The Amtrak service that runs between Baltimore and Newark gives access to the heavily trafficked Northeast Corridor and is a great transportation option for business travelers, students, and tourists. This service offers numerous advantages such as convenient schedule times, no airport ticket and security line processing, and a conveniently located and N York City-connected train station.
This guide provides comprehensive detail on the services offered by Amtrak between Baltimore and Newark, including different fare structures, schedules, and tips on how to navigate Amtrak’s ticket booking site. Additional tips on how to travel and arrive at your final destination are also provided.
Why Take a Train From Baltimore to Newark? Top Reasons to Choose Rail Travel
Taking the train between these cities is significantly easier and more comfortable than taking the bus or flying. Driving isn’t bad either, but you run the risk of hitting traffic on the congested highways.
- The Northeast Corridor is extremely congested, especially through Philadelphia and the Turnpike in New Jersey. Trains don’t have to deal with that.
- Trains into both Baltimore and Newark go right to the cities’ main business districts.
- Trains have more reliable timetables than cars. Also, trains have lots of comfortable seating and offer better services than intercity buses.
- Newark has direct transit (Amtrak and NJT) into Manhattan and Northern New Jersey, as well as the PATH to points in Northern NJ and New York.
- Using the train to go up the coast is better for the environment than using cars since trains can carry more people and emit less CO2 per passenger than cars.
- It’s a long trip, but train travel between these cities is efficient and comfortable.
Which Trains Go From Baltimore to Newark? Major Rail Services Explained
Amtrak operates the only intercity passenger rail service along this corridor and operates two general classes of trains over the Northeast Corridor.
| Train Service | Type | Frequency | Typical Duration |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | Standard intercity train | Roughly hourly | About 2h 24m |
| Amtrak Acela | High-speed premium train | Every 2-3 hours | About 2h to 2h 8m |
Trains on the Northeast Regional line leave Baltimore for New Jersey about once an hour, with coach tickets costing between $24 and $270, and business class tickets between $80 and $320. The Acela train has business class tickets between $40 and $480 and first class tickets up to $700, with travel times of 2 hours and 8 minutes or less.
All trains on both services stop at Newark Penn Station, so most tickets are for direct, non-connecting (direct through the entire journey) rail service.
Popular Train Routes From Baltimore to Newark From Major US Cities
This information is for travelers beginning their journeys outside of the Baltimore area.
- Washington, D.C.: You can take either the Northeast Regional or the Acela train north. Both train lines run through Baltimore and don’t stop in Newark until the end of the line.
- Philadelphia: All northbound trains from Philadelphia run straight to Newark.
- Other Cities in Virginia: Northeast Regional trains run south to Virginia, through D.C. and Baltimore, and continue to Newark.
- New York City: The connection from Newark to either N.Y.P. or B.A.L.T. is served by both N.J.T. and Amtrak.
Newark lies directly on the Northeast Corridor, so it is a good mid-size city to connect to Washington, D.C., or Boston.
NYC From Baltimore to Newark Train: Schedule, Duration & Ticket Tips
Many travelers, either as their final destination or as part of their connecting itinerary to Manhattan, pass through Newark.
Here’s what you should know:
- In general, flying directly into Newark from Baltimore will cost less than flying from Baltimore to NYC and then from NYC to Newark. This is because Newark is directly across from NYC on the rail line.
- There are quick and frequent trains between Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station.
- It is also reasonably quick and not very expensive to take PATH trains from Newark Penn Station to various points in Manhattan and to the World Trade Center.
- Also, the Amtrak/NJT station at Newark Liberty International Airport is different and separate from Newark Penn Station.
- If you want to get the best prices and have the most available seats when traveling from Baltimore to New York/New Jersey, try taking a later mid-day or early afternoon train rather than an earlier or later train.
Taking a direct train from Baltimore to Newark Penn Station is generally the most convenient and least expensive mode of transportation. Longer and more expensive trips to Manhattan can always be added on.
Newark Train Travel Tips for First-Time Passengers
- Here are some tips, based on the experiences of travelers who have used this route.
- It is often the case that at busy times you will need to allow at least twenty or thirty minutes to find your platform at Baltimore Penn Station and to make your connection.
- Boards will be on your track’s platform. It is also possible for platforms to change.
- As you travel, keep in mind that Amtrak will read the destinations of the platforms, and then scanned boarding passes will be accepted.
- To manage your time, charge your devices before getting on the train.
- You are allowed to have limited luggage if you are planning to take NJ Transit or PATH to your final destination from Newark.
- Remember that Amtrak tickets usually do not include NJ Transit or PATH, and you may need to purchase those tickets separately to go to or from New York City.
- In the case of bad weather or congestion, there may be delays.
Keep in mind that seats are assigned and boarding is done in groups.
Direct and Connecting Train Routes From Baltimore to Newark
Most Amtrak trains from Baltimore’s Penn Station to Newark’s Penn Station are direct. Connections are unusual and only occur under certain circumstances. For the most part, you will ride the same train the entire time.
| Route Type | When It Happens | Typical Impact |
| Direct Amtrak train | Most Northeast Regional and Acela departures | No transfer, single ticket |
| Connection via Philadelphia 30th Street Station | Rare schedule adjustments on specific train numbers | Short wait, same-day connection |
| Connection via New York Penn Station | If booking separate legs beyond Newark | Requires NJ Transit or PATH transfer |
To reduce the need to transfer, search for routes that involve “direct” trains. Though connecting routes may be cheaper, trains with direct routes will only be a little more.
Business Class vs Coach on Newark-Bound Trains
When it comes to taking the train, passengers have to decide between price and comfort. This is typically illustrated in the decision between coach and business class tickets.
Coach class contains:
- Seats that recline and a portion of legroom
- A cafe car that is oriented with snack and drink vending
- Free WiFi
- The least expensive ticket options
Business class (found on both the Northeast Regional and Acela) includes:
- More recline and legroom
- More comfortable seats in general
- A reserved seating assignment
- A more subdued and calm environment
- A complimentary beverage
- Preferential seating during the departure process
Business class tickets on the Northeast Regional range from $80 to $320, and coach class tickets range from $24 to $270. Business class tickets on the Acela range from $40 to $480, and first class tickets range from $170 to $700.
Because the average length of a trip covered by these tickets is about 2 hours, many passengers believe that coach class is sufficiently comfortable. Business class is more comfortable and worth the cost for longer trips and for passengers who want to work during the trip.
Newark Penn Station: Everything You Need to Know
As one of the busiest rail facilities in New Jersey, Newark Penn Station is a critical transit center on the corridor.
- Amtrak and NJ Transit trains all stop there, as does the PATH train.
- Because of its location in Newark’s downtown, there are a host of other transportation options available there, including taxis and other forms of shared transportation.
- There are limited food and beverage options and other conveniences at the station.
- There are ticket machines for both NJ Transit and Amtrak as well as ticket windows for each service.
- There are many staffed facilities to assist you.
- Expect heavy crowds when transporting people to/from the City during rush hours.
- There are direct connections to lower Manhattan via the PATH train.
- Remember that each service uses its own platform and staffed facilities, so you may need to check which staffed facility to use.
Although it may seem small, Newark Penn Station is a critical multimodal transportation center for the region and is an important hub on the Northeast Corridor.
How to Book Train Tickets From Baltimore to Newark: Step-by-Step Guide
This is how you will be able to book your tickets:
- Access the official website of Amtrak or utilize their official app.
- Enter your departing location as “Baltimore Penn Station” and your arriving location as “Newark Penn Station”.
- Pick the day you wish to travel, then pick the time window you wish to travel in.
- Review the differences between the trains that operate between Baltimore and New York.
- Decide how strictly you want to adhere to your budget. The stricter you are, the less flexible your ticket will be.
- Learn when and how you will be able to change and/or cancel your ticket.
- Input the information of the persons traveling with your ticket group, and/or utilize a promotion code if you are eligible.
- Pay for your ticket, and keep your ticket in digital form if possible, or print your ticket if you do not have access to the ticket after your purchase.
- Set a time to depart to leave for the station, and review your ticket to see if your trip has been delayed.
The best time to purchase a ticket is 2-4 weeks before you wish to travel if you wish to travel during the weekends.
Newark Train Ticket Price: How Much Does It Cost & How to Save Money
Because of different train types and levels of booking and travel advancement, prices for each train vary.
| Train Type | Typical Price Range | Average Duration |
| Northeast Regional (Coach) | $24 – $270 | ~2h 24m |
| Northeast Regional (Business) | $80 – $320 | ~2h 24m |
| Acela (Business) | $40 – $480 | ~2h to 2h 8m |
| Acela (First Class) | $170 – $700 | ~2h to 2h 8m |
Tips to save money on this route:
- Fares typically increase with time, so book as early as you can.
- Demand determines price, so for cheaper tickets, take Northeast Regional and off-peak (non-rush-hour) tickets for the weekday ride.
- A ticket can be bought for less if the traveler signs up for the Amtrak Guest Rewards program and uses it to purchase points for travel.
- A discounted ticket can be found if travel is booked during the off-season.
- Prior to purchasing a ticket, consider if a flexible one-way ticket for the departure would be cheaper than a constrained round-trip ticket for the same journey.
- Price variations for travel during the same day exist. Look for differences between departure times to find the cheapest fare.
Best Time to Visit Newark by Train: Seasonal Travel Tips
When thinking about travel, consider the cost-accuracy trade-off.
- Travel during the spring can be relatively inexpensive. During the later part of the spring, the crowds begin to decline as well, making it more comfortable.
- Summer is the most uncomfortable and the most expensive. Avoid traveling during the summer as much as possible.
- The early fall is similar to the spring. It has comfortable temperatures and crowds and remains stable price-wise.
- Fares in the winter are low during the off-season. Plan to travel during these times to get the best fares. Plan to travel during the winter, giving yourself more time to account for bad weather.
If you have the ability to be flexible about your travel dates and times, try to travel during the less busy times (shoulder season) to get the best fares.
Train vs Bus vs Car From Baltimore to Newark: Which Is the Best Way to Travel?
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of the following transportation methods.
| Factor | Train | Bus | Car |
| Average Duration | 2h to 2h 24m | 3h or more | 3h+ (traffic dependent) |
| Comfort | High (reclining seats, café car) | Moderate | Depends on driver fatigue |
| Cost | $24 -$700 depending on class | Generally lower, around $30-$75 | Fuel, tolls, and parking add up |
| Reliability | High, aside from occasional delays | Subject to road traffic | Subject to traffic and weather |
| Convenience | City center to city center | Station to station | Door to door, but parking hassle |
You can travel this route by bus for around $30 to $75 in approximately 3 hours. Driving this route will take around the same time as the bus, if not longer due to traffic.
Most favored choice by traveler type:
Business travelers: Train for workspace and reliability.
- Budget travelers: Slower means of transportation, like the bus, work if you’re not in a rush.
- Families: If you’re traveling with a lot of gear, a car gives you a lot of flexibility, but be prepared for tolls.
- For a comfortable and swift trip, the train is your best option, especially if you’re taking the Acela.
More often than not, travelers would find that the train is the best choice for this route in terms of price, time, and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a direct train from Baltimore to Newark?
Yes, Amtrak provides direct services from Baltimore’s Penn Station to Newark’s Penn Station.
2. How long does the train from Baltimore to Newark take?
The Acela trains take approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. Other Northeast Regional Trains might take slightly longer.
3. How much are the train tickets from Baltimore to Newark?
Tickets usually cost between $24 and $270, but can be higher, depending on the class.
4. What is the name of the train station in Newark?
All Amtrak and NJ Transit services to and from New York/New Jersey stop at Newark Penn Station.
5. Is it easy to get to New York City from Newark?
Yes, NJ Transit and Amtrak services to New York Penn Station take less than 30 minutes, and PATH trains take less than 20 minutes.
6. Is Acela faster than Northeast Regional on this route?
Yes. Expect Acela to take about 2 hours. Northeast Regional takes about 2 hours 24 minutes.
7. What is the best time to book tickets for the lowest price?
Booking tickets a few weeks in advance and traveling on weekdays and off-peak hours increases the chance of getting cheaper tickets.
8. Does Newark Penn Station provide connecting transit options?
Yes, NJ Transit local trains, PATH, and city buses all connect at Newark Penn Station.
9. Is rail transit (Amtrak) more economical compared to bus and car?
Rail transit is more comfortable and faster than a bus, and usually cheaper than a bus.
10. Do I need a new ticket to travel from Newark to other parts of NYC?
Yes. Each transit company has its own ticketing system, so a ticket for Amtrak will not be valid on NJ Transit or PATH.