The Keystone Service is a 195-mile (314-kilometer) regional passenger train service operated by Amtrak between the Harrisburg Transportation Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, following the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line (Keystone Corridor). Most trains continue on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) to Penn Station in New York City.
Trips from Harrisburg to New York take roughly 3+1⁄2 hours, including 1+3⁄4 hours between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Some express trains reduce both trip durations by around 15 minutes.
The route is classified as high-speed rail, with trains traveling at speeds of up to 125 mph (200 km/h) on the Northeast Corridor and 110 mph (180 km/h) on the Keystone Corridor.
It is Amtrak’s fifth and third-busiest route overall in the Northeast Corridor. In fiscal year 2016, the service handled 1.47 million passengers, up 7.9% from FY 2015. Total revenue for FY2016 was $41,123,787, a 7.5% increase over FY2015. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) largely funds the road.
Things to Know
- There are just coach seats on this train.
- Exit at Lancaster to visit the Dutch countryside and fresh food stores.
- Hersheypark is a 20-minute drive from the Harrisburg Station (Lyft and Uber are available).
- It takes slightly over an hour to go from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.
- The travel time between Harrisburg and New York City is more than three hours.
How can I buy tickets for the Keystone Service?
- Online: The quickest and easiest option is to purchase tickets directly through the Amtrak website at https://www.amtrak.com/home.
- Mobile App: Download the Amtrak app for convenient mobile ticketing and manage your reservations on the go.
- Phone: Call Amtrak customer service to purchase tickets over the phone (fees may apply).
- Station Ticket Offices: Tickets can also be purchased in person at any Amtrak station ticket office.
Where can I find the Keystone Service schedule?
Planning is key!
- Find Train Times: The Amtrak website (https://www.amtrak.com/home) offers a user-friendly search tool to find train times and schedules.
- Frequency: The Keystone Service operates multiple trains daily, with some variations on weekends. Be sure to check the specific schedule for your desired travel date.
Schedule Highlights
- There are many trains every day, with later starting on weekends.
- Not every train goes to New York City.
- There is a station at Newark International Airport (which connects to the airport rail).
- The Philadelphia 30th Street Station connects to SEPTA trains that go to and from Philadelphia International Airport.
Visit Amtrak.com to get the most recent schedules and timetables.
How can I plan my trip on the Keystone Service?
Now that you have the schedule, let’s personalize your journey:
- New York Bound? Not all Keystone Service trains travel all the way to New York City. Double-check the train information to ensure it reaches your final destination.
- Connecting with Ease: Many stations offer convenient connections to local transportation, including airports. Explore your options at https://www.septa.org/ for connections in Philadelphia.
- Travel Time Estimates: Knowing how long your trip will take is essential. The Keystone Service website provides estimated travel times between major stops, helping you plan your arrival and onboard experience.
What to Expect Onboard: Settle In and Enjoy the Ride!
What kind of seating does the Keystone Service offer?
Keystone Service Train offers Coach class, which has wide, reclining seats with plenty of legroom, no middle seat option, and at-seat trays, reading lamps, and electric outlets. There are restrooms in each vehicle. Amtrak Guest Rewards customers who travel in Coach get 2 points per dollar spent.
While there’s no business class option, spacious coach seats provide a relaxing environment for your journey. Reserving seats in advance is an option if you prefer to secure your spot.
What amenities are available on Keystone Service trains?
- Onboard Cafe: Keep hunger and thirst at bay with a variety of food and beverage options available at the onboard cafe.
- Restrooms: Conveniently located restrooms are available on every train.
- Storage: Pack smart! Overhead storage compartments are provided for your carry-on luggage.
- WiFi: To ensure that travelers stay connected while traveling, Keystone Service provides basic WiFi at certain stations and trains around the country. Stay working or just relax and enjoy the journey to your destination. To keep travelers connected while traveling, Amtrak provides basic WiFi connectivity in select stations and trains around the nation. Stay working or just relax and enjoy the journey to your destination.
- Quiet Car (if applicable): Quiet Cars are offered on several corridor and short-distance trains, as well as Keystone Service trains. Guests are requested to restrict their discussion and speak quietly. Phone calls are not permitted, and all portable electronic devices must be muted or utilized with headphones (passengers who use headphones must keep the level low enough that other passengers cannot hear them). Low overhead lighting provides a relaxing environment for all passengers, however reading lamps are accessible.
What is the baggage allowance for the Keystone Service?
- Checked Luggage: Traveling with more than carry-on essentials? Check the Amtrak website (https://www.amtrak.com/home) for information on checked baggage options and associated fees.
- Carry-On Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Amtrak’s carry-on luggage size and weight restrictions to ensure a smooth boarding process.
Most popular Amtrak Keystone Service routes
The most popular route for Amtrak Keystone Service is the train from Paoli to New York. Trips from Philadelphia to New York and Philadelphia to Newark are also extremely popular.
TOP AMTRAK KEYSTONE SERVICE ROUTES
| Route | Daily Trips | Duration | Price |
| Paoli to New York | 10 | 2h 11m | $44 |
| Philadelphia to New York | 12 | 1h 24m | $10 |
| Philadelphia to Newark | 11 | 1h 4m | $10 |
| Lancaster to New York | 12 | 2h 55m | $40 |
| Philadelphia to Harrisburg | 11 | 1h 54m | $35 |
| Harrisburg to New York | 10 | 3h 31m | $41 |
| Philadelphia to Lancaster | 11 | 1h 13m | $21 |
| Lancaster to Harrisburg | 11 | 0h 38m | $12 |
| Exton to Philadelphia | 13 | 0h 37m | $12 |
Popular Stops and Stations
Popular Stops
- Harrisburg
- Lancaster
- Philadelphia
- Newark Airport
- New York City
Train Stations Served by the Keystone
- Harrisburg, PA (HAR)
- Middletown, PA (MID)
- Elizabethtown, PA (ELT)
- Mount Joy, PA (MJY)
- Lancaster, PA (LNC)
- Parkesburg, PA (PAR)
- Coatesville, PA (COT)
- Downingtown, PA (DOW)
- Exton, PA (EXT)
- Paoli, PA (PAO)
- Ardmore, PA (ARD)
- Philadelphia, PA – William H. Gray III 30th St. Station (PHL)
- North Philadelphia, PA (PHN)
- Cornwells Heights, PA (CWH)
- Trenton, NJ (TRE)
- Princeton Junction, NJ (PJC)
- New Brunswick, NJ (NBK)
- Metropark, NJ (MET)
- Newark, NJ – Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Newark, NJ – Penn Station (NWK)
- New York, NY – Moynihan Train Hall (NYP)
Attractions Along the Route
- Downtown Harrisburg
- Pennsylvania State Capitol
- Pennsylvania Federation-Museum
- Harrisburg riverboat cruises
- Harrisburg University of Science & Technology
- The National Civil War Museum
- The Forum Auditorium
- Harrisburg Market Square
- Capital Area Greenbelt
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
- Let’s Pretend Children’s Museum
- Lancaster Central Market
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Dutch Country
- Drexel University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Madison Square Garden
- Empire State Building
- Manhattan
Additional Resources for a Smooth Keystone Service Experience
- Amtrak Website: The official Amtrak website (https://www.amtrak.com/home)
- Amtrak Mobile App: https://www.amtrak.com/mobile
- Amtrak Accessibility Services: https://www.amtrak.com/accessible-travel-services.
- Amtrak Pet Policy: https://www.amtrak.com/pets
Local Transportation Resources:
- Philadelphia (SEPTA): https://www.septa.org/
Remember: This list is not exhaustive. Many local resources can provide additional information on points of interest, attractions, and activities near your
FAQs
Yes, Amtrak Keystone Service provides WiFi on its trains. Although most Amtrak Keystone Service excursions will have WiFi as stated, certain trains may not have it, and onboard WiFi may lose connectivity in rural regions. We urge that you bring a book or download a movie simply to be safe. Amtrak’s Keystone Service WiFi is normally best utilized for browsing the web, reading emails, and talking with friends; don’t rely on it to binge watch your favorite program.
Yes, there are power outlets aboard the Amtrak Keystone Service trains. You can usually find one or two outlets each row of seats, so be a considerate traveler and check to see if your seat mate wants to charge their electronics as well. The onboard power outlets allow you to charge both a computer and USB devices using a USB power adapter, which is normally included with most phones and tablets.
Because Amtrak Keystone Service may sometimes employ replacement train units, not all journeys are guaranteed to include power outlets. We suggest bringing a power bank to charge your phone for any journeys longer than 2 hours, just in case.
On a normal day, Amtrak Keystone Service schedules 1573 train trips. However, the actual departure and arrival hours vary according on the day and route.
No, Amtrak Keystone Service does not provide will-call tickets. Purchase your tickets online and ensure that you have everything you need to board before arriving at the station.
Yes, Amtrak Keystone Service requires you to present your ID to an agent before boarding the train. Make sure you have government-issued identification that meets the carrier’s requirements. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, will not work.
Yes, there are restrooms aboard Amtrak Keystone Service trains. The restrooms are rather basic, with a toilet, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Most restrooms do not have running water. Please exercise caution and hang on to a rail while using a restroom on a moving vehicle.
Amtrak Keystone Service does not serve meals or beverages onboard. We recommend that you pack a drink and food for your excursion. To limit your environmental effect, we recommend packing a reusable water bottle. However, most trains do not allow you to bring your own alcoholic beverages.
Amtrak Keystone Service does not require a paper ticket to board the train. Instead, when you make your reservation, you will receive an eTicket via email. You can show the ticketing agent this eTicket on your smartphone as you board.
Amtrak Keystone Service goes above and beyond for its customers by providing premium features.
Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat, or do you prefer having more room to spread out? You’re in luck, as Amtrak Keystone Service provides extra legroom seating. Because there is no standard for what extra legroom is, the extra space you receive may differ between train lines, but having extra is always beneficial.