Having lived in New York City for years, I visited Boston often for work and also when my brother was studying there for college.
My brother now lives in Boston, and we are both very familiar with all the ways you can go between the two cities!
The four ways you can travel from Boston to New York City are by bus, plane, train, and driving, and I’ve done them all.
In short, the bus is the cheapest, the train is the most efficient, and flying is a good option if you’re staying near the airports.
Let’s break it down below (with a great alternate train option at the end)!
Considerations
The best route for you ultimately depends on a few factors: budget, where you’re staying in Boston and New York, how comfortable you want to be, and whether you have limited time.
Because my family lives outside of New York City, my brother and I have easy access to a car that we can use as well as a ride to Stamford.
My husband and I have also rented a car to visit Boston for a few days and that was a fun road trip!
There is no one-size-fits-all route, so it truly depends on your travel preference.
Bus
How: Taking a bus is the most affordable way to travel between Boston and New York City. Popular bus services like Greyhound, Megabus, and FlixBus operate multiple routes daily.
The buses depart from South Station in Boston and arrive at Port Authority or other Manhattan locations in New York City.
Some buses even offer express services with fewer stops along the way.
Travel time: The journey typically takes about 4-5 hours, but sometimes traffic can cause delays!
It’s not the most comfortable option but it’s manageable, and you can often find tickets at the last minute.
Cost: Tickets can be as low as $10 if booked in advance, but prices usually range from $20 to $50 depending on the time of booking and demand.
Best for: Budget travelers who don’t mind a longer travel time.
Plane
Flying can be the fastest travel option depending on where you’re staying in Boston and New York City, but depending on factors like traffic to and from the airport, flight delays, and whether or not you have a checked bag, it can add on significant travel times.
How: Flights depart from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and arrive at either LaGuardia (LGA) or John F. Kennedy (JFK) in New York City. Airlines like Delta and JetBlue operate this route frequently.
Keep in mind that JFK is much farther from Manhattan, and usually isn’t recommended to fly into if you’re staying in the city. There is usually A LOT of traffic going to and from and it’s just not ideal.
Cost: Round-trip tickets can start at $100, but prices vary based on the season and booking time. Flight time is approximately 40 minutes.
Travel time: If you’re staying close to Logan airport and flying into LaGuardia, you can get from Boston to midtown Manhattan in around 2 hours total.
There are plenty of Ubers and taxis at the airport that can take you to your final destination.
Best for: Travelers staying near the airport or those with limited time.
Train
How: Amtrak operates regular services between Boston’s South Station and New York City’s Penn Station. You can choose between the Northeast Regional or the faster (and pricier) Acela Express.
The trains are comfortable, with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets.
Cost: The Northeast Regional tickets range from $50 to $100, while Acela Express tickets typically start at $130 and can go up to $200.
Travel time: The journey takes around 4-4.5 hours on the Northeast Regional and about 3.5 hours on the Acela Express.
Best for: Travelers seeking a balance of comfort and efficiency.
Driving
How: Driving offers flexibility and can be a great option if you’re traveling with others, need to make stops along the way, have a car you can use, or want to have a car to drive around at your destination.
The main route is along I-95, which is straightforward but prone to traffic, especially near New York City.
Cost: Gas and tolls will cost around $50-$70 one-way, depending on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Parking in NYC can add an additional $30-$50 per day.
Travel time: Expect to spend 4-5 hours on the road, though this can increase significantly with traffic.
Best for: Travelers who value flexibility, want to travel and explore with friends, or want to make stops en route.
Alternate Options
Hybrid Option #1
If you’re not a fan of driving the whole way, want to avoid the higher cost of direct Amtrak trains, or if your final destination is outside of New York City, consider this hybrid option: take the train to Stamford, Connecticut and then get picked up from there.
Stamford is on the same train line but offers cheaper ticket options compared to Boston.
My brother frequently visits home using this option!
Hybrid Option #2
The other option if you have a car is to drive to Stamford, park your car there, and then take the Metro North into New York City.
Summary
In conclusion, depending on what you are looking for:
- Cheapest: Bus
- Fastest: Plane to LaGuardia
- Most comfortable and efficient: Train
- Most flexible: Driving
Ultimately, traveling between Boston and New York City is pretty straightforward no matter which option you choose and you can’t go wrong!
Hope this post helps you decide what is best for you.
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