Train

Boston is served by Amtrak at North Station, South Station, and Back Bay Station. North Station is the terminus for Amtrak's Downeaster service from Boston to New Hampshire and Maine. South Station and Back Bay Station, nearby, accommodate frequent Northeast Corridor departures to and arrivals from New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Amtrak's Acela train cuts the travel time between Boston and New York to 3½ hours. South Station and Back Bay Station are the two stops in Boston for Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, which travels daily between Boston and Chicago by way of Albany, Buffalo, and Cleveland.

The MBTA runs commuter trains to nearby points south, west, and north. Trains bound for Worcester, Needham, Forge Park, Providence (Rhode Island), and Stoughton leave from South Station and Back Bay Station; those to Fitchburg, Lowell, Haverhill, Newburyport, and Rockport operate out of North Station; those to Middleboro/Lakeville, Kingston/Route 3, Plymouth, and Greenbush depart from South Station.

MBTA commuter-rail stations generally accept only cash. Buy your ticket in advance, or be ready to pay a $1–$2 surcharge in cash when you're on board.