Ediee

We have reservations at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and need to catch the Amtrak to NYC early in the morning. Just how close is the Amtrak station. Close enough to walk or would we need to catch a cab. How early do you need to be at the train station if you have a Reserved Ticket?

Anonymous

The hotel is just a couple of blocks from the Back Bay Amtrak station. You need to get there about 10 - 15 minutes before train departure time.

Cassandra

Make sure the train stops at Back Bay -- it will originate at South Station, which is a bit further away from the Park Plaza (no, not walkable but easily cab-able.) I'd be at the station a minimum of 20 minutes ahead, just to get your bearings. Even if you have a reserved ticket, you probably don't have a reserved seat and it's first-come first-served -- so if it matters a lot to you where you'll sit, get there even earlier, although people may not line up in an orderly way. Also, that's another reason not to go to Back Bay, since everyone who boarded at South Station will have gotten seats already.

Miramar

Park Plaza is about 3-4 blocks away from Back Bay station. If you don't have a lot of luggage (maybe just a small wheeled bag), it would be walkable.
As a general rule, they don't line you up to get on the train at Back Bay the way they do at some other stations. You just go down and wait on the platform.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Some of the trains fill up fast. If good seating selection is important to you, consider starting your trip at South Station ... early morning might find 1 person "sleeping" on each 2 person "bench", and your party sitting apart for awhile. I have walked there, but most people would not.