East Coast Amtrak Routes

Amtrak’s East Coast routes include high-speed, regional, and long-distance trains serving major cities and popular travel destinations from New England to Florida. Key routes such as the Acela and Northeast Regional connect cities from Boston to Washington, D.C. while other trains travel to the Midwest, Appalachian Mountains, Deep South, and even Canada.

View the list below of East Coast Amtrak routes below along with popular stops along the way.

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Route	Popular Destinations
Acela	Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC
Adirondack	NYC, Albany, Saratoga Springs, Montreal
Auto Train	This route requires transporting a car. You can drive from the train stations to destinations including Washington DC, Shenandoah National Park, Orlando, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, St. Augustine.
Berkshire Flyer	NYC, Albany, Pittsfield MA
Cardinal	Chicago, Indianapolis, Charleston WV, Charlottesville, DC, Philadelphia, NYC
Carolinian	Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh, Richmond, DC, Philadelphia, NYC
Crescent	New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlottesville, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC
Downeaster	Brunswick, Portland, Wells, Old Orchard Beach, Boston
Empire Service	Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, NYC
Ethan Allen Express	Burlington, Rutland, Saratoga Springs, Albany, NYC
Floridian	Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Savannah, DC, Pittsburgh
Keystone	Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Newark Airport, NYC
Lakeshore Limited	Chicago, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, NYC, Boston
Maple Leaf	Toronto, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, NYC
Northeast Regional	Boston, Hartford, New Haven, NYC, Newark Airport, Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, Richmond, Norfolk
Palmetto	Savannah, Charleston SC, Richmond, DC, Philadelphia, NYC
Pennsylvanian	Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, NYC
Piedmont	Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Charlotte
Silver Meteor	Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston SC, DC, Philadelphia, NYC
Valley Flyer	New Haven, Hartford, Northhampton
Vermonter	Burlington, Montpelier, Brattleboro, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC

Travel Times

Explore train travel times between popular destinations on the East Coast below. There are many options for day trips and easy weekend getaways by rail. For travel ideas, see the best Amtrak day trips from New York City and the best Amtrak day trips from Philadelphia.

Trip	Travel Time
Philadelphia-Wilmington	20 minutes
Boston-Providence	30 minutes
DC-Baltimore	30-40 minutes
Hartford-New Haven	50 minutes
Philadelphia-NYC	1.5 hours
Philadelphia-Harrisburg	2 hours
Philadelphia-DC	2 hours
DC-Richmond	2.5 hours
Boston-Portland	2.5 hours
NYC-Albany	2.5 hours
NYC-DC	3-3.5 hours
NYC-Boston	3.5-4.5 hours

FAQ

What are the main Amtrak routes on the East Coast?

Major East Coast routes include the Acela and Northeast Regional, which have frequent service and a large coverage area. Additionally, the Downeaster is the only route that travels in Maine, and the long-distance Floridian, Silver Meteor and Crescent routes connect the Northeast with Florida and big cities in the South.

Does Amtrak run trains from New York to Florida?

Yes. Silver Meteor trains travel between New York City and Florida, stopping in major cities such as Washington, D.C., Charleston, Savannah, Orlando, and Miami.

Which Amtrak train runs the full length of the East Coast?

To travel the full length of the East Coast by train, you’ll ride multiple Amtrak routes: the Downeaster in Maine, Acela or Northeast Regional between Boston and New York City, and the Silver Meteor from New York all the way down to Miami.

Can you travel from the East Coast to Chicago by train?

Yes. Several long-distance Amtrak routes connect the East Coast to Chicago, including the Cardinal, Floridian, and Lake Shore Limited. These trains depart from Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, and other major hubs.

Is Acela worth it compared to the Northeast Regional?

Acela is Amtrak’s fastest service on the East Coast, offering quicker travel times between Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. It’s generally worth it if you are traveling a long distance and want the fastest trip; the Northeast Regional is the more budget-friendly option. See Acela vs Northeast Regional to learn more.

Do East Coast Amtrak trains offer Wi-Fi and food service?

Most regional and long-distance East Coast routes have free Wi-Fi and a café for purchasing drinks, snacks and light meals. Acela provides upgraded food and beverage options, while long-distance trains have meals included for sleeper car passengers.

How far in advance should I book East Coast Amtrak tickets?

For the best price, book tickets 2–4 weeks in advance. Long-distance trains often benefit from booking even earlier because fares increase as the train fills up.