Amtrak Vacations
Boston and Washington DC
Boston to Washington DC rail trip with CityPASS and monument touring
5 daysfrom $779
20% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
East Coast Icons
New York to Washington, D.C. by rail via Philadelphia
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent 5-day, 4-night East Coast Icons trip from New York City to Washington, D.C., with an overnight stop in Philadelphia, riding the Northeast Regional in Coach class for both legs. Day one leaves time to walk Central Park or see the Empire State Building before an evening train to Philadelphia. Day two adds a guided tour of Philadelphia's food scene and time at the Liberty Bell, Old City, and Independence Hall, before a second evening train south. The three nights in Washington, D.C. cover the Smithsonian Museum of American History and the Air and Space Museum, a Monuments by Moonlight tour of the National Mall, and an included day trip to George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and Old Town Alexandria. With no tour manager throughout, this suits travelers who want organized sightseeing at each stop but prefer to move between three East Coast cities independently.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels are chosen from 12 accommodation options across Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. and different comfort tiers, so the specific hotel depends on what you pick when booking.
- There is no tour manager throughout the trip; the culinary tour, Monuments by Moonlight, and Mount Vernon excursion are the guided pieces, with free time otherwise.
- Meals are not listed among the package inclusions, aside from whatever tastings are part of the Philadelphia food tour.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Philadelphia
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Welcome to the Big Apple! Spend the day exploring the city at your leisure. Walk through Central Park, take in the views from the Empire State Building, or enjoy shopping and dining in Midtown. In the evening, board the train to Philadelphia and check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.
- Day 2railovernight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
After breakfast, use your free time to explore the city's highlights. Take in the hidden gems of Philadelphia's food scene on a guided tour. Later, perhaps visit the Liberty Bell, stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old City, or tour Independence Hall. In the evening, board the train and journey south to Washington, D.C. On arrival, check in to your hotel and begin discovering the U.S. capital.
- Day 3overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Enjoy a day exploring The Capital today, with the country's best selection of museums to choose from, including the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and the brilliant Air and Space Museum. This evening, enjoy a guided tour of the National Mall when its monuments are beautifully lit.
- Day 4overnight: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Take an included day trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's iconic estate, and stroll through the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria.
- Day 5
Your Journey Ends in Washington, D.C.
Check out of your hotel and continue your travels.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The day starts free in New York City, with time to walk through Central Park or take in views from the Empire State Building, before an evening train to Philadelphia.
- Day 2A guided tour explores Philadelphia's food scene, followed by time to see the Liberty Bell, Old City, and Independence Hall before an evening train to Washington, D.C.
- Day 3A day among the Smithsonian Museum of American History and the Air and Space Museum ends with a guided Monuments by Moonlight tour of the National Mall.
- Day 4An included day trip visits George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria.
Included
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from New York to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. on the Northeast Regional
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel on the Northeast Regional is included for both legs: New York to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with no tour manager throughout; guided sightseeing tours and excursions, a Philadelphia culinary tour, Monuments by Moonlight, and the Mount Vernon and Alexandria day trip, are included at each stop.
- Which trains are used?
- The Northeast Regional, in Coach class, for both the New York to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. legs.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers a choice of 12 accommodation options across Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., including Hilton and Kimpton properties in Philadelphia and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco or Holiday Inn in Washington, D.C.
- What is included?
- One-way Amtrak Coach travel from New York to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., plus 4 nights' hotel accommodations.
- Where does the trip start and end?
- It starts in New York City and ends in Washington, D.C., with an overnight stop in Philadelphia.
