From Washington, there are numerous ways to go to New York City. The most easier way to travel is flying. But if you want to more leisurely or affordable way to travel, there are many options available. In this guide, we are going to discuss the best ways to go to New York City from Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. to New York by Train
Train travel is a reliable and easy way of going to New York City from Washington D.C. This is a great traveling method, especially during the winter months. Because others can experience extensive delays. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling for business or pleasure, traveling by train is the best choice.
The Amtrak Acela express train takes 3 hours to reach the Moynihan Train Hall at NYC’s Penn Station from Union Station. It leaves at 5 and reaches NYC around 8 am. This method is a great way to reach New York than the time that takes you to get to and from the airport, go through security, and fly. The most important fact is it connects you to the centers of both cities.
Some of New York City’s attractions, like Broadway and Times Square, are within walking distance of Penn Station as well. Also, you can go to Central Park, the Museum of Natural History, and the Met via the subway. The Amtrak Acela Express offers nonstop service with Business and First classes. The Northeast Regional train is a bit cheaper than Acela. It only adds 30 minutes to the tour. Both trains offer free basic Wi-Fi and they have quiet cars and cafés.
Washington D.C. to New York by car
Traveling by car is one of the best ways to go to New York City from Washington D.C. If you have the time and like to drive, you can try this method. It takes about four to six hours to reach New York. But the time can be changed due to the facts of traffic, road conditions, and weather. Amtrak train only allows small animals. There this is a great way to bring your pets.
There are some advantages of driving your car. You are free to stop anywhere and it gives you some extra time for sightseeing. You can visit to Philadelphia’s historic sites and attractions, Baltimore’s National Aquarium, and the Jersey shore beaches on your way. I-95 North is the best route, which passes through Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania before joining the New Jersey Turnpike and entering the city either the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel (for Midtown), or the Holland Tunnel (for Downtown).
There are several tolls along the way as well. E-ZPass, a cashless toll device used by 19 northeast U.S. states makes passage through toll plazas quicker. If you are going to rent a car and if you have an E-ZPass, don’t forget to bring it. If not, rental companies will charge a daily fee to use their transponders. In New York State, you can pay your bridge, tunnel, and road tolls online using via credit card within 48 hours of the transaction. You can do it using tollsbymailny.com. The sites may not accept international payments. Therefore if you are an international traveler, make sure to pay online before leaving the U.S.
If you like to drive from Washington to New York City, you can rent a car from companies like National, Hertz, and Avis. There are rental car companies on-site at Reagan Airport (DCA) as well. At Dulles Airport (IAD), you need to take a free shuttle bus from the terminal to the rental car center to rent a car. If you’re not flying in, you can rent a car at a non-airport location. Because it is the cheapest option. Large rental car companies like Enterprise, Alamo, and Budget have many locations in and around Washington as well.
Washington D.C. to New York by bus
If you want to save money, the best method to get to New York City is traveling by bus. The bus ride saves you money from spending on gas and tolls. This method is one of the best ways to go to New York City from Washington D.C. It takes about five to six hours to reach Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City from Washington’s Union Station. You can catch a Greyhound bus from Washington’s Union Station. Buses from other companies like Megabus and Peter Pan also leave Union Station as well. Most bus companies offer free Wi-Fi onboard, reserved seating, onboard entertainment, and power outlets.
Every day, about 15 buses operated by FlixBus travel between Washington and Manhattan. New York Ave. and 6th Street NW are where they leave from, and they arrive in Midtown right next to Penn Station. The FlixBus routes are direct and it takes between four and five hours. l to reach New York City. FlixBus emit less CO2 per mile than passenger cars. Therefore it is a green way to travel between DC and NYC.
If you are looking to travel in more comfort, you can take a Washington Deluxe bus. It has fewer passengers, larger seats, extra legroom, and provides a bottle of water and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Washington Deluxe bus picks up at DC Union Station, Pentagon City, and Dupont Circle. In NYC, it stops in Brooklyn, Chinatown (Allen Street between Grand and Broome), and near Penn Station and Times Square (36th between 7th and 8th).
Washington D.C. to New York by plane
Traveling by plane is convenient and one of the best ways to go to New York City from Washington D.C. Major airlines like Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines offer non-stop shuttle service and you can fly to New York City within an hour. But it takes more than two or three hours to get to the flight and clear security at the airport. Reagan National (DCA) is the closest airport to Downtown D.C. You can get there by a short cab or Uber ride or Metro.
You can also reach NYC airports with more flight options by taking a shuttle to Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark International Airport are all airports in the NYC area where you can fly (EWR). All of them have connections to public transit as well. To go to other locations in the city from JFK, you can use the AirTrain to connect to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or the MTA subway.
You can take the M60 bus from any LaGuardia terminal to 125th Street in Manhattan, where you can use the free transfer to catch local trains. The AirTrain New Jersey Transit trains will take you to Penn Station in the center of New York City from Newark airport. You can use shuttle buses and vans from any nearby airport to get to the city’s main transportation hubs by using NYC Airporter or Go Airlink NYC (the official airport shuttle partner).
You can use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft to get from the airports into Manhattan. The government has set prices for taxi rides from the airport to the city. Most cost around $60, and they apply to each car, not each person. A gratuity or bridge/tunnel tolls are not included.
Posts you may like
Frequently Asked Questions
Is taking a train from NYC to DC more cheap than flying?
The NE Regional is a great deal financially. Not only are the tickets less expensive, but even getting to and from the train station is much less expensive than going to the airport.
How can I quickly get from Washington, DC to New York City?
Take the Train. It takes just more than three hours to get from Washington, D.C., to New York City by train, which is a great option for business travelers. The quickest option to see New York City is by train, as you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of security checks or rest stops.
Is there a super fast train that travels between New York and Washington, DC?
The Amtrak Acela counts as a high-speed train because it travels at a top speed of about 150 mph, despite the fact that there is no bullet train that connects New York with Washington, DC. From NYC to DC, Acela trains take as little as 2 hours and 42 minutes.
Can Amtrak ever be less expensive than flying?
Because you may usually take more with you before paying additional baggage costs, taking the train can sometimes be less expensive than flying. Also, it can be more convenient and relaxing than driving, particularly if you have to go for a long period of time by car and are in an unknown area.
Is taking the DC Metro cheaper than driving?
On some days, it might be worthwhile to spend a little bit more money to use the car. On an annual basis, however, Metro is less expensive for those traveling into the District. But, circumstances can change, and sometimes the savings are negligible, so Metro isn’t always the best option.
