New York to Savannah by train

Taking the train from the Northeast to the Georgia coast is a straightforward trip. As of 2026, Amtrak operates two direct services daily between New York and Savannah. You do not need to change trains on either route. The choice comes down to whether you prefer a daytime journey or an overnight trip with sleeping accommodations. Both routes travel down the Eastern Seaboard, passing through major cities before reaching the quieter landscapes of the Carolinas and Georgia. Booking early is recommended, especially if you want a private room for the overnight option.

Your train options

You have two daily direct trains to choose from. The Silver Meteor runs daily in each direction and takes about 15 to 18 hours. This is an overnight trip. It offers Coach seating alongside Viewliner Roomettes, Viewliner Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms. Passengers in sleeping cars have access to a dining car. You can read more about these options in our guide to Amtrak roomettes and bedrooms explained.

Alternatively, the Palmetto operates as a daytime service, taking about 13 hours 30 minutes to 16 hours 30 minutes. It runs daily and has no sleeping cars, making it a long day train. The Palmetto offers Coach and Business Class, with food available in the café car. If you prefer to sleep in a bed, choose the Silver Meteor. If you are comfortable sitting for a long day and want to save money, the Palmetto is a practical choice.

The journey

Both trains follow a similar path down the coast, though what you see depends on your choice of a day or night schedule. Departing New York, the route runs along the Northeast Corridor through New Jersey, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore to Washington, DC. South of Washington, you pass through Northern Virginia and cross the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg.

Continuing through Richmond and Petersburg, the scenery shifts to the tobacco country and pine woods of eastern North Carolina, with stops in Rocky Mount and Fayetteville. Further south, the trains stop in Florence, Kingstree, Charleston, and Yemassee. On this final stretch into Georgia, you travel through the Carolina lowcountry. Look out for coastal marshes and tidal rivers around Charleston and Yemassee before arriving in Savannah.

The stations

Your trip begins at New York Penn Station, located under Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan. Amtrak uses Penn Station and the connected Moynihan Train Hall, which opened across Eighth Avenue in 2021. It is the busiest Amtrak station in the country, offering easy connections to subway lines, NJ Transit, and the Long Island Rail Road. Note that Grand Central Terminal is a separate station for Metro-North commuter trains.

You arrive at Savannah station, situated just west of the city. It is a short taxi ride from the historic district. The station serves as the southern terminus for the Palmetto and is a regular stop for trains continuing to Florida.