I’ve traveled through New York by train more times than I can count, and honestly? It’s one of the best ways to see this state. Whether you’re heading into the city for work, taking a weekend trip upstate, or planning a cross-country adventure, Amtrak’s got you covered with stations all over New York.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about getting around the Empire State by rail.
How Many Amtrak Stations Does New York Actually Have?
New York has more than 30 Amtrak stations scattered from Manhattan all the way up to the Canadian border. Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan handles the most traffic—we’re talking hundreds of thousands of passengers every week. But there are plenty of smaller stations upstate that serve their communities just as well.
The Big Players: Major Stations You Should Know
Penn Station – The Chaos You Learn to Love
Look, Penn Station isn’t pretty. It’s crowded, confusing, and during rush hour it feels like you’re navigating a human obstacle course. But it’s also the beating heart of train travel in the Northeast.
Everything runs through Penn Station. Trains to Boston, D.C., upstate New York, even Chicago if you’re feeling adventurous. The trick is showing up with enough time to figure out which track your train’s on (they usually don’t post it until about 10 minutes before departure) and not getting swept up by commuters sprinting for their trains.
Getting there: Any subway that stops at 34th Street will get you close. The 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E lines all connect.
Moynihan Train Hall – Penn Station’s Prettier Cousin
Here’s the good news: in 2021, they opened Moynihan Train Hall right across the street from Penn Station. Same trains, same platforms, but this place actually has windows and doesn’t feel like a dungeon.
The ceiling soars, natural light pours in, and there’s room to breathe. If your train leaves from Moynihan, count yourself lucky. It’s what train stations used to be—and should be.
Albany-Rensselaer – The Upstate Hub
Once you get past the Capital Region, Albany-Rensselaer becomes your main connection point. This station links New York City to Montreal, sends trains west toward Chicago, and serves as a stop for pretty much every route heading upstate.
The building itself is modern and comfortable. There’s decent parking (which matters when you’re not in the city), food options, and it’s right off I-90. If you’re connecting between routes, you might spend some time here, so it’s good to know it’s a pleasant wait.
Buffalo’s Two Stations
Buffalo does things a bit differently with two stations:
Exchange Street sits downtown and handles most Empire Service trains—the ones running between NYC and Toronto via Niagara Falls. It’s walkable to restaurants and hotels, which is nice if you’re spending time in the city.
Buffalo-Depew is out in the suburbs and serves the Lake Shore Limited (the NYC to Chicago route). There’s free parking here, and it’s easy to reach by car, which makes it popular with locals.
Where Else Can You Catch a Train?
New York’s train network reaches way beyond the major cities. Here’s the breakdown by region:
Hudson Valley Stations
The ride up the Hudson is gorgeous, especially in fall. You’ll find stations in:
- Yonkers (just north of the Bronx)
- Croton-Harmon (where they switch from electric to diesel engines)
- Poughkeepsie (mid-valley, decent-sized city)
- Rhinecliff-Kingston (actually in Rhinecliff, but serves Kingston)
- Hudson (the artsy town everyone’s moving to)
Capital Region and North
- Albany-Rensselaer (covered above)
- Schenectady (quick trip from Albany)
- Saratoga Springs (packed during racing season)
- Fort Edward-Glens Falls
- Whitehall (getting close to Vermont)
The Adirondack Route
If you’re heading toward Montreal on the Adirondack train, you’ll pass through some tiny stations with big views:
- Ticonderoga
- Port Henry
- Westport
- Port Kent
- Plattsburgh (last stop before the border)
- Rouses Point (literally at the Canadian border)
Central and Western New York
- Amsterdam
- Utica (solid-sized station)
- Rome
- Syracuse (Central New York’s main hub)
- Rochester
- Niagara Falls (you can walk to the falls from here)
What Routes Actually Run Through New York?
| Route | Where It Goes | How Long |
| Northeast Regional | NYC to Boston or D.C. | 3-4 hours to Boston, 4-5 to D.C. |
| Acela | NYC to Boston or D.C. (faster) | Under 3 hours either way |
| Empire Service | NYC to Albany, Buffalo, Niagara Falls | 2.5 hours to Albany, 8+ to Buffalo |
| Maple Leaf | NYC to Toronto | All day (12 hours) |
| Adirondack | NYC to Montreal | 10-11 hours through gorgeous scenery |
| Ethan Allen Express | NYC to Burlington, Vermont | 8 hours |
| Lake Shore Limited | NYC/Boston to Chicago | Overnight journey, 19-22 hours |
Picking the Right Station for Your Trip
Heading into Manhattan? Penn Station or Moynihan. They’re connected, so don’t stress too much about which one.
Going upstate from the city? Most trains stop at multiple Hudson Valley stations. If you live in Westchester or the valley, you can probably board closer to home instead of schlepping into Manhattan.
Making a long-distance connection? Albany-Rensselaer or Buffalo-Depew are your best bets for switching between routes.
Visiting the falls? The Niagara Falls station is stupidly convenient—you can literally walk to the falls from there.
What’s Actually at These Stations?
Big stations like Penn, Albany, and Syracuse have the works: ticket counters, bathrooms, WiFi, food, parking (when you’re not in Manhattan). The Metropolitan Lounge at Penn Station is great if you’re in business or first class—free coffee, snacks, and a place to sit that isn’t on the floor.
Smaller stations? Sometimes it’s just a shelter with a bench. Seriously. Some of these tiny stops are beautifully maintained, others are… functional. You can always buy tickets on your phone or from the conductor if there’s no ticket office.
Getting to the Station
In the city: Subway to Penn Station is your friend. Driving and parking in Manhattan will cost you $40-50 for the day, which is absurd.
Upstate: Most stations have parking lots. Albany charges $15-20 a day, but smaller stations often have free parking. Just get there with enough time to figure out where to leave your car.
Getting dropped off: Every station has a pickup/drop-off area. At Moynihan, the 8th Avenue entrance is particularly easy for cars.
Booking Your Trip (And Not Overpaying)
Buy your tickets online through Amtrak’s website or app. Prices go up as the date gets closer, so booking a few weeks ahead usually saves money. The app is actually pretty solid—you don’t need to print anything, just show your phone to the conductor.
How early should you get there? Thirty minutes is usually fine. But if it’s Penn Station during rush hour, or you’re traveling around Thanksgiving, give yourself closer to an hour. Track assignments post late, and you don’t want to be that person running through the station with luggage.
Real Talk for First-Timers
Penn Station will confuse you. That’s normal. Follow the Amtrak signs, find the departure board, and wait until your track is posted. Don’t panic when everyone suddenly starts moving—that’s just New Yorkers doing their thing.
Most trains don’t have assigned seats. Except Acela and business class, it’s first-come, first-served. Get there early if you’re picky about seats.
Luggage is easy. Just bring it on the train with you. Two carry-ons and two personal items per person, no charge. There are overhead racks and space at the end of each car for bigger bags.
Weekend trains fill up. Especially Friday afternoons heading upstate and Sunday evenings coming back to the city. Book ahead.
Bring snacks. Cafe cars exist, but the food is overpriced and mediocre. Pack your own unless you’re desperate.
When Weather Screws Things Up
Winter in New York can mess with schedules, particularly the Adirondack route to Montreal. Heavy snow means delays—just how it goes.
Fall is stunning along the Hudson and through the Adirondacks, but everyone knows it. Those trains pack out during peak foliage season in October. Book early or prepare to stand.
Summer weekends to Saratoga (racing season), Niagara Falls, and Montreal sell out fast. Same deal with holidays—Thanksgiving and Christmas travel requires planning ahead.
FAQ
Penn Station, hands down. It’s massive and handles everything from commuter trains to long-distance routes.
About 2.5 hours on a direct train. Some trains make more stops and take closer to 3 hours.
Pretty much, yes. Penn Station or Moynihan Train Hall, which is basically part of Penn Station. Grand Central has Metro-North commuter trains, not Amtrak.
Yep. Takes about 8-9 hours from NYC on the Empire Service or Maple Leaf. The station’s walking distance to the falls.
Usually, yeah. It works better on some routes than others. Northeast Corridor trains have decent WiFi. The Lake Shore Limited through rural areas? Don’t count on it.
If you’re 18 or older, yes. Driver’s license, passport, whatever government-issued photo ID you’ve got.
Same platforms, different entrances. Moynihan is newer and nicer. Use it if your train boards there.
Why Train Travel in New York Just Works
Here’s the thing about taking the train through New York: you actually see the state. Highways show you the back of strip malls and industrial parks. Trains run along the Hudson River, through small towns, past farms and forests.
It’s also just easier. No traffic, no parking nightmares, no white-knuckling it through Bronx rush hour. You can work, read, sleep, or just watch the scenery go by.
The stations themselves range from architectural gems to glorified bus stops, but they all serve the same purpose—connecting people to places. And after 200 years of train travel in New York, they’ve gotten pretty good at it.
So next time you need to get somewhere in New York, skip the rental car. Grab a train ticket, show up at the station, and let someone else do the driving. You might actually enjoy the trip.