Between Boston and New London, there is one of the more pleasant and less painful rail trips in the Northeast. Mystic and the Connecticut shore are popular destinations, and New London is often a less time-consuming and less expensive way to get to New York than driving.
Why Take a Train From Boston to New London? Top Reasons to Choose Rail Travel
There are several advantages to taking the train between these two cities rather than flying or driving:
- Less Stress: Taking the train eliminates the need to take I-95 between Boston and New York. The Connecticut shoreline is especially congested in the summer.
- Urban to Urban: The train departs from Boston’s urban center and arrives in New London’s urban center.
- Pretty Coastal Scenery: The trip takes you along Connecticut’s shoreline.
- Inexpensive: Tickets are usually under $25 and can be less than $15 if you book in advance.
- No Parking: Eliminates the need to pay for parking in Boston or New London.
- Work/School: Allows you to do schoolwork or other activities that you can’t do while driving.
- Frequent Departures: There is typically a train leaving every couple of hours.
The Northeast Corridor has some of the best intercity travel times in the country, and Amtrak is by far the best way to travel it.
Which Train From Boston to New London? Major Rail Services Explained
Nearly all direct trains between Boston and Connecticut are run by Amtrak. The busiest of these services is the Northeast Regional, al which offers service between Boston and other cities along the East Coast, including Providence, New London, New Ha, ven and others.
| Service | Operator | Stops on Route | Speed | Typical Fare Range |
| Northeast Regional | Amtrak | Boston, Providence, Kingston, Westerly, Mystic, New London, and more | Standard | $28-$70 |
| Acela (limited connectivity) | Amtrak | Primarily major hubs; New London stops vary | High-speed | Higher fares |
The Northeast Regional is the only intercity service to offer frequent low-costservices between these cities.
Popular Train Routes to New London From Major US Cities
New London is a fairly centralized stop on Amtrak’s Northeast Region.
| From City | Approx. Duration | Direct Train Available |
| Boston, MA | ~1h 25m – 1h 50m | Yes |
| Providence, RI | ~45 min | Yes |
| New York City, NY | ~2h 15m | Yes |
| New Haven, CT | ~1 hour | Yes |
| Washington, D.C. | ~5-6 hours | Yes |
This makes New London a practical stopover point for travelers exploring the broader Northeast region.
Boston to New London Train: Schedule, Duration & Ticket Tips
The journey from Boston to New London takes between 1 and 1.5 hours, with more stops taking longer.
- First train: Around 6:00-6:10 am
- Last train: Around 7:00-11:45 pm
- Trains generally run every 2-3 hours.
- Between 7 and 10 direct trains each day.
- Try to make your booking 3-4 weeks in advance to get the best price.
Prices go up as the departure date approaches, so book in advance if you don’t want to pay a higher fare.
- Wednesday is the day of the week when prices and crowds are low.
- Trains that leave during the day are less expensive than the early morning trains. Likewise, late morning and afternoon trains are cheaper than the evening trains.
Train Travel Tips for First-Time Passengers
Here are some useful bits of advice if you are taking Amtrak from Boston to New London for the first time:
- Punctuality – It is in your interest to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to departure, particularly if you are time restricted.
- Prepare to Board – Amtrak makes a public address to announce from which platform the train will leave. Pay attention to which platform is shown on the departure screens.
- Identification – While ID is not always mandatory for interstate travel, you can never be too sure. Bring it just in case.
- Food – There may not be a cafe on your train. Bring food if you are hungry.
- Amtrak Application – This application can be very convenient. It can give you a realistic estimate of when to expect a delay.
- Weather Appropriate Clothing – Expect the train to be chilly.
- Booking Ahead – Call to book a ticket as soon as you know your travel plans. You may be able to select your seat.
Direct and Connecting Train Routes to New London
Most travelers out of Boston can take a direct Northeast Regional train to New London. Several trains run this route each day.
Travelers out of other cities will need to connect to an Amtrak Train at one of the stations along the Northeast Corridor, usually Boston’s South Station, Providence, or New Haven, and then take a train to New London.
| Route Type | Change Required | Typical Total Travel Time |
| Boston → New London (Direct) | No | 1h 25m – 1h 50m |
| Other Northeast Cities → New London | Sometimes (via Boston or New Haven) | Varies by origin |
Business Class vs Coach on Boston to New London
Amtrak Northeast Regional trains feature two types of seat options:
| Feature | Coach Class | Business Class |
| Price | Lower | Higher (premium add-on) |
| Seat width & legroom | Standard | Extra legroom, wider seats |
| Power outlets | Available | Available |
| Complimentary items | None typically | Sometimes includes snacks/drinks |
| Best for | Budget travelers, short trips | Travelers wanting extra comfort |
Although the ride from Boston to New London is short (under 2 hours), many passengers don’t find coach class to be uncomfortable. Business class is a good option if you wish to have more space or if you are taking a longer journey down the corridor and wish to have more space.
Train Station: Everything You Need to Know About Boston to New London Stations
Boston Departure Stations:
- South Station: Most people will be coming through this train station. It’s large,e with many connections to the subway, buses, and taxis.
- Back Bay Station: A smaller station in a more central location, in the Back Bay neighborhood.
New London Arrival Station:
- New London Union Station – Beautiful historic architecture houses the rail station in the heart of New London, CT. We are within walking distance to the shoreline, ferry terminal, and shops.
- For exploration of the Connecticut shoreline, towns like Mystic and Groton are easily accessible.
- Uber and taxi stands are located directly across from the station.
Both locations are convenient with accessible public transit options. They both have employees, waiting areas, and are situated to make your transportation connections easy.
How to Book Train Tickets from Boston to New London: Step-by-Step Guide
It doesn’t matter if you book your tickets through Amtrak or through another site. The ticket buying process is the same.
- The method you take to make your booking is totally up to you: Use the Amtrak app, website, or sanctioned booking agent of your choice.
- Add your itinerary: This means entering Boston as your departure city and New London as your arrival city.
- Check the available trains: Look at the departure time and estimate the travel time and fare class.
- Decide on your fare class: Make this decision based on your need for flexibility.
- Enter passenger information: This means entering names and, nd if they are part of the traveling party, using discretionary discounts.
- Pay and confirm: Once you have completed the transaction, you’ve finalized your travel plans.
- Keep your e-ticket: You can have your digital ticket in an electronically readable format or have it printed out. It’s time to travel!
Making reservations in advance allows customers to benefit from lower prices and have a greater selection of available seats.
Boston to New London Train Ticket Price: How Much Does It Cost & How to Save Money
There is a large amount of variance in prices for tickets booked on this line.
| Booking Timing | Approximate Price Range |
| Booking (3-4 weeks ahead) | $11 – $33 |
| Standard booking (1-2 weeks ahead) | $30 – $50 |
| Last-minute booking | $50 – $70+ |
Money-Saving Tips:
- Save 30 to 50 dollars by booking in advance.
- Travel on weekdays, with Wednesday being the cheapest.
- Join Amtrak Guest Rewards.
- Look for specials on Amtrak.com.
- Fares can change drastically for the same day and same route. Comparing fares for different times of the day can help you find the cheapest fare.
Best Time to Visit Boston to New London by Train: Seasonal Travel Tips
| Season | Travel Experience | Notes |
| Spring (Mar-May) | Mild weather, fewer crowds | Great for scenic coastal views |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Peak tourist season | Book early; higher prices and demand |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Beautiful foliage along the route | Popular for leaf-peeping trips |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Quieter, cheaper fares | Possible weather-related delays |
Generally, travel during fall and spring means nice weather at lower costs, compared to the peak travel times during the summer.
Train vs Bus vs Car to Boston to New London: Which Is the Best Way to Travel?
| Mode | Duration | Approx. Cost | Convenience |
| Train (Amtrak) | 1h 25m – 1h 50m | $11 – $70 | City-center to city-center, no traffic |
| Bus | 2h – 3h | $15 – $40 | Cheaper but slower, less comfortable |
| Car | ~2h (102 miles) | $20 – $30 (fuel/tolls) | Flexible but subject to traffic and parking costs |
Verdict: The train is usually the easiest way to get there. It will usually take less time than driving and is more comfortable than taking the bus. Traffic and parking are not things to worry about when taking the train. Driving is more cost-effective if you are splitting the cost of gas and/or a car with a group and will need a car once you reach your destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is the train ride from Boston to New London?
It takes between 1 hour and 25 minutes and 1 hour and 50 minutes, depending on the train.
2. How much does a train ticket from Boston to New London cost?
Tickets are between $11 and $70. The price depends on how far in advance you purchase the tickets.
3. Which train operator runs this route?
The service is Amtrak, primarily the Northeast Regional service.
4. Is there a direct train from Boston to New London?
Yes, there are multiple trains each day.
5. Which Boston station should I depart from?
South Station and Back Bay Station. Both of these stations have service to New London.
6. Where does the train arrive in New London?
New London Union Station is downtown.
7. How many trains run daily between Boston and New London?
There are between 7 and 10 direct trains each day.
8. Is business class worth it for this short route?
There is no real advantage to taking the bus in the coach section. The business class offers more legroom, if that is important.
9. What’s the best day to book cheaper tickets?
Travel on Wednesdays costs less, and there is more availability.
10. How far in advance should I book for the best price?
27 days or more in advance to get the lowest prices.