New York to Albany by Train

Traveling by train from New York to the state capital offers a comfortable alternative to driving or flying. The route follows the Hudson River for most of the way, providing consistent water views. Four different Amtrak services connect the two cities, meaning passengers have multiple departure options throughout the day. Whether you are heading to upstate New York for business or continuing further north or west, this corridor is well served. The trip is entirely within daylight hours, making it a great opportunity to relax in coach or grab a snack from the café car.

Your train options

Passengers traveling from New York to Albany have four direct Amtrak options. The Empire Service runs many trains a day to Albany. You can also book the Adirondack, the Maple Leaf or the Ethan Allen Express, which all run daily in each direction as of 2026. Because all these trains share the same tracks to Albany, the trip takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes regardless of which service you choose. All trains offer Coach seating and a Café car. Business Class is available on the Empire Service and Ethan Allen Express, and occasionally on the Adirondack when offered. There is no overnight travel on this trip, so sleeper cars are not available. Since the travel time and route are identical, you should simply choose the departure time that best fits your schedule.

The journey

The ride from New York to Albany is famous for its water views. As the train leaves the city, it follows the lower Hudson River valley. Passengers will see the Palisades, the Tappan Zee and the Hudson Highlands. Further north, the route enters the mid Hudson valley, where the Catskill Mountains become visible to the west. If you travel during daylight hours, the scenery remains visible for almost the entire trip. The train makes several stops in between the two cities. Depending on the specific service, you will pause at stations like Yonkers, Croton-on-Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff and Hudson. The route stays close to the eastern bank of the river for the duration of the journey to Albany.

The stations

Trains depart from New York using Penn Station and the connected Moynihan Train Hall, which opened in 2021 across Eighth Avenue. The complex sits under Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan. It connects with subway lines, NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road trains. It is the busiest Amtrak station in the country. Note that Grand Central Terminal is a separate station used for Metro-North commuter trains. The trip ends at Albany, specifically the Albany-Rensselaer station. This facility is located across the Hudson River from downtown Albany. It is one of the busiest Amtrak stations outside the Northeast Corridor. The Lake Shore Limited splits here into New York and Boston sections.