The Lake Shore Limited is an overnight passenger train operated by Amtrak between Chicago and the Northeastern United States, including New York City and Boston stops. The major part of the route travels along Lake Erie’s southern coast.
The train is a descendant of the New York Central Railroad’s train of the same name, which ran over virtually the same route from 1897 until 1956. Amtrak temporarily restored the service as the Lake Shore from 1971 to 1972 before launching the contemporary Lake Shore Limited in 1975.
The Lake Shore Limited runs east from Chicago, following the historic main route of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway to South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, and Buffalo. The train continues along the Empire Corridor, passing via Rochester and Syracuse before arriving at Albany-Rensselaer Station in Rensselaer, New York. At the stop, the train splits, with one portion continuing to Springfield and Boston, Massachusetts, and the other continuing down the Empire Corridor to New York City. The nearly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) journey takes around 21 hours to complete.
Lake Shore Limited transported 351,049 passengers in fiscal year 2023, representing a 10% increase over FY2022.
Planning Your Lake Shore Limited Trip/Journey
How to Book Tickets and Reservations?
Online Booking: Amtrak offers a convenient online booking system at https://www.amtrak.com/home. You can search for specific dates, routes, and fares, and easily make your reservations.
Phone Reservations: Prefer to speak to a representative? Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) to book your tickets over the phone.
What to Know About Baggage?
Checked Baggage: Amtrak allows a generous checked baggage allowance, typically varying based on the type of ticket you purchase. Visit the https://www.amtrak.com/checked-baggage webpage for detailed information on fees and weight restrictions.
Carry-On Restrictions: Passengers are permitted to bring one carry-on bag (maximum dimensions: 28″ x 22″ x 14″) and one personal item (e.g., purse, backpack) onboard the train. Check the Amtrak website for specific size limitations.
Amenities Included in Your Ticket:
Your Lake Shore Limited ticket grants access to various amenities depending on your chosen travel class. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- WiFi: Stay connected throughout your trip with Amtrak’s complimentary WiFi service (availability may vary).
- Meals: Passengers in Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Family Roomettes enjoy complimentary meals in the dining car. Coach and Business Class passengers can purchase meals from the Cafe Car.
Schedule:
- Trains remain in Ohio overnight.
- Trains leave Chicago in the evening.
- Trains leave Boston and New York City in the afternoon.
- The travel duration between Chicago and Boston is around 22.5 hours.
- Travel time between Chicago and New York City is around 20 hours.
Visit Amtrak.com to get the most recent schedules and timetables.
Parking Information:
Planning to drive to the station? Major stations along the route often offer parking facilities. Amtrak’s website or station information boards typically display parking availability and associated fees.
Your Onboard Experience
Seating Options on the Lake Shore Limited
Coach Class Seat:
Coach class is available on all Lake Shore Limited trains and has wide, reclining seats with plenty of legroom, no middle seat option, 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.
Viewliner Roomette:
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited passengers looking for both privacy and savings in First Class, Roomettes offer:
- Two comfy chairs by day changed into higher and lower beds at night.
- Recently renovated bedding, pillows, towels, and linens
- Access to a bathroom and shower in your vehicle.
- A dedicated first-class attendant
- Complimentary Lounge access
- Priority Boarding
- Complimentary food.
Once you’ve booked, your room number will be immediately issued. Your ticket will provide your precise vehicle and room number. Upon arrival, your First-class attendant will direct you to your room.
Viewliner Bedroom:
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited Train Offer For clients looking for lots of comfort and space in First Class.
Bedroom features:
- 2 times the space of a roomette
- Upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens change the couch and chair into higher and lower beds at night.
- In-room sink, toilet, and shower
- A dedicated first-class attendant
- Complimentary Lounge access
- Priority Boarding
- Complimentary food.
Viewliner Bedroom Suite
For clients wanting the greatest First Class experience, Bedroom Suites combine two adjoining bedrooms and include:
- 2 times the area of a bedroom.
- The room features enhanced bedding, pillows, towels, and linens, as well as two sofas and chairs during the day that convert to upper and lower beds at night.
- Two in-room sinks, bathrooms, and showers.
- A dedicated first-class attendant
- Complimentary Lounge access
- Priority Boarding
- Complimentary food.
Viewliner Accessible Bedroom
For clients wanting the greatest First Class experience, Bedroom Suites combine two adjoining bedrooms and include:
- 2 times the area of a bedroom.
- The room features enhanced bedding, pillows, towels, and linens, as well as two sofas and chairs during the day that convert to upper and lower beds at night.
- Two in-room sinks, bathrooms, and showers.
- A dedicated first-class attendant
- Complimentary Lounge access
- Priority Boarding
- Complimentary food.
Dining Options:
Flexible Dining: Flexible meal service is an exclusive and complimentary product for private room clients aboard the Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, and Texas Eagle*.
- A menu of hot, ready-to-serve options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- A large range of wine, beer, and spirits (the first is on us during dinner), as well as unlimited soft drinks throughout the voyage
- Exclusive aboard lounge for dining and socializing.
- Your attendant provides complimentary room service.
- Flexible dining hours without the need for reservations.
Cafe Service: Most Amtrak lines provide cafe service, with a selection of meals, snacks, and beverages for sale. Customers of all service levels are welcome to visit the Cafe, which is open from early morning to late night.
Sample Menus
Meals on This Train
Eastbound (48): Breakfast, Lunch
Eastbound (448): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Westbound (49): Dinner, Breakfast
Westbound (449): Lunch
Traveling with Pets
Take your small dog or cat with you on the train. Before you go, find out about the types of pets allowed, pet reservations and fares, approved pet carriers, and other information.
See the Complete Pet Program Guidelines
Popular Stops
- New York City
- Boston
- Albany
- Syracuse
- Rochester
- Buffalo
- Cleveland
- Sandusky
- Toledo
- South Bend
- Chicago
Train Stations Served by the Lake Shore Limited
- Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)
- South Bend, IN (SOB)
- Elkhart, IN (EKH)
- Waterloo, IN (WTI)
- Bryan, OH (BYN)
- Toledo, OH (TOL)
- Sandusky, OH (SKY)
- Elyria, OH (ELY)
- Cleveland, OH (CLE)
- Erie, PA (ERI)
- Buffalo, NY – Depew Station (BUF)
- Rochester, NY – Louise M. Slaughter Station (ROC)
- Syracuse, NY – Regional Transportation Center (SYR)
- Utica, NY (UCA)
- Schenectady, NY (SDY)
- Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB)
- Pittsfield, MA (PIT)
- Springfield, MA (SPG)
- Worcester, MA – Union Station (WOR)
- Framingham, MA (FRA)
- Boston, MA – Back Bay Station (BBY)
- Boston, MA – South Station (BOS)
- Rhinecliff, NY (RHI)
- Poughkeepsie, NY (POU)
- Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT)
- New York, NY – Moynihan Train Hall (NYP)
Most popular Amtrak Lake Shore Limited routes
The Rensselaer to Boston route is Amtrak Lake Shore Limited’s most popular. Trips from Springfield to Boston and Boston to Pittsfield are also quite common.
TOP AMTRAK LAKE SHORE LIMITED ROUTES
| Route | Daily Trips | Duration | Price |
| Rensselaer to Boston | 16 | 11h 41m | $27 |
| Springfield to Boston | 2 | 2h 24m | $15 |
| Boston to Pittsfield | 2 | 3h 48m | $20 |
| Chicago to Cleveland | 2 | 7h 8m | $55 |
| Waterloo to Chicago | 2 | 3h 21m | $30 |
| Chicago to New York | 1 | 20h 12m | $101 |
| South Bend to Chicago | 2 | 2h 5m | $18 |
| Syracuse to Boston | 2 | 8h 46m | $45 |
| Chicago to Rochester | 2 | 11h 30m | $70 |
Major Attractions Along the Lake Shore Limited Route
| City | Description | Image |
| Chicago, Illinois | Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Art Institute of Chicago |  |
| South Bend, Indiana (University of Notre Dame) | University of Notre Dame campus, Studebaker National Museum, South Bend Regional Museum of Art |  |
| Toledo, Ohio | Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Zoo, Imagination Station |  |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, Progressive Field |  |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | Erie Zoo, Presque Isle State Park, Erie Maritime Museum |  |
| Buffalo-Depew Station, NY (Gateway to Niagara Falls) | Niagara Falls (accessible via taxi/shuttle/rental car – consider travel time from station) |  |
| Rochester, New York | Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Memorial Art Gallery |  |
| Syracuse, New York | Museum of the City of Syracuse, Everson Museum of Art |  |
| Albany-Rensselaer Station, NY | New York State Museum, Albany Capital Building, Schuyler Mansion |  |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, Quincy Market, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park |  |
| New York City | Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway Shows, Metropolitan Museum of Art |  |
Contact Us
Amtrak Customer Service:
- Phone: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
- Website: https://www.amtrak.com/home
Social Media:
History of the Lake Shore Limited
“Lake Shore” was the nickname given to the Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula Railroad, which began service between Cleveland, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania in 1852 (source). This railroad combined with others to form the New York Central Railroad. Beginning in 1897, New York Central officially utilized the term Lake Shore Limited for their first luxury train line between Chicago and New York City. Amtrak resurrected the route, known as the Lake Shore, in 1971 and 1972 after service was discontinued in 1956. The line reopened in 1975 and has been operating since then under the name Lake Shore Limited.
FAQs
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited trains generally have WiFi, but may not be available on all trains or in rural areas. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan, such as a book or downloaded movie. Wi-Fi is great for basic tasks like browsing, emails and chatting, but don’t expect to stream videos smoothly.
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited trains typically have power outlets in each row of seats. Take care of your seatmate and share outlets when needed. You can charge both computers and USB devices. However, some trains may not have power outlets, so it’s a good idea to bring a portable charger for long journeys.
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited has approximately 250 scheduled trips per day, but exact times depend on the specific day and route. You can find your exact travel schedule by using the search function on this website.
No, Amtrak Lake Shore Limited 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, you will need to show a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, to board an Amtrak Lake Shore Limited train.
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited trains do have restrooms, but they are fairly simple. You can find toiletries, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer, but usually no running water. Be careful and hold onto something when using the toilet while the train is moving.
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited offers food and drinks for purchase. Make sure to have a credit card or cash ready to pay.
You do not need to print your Amtrak Lake Shore Limited ticket. After booking your journey, you will receive an e-ticket via email. Just show this digital ticket on your phone to the conductor when you board the train.
Yes, Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited goes the extra mile for its passengers. One of its premium features is extra legroom seating. This is great news for travelers looking to travel further. While the exact amount of extra legroom can vary, having more space is always a plus.