New Haven isn’t just a vibrant college town; it’s a pivotal hub on the Northeast Corridor, thanks to its historic and bustling Union Station (NHV). Whether you’re a student, a commuter, a visitor, or simply passing through, NHV connects you to a vast network of cities and even major airports.
Consider this your ultimate guide to making the most of New Haven Union Station!
What is New Haven Union Station (NHV)?
New Haven Union Station, opened in 1920, is more than just a train stop – it’s a beautifully restored Beaux-Arts landmark that serves as Connecticut’s busiest transportation center. It’s unique in that it hosts three major rail services:
- Amtrak: Your gateway to the Northeast Corridor and beyond.
- Metro-North Railroad: The primary commuter rail service connecting New Haven to New York City and points in between.
- Shore Line East: Connecticut’s regional commuter rail service along the coast.
This makes NHV a crucial intermodal station for both long-distance and local travel.
Train Services at NHV
- Amtrak:
- Acela Express: High-speed service connecting Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.
- Northeast Regional: Frequent service along the entire Northeast Corridor, from Boston to Virginia.
- Vermonter: Connects Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut with New York City and Washington D.C.
- Hartford Line: Regional service connecting New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, MA.
- Metro-North Railroad (New Haven Line): Provides frequent service south to Grand Central Terminal in New York City, stopping at towns like Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and more.
- Shore Line East: Connects New Haven eastward along the Connecticut coast to towns like Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Old Saybrook, and New London.
Station Amenities & Features
NHV is a well-equipped station designed for traveler comfort:
- Ticketing: Staffed ticket windows and Amtrak self-service kiosks are available.
- Waiting Areas: Spacious, historic waiting areas with seating.
- Restrooms: Accessible facilities available.
- Food & Drink: Limited options, usually a small café or convenience store. It’s often a good idea to grab snacks before arriving or plan for food at your destination.
- Accessibility: The station is fully ADA compliant, with elevators, accessible restrooms, and level boarding where possible.
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is generally available throughout the main station area.
- Parking: A large parking garage and surface lots are available, but can fill up during peak commuter hours.
- Baggage Service: Checked baggage service is available for some Amtrak routes.
- Connectors: Passengers can access CT Transit local buses, taxis, and rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) directly outside the station.
Key Destinations & Approximate Distances from New Haven (NHV)
Here’s a look at travel times and distances to major cities and airports, primarily via train:
Major Cities by Train (Amtrak)
Please note: Travel times are approximate and can vary based on specific train type (Acela vs. Regional), time of day, and track conditions.
- New York City (Penn Station – NYP):
- Time: 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 75-80 miles
- Frequency: Very high (Metro-North and Amtrak)
- Boston (South Station – BOS):
- Time: 2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours 15 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 140-150 miles
- Frequency: High
- Hartford, CT (HFD):
- Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour (via Hartford Line)
- Distance: Approximately 35-40 miles
- Frequency: High
- Stamford, CT:
- Time: 30-45 minutes (via Metro-North or Amtrak)
- Distance: Approximately 40 miles
- Frequency: Very high
- Providence, RI (PVD):
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours
- Distance: Approximately 90-95 miles
- Frequency: High
- Philadelphia (30th Street Station – PHL):
- Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 45 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 170-180 miles
- Frequency: High
- Washington D.C. (Union Station – WAS):
- Time: 4 hours 45 minutes – 5 hours 30 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 230-240 miles
- Frequency: High
Major Airports from New Haven (NHV)
Accessing major airports from NHV often involves a combination of train and local transport.
- Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN):
- Distance: ~5-6 miles
- Travel Time: 15-20 minutes by taxi/rideshare.
- Note: This is a smaller regional airport with limited direct flights.
- Bradley International Airport (BDL – Hartford, CT):
- Distance: ~45-50 miles (via Hartford)
- Travel Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Take the Hartford Line train to Hartford Union Station (~45 min – 1 hr).
- From Hartford, take a bus (CTfastrak connecting to Bradley Flyer) or taxi/rideshare to BDL (~30-45 min).
- Alternative: Direct bus service (Go Airport Shuttle, etc.) sometimes runs between NHV and BDL.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK – New York City):
- Distance: ~80-90 miles
- Travel Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes
- Take an Amtrak or Metro-North train to New York Penn Station (NYP) (~1hr 45m – 2hr 15m).
- From NYP, take the A train subway to the AirTrain JFK connection, or a taxi/rideshare.
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA – New York City):
- Distance: ~75-85 miles
- Travel Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes
- Take an Amtrak or Metro-North train to New York Penn Station (NYP) (~1hr 45m – 2hr 15m).
- From NYP, take the subway to a bus connection, or a taxi/rideshare.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR – Newark, NJ):
- Distance: ~90-100 miles
- Travel Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours
- Take an Amtrak train to New York Penn Station (NYP) (~1hr 45m – 2hr 15m).
- From NYP, transfer to an NJ Transit train to Newark Liberty International Airport Station (EWR) (~20-25 min), then take the AirTrain monorail.
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS – Boston, MA):
- Distance: ~150-160 miles
- Travel Time: ~3 hours – 3 hours 45 minutes
- Take an Amtrak train to Boston South Station (~2hr 45m – 3hr 15m).
- From South Station, take the MBTA Silver Line (SL1) bus directly to BOS terminals (~20-30 min).
- T.F. Green Airport (PVD – Warwick, RI):
- Distance: ~95-100 miles
- Travel Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Take an Amtrak train to the Providence, RI (PVD) station (~1hr 30m – 2hr).
- From Providence, a shuttle bus connects directly to T.F. Green Airport.
Tips for Travelers at NHV:
- Book in Advance: Especially for Amtrak, booking tickets ahead of time often secures better fares.
- Arrive Early: Give yourself ample time to find your gate, grab a snack, or navigate the station, particularly during peak hours.
- Check Train Status: Use the Amtrak app or website for real-time updates on departures, arrivals, and track changes.
- Explore New Haven: If you have time between trains, NHV is a short walk or quick bus ride from downtown New Haven, Yale University, museums, and fantastic dining.
- Consider Peak Hours: Metro-North trains can be very crowded during weekday rush hours (morning into NYC, evening out of NYC).
New Haven Union Station truly lives up to its name, uniting travelers with a wide array of destinations. Whether you’re heading across the street or across the country, NHV is your efficient and beautiful starting point. Happy travels!
Leave a Reply