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Tailor Made Rail · Independent fly-rail holiday

Boston, New York & Washington

East Coast USA loop: Boston, New York, Washington DC by Amtrak

Illustration of Boston, New York & Washington

Tailor Made Rail's Boston, New York and Washington is a 10-day independent fly-rail holiday that strings together three defining American cities on the East Coast. You fly from London to Boston for three nights exploring the Freedom Trail and historic neighbourhoods, then board the Amtrak Acela Express to New York for three nights visiting the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and world-class museums. A second train ride carries you south to Washington DC, where you spend three nights among the Lincoln Memorial, Declaration of Independence, and Smithsonian institutions. Economy flights and coach-class rail with seat reservations are included, as are nine nights in central hotels; the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, the Michelangelo in New York, and the Churchill in Washington DC. Most days are unguided, giving you freedom to set your own pace in each city. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking a straightforward introduction to American train travel, history enthusiasts drawn to Boston's colonial heritage and Washington's monuments, and independent explorers who prefer to navigate cities on their own terms.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed 'or similar', meaning the final accommodation in each city may vary by tier or availability
  • The package price covers coach-class Amtrak travel with seat reservations, not first-class or sleeping car accommodations
  • Days 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9 are unguided; you explore each city independently without a tour operator escort

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Boston

    Boston

    Fly from London to Boston and check in at Fairmont Copley Plaza (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Other departure airports are available.

  2. Day 2overnight: Boston

    Boston

    Discover Boston's historic sites with a walk along the famous Freedom Trail. Try some New England clam chowder, or catch a baseball game at Fenway Park, the oldest pitch in Major League Baseball and home to the Red Sox.

  3. Day 3overnight: Boston

    Boston

    A further free day to explore Boston.

  4. Day 4overnight: New York

    Boston to New York

    Make your way to Boston's South Station for a journey down the Eastern seaboard to New York, checking in for a 3-night stay at the Michelangelo Hotel (or similar). Manhattan Island is set out in a grid system with numbered streets, easy to navigate with Central Park as a landmark.

  5. Day 5overnight: New York

    New York City

    Explore world-famous landmarks like the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, plus museums and galleries and department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales.

  6. Day 6overnight: New York

    New York City

    A further free day in New York, with options including hiring a boat on Central Park lake, the Circle Line cruise, or ice skating at the Rockefeller Center in winter.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Washington DC

    New York to Washington

    Head into Penn Station and board a train to Washington DC, arriving into Washington Union station in the early afternoon (around 3.5 hours). Check in to The Churchill Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Washington DC

    Washington DC

    Stand on the Lincoln Memorial Steps, see the original Declaration of Independence, or visit the Smithsonian Museum of National History and the Great Garrison Flag.

  9. Day 9overnight: Washington DC

    Washington DC

    A further day to explore the monuments and museums, or head out for dinner in an upscale neighbourhood like Dupont Circle or Georgetown.

  10. Day 10

    Washington to London

    Make your way to Dulles Airport for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston and visit Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox and the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball
  • Day 4Board the Amtrak train at Boston's South Station and travel down the Eastern seaboard to New York, arriving at Penn Station
  • Day 5Explore the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and major museums and galleries in Manhattan
  • Day 7Train from New York Penn Station to Washington DC, arriving at Union Station in the early afternoon for a 3-night stay
  • Day 8Stand on the Lincoln Memorial Steps and view the original Declaration of Independence at the Smithsonian Museum of National History

Included

  • Economy class flights from London to Boston and Washington to London
  • Standard (Coach) Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 9 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Amtrak Acela Express coach-class rail with seat reservations between Boston, New York, and Washington DC is included, plus economy flights London to Boston and Washington to London.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Tailor Made Rail describes it as an independent fly-rail holiday. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation but explore each city on your own schedule.
Which hotels are included?
Three nights at the Fairmont Copley Plaza (or similar) in Boston, three nights at the Michelangelo Hotel (or similar) in New York, and three nights at The Churchill Hotel (or similar) in Washington DC.
When does the trip run?
The operator lists two price tiers: November to March (from GBP 2,099) and April to October (from GBP 2,299). Confirm exact departure dates with Tailor Made Rail.
How much walking is involved?
You walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, navigate Manhattan's numbered streets and neighbourhoods in New York, and explore monuments and museums in Washington DC. Comfortable shoes and average fitness are recommended.
Can I extend the trip?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail offers optional extras to add destinations such as Chicago or Savannah, Georgia, which has a direct Amtrak line from Washington DC.

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