{"id":135164,"date":"2026-02-16T15:15:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/135164\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T15:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:15:12","slug":"travel-by-train-amtrak-destinations-to-visit-from-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/135164\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel by train: Amtrak destinations to visit from NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Montreal to Miami, Amtrak<\/a> routes from Moynihan Train Hall turn New York City into a launchpad for mountain towns, Southern cities, Canadian culture hubs and classic East Coast destinations \u2014 no airport chaos required.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re heading out for a Northeast getaway<\/a> or a multiday rail ride south or west, Penn Station connects travelers to nearly 160 cities.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where each major line can take you and what\u2019s worth seeing along the way.<\/p>\n

\"mapNew England and\u00a0mountain escapesSt. Albans, Vermont<\/p>\n

Line: Vermonter<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 8 hours<\/p>\n

St. Albans is a gateway to Lake Champlain and northern Vermont\u2019s hiking, cycling and foliage drives. Expect cozy downtown cafes, farm-to-table restaurants and access to quiet outdoor recreation. Hike Mount Philo for breathtaking mountain views,\u00a0visit the outdoor Shelburne Museum for\u00a0historic buildings, art galleries and a steamboat or explore the Burlington Waterfront, where you can\u00a0visit the ECHO Leahy Center and enjoy local cuisine.<\/p>\n

\"Take<\/p>\n

Take a scenic rail trip via the Vermonter to St. Albans, VT. Credit: AP\/Lisa Rathke<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

New Haven, CT: Pizza pilgrimage (Frank Pepe or Sally\u2019s),\u00a0Yale campus walks and the New Haven Green (1.5 hours)Springfield, MA: Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame,\u00a0MassMutual Center and\u00a0Springfield Armory National Historic Site (3 hours)Brattleboro, VT: Retreat Trails, Brattleboro Farmers’ Market, artsy downtown shops and local breweries (4.5 hours)Burlington, Vermont<\/p>\n

Line: Ethan Allen Express<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 7.5 hours<\/p>\n

Burlington blends lakefront views with a college-town energy. Church Street Marketplace is packed with restaurants, bookstores and live music, and Lake Champlain sunsets are the main event.\u00a0Explore the Essex Junction Farmers’ Market, visit the Champlain Valley Exposition for year-round events or hike the Ethan Allen Homestead Trail.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A sailboat travels across the waters of Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT. Credit: AP\/Toby Talbot<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Albany: New York State Capitol tours,\u00a0Empire State Plaza,\u00a0Burden Iron Works Museum,\u00a0Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and\u00a0the Rensselaer Plateau\u00a0(2 hours)Saratoga Springs: Historic racetrack town with mineral springs and a vibrant outdoor farmer’s market (3 hours)Rutland, VT:\u00a0Explore\u00a0Rutland’s Historic Downtown or hike the Appalachian Trail via the\u00a0Green Mountains (5 hours)Pittsfield, Massachusetts<\/p>\n

Line: Berkshire Flyer<\/a> (Late June through early September only)<\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 4 hours<\/p>\n

Pittsfield anchors the Berkshires arts scene where\u00a0summer theater, museums and hiking trails create the area’s charm.\u00a0Hike to the stunning 40-foot waterfall at\u00a0Wahconah Falls State Park,\u00a0explore the\u00a0Berkshire Museum or visit the Hancock Shaker Village. It\u2019s a culture-and-nature hybrid weekend.<\/p>\n

Notable stops\u00a0along the way:<\/p>\n

Hudson: Abundance of antique shops and design boutiques to explore or stroll along the Hudson River and enjoy the scenic views, restaurants, and cultural events\u00a0(2 hours)Rhinecliff: Take in Hudson Valley river views at the Rhinecliff Riverfront Park or tour the preserved 19th-century Wilderstein Historic Site mansion and estate (1.5 hours)Poughkeepsie: Historic architecture,\u00a0Walkway Over the Hudson,\u00a0Vassar College, Marist University and the\u00a0Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum (1.5 hours)International trips<\/p>\n

Traveling via Amtrak to Canada requires a valid passport, passport card\u00a0or NEXUS card for U.S. citizens. The train stops at the border for customs inspections, where officers may board to check luggage and documents. Arrive early, comply with all customs regulations\u00a0and ensure all documents are valid.<\/p>\n

Montreal, Quebec<\/p>\n

Line: Adirondack<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 11 hours<\/p>\n

Montreal feels European without the flight. Explore Old Montreal\u2019s cobblestone streets, cafe culture and festivals, then hike Mount Royal for skyline views. Escape the cold in Underground City, a\u00a0vast network of interconnected shopping malls, restaurants and metro stations.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Ticonderoga: Explore the historic 18th-century fort, take a scenic boat tour on Lake Champlain or visit the Ticonderoga Sentinel Museum (4.5 hours)Plattsburgh: Take\u00a0a boat tour through the Ausable Chasm or enjoy water activities, fishing\u00a0and scenic views along\u00a0Lake Champlain (6.5 hours)Saint-Lambert, QC: Visit the Parc des Rapides\u00a0along the St. Lawrence River, explore the Old Town or attend a performance at the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Hector-Charland\u00a0(9.5 hours)Toronto, Ontario<\/p>\n

Line: Maple Leaf<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 11\u00a0hours<\/p>\n

Toronto is a skyline-and-food powerhouse. Ride up the CN Tower, explore waterfront neighborhoods and dive into one of North America\u2019s most diverse dining scenes in the Distillery District.\u00a0Take a\u00a013-minute ferry ride from downtown\u00a0to the Toronto Islands, a peaceful escape from the city\u00a0with beaches, parks, and stunning views of the skyline.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Buffalo: Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, Buffalo wings,\u00a0the Buffalo Botanical Gardens and Niagara Falls\u00a0(7.5 hours)Niagara Falls, ON: Take a boat tour of the falls, ride to the top of the Skylon Tower Observation Deck\u00a0or explore the tunnels\u00a0behind the Horseshoe Falls (8.5 hours)St. Catharines, ON: A hub of shops, boutiques, cafes, pubs, bistros, the Niagara Escarpment and Welland Canal\u00a0(9\u00a0hours)Classic northeast city tripsBoston, Massachusetts<\/p>\n

Line: Acela<\/a> or\u00a0Northeast Regional<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 3.5 to 4.5 hours<\/p>\n

\"Downtown<\/p>\n

Downtown Boston skyline along the Boston Harbor Waterfront. Credit: Getty Images\/DenisTangneyJr<\/p>\n

Walk the Freedom Trail, catch a game at Fenway and explore waterfront neighborhoods like the Seaport and North End.\u00a0Take a Duck Boat Tour, a\u00a0unique sightseeing experience that combines a land and water tour.<\/p>\n

Notable stops\u00a0along the way:<\/p>\n

Mystic, CT:\u00a0Seaport Museum, Aquarium and\u00a0Olde Mistick Village\u00a0(2.5 hours, Northeast Regional)Providence, RI: Roger Williams Park,\u00a0Federal Hill and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum (3 hours)Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

Line: Acela<\/a>,\u00a0Northeast Regional<\/a>, Carolinian<\/a>, Palmetto<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination:\u00a02.5 to 3.5 hours<\/p>\n

Smithsonian museums, monuments and walkable neighborhoods make D.C. one of the easiest cultural weekends from NYC.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Philadelphia, PA: Old City history, Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art and\u00a0Reading Terminal Market (1.5 hours)Baltimore, MD: National Aquarium, Inner Harbor,\u00a0Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum,\u00a0M & T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park\u00a0at Camden Yards\u00a0(2 hours)Midwest and\u00a0rust belt adventurePittsburgh, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

Line: Pennsylvanian<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 9 hours<\/p>\n

Ride the Duquesne Incline, explore riverfront trails and check out the city\u2019s museum scene and food halls.<\/p>\n

Notable stops\u00a0along the way:<\/p>\n

Harrisburg, PA: Riverwalk,\u00a0National Civil War Museum\u00a0and Capitol building (3 hours)Altoona, PA: Lakemont Park\u00a0amusement park, Railroaders Memorial Museum and Horseshoe Curve (5.5 hours)Chicago, Illinois<\/p>\n

Line:\u00a0Lake Shore Limited<\/a>,\u00a0Cardinal<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 19.5 to 28\u00a0hours<\/p>\n

Architecture boat tours, deep-dish pizza, Millennium Park and world-class museums.<\/p>\n

Notable stops\u00a0along the way:<\/p>\n

Cincinnati, OH: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Museum Center\u00a0and breweries\u00a0(16.5 hours, Cardinal)Cleveland, OH: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,\u00a0Museum of Art and\u00a0Metroparks\u00a0(10.5 hours, Lake Shore Limited)Erie, PA: Presque Isle State Park beaches, hiking trails, boating and fishing, art museum and zoo\u00a0(9 hours, Lake Shore Limited)Indianapolis, IN: Motor Speedway, city market and\u00a0downtown canal walk\u00a0(20 hours, Cardinal)Southern and\u00a0coastal getaways<\/p>\n

Traveling from New York to Miami, the Silver Meteor and Palmetto traverse eight states including Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. While the Palmetto offers a deep dive into the Lowcountry ending in Savannah, the Silver Meteor continues all the way to the tip of Florida, making over 50 potential stops along the way.<\/p>\n

Charleston, South Carolina<\/p>\n

Line: Silver Meteor<\/a>, Palmetto<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 14 hours<\/p>\n

\"Cobblestoned<\/p>\n

Cobblestoned Chalmers Street and historic buildings in Charleston, South Carolina. Credit: Getty Images\/Peter Unger<\/p>\n

Historic homes, waterfront parks and some of the best Southern cuisine in the country.\u00a0Visit Sullivan\u2019s Island via a 25-minute drive from downtown for sand, shopping and shrimp and grits.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:
Wilmington, DE: Scenic hiking trails and fishing, river walk, arts and museums (1.5 hours)<\/p>\n

Fayetteville, NC: Botanical garden, airborne and special operations museum and river walk\u00a0(8.5 hours)<\/p>\n

Savannah, Georgia<\/p>\n

Line: Silver Meteor<\/a>, Palmetto<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 15 hours<\/p>\n

Historic cobblestone streets, Spanish moss squares, southern cuisine\u00a0and riverfront (16\u00a0hours).<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Petersburg, VA: Historic Civil War battlefield, Old Towne shops, dining and art (5.5 hours)<\/p>\n

Florence, SC: Blend of rich history, vibrant arts and unique local culture with proximity to the Darlington Raceway (10 hours)<\/p>\n

Charlotte, North Carolina<\/p>\n

Line: Carolinian<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 12 to 13 hours<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Charlotte, North Carolina skyline from the First Ward Park fountain. Credit: Getty Images\/iStockphoto\/Kruck20<\/p>\n

Craft breweries, skyline views and motorsports culture.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Richmond, VA: Rich American history,\u00a0thriving craft beer scene and vibrant outdoor culture centered around the James River (5.5 hours)<\/p>\n

Raleigh, NC:\u00a0“Smithsonian of the South” with over 40 free museums, parks\u00a0and cultural sites, along with a vibrant downtown, extensive greenways\u00a0and a renowned culinary scene (8.5 hours)<\/p>\n

Tampa, Florida<\/p>\n

Line: Silver Meteor<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 24 hours<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Yankees pitchers throw as they train at George M. Steinbrenner Field during spring training in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Newsday\/Thomas A. Ferrara<\/p>\n

Riverwalk strolling, historic Ybor City, spring training\u00a0and Gulf Coast access.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Orlando, FL: Theme park capital (19 hours)Lakeland, FL: Lakeside parks and architecture (20 hours)Winter Park, FL: Cobblestoned\u00a0Park Avenue offers high-end shopping, acclaimed dining, art museums\u00a0(18 hours)Miami, Florida<\/p>\n

Line: Silver Meteor<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 27 hours<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

People bike on the path along Hollywood Beach in Miami, Florida. Credit: AFP\/Getty Images\/TNS\/Ludovic Marin<\/p>\n

Beaches, nightlife and Art Deco architecture.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

West Palm Beach, FL: Waterfront dining and shopping (22 hours)Fort Lauderdale, FL: Canals and boating scene (23 hours)New Orleans, Louisiana<\/p>\n

Line: Crescent<\/a><\/p>\n

Total travel time from NYC to final destination: 30 hours<\/p>\n

\"Stroll<\/p>\n

Stroll the French Quarter in New Orleans and find pubs, restaurants and more. Credit: Getty Images\/travelview<\/p>\n

Live jazz, Creole cuisine and French Quarter nightlife.<\/p>\n

Notable stops along the way:<\/p>\n

Atlanta, GA: Civil Rights history, aquarium and food scene (16 hours)Birmingham, AL: Civil Rights landmarks, art, history and culture\u00a0(21 hours)Take your car to Florida via the Auto Train<\/p>\n

Lorton, VA (Washington, DC)-Sanford, FL (Orlando): Auto Train<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you want the freedom of a road trip without the drive, Amtrak\u2019s Auto Train lets you bring your car along for the ride. The nonstop overnight service runs between Lorton, Virginia (about 30 minutes south of Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando, making it a popular option for snowbirds and long-haul Florida travelers.\u00a0For Long Islanders, the drive to Lorton takes roughly five to six hours.<\/p>\n

Passengers load their vehicles before boarding, then relax in coach or private sleeper rooms while the train travels overnight. In the morning, you step off and drive away in your own car,\u00a0no rental counter required.<\/p>\n

Tickets start at $75 each way plus the cost of your vehicle, which can cost between $310 and $610\u00a0round-trip depending on size. Fares are lower the further in advance you book your trip.<\/p>\n

Travel time:\u00a017 hours<\/p>\n

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman uncovers adventures, bites and hidden spots on Long Island and beyond, with the same drive that once kept her courtside at high school sports games.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From Montreal to Miami, Amtrak routes from Moynihan Train Hall turn New York City into a launchpad for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":135165,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[42496,9,8386,56,63,65,64,956],"class_list":{"0":"post-135164","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-city","8":"tag-florida-travel","9":"tag-new-york","10":"tag-northeast","11":"tag-ny","12":"tag-nyc","13":"tag-nyc-headlines","14":"tag-nyc-news","15":"tag-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/135165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}