Boston is located about 220 miles northeast of New York City.
To get from New York City to Boston there are several transportation options. Consider the pros and cons of each option to choose the best transportation option for you. Advance booking many of these options can offer additional savings.
Boston is an ambitious, but do-able daytrip from New York City. I recommend spending at least one night there to make travel worthwhile and enable yourself to really get a taste of Boston.
1. New York City To Boston By Train
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Traveling to Boston from New York City is a quick, low-stress option. Trains travel from Penn Station in Manhattan to Boston's South Station. Acela service takes three and a half hours, while other trains take as long as five-and-a-half hours. You can purchase tickets in advance on Amtrak's website or in person at Penn Station.
Pros: quick, direct from Manhattan to Boston, MA
Cons: pricey (costs $67-164 each way, depending on route & times)
2. New York City To Boston By Bus
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Bus service from New York City to Boston, MA is an easy, affordable option for visitors. Trips take about four-and-a-quarter hours, but can be longer depending on traffic. Only Greyhound departs from within Port Authority Bus Terminal, while other bus services depart curbside.
- Bolt Bus - 14-20 departures daily, $15-25
- Greyhound - 21 departures daily, $23-37
- Mega Bus - 16 departures daily, $10-24
Pros: cheap, frequent service
Cons: traffic, not as comfortable as train
3. New York City To Boston By Car
You can drive from New York City to Boston -- the most direct route takes you through Connecticut on I-84 to I-90 in Massachusetts and is about 220 miles. The drive passes through New Haven and/or Hartford, Connecticut, both of which can be troublesome during rush hour. For most visitors it doesn't make a lot of sense, since you won't need a car in either city and parking can be difficult and expensive. Plan on about four-and-a-half hours of travel time, though stops and traffic will add to overall time. You can rent cars in Manhattan, though rates at the airport tend to be cheaper.
Pros: good value if traveling with a group, no schedule to adhere to
Cons: traffic, parking
4. New York City To Boston By Plane
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Flying to Boston, MA is the fastest way to travel, with the flight taking just an hour, but that doesn't include time spent getting to and from the airport, clearing security, etc. That said, shuttle flights from New York City to Boston, MA can be cheaper than the train and run frequently. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is the closest and most convenient airport to downtown Boston and the T runs from the airport to downtown.
Pros: fast, often less expensive than train
Cons: airport hassles, NYC airports are outside of Manhattan
