Trips out of the city
The best day trips from New York City
Washington DC, Philadelphia, the Woodbury Common outlets and the Hamptons. Here is how to choose, by tour, train or bus.
See our 8 picks
The best day trips from New York City are Washington DC and Philadelphia by guided bus, from €96. The Woodbury Common outlets are about an hour north by bus. All three work without a car. On your own, the Acela train reaches Philadelphia in about 1 hour 20 minutes and Washington in about 3 hours.
Our 8 picks for day trips from NYC
Five Washington DC trips, one with Philadelphia, a shopping bus, a beach-town trip and a 2-day tour. All eight have free cancellation. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
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from €96 per person Our top pick 15 hours 4.6 (4,656) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided Washington DC day trip by van or bus
A 15-hour guided day with stops at the main monuments and memorials. It ends with 90 minutes of free time for a museum. Guides speak English or Spanish.
Best for A first visit to DC
Check availability: Guided Washington DC day trip by van or bus on GetYourGuide -
from €103 per person 15 hours 4.6 (3,935) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington and Philadelphia in one day
A guided day in both cities, with the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial and the “Rocky” steps. You meet at 5:00 AM near Times Square. Pickup is available on some options.
Best for Two cities in one day
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from €97 per person 14–15 hours 4.7 (554) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington highlights day tour, private option
A 14- to 15-hour guided day past the White House, Arlington National Cemetery and Constitution Avenue. The White House and the Capitol are seen from outside. A private option is available.
Best for Groups who want a private trip
Check availability: Washington highlights day tour, private option on GetYourGuide -
from €115 per person 14 hours 4.7 (605) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington DC day trip by bus
A 14-hour bus trip with an escort guide, the Lincoln Memorial, a stop outside the White House and free time at Union Station. All admissions are included.
Best for Visitors who want it all arranged
Check availability: Washington DC day trip by bus on GetYourGuide -
from €109 per person 14 hours 4.5 (2,940) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington DC city highlights day tour
A 14-hour guided day with Arlington National Cemetery, the Capitol from outside and the war memorials. Guides speak seven languages. Buses have Wi-Fi.
Best for Visitors who want a guide in their language
Check availability: Washington DC city highlights day tour on GetYourGuide -
from €49 per person 1 day 4.6 (3,434) reviews on GetYourGuide
Woodbury Common outlets shopping bus
A round-trip bus with a reserved seat to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. You meet at 1651 Broadway. A discount booklet is included.
Best for Shoppers
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from €160 per person 14 hours 4.5 (168) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hamptons, Sag Harbor and outlet shopping
A 14-hour day in Southampton and Sag Harbor, with vouchers for the Tanger Outlets and a wine tasting for over-21s. Food and tips are extra.
Best for Beach towns and shopping
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from €304 per person 2 days 4.4 (291) reviews on GetYourGuide
Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days
Two days with a hotel night in Washington DC, breakfast and an Amish buggy ride. You see the Liberty Bell and the Capitol. Meals and tips are extra.
Best for More time, slower pace
Check availability: Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days on GetYourGuide
Day trips from NYC compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Washington DC day trip by van or bus | €96 per person | 15 hours | Meet on site | A first visit to DC | The most-reviewed DC trip, 4.6 from 4,656 reviews. |
| Washington and Philadelphia in one day | €103 per person | 15 hours | Pickup optional | Two cities in one day | Two cities on one ticket, with 4.6 from 3,935 reviews. |
| Washington highlights day tour, private option | €97 per person | 14–15 hours | Meet on site | Groups who want a private trip | The only DC trip here with a private option, rated 4.7 from 554 reviews. |
| Washington DC day trip by bus | €115 per person | 14 hours | Meet on site | Visitors who want it all arranged | The best-rated DC bus trip, 4.7 from 605 reviews. |
| Washington DC city highlights day tour | €109 per person | 14 hours | Meet on site | Visitors who want a guide in their language | The widest choice of guide languages, with 4.5 from 2,940 reviews. |
| Woodbury Common outlets shopping bus | €49 per person | 1 day | Meet on site | Shoppers | The easy way to the outlets, with 4.6 from 3,434 reviews. |
| Hamptons, Sag Harbor and outlet shopping | €160 per person | 14 hours | Meet on site | Beach towns and shopping | The one trip here to the Hamptons, with 4.5 from 168 reviews. |
| Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days | €304 per person | 2 days | Meet on site | More time, slower pace | The two cities without the 15-hour rush, with 4.4 from 291 reviews. |
Guided Washington DC day trip by van or bus
€96 per person15 hours 4.6 (4,656)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- A first visit to DC
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed DC trip, 4.6 from 4,656 reviews.
Washington and Philadelphia in one day
€103 per person15 hours 4.6 (3,935)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup optional
- Who it suits
- Two cities in one day
- Why we picked it
- Two cities on one ticket, with 4.6 from 3,935 reviews.
Washington highlights day tour, private option
€97 per person14–15 hours 4.7 (554)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Groups who want a private trip
- Why we picked it
- The only DC trip here with a private option, rated 4.7 from 554 reviews.
€115 per person14 hours 4.7 (605)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want it all arranged
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated DC bus trip, 4.7 from 605 reviews.
Washington DC city highlights day tour
€109 per person14 hours 4.5 (2,940)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want a guide in their language
- Why we picked it
- The widest choice of guide languages, with 4.5 from 2,940 reviews.
Woodbury Common outlets shopping bus
€49 per person1 day 4.6 (3,434)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Shoppers
- Why we picked it
- The easy way to the outlets, with 4.6 from 3,434 reviews.
Hamptons, Sag Harbor and outlet shopping
€160 per person14 hours 4.5 (168)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Beach towns and shopping
- Why we picked it
- The one trip here to the Hamptons, with 4.5 from 168 reviews.
Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days
€304 per person2 days 4.4 (291)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- More time, slower pace
- Why we picked it
- The two cities without the 15-hour rush, with 4.4 from 291 reviews.
- Group size is not stated on the booking pages.
- All 8 offer free cancellation.
- Group options: private option for 2 tours (Washington and Philadelphia in one day and Washington highlights day tour, private option).
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Which day trip fits you: the quick picks
Pick Washington DC for history, Philadelphia for a shorter trip and Woodbury Common for shopping. Here is each place with the tour price and the train time.
- Washington DC: guided tour of 14 to 15 hours, from €96. Acela train about 3 hours each way.
- Philadelphia: guided tour with DC in one day, from €103. Acela train about 1 hour 20 minutes each way.
- Woodbury Common: shopping bus from €49. Public bus $42 for adults. By car, the outlets say it is one hour north of New York City.
- The Hamptons: guided 14-hour trip from €160.
- Niagara Falls: too far for a day. Tours take 2 days or more, and the train takes 9 hours 45 minutes one way.
- Hudson Valley: Metro-North train to Cold Spring, about 70 minutes from Grand Central.
Washington DC and Philadelphia by guided tour
A guided bus tour is the easiest way to see Washington DC in one day. You see the main monuments and memorials, mostly from outside, with a guide on board.
The day is long: 14 to 15 hours from Manhattan and back. Some trips add Philadelphia, with the “Rocky” steps.
For a slower pace, the 2-day trip adds a hotel night in Washington and a stop in Amish Country.
Shopping trips: Woodbury Common
Woodbury Common is the top shopping trip from New York. It has more than 245 outlet stores in Central Valley, and it is open 10 AM to 9 PM on the dates we read.
The shopping bus from €49 gives you a reserved seat from Midtown. The public Coach USA bus from Port Authority costs $42 for adults.
The Hamptons: beach towns and outlets
The Hamptons trip visits Southampton and Sag Harbor. It adds a stop at the Tanger Outlets and costs from €160.
Big trips with a long day: Niagara Falls and Boston
Niagara Falls and Boston are too far for a comfortable day. Plan at least one night for either.
The Amtrak train to Niagara Falls takes 9 hours 45 minutes, with one train each way a day. Tours from New York take 2 to 4 days.
Boston from New York
The Acela train takes about 4 hours each way to Boston South Station. That is too far for a comfortable day trip.
We have no Boston day trip on our cards. A 4-day tour from New York includes Boston with Niagara Falls and Washington DC.
Tour, train or bus: how to get there with no car
You can do every trip on this page without a car. Take a tour if you want one easy day with a guide. Take the train if you want more time in one city.
The fastest way to Philadelphia and Washington DC is the Amtrak Acela train from Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station. It reaches Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station in about 1 hour 20 minutes, and Washington’s Union Station in about 3 hours.
The Northeast Regional train is slower: about 3 hours 25 minutes to Washington or more. Amtrak fares vary by date. Buses to Washington start at about $23 on OurBus. Metro-North trains leave from Grand Central, and buses to the outlets leave from Port Authority or Midtown.
Our route table on getting around New York compares train and bus for each trip. For the train to Philadelphia on your own, see our guide to the train from NYC to Philadelphia.
Going on your own? Our guide to Philadelphia to NYC by train covers the ride from the other end.
For more ideas that start at the station, see our guide to train tours New York.
Hudson Valley by train
The Hudson Valley is the easy nature trip from New York. Metro-North trains run from Grand Central to Cold Spring.
From the platform, you walk into the village. Our guide to train tours from New York covers more trips like this.
Tips for day trips from NYC
Be early
Tours leave from busy Midtown corners. One DC and Philadelphia trip meets at 5:00 AM near Times Square. Arrive early so the bus does not leave without you.
Check pickup
Read whether your option has pickup or a meeting point. They differ by option.
Bring cash for tips
Tips are not included on most of these trips.
Pack for a long day
You will be out 14 to 15 hours. Wear good shoes and bring a charger, snacks and water.
Day trips from New York City: questions and answers
How do I get from New York City to Philadelphia?
How can I get to Washington DC from New York City?
How long does it take to get from New York to Washington DC?
Can I do day trips from New York without a car?
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Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.