charm of its small towns.

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