How to get from Washington DC to New York (Manhatten) by train

Question

I am from the UK and will be staying in Washington at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel for a week. I need to get to New york for one, maybe two days and need to get there and then back to washington by train. However I dont really know where to start. I would be greatful to anyone that could provide me with details of how to get trains from my hotel to New York or provide me with websites that could help me out.

Thank you in advance for any answers to this question.

Answer 1

It's very easy to do!  Trains are the best way to get between those two cities. The trains are run by Amtrak and they have nearly hourly service from Washington to NYC.  The main train station in Washington DC is Union Station, right near downtown, and the main train station in NYC is Penn Station, right in Manhattan.  The trip takes between 3 hr. 15 minutes and 3 and a half hours on the regular "regional" trains - a little under 3 hours on the "Acela" high-speed trains - but it's not worth it to take the high speed trains in my opinion because the cost is roughly twice as much, and it's not THAT much faster (or nicer - I think on Acela they give you a newspaper and a drink and the trains look newer, but the regular "regional" trains are plenty nice - lots of leg room, they're clean, and they have a bar car and power outlets at all seats as well).  Anyway, you can find schedules and prices and all the details on www.amtrak.com.

Answer 2

You are in luck. DC to NY is the only intercity route in America that is done mostly by train. There are several trains a day (see schedule) that leave from Union Station in downtown Washington and go right to New York City (Penn Station). The fastest have an X in front of the train number (X-Acela). The first fast train leaves Washington at 5:00 and arrives in NY at 7:45 with four intermediate stops.

Select your train and buy the tickets online. You must have reserved tickets! Don't wait, the spike in gasoline prices has been followed by a predictable surge in mass transit of all types.

You can get from your hotel in Washington to Union station via Metro, and once in Manhattan there is an underground that will take you anywhere you want to go. Taxi fare should be unnecessary.

Answer 3

You want to visit amtrak.com and use codes WAS (Washington, DC) and NYP (New York's Penn Station) to see schedules and fares.

I have relatives in the DC area and I know they take the train to NY without much problem. It does tend to run a bit late--and you don't want to eat the food they're selling. But it's a short trip, so you don't have to.

Answer 4

Take a cab or the Metro Red Line to Union Station in Washington.  Go to the Amtrak ticket counter and ask for a round trip ticket on the next Acela train to New York Penn Station.  Penn Station in New York is under Madison Square Garden at 33rd St. and 7th Ave.  From there you can either catch a subway or cab to anywhere in Manhattan.

Answer 5

Amtrack