Booking Amtrak In New York..!!
New York State offers an incredible tapestry of experiences, from the iconic skyline of Manhattan to the majestic peaks of the Adirondacks and the serene shores of the Great Lakes. While cars and planes have their place, there’s a unique charm and stress-free comfort that comes with exploring the state by train. Amtrak provides a vital network, connecting bustling cities, charming towns, and essential transport hubs across the Empire State.
If you’re planning a trip within, into, or out of New York, understanding its Amtrak stations is your first step to a smooth journey. This complete guide will walk you through New York’s primary Amtrak stations, detailing their locations, key routes, and crucial distances to major cities and airports.
The Heartbeat of the Network: New York Penn Station (NYP)
Location: 34th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, Manhattan (under Madison Square Garden). Overview: As the busiest transportation hub in North America, New York Penn Station is the linchpin of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and a gateway to the entire nation. It’s a massive, bustling station, recently undergoing significant modernization with the opening of Moynihan Train Hall across the street.
Key Amtrak Routes:
- Acela Express: High-speed service to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.
- Northeast Regional: Conventional service along the Northeast Corridor.
- Empire Service: Connects NYC to Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.
- Lake Shore Limited: Long-distance service to Chicago, via Albany and other upstate NY cities.
- Adirondack: Scenic route to Montreal, QC (with stops in the Hudson Valley and Adirondacks).
- Maple Leaf: Service to Toronto, ON (via Niagara Falls and other upstate NY cities).
- Ethan Allen Express: Service to Rutland, VT (via Hudson Valley).
- Various other regional and long-distance trains serving the South and Midwest.
Station Amenities: Full-service ticketing, waiting areas, numerous dining options (both quick-service and sit-down), shops, restrooms, luggage services, accessible facilities. Moynihan Train Hall offers a more modern and spacious experience.
Key Amtrak Distances from New York Penn Station:
| Destination | Average Travel Time | Approximate Distance (Miles/Km) | Route Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 3.5 – 4 hours | 215 miles / 346 km | Acela, Northeast Regional |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1.5 – 2 hours | 90 miles / 145 km | Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone Service |
| Washington D.C. | 3 – 3.5 hours | 225 miles / 362 km | Acela, Northeast Regional |
| Albany, NY | 2.5 – 3 hours | 140 miles / 225 km | Empire Service, Adirondack, Lake Shore Ltd. |
| Buffalo, NY | 7.5 – 8.5 hours | 430 miles / 692 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited |
| Chicago, IL | 18 – 19 hours | 800 miles / 1287 km | Lake Shore Limited |
| Montreal, QC | 10 – 11 hours | 380 miles / 612 km | Adirondack |
| Toronto, ON | 12 – 13 hours | 525 miles / 845 km | Maple Leaf |
Airport Connections from New York Penn Station:
| Airport | Connection Method (Approx. Time) |
|---|---|
| JFK (JFK) | LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica Station (20-25 min), then AirTrain to JFK (10-15 min). Total: ~45-60 min. |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | Subway (E, M, R lines) to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue, then M60-SBS bus (total: ~60-75 min). Alternatively, taxi/rideshare (30-60 min, depending on traffic). |
| Newark Liberty (EWR) | Amtrak or NJ Transit train from Penn Station to Newark Liberty Airport Station (20-25 min), then AirTrain to terminals (10 min). Total: ~45-60 min. Amtrak often offers through-ticketing. |
Upstate Gateway: Albany-Rensselaer Station (ALB)
Location: 525 East Street, Rensselaer, NY (across the Hudson River from downtown Albany). Overview: Albany-Rensselaer is Amtrak’s ninth busiest station and the major hub for routes connecting New York City with upstate New York, Vermont, and points west. It’s a modern, well-maintained station designed to accommodate significant traffic.
Key Amtrak Routes:
- Empire Service: To/from NYC, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.
- Lake Shore Limited: To/from NYC and Chicago.
- Adirondack: To/from NYC and Montreal.
- Ethan Allen Express: To/from NYC and Rutland, VT.
Station Amenities: Full-service ticketing, large waiting area, cafe/snack bar, restrooms, accessible facilities, long and short-term parking.
Key Amtrak Distances from Albany-Rensselaer:
| Destination | Average Travel Time | Approximate Distance (Miles/Km) | Route Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 2.5 – 3 hours | 140 miles / 225 km | Empire Service, Adirondack, Lake Shore Ltd. |
| Buffalo, NY | 5 – 6 hours | 290 miles / 467 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited |
| Syracuse, NY | 2 – 2.5 hours | 145 miles / 233 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited |
| Montreal, QC | 7 – 8 hours | 240 miles / 386 km | Adirondack |
| Boston, MA | 4.5 – 5.5 hours | 180 miles / 290 km | Amtrak Thruway Bus connection to Pittsfield, MA, then train. Or Bus to NYC, then train. |
Airport Connections from Albany-Rensselaer:
| Airport | Connection Method (Approx. Time) |
|---|---|
| Albany Int’l (ALB) | CDTA bus (Route 117) or taxi/rideshare (15-25 min drive). |
Western New York Hubs: Buffalo-Depew (BUF) & Buffalo-Exchange Street (BFX)
Buffalo is served by two Amtrak stations, though Buffalo-Depew is the primary stop for most long-distance services.
Buffalo-Depew Station (BUF)
Location: 550 Dick Rd, Depew, NY (east of downtown Buffalo). Overview: This is the main Amtrak station for the Buffalo area, serving both the Empire Corridor and the transcontinental Lake Shore Limited. It’s a modernized station with good facilities.
Key Amtrak Routes:
- Empire Service: To/from NYC, via Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany.
- Lake Shore Limited: To/from Chicago and NYC.
- Maple Leaf: To/from NYC and Toronto, ON.
Station Amenities: Waiting room, accessible facilities, ticketing kiosk, short and long-term parking.
Buffalo-Exchange Street Station (BFX)
Location: 79 Exchange St, Buffalo, NY (downtown Buffalo). Overview: A smaller, historic station in the heart of downtown, closer to key attractions and the Canadian border crossing. It serves fewer trains than Depew but offers a convenient downtown option.
Key Amtrak Routes: Primarily serves some Empire Service trains to/from NYC, and the Maple Leaf to/from Toronto.
Station Amenities: Waiting room, accessible facilities, ticketing kiosk.
Key Amtrak Distances from Buffalo-Depew:
| Destination | Average Travel Time | Approximate Distance (Miles/Km) | Route Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 7.5 – 8.5 hours | 430 miles / 692 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Albany, NY | 5 – 6 hours | 290 miles / 467 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Chicago, IL | 8 – 9 hours | 530 miles / 853 km | Lake Shore Limited |
| Toronto, ON | 2.5 hours (train to Niagara Falls, then bus) | 100 miles / 161 km | Maple Leaf (requires border crossing) |
| Cleveland, OH | 3 – 4 hours | 185 miles / 298 km | Lake Shore Limited |
Airport Connections from Buffalo-Depew:
| Airport | Connection Method (Approx. Time) |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Niagara Int’l (BUF) | NFTA Metro bus (Route 24) or taxi/rideshare (10-15 min drive from Depew). |
Central New York: Rochester Station (ROC)
Location: 320 Central Ave, Rochester, NY. Overview: Rochester’s Amtrak station is a modern facility opened in 2017, located downtown and well-integrated into the city’s transport network. It’s a key stop on the Empire Corridor.
Key Amtrak Routes:
- Empire Service: To/from NYC, via Syracuse and Albany.
- Lake Shore Limited: To/from Chicago and NYC.
- Maple Leaf: To/from NYC and Toronto, ON.
Station Amenities: Bright, spacious waiting area, ticketing kiosk, restrooms, accessible facilities, bicycle rack, parking.
Key Amtrak Distances from Rochester:
| Destination | Average Travel Time | Approximate Distance (Miles/Km) | Route Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 6 – 7 hours | 350 miles / 563 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Buffalo, NY | 1 – 1.5 hours | 70 miles / 113 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Syracuse, NY | 1 – 1.5 hours | 85 miles / 137 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Albany, NY | 3.5 – 4.5 hours | 210 miles / 338 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Toronto, ON | 4.5 – 5.5 hours | 180 miles / 290 km | Maple Leaf (requires bus connection or border crossing) |
Airport Connections from Rochester:
| Airport | Connection Method (Approx. Time) |
|---|---|
| Greater Rochester Int’l (ROC) | RTS Bus (Route 24) or taxi/rideshare (15-20 min drive). |
Salt City Stop: Syracuse Station (SYR)
Location: 1332 E Washington St, Syracuse, NY. Overview: Syracuse’s Amtrak station is a functional stop on the Empire Corridor, serving the central New York region. It’s located just east of downtown.
Key Amtrak Routes:
- Empire Service: To/from NYC, via Rochester and Albany.
- Lake Shore Limited: To/from Chicago and NYC.
- Maple Leaf: To/from NYC and Toronto, ON.
Station Amenities: Waiting room, accessible facilities, ticketing kiosk, parking.
Key Amtrak Distances from Syracuse:
| Destination | Average Travel Time | Approximate Distance (Miles/Km) | Route Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5 – 6 hours | 275 miles / 443 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Albany, NY | 2 – 2.5 hours | 145 miles / 233 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Rochester, NY | 1 – 1.5 hours | 85 miles / 137 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Buffalo, NY | 2.5 – 3 hours | 160 miles / 257 km | Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf |
| Chicago, IL | 10 – 11 hours | 675 miles / 1086 km | Lake Shore Limited |
Airport Connections from Syracuse:
| Airport | Connection Method (Approx. Time) |
|---|---|
| Syracuse Hancock Int’l (SYR) | CENTRO Bus (Route 813, express) or taxi/rideshare (15-20 min drive). |
Hudson Valley Gem: Poughkeepsie Station (POU)
Location: 41 Main St, Poughkeepsie, NY. Overview: Situated right on the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie is a vital stop for commuters and travelers exploring the scenic Hudson Valley. It’s also a Metro-North Railroad commuter rail hub.
Key Amtrak Routes:
- Empire Service: To/from NYC and Albany.
- Adirondack: To/from NYC and Montreal.
- Maple Leaf: To/from NYC and Toronto, ON.
- Ethan Allen Express: To/from NYC and Rutland, VT.
Station Amenities: Waiting room, restrooms, accessible facilities, ticketing kiosk, Metro-North connections, parking.
Key Amtrak Distances from Poughkeepsie:
| Destination | Average Travel Time | Approximate Distance (Miles/Km) | Route Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 1.5 – 2 hours | 75 miles / 121 km | Empire Service, Adirondack, Maple Leaf, Ethan Allen Express |
| Albany, NY | 1.5 – 2 hours | 65 miles / 105 km | Empire Service, Adirondack, Maple Leaf, Ethan Allen Express |
| Montreal, QC | 8 – 9 hours | 300 miles / 483 km | Adirondack |
| Rutland, VT | 4 – 5 hours | 150 miles / 241 km | Ethan Allen Express |
Airport Connections from Poughkeepsie:
| Airport | Connection Method (Approx. Time) |
|---|---|
| Stewart Int’l (SWF) | Dutchess County Public Transit (Route C) or taxi/rideshare (30-45 min drive). |
General Tips for Traveling Amtrak in New York
- Book in Advance: Especially for popular routes and peak travel times, tickets can sell out or become more expensive closer to departure.
- Amtrak App: A must-have for mobile ticketing, real-time train status, and gate information.
- Arrive Early: Aim to be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure, especially at busy hubs like Penn Station.
- Flexibility: Amtrak travel times can sometimes be affected by freight traffic, so build in some buffer if you have tight connections.
- Luggage: Amtrak is generous with luggage allowances, often allowing two carry-on items and two personal items, plus checked baggage on many routes. Check specific limits.
- Food & Drink: Most trains have a Café Car offering snacks, drinks, and light meals. You’re also welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Accessibility: All Amtrak trains and most stations are accessible. If you require special assistance, notify Amtrak when booking.
Conclusion
Amtrak offers a unique and often relaxing way to explore the diverse landscapes of New York State. From the urban intensity of New York Penn Station to the scenic vistas of the Hudson Valley and the vital connections of the upstate hubs, these stations are your gateways to adventure.
So, whether you’re commuting for work, planning a weekend getaway, or embarking on a cross-country adventure, New York’s Amtrak stations are ready to welcome you aboard. Happy travels!