The following guide provides information about passenger rail services in New York State, as well as services available at most Amtrak stations within
the state.For any comments/input or personal travel
experiences, please contact ESPA at
ESPA Travel Guide Feedback
Rail Travel Guide to New York State's Empire Corridor
(10 June 2002; Published Version 1.4)
This guide provides an overview of what is available at many rail
stations across New York State. All prices and schedules mentioned are
subject to change without notice and accuracy is not guaranteed. Schedule
references based on Spring - Summer 2002 Amtrak Northeast Timetable, which is subject to change. Also, ESPA makes no endorsements of any hotels or other
establishments contained in this document, which are mentioned solely
due to their proximity to train stations for the convenience of rail travellers.
Empire Service Trains consist of reserved and unreserved coaches, a snack or dinette car, and Business Class reserved premium seating on most trains. Service is provided between New York City (midtown Manhattan) and Albany, and continues west to Utica, Syracuse,
Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls; one daily train continues to
Toronto, Canada.
Subway lines in Penn Station include 1,2,3,9,A,C,E
Subway lines one block away include B,D,F,Q (at 34th and Broadway)
NYC Transit Buses serving Penn Station:
M34 - Crosstown service on 34th Street, west to Jacobs Javis Center.
M4 - to upper east side, via Madison Avenue.
M10 - to upper west side (on 8th Ave) and to World Trade Center (on
7th Ave).
Q32 - to Queens.
For information about all NYC Transit Buses and Subways, call (718)
330-1234
PATH from 33rd Street provides rail service to Hoboken, NJ.
Port Authority Bus Terminal and Times Square are one subway stop
away (A, C, E) or a 10 minute walk from Penn Station.
Carey Airport Express provides a connection to La Guardia and JFK
Airports daily every 30 minutes from 8am-8pm.
Olympia Bus provides a connection to Newark Airport.
Call Amtrak Vacations at 1-888-AMTRAK-1 for combining Amtrak travel
to New York City with sightseeing, hotels, Broadway Shows, and Madison
Square Garden events.
"Radio City Christmas Spectacular" Shows - Call
1-800-437-3417 with rail fares from Albany including show from $89-$132
for adult and $58-101 for Child. Rail packages available from all New
York stations.
New York's Hotel Pennsylvania (212-736-5000) is located directly
across 7th Avenue from Penn Station, opposite Macy's department store, has 1705 room on 17 floors.
For special discount hotel prices available only to Amtrak
passengers, call Southgate Tower Suite Hotel (1-800-ME-SUITE),
one block from Penn Station, with suites for $169 weekdays and $159
weekends (includes breakfast).
Jacobs Javits Convention Center is about a 10-15 minute walk.
Grand Central Terminal is about a 30 minute walk.
World Trade Center is 2 subway stops away (about 10 minutes) on the
2 or 3 or E lines.
Tours of New York City
Gray Line Tours (212) 397-2620 or (800) 669-0051 - bus tours of
New York City.
Manhattan Cruises: World Yacht (212-630-8100) - luxurious dinner
cruise departs daily at 7pm and returns at 10pm from Pier 81, West
41st, at the Hudson River, also weekend lunch cruises.
Spirit Cruises, 99 Wall St. (212) 480-2970.
Seaport Liberty Cruises (212) 425-3737 - day and evening
cruises.
Circle Line Sightseeing , Pier 83 (west end of 42nd St.) - (212)
563-3200. Circle Line Statue of Liberty - South Ferry, Battery Park,
(212) 269-5755.
Staten Island Ferry (212) 806-6940 - free cruise from Battery
Park to Staten Island.
Evenings in Manhattan:
Sporting Events at Madison Square Garden:
New York Knicks Basketball (Nov - April) New York Rangers Hockey
(Oct - April)
Comedy Shows - many top comedy clubs are in Manhattan. The
following provide at least one evening show that allows return after
the show to Albany and the upper Hudson Valley:
Carolines (212) 757-4100 (50th & Broadway) - Daily 8pm
$10-20 plus 2 drink minimum. Dinner available upstairs for $10-20 at
Comedy Nation theme restaurant.
Catch a Rising Star (212) 462-2824 (West 28th bet. 7th and 8th)
- Daily 8:30pm with $8-15 cover depending on evening. Only a 5
minute walk from Penn Station.
New York Comedy Club (212) 696-5233 (East 24th bet. 2nd and 3rd)
- Sunday 8pm with light dinner menu and $5 cover and 2 drink
minimum, other evenings vary.
Dangerfields (212) 593-1650 $15 cover, 8pm on Saturdays, other
days vary.
Broadway Shows Dinner/Dancing
Various NYC attractions and subway line from Penn Station:
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (1,9 to South Ferry).
American Museum of Natural History (C to 81st).
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (1,9 to 66th) -- Opera,
Philharmonic, Ballet.
Sony IMAX Theater (1,2,3,9 to 72nd).
Children's Museum of Manhattan (1,9 to 86st). - South Street
Seaport (2,3 to Fulton).
Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center (B,D,F,or Q to
Rockefeller Center).
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (2,3 to Eastern Parkway).
Brooklyn Museum (2,3 to Eastern Parkway). - NYC Transit Museum
(2,3 to Borough Hall).
Yankee Stadium (2 to Grand Concourse, then 4 to Yankee Stadium
or take the D from 34th and Broadway directly to Yankee Stadium).
Address: Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Pre-paid parking for number of days required. Parking is about $4
per day and is usually available. Pay parking lot attendant.
Joint Amtrak and Metro-North station with frequent connections for Metro-North
trains. About twice as many Metro-North train frequencies south of this
station (to New York City) than north (to Poughkeepsie). For Metro-North information, call
1-800-METRO-INFO or call (212) 532-4900.
The Bee-Line Bus line connections Croton-Harmon station with other
points in Westchester County:
Bus # 10 To White Plains Bus # 11, 14 To Ossining and White
Plains (connection to Metro-North's Harlem line).
Bus # 14 To Peekskill
For more information on Bee-Line Buses, call (914) 682-2020.
Joint Amtrak & Metro-North station. Northern terminus of Hudson Line Metro-North commuter trains with frequent connections
for Beacon, Cold Spring, and Peekskill. For Metro-North information, call
1-800-METRO-INFO or call (212) 532-4900.
Connecting Services include the
following:
Poughkeepsie local transit bus - serves Main Street. Call
914-485-4690 for information.
Arrow Bus to New Paltz - call 203-289-1531 for information.
Parking costs $2.50 per day
(maximum 2 days) and is run by Allright Corporation (1-888-682-PARK).
Parking is pre-paid metered parking. If you drive into the parking lot on a weekday
between 6am-5pm, you can purchase a 7 day pass from the parking
attendant, which allows your car to be legally parked for the following
7 calendar days. Parking on Saturdays, Sundays is available and free.
Address: Intersection of Hutton and Dutchess Streets, Rhinecliff, NY.
Station Description And Amenities:
Rhinecliff station is open and staffed daily from 5:30am (7am
Sat-Sun) to 10:30pm.
Enclosed waiting area with vending machines (food/newspapers)
and restrooms, along with 2 pay phones, one inside and one outside the
station.
There are 3 parking lots:
The parking area next to the main entrance is for handicapped
parking and to drop off/pick up passengers only; Bard
College van stops here, along with taxis.
The upper parking lot has space for 16 cars and does not allow
overnight parking.
The lower parking lot is entered by taking a right at the stop sign
one block south of the station and it allows unlimited overnight parking
and is free.
The spaces closest to the stairs do not allow overnight parking.
Parking is difficult from 7am-4pm weekdays. There is always parking
available before 7am and all day Fridays through Sundays.
There is an elevator from the station level to the track level and a
wheelchair lift is available on the low level platform.
Taxis meet every train and, if required, the station attendant will
call for more. Taxi fare from Rhinecliff to Kingston is about $20, to
Saugerties about $25 and to Woodstock about $30.
Rental Cars:
Two rental car companies provide free pickup at the Rhinecliff
Station:
Enterprise Rent A Car (914) 336-4700 in Kingston provides free
pickup for passengers who wish to rent a car. Pickup must occur
during hours of 7am to 6pm weekdays, 9am-Noon Sat and closed Sunday.
Northern Dutchess Rent-A-Wreck (914) 876-7451 provides free
pickup between 7am and 6:30pm daily.
Restaurants/Food:
Vending machines dispense soft drinks and candy. Chinese restaurant (named "China
Rose"), just south of the station, across street from the
Rhinecliff Hotel.
Hotels:
No hotels provide pickup at Rhinecliff.
Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn in Kingston are both about a $20 cab ride
each way.
The Rhinecliff Hotel, next to south end of station
(capacity 7 rooms @ $38 per night), provides very basic, limited accommodations (no restaurant). Call (914) 876-8688 for information.
Bed and Breakfasts:
The Veranda House - (914) 876-4133.
Rhinecliff Bed &Breakfast - (914) 876-3710
The Beekman Arms - (914) 876-7077
Extras:
The Hudson Valley Maritime Museum will provide pickup/dropoff at the
Rhinecliff station to/from the Rondout Waterfront daily from May-October
at 12:40pm, 1:40pm, 2:40pm, and 3:40pm for any number of people (even
for a single passenger). Pickup/Dropoff is at the pier on the river side
of the station. A morning or late afternoon pickup/dropoff can be
arranged if a group of at least 12 people. Cost for the roundtrip by
boat is $6 per person (which includes museum and lighthouse admission,
if you wish) and takes 15 minutes. Reservations are needed and are
arranged by calling (914) 338-0071.
Bard College provides van service between Bard College and the
Rhinecliff Station on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which is about 20
minutes away. Call Bard College at (914) 758-6822 for information, as
schedules vary depending on the semester schedule.
Sightseeing Tour of Rhinebeck - Spend a relaxing and enjoyable 1.5
hours with a local tour guide exploring Rhinebeck's history, including
historic mansions (Montgomery Place, Mills Mansion), Rhinebeck
Aerodrome, historic theaters and restaurants. Tours are Saturdays and
given by Rhinebeck Travel Center at 914-876-2076. Cost is $10 per person
and special group arrangements for 8-20 people are available. Travel is
by van or mini-bus and may be only selected summer Saturdays, so call
for information. The current Amtrak schedule makes travel to Rhinebeck
for the day easy from New York City and possible from Central New York.
Additionally, the Rhinebeck Travel Center (914-876-2076) may provide
connecting service from certain trains to the following weekend annual
events at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Call them for
details/reservations for travel to the following events:
Rhinebeck Antique Show - usually last weekend in May.
Rhinebeck Regional Craft Show - usually last weekend in June.
Dutchess County Fair - mid August.
Rhinebeck Art Show and Sale - late August.
Rhinebeck Classic Car Show - mid September.
Rhinebeck Craft Show and Fall Festival - early October.
Rhinebeck Antiques Show - mid October.
Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival - mid October.
Dutchess Gem & Mineral Show - late October.
Dutchess Country Folk Act - early November.
Also, a transfer from the train station may be provided in
mid-October to the Mills Mansion (914-889-8851) in Staatsburg, which
hosts the Annual Gathering of Old Cars, co-sponsored with the Red Hook
Car Club.
Other Area Attractions:
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (914-758-8610) is a living museum of
antique aviation, located in Rhinebeck, New York. They present one of
the largest collections of early airplanes in the world, and fly many of
these historically significant aircraft in exciting air shows. The
Aerodrome features airplanes, automobiles, motorcycles, early engines
and memorabilia from 1900-1935. In addition to the air shows, there are
four museum buildings displaying aircraft from the pioneer and pre-World
War I era, World War I, and the Lindbergh and barnstorming era.
These were the golden years of aviation. The weekend air shows are
scheduled from mid-June through mid-October and weather permitting, the
Aerodrome turns back the hands of time and relives the early years of
aviation.
And Finally:
Shuttle Van will likely begin service on Jan 4, 1999 and connect with
3 trains to NYC in the morning and 3 in the late afternoon and early
evening from NYC. This service will operate from the Fleet parking lot
in Kingston (former IBM site - southern entrance).
Station building is oldest continuously used passenger station in New York State. A recent renovation restored building and grounds to original appearance. Amenities: Ticket Sales, Waiting Room, Restrooms, Public Telephones, Newsstand, Snacks & Soft Drinks Sold. Station is within walking distance (500 ft.) to Hudson marina with panoramic views of the river.
Parking is free and usually available.
Amtrak Motorcoach transfers are available to
Hunter Mountain and
Windham Mountain from
December through late March for skiing. Packages include 2 nights with
skiing, 2 nights at the Hunter Inn, and breakfasts, along with rail from
New York City to Hudson and bus transfer. Depart New York City either
Friday morning or afternoon and return late Sunday afternoon from
Hunter. Prices start from $404 per person. Call Amtrak Vacations at
1-888-AMTRAK1 (1-888-268-7251).
Construction of a new station building and track layout is nearly complete to better serve rail travelling public
Station open Mon-Fri 4:30am-10pm and Sat-Sun 6am-10pm.
Taxis are available. Red and White Cab company
(518-465-3233) headquartered in train station.
Local Bus Route # 14 connects the station to its downtown Albany
route and runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri and every hour on Saturday and
Sunday. Call CDTA at 518-482-8822 for more information on local buses,
as a shuttle bus to/from downtown Albany will soon meet every Amtrak
train.
Enterprise Rental Car (1-800-452-9942 or 518-453-6222) provides
free pickup/drop-off at the station, including special Friday-Monday
rates as low as $60 for the entire weekend.
Downtown Albany is 2 miles away containing the State Capitol Plaza, NYS
Museum, Historic Capitol Building, Empire State Plaza, and Pepsi Arena.
Downtown Albany hotels include Ramada Inn, about a 5 minute ride, across Hudson River from train station.
The Hotel Omni provides free van shuttle service from the Amtrak
station --- call (518) 462-6611 or 1-800-THE-OMNI.
Also, the EconoLodge (518-472-1360 or 800-477-3123) at 110 Columbia Turnpike (Rt
20), is located about 2 miles from the train station, with rates of $45-50
per night ($7 taxi fare from station).
Albany Airport is 15 miles away.
One day Group bus tours of all attractions in downtown Albany (with
options including tour of Saratoga Springs) are available at the Albany
train station, from NYC, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse,
and Utica. To arrange a group tour, call either Albany Remembered at
(518) 427-0401 or Plaza Travel at 1-800-666-3404. Plaza Travel will
provide customized all-day guided tours of Albany (and/or Saratoga) with prices
starting at $45 per person, includes a served lunch at an area restaurant.
Station is connecting point for Amtrak passengers from Western & Central New York to Northern New York and Montreal (via the Adirondack) and Southern Vermont (via the Ethan Allen Expresses).
Downtown station location within walking distance (5 blocks) to intercity bus terminal on State Street.
Several restaurants located within walking distance of station.
Address: Intersection of Railroad & West Main Streets
Station is located at western edge of city. Downtown Amsterdam 2 miles east via Main Street. Small station building, with waiting area and restroom, open for most eastbound departures; however, no ticket sales at station.
Unattended parking is free and usually available. Taxis must usually be called as they do not meet all trains.
Address: Union Station, 321 Main Street (near intersection of Railroad Avenue and Broad Street (Route 5S))
Greyhound and Trailways terminals are located in the same facility
(Union Station).
Adirondack Scenic Railway (with ticket office in station concourse) provides seasonal summer/fall service to Remsen & Old Forge. For reservations, and more information, call 315-369-6290.
Taxis usually avaliable as station houses taxi company.
Union Station Barber Shop, Full Service Restaurant & Bar, Newsstand/Gift Shop, ATM in station. Trackside Restaurant (licensed), serving full course meals, located next to Union Station.
Parking is usually available and is free.
Utica Transit Authority (UTA) city bus routes originate from front of Union Station. Call (315-797-1121) for information.
Children's Museum (315-724-6128) is located next to the station.
F.X. Matt Brewing Company is about a mile away at Court and Varick
Streets. For group tours of the brewery, call Ms. Tricia Hogan at
1-800-690-3181 ext 2234 (or 315-732-0022). Tour demonstrates process of
beer manufacturing, with trolley rides to 1888 Victorian-decro tavern
where samples are served and visit to Brewery shop.
Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute 310 Genesee St (Art Museum - 19th
and 20th Century European and American art.) Permanent collection and
changing temporary exhibitions. Hours: Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 1pm-5pm.
Phone (315) 797-0000.
Utica Zoo - Steele Hill Road, Utica, NY (315) 738-0472. Regarding
Group arrangements, call Gale Foreman (Executive Director) of the Utica
Zoo, which is open year round and is 1.5 miles south from Union Station.
The zoo has used Laidlaw Charter buses for some of their own events,
which could be used for a group from the train station.
Italian Cultural Center of Central New York is at 668 Catherine
Street, which is 1.5 miles east from Union Station. Their phone number
is (315) 735-0336 and it is a museum with arts/sculpture exhibits,
library/archives, and Italian-oriented gift shop. Specific group tours
and Italian cultural classes can be arranged by appointment. Schedule:
Sat-Sun 1:00pm-4:30pm and by appointment.
Radisson Hotel is about 1/2 mile from the station at 200 Genesee
Street (rates start at $99 per night, call 315-797-8010). No hotel
pickup is provided.
Hotel Utica.
Best Western is at 175 Genesee St (315-732-4121). No hotel pickup
provided.
For organized group bus tours (for children or adults) of the Utica
area, call High Adventure Tours at 1-800-717-5217 and speak with either
Carol or Kathy. They will arrange a day long tour for groups of 20 and
more, starting and ending at the Utica train station.
Station is located approximately 1-1/2 miles south of downtown Rome
Waiting room open but no station services available.
The City of Rome is co-ordinating a $2 million project that includes: new track platform and canopy (now complete); renovation to the 'subway' passageway between station building and track (now complete), including new elevator and access to east parking lot (now complete); imporvements to the exterior and interior of station building, which includes roof, heating and bench repairs.
Taxis must usually be called. Unattended free parking is available. Restaurant adjacent to station grounds.
Address: William F. Walsh Transportation Center, 131 P&C Parkway (near Park Street & Carousel Mall)
Center is open 24 hours per day. Amtrak ticket agents available every day, except between 11:00 PM & 6:30 AM. Automated Amtrak ticketing machine available 24 hours (major credit cards accepted)
Long term (over 30 minutes) parking costs $5 in 'A' lot near train station entrance (no maximum time restriction). Parking spaces are limited. Purchase "token"
inside the Center before exiting lot. A special pass must be obtained from station personnel if parking more than one week. A short term parking area (less than 30
minutes) is provided ('B' lot). Additional free unattended parking is available in 'C' lot, south-east of the Center, or in 'D' lot, to the west of the station.
Center amenities and services include:
local ("Centro") buses to Syracuse University, Skaneateles, Elbridge, Jordan, Auburn,
Baldwinsville, Phoenix, Fulton & Oswego, in addition to the Syracuse Airport.
Greyhound and Trailways - intercity bus services - to Binghamton, Elmira, Ithaca, Cortland, Watertown, Potsdam, Massena, and many other cities.
Newspaper vending machines
Dunkin' Donuts
Subway Sandwich Shop
M&T Bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
Vending machines and arcade games
Hotel shuttle service courtesy phone display in main concourse
Taxis are available and meet each train.
OnTrack rail shuttle service connects Armory Square (downtown) and Syracuse University (Carrier Dome) with the Carousel Mall (about 1/4 mile from Center). This service operates Daily (except Monday & Tuesday) 1130 AM to 630 PM, with hourly departures. After Spring 2003, service will be extended to Transportation Center
P&C Stadium (minor league baseball) is 1/8 mile from Center -
Syracuse
Skychiefs.
Address: 320 Central Avenue (between St. Paul & Clinton streets)
Station on northern edge of downtown near Inner Loop Road
Taxis are available and meet each train.
Station is staffed 24 hours a day and has free overnight parking.
Frontier Field (minor league baseball) is nearby.
EZ Rider Shuttle provides free evening transportation throughout
downtown Rochester (Mon-Thr 5:30pm-10pm and Fri-Sat 5:30pm to midnight).
Stops include Radisson Hotel, Frontier Field, many different shopping
and entertainment areas, Cabaret Theatre, Riverside Hotel, Riverside
Convention Center, Hyatt Hotel, Eastman Theatre, Little Theatre,
Blackfriars Theatre, Village Gate Square, Strasenburgh Planetarium,
George Eastman House, Dryden Theatre, Geva Theatre. Call 716-426-3520
for more information.
Within one-half to one mile away from the station are the following:
Station is staffed 24 hours a day and has free overnight parking.
Parking is difficult around holiday weekends, otherwise usually
available.
Restrooms and vending machines available.
Taxis usually meet trains.
Enterprise Rental Car (716-681-6400), one-half mile away, provides free pickup.
NFTA Bus # 6 provides on-call pickup at the station with service to downtown Buffalo via Sycamore Avenue, and to Lancaster via
Broadway and Transit. Simply call the number listed in the station upon
your arrival.
Call the NFTA for local Buffalo and Niagara Falls Bus information at
(716) 855-7211.
Radisson Hotel (716-634-2300) and Days Inn (both Genesee Street) -
Complimentary pickup.
Buffalo International Airport is a 5-8 minute taxi cab ride
Taxis will provide service to all suburbs of Buffalo, including
Springville, Hamburg ($50 fare), and Amherst. Price list for taxi service to most towns in Western New York
is located in the station. Taxi fare from Buffalo-Depew to downtown
Niagara Falls is $30-40; travel time 30 minutes.
Plans are afoot to relocate station, in 2001, to Memorial Auditorium Building two blocks away.
Small station building is open/staffed Monday thru Friday only, 730 AM to 430 PM --- at other times, building is locked! Some overnight parking is
available, with a secure parking garage across the street.
The area is usually deserted and night and often taxis are not present to
meet trains.
Amtrak Motorcoach to Fredonia, Dunkirk and Jamestown connects with
Trains 63, 64, 286.
Marine
Midland Arena (Sabres hockey, lacrosse, indoor soccer, arena
football, and concerts) is 2 blocks away.
North Americare Park (Pilot Field) is directly across the street,
and is the home of the Buffalo
Bisons baseball team, the Triple A team of the Cleveland Indians.
NFTA Bus Terminal is 3 blocks away, housing Greyhound and
Trailways, and provides connections to such places as Toronto and
Cleveland.
NFTA Metrorail is 1 block away.
The Buffalo Waterfront is 2 blocks away.
The Buffalo Navel and Serviceman's Park is 2 blocks away and is a
major waterfront attraction and is the largest inland naval park of its
kind in the nation. Major ships docked here are USS Little Rock, USS
Croaker and USS Sullivans and phone number is (716) 847-1773.
Miss Buffalo Tours (boat on Niagara River) - May, June, Sept.: Sat. &
Sun. 1:00pm; July & Aug.: daily 12:30pm, 3pm & 8pm. Open
holidays. Departs from 79 Marine Drive, Buffalo, NY 14240, adjacent to
Buffalo Naval and Serviceman's Park. Niagara Clipper Tours- May, June,
Sept.: Sat. & Sun. 1:00pm; July & Aug.: daily 12:30pm, 3pm &
8pm. Open holidays. Departs from Buffalo Naval Park. (716) 856-6696.
Hyatt Hotel (716-856-1234) is two-thirds of a mile, free trip on
Metrorail.
Buffalo Museum of Science (716-896-5200) is 2.5 miles away.
Various Museums in Buffalo and a walking tour of downtown historical
buildings.
NFTA Buses provide connections from the station to North Tonawanda
on Bus Route 61.
Address: 27 Lockport Road (near Hyde Park Boulevard)
Station is staffed and has restrooms and vending machines.
Taxis are present to meet trains. Taxis are priced the same
regardless of number of passengers, so if several passengers are going
to downtown Niagara Falls, you can save money by sharing a taxi. Taxi
fares are $6-9 to downtown Niagara Falls. Taxi fare of $4-5 from Amtrak station to American side of Whirlpool Bridge --- then a short (300 ft.) walk over bridge to Canada Customs --- with several hotels and Niagara Falls Canada VIA Rail station within walking distance.
If travelling to southern Ontario, consider calling 5-0 Taxi at
905-358-3232, as they provide reliable taxi service.
You can walk a couple blocks to Hyde Park Blvd to catch NFTA Bus
#52. Cross Hyde Park Blvd for service to downtown Niagara Falls;
don't cross road for bus to Niagara University.
Taxi to Niagara Falls, Ontario costs $18 US or $25 Canadian, for up
to 3 passengers.
Taxi to Toronto costs about $125 Canadian ($85 US) for up to 3
passengers each way.
From downtown Niagara Falls, NY, you can walk to the Canadian side
in about 10 minutes, across the Rainbow Bridge.
Niagara Casino is located on the Canadian side, right at the Rainbow
Bridge.
Bed and Breakfasts:
The Olde Niagara House (610 4th St.; 716-285-9408) provides free
pickup/dropoff (with prior notice) to/from station for all trains
except Train 284. They are located 4 blocks from the Falls itself
with room rates of $45-55.
For travel packages on Amtrak with transfers, to either Niagara
Falls, NY or Niagara Falls, Ontario, call Destination Niagara at
1-888-863-2557.
Station serves VIA Rail Windsor-Toronto inter-city trains as well as Government of Ontario (GO) Hamilton-Toronto commuter trains
Connection from Amtrak Train 63 from New York to VIA RAIL Train 79 to London and Windsor/Detroit; connection from VIA RAIL Train 70 from Detroit/Windsor and London with Amtrak Train 64 to New York.
Station serves VIA Rail Canada and Ontario Northland inter-city trains as well as GO Commuter trains and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway, bus and trolley lines, in addition to Amtrak's Toronto-New York Maple Leaf. Shuttle service available to Toronto Pearson Airport. Most inter-city busses serving Toronto stop here as well.
Station concourse contains various restaurants, shops and vendors on two levels. Passageway connects station to the Royal York Hotel.
Amtrak Vacations has travel packages including rail and hotel and
sightseeing options and may be reached at 1-888-AMTRAK-1.
This daily train from New York City to/from Montreal has a baggage
car which also transports bicycles and ski equipment.
For travel packages all along the Adirondack route, Overlook
Management Group provides many great packages, call them at
1-800-888-8478. They provide the following packages plus many others,
which include all transfers:
Various biking and hiking packages during Springs Summer and
Fall from Saratoga Springs and Ft. Edward.
Gore Mountain - one day package from New York to either Glens
Falls or Albany. Also, 1-2 night packages.
West Mountain - one day package from New York to either Glens
Falls or Albany. Also, 1-2 night packages from New York. Has night
skiing.
Lake Placid - 1-2 night packages, connection provided at
Westport.
Whiteface Mountain - 1-2 night packages, connection at Westport.
Montreal - 1-3 night packages, including sightseeing tours and
hotel.
Go-Go Tours (1-800-899-2558) provide the following ski packages:
Gore Mountain - packages from $219 for 2-3 nights with train to
Albany from New York and use of a rent a car with ski racks from
Albany.
Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain - packages from $285 for 2-3
night packages. Some packages include cross country skiing, skating,
visit to the Olympic Jumping Complex and the Winter Olympic Museum
and Olympic Sports Complex, and even with a bobsled or luge ride.
The Laurentians (in Canada, near Montreal) - packages from NYC
start at $395 for 3-5 night packages including all transfers to/from
station and hotel.
Address: End of Station Lane (adjacent to West Avenue)
Full service station with Amtrak ticket sales, baggage service, restrooms, telephones, vending machines.
In addition to the Adirondack, the Ethan Allen provides both morning (941 AM) and evening arrivals (711 PM/ 941 PM Friday) from New York City
For weekend (and longer) packages, call 1-800-888-8478.
Special express trains from New York City during weekends during
August for the Saratoga races, including bus directly to the Saratoga
Raceway. Call Amtrak 1-800-USA-RAIL for details.
Lake George packages - call 1-800-888-8478 for details on packages
including transfers directly to hotels overlooking Lake George. One day
packages (from NYC) and both weekend and weeklong packages are
available.
In addition to the Adirondack, the Ethan Allen provides both morning (1008 AM) and evening arrivals (731 PM/ 1001 PM Friday) from New York City
Adirondack Red Wings (minor league hockey) packages - call
1-800-888-8478.
Bicycle and hiking packages - all 1-800-888-8478.
Glens Falls connector Trolley - allows bus travel on the Route 9
corridor from Glens Falls northward to access the Great Escape Amusement
Park and various retail malls without the need for an automobile.
Address: Intersection Highway 9N and D&H Railway Tracks, Westport, NY
Historic station building open during train departures.
Connecting Amtrak Motorcoach to Lake Placid during the winter on
Fri, Sat, and Sun. Call Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) for reservations.
Travel packages to Lake Placid from $355 includes rail from NYC, bus
transfer from Westport rail station, and lodging at either Ramada or
Hilton inns. The Hilton provides full breakfast and dinner). Call
1-800-888-8478 for reservations.
Address: Flag stop made at intersection of NYS Route 373 (off NYS Route 9N) and D&H Railway tracks
Station shelter (no enclosed waiting area).
Train stops May to October only to connect passengers with Lake Champlain Ferry to Burlington, VT. Call Lake Champlain Transportation Company for schedules at 802-864-9804. Ferry dock is 600 ft. from rail stop. Snack bar, gift shop, public restrooms and telephone available at ferry dock.
Station building is on east edge of downtown area. Amtrak occupies track level floor. Enclosed waiting area with restrooms open before train departures. No ticket sales.
Address: Gare Centrale (Central Station), 895 Rue de la Gauchetiere Ouest
Full service station housing VIA Rail Canada inter-city trains , area STCUM commuter trains (514-288-6287), and Amtrak's Adirondack. Several daily departures for Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City. Station concourse contains many restaurants and shops. Queen Elizabeth Hotel above station.
Overlook Management Group provides many great packages for Montreal,
at 1-800-888-8478.
Go-Go Tours (1-800-899-2558) offers ski packages to the Montreal
area.
Call Amtrak Vacations at 1-888-AMTRAK-1 for other rail packages to
Montreal.
This twice-daily northbound/ daily southbound train between New York City and Rutland provides a Business Class car, as well as a baggage car
which also transports bicycles and ski equipment.
Address: Jeffords Transportation Center, Rutland Plaza, Merchants Row, Downtown Rutland
New station building and platform now open. Ticket sales and checked baggage service available. Parking available.
Rental cars are available (Enterprise at 802-773-0855 and Thrifty
Car Rental 802-773-5901) at the Rutland station. Your rental car and
rental car company representative will meet you at the train station.
Killington:
Amtrak Motorcoach daily in winter to/from Rutland station.
Okemo: Amtrak
Motorcoach connection from Amtrak in winter Friday to Okemo and Sunday
from Okemo.
Local Bus service will meet each train and transport you on its
Rutland area route, which includes Killington. One-way price to
Killington is $2, no reservation is necessary.
Okemo - bus transfer is available at cost of $10 each way, minimum
of 4 people ($40). Call 1-800-78-OKEMO for reservations.
Ski packages are available by calling 1-888-AMTRAK-1.
For packages to Killington, including rail, transfers, hotel, call
1-888-AMTRAK-1. Rates start at $299 per person from New York City.
The following Rutland area hotels provide free pickup at the train
station:
Holiday Inn (1-800-462-4810 or 802-775-1911) - Full-service
hotel with indoor pool, hot tubs, exercise equipment, conference
rooms. Cost is about $80-100 per night
High Ride (condo style)
Whiffle Tree (condo style)
Cortina Inn (motel inn type)
Killington itself
provides some packages, call them at 1-800-621-MTNS.
Go-Go Tours (1-800-899-2558) provides 2-3 night packages from $299,
including lodging at the Holiday Inn and various Condominiums in the
resort villages at Killington.
For tourism information for the Rutland area, call the Rutland
Chamber of Commerce at (802) 773-2747 or the Rutland Visitors Center at
(802) 775-0831.
Rutland Bus Company (called "the Bus") (802-773-3244) run
by Marble Valley Regional Transit.
Travel packages and ideas to Buffalo/Niagara Falls and Rochester and
Syracuse areas:
Niagara Falls on both sides of the border, including Niagara Falls
tourist attractions and/or the Niagara Casino in Ontario.
Buffalo Sabres packages with rail and hotel and sightseeing options,
with all transfers.
Niagara Casino packages with rail and hotel next to the casino and
transfers to/from the Niagara Falls station.
Travel to Syracuse University basketball and football games from
anyway in the state. Very attractive Saturday packages from Buffalo
include game ticket at the Syracuse Carrier Dome, lunch, shopping, and
all transfers from the Syracuse station.
Travel to minor league baseball games in Buffalo, Rochester, and
Syracuse, with transfers from Rochester station and walk next door to
the other stadiums, from the rail stations
Each of the above packages includes all transfers with specific
pricing/reservations through Destination Niagara at 1-888-863-2557.
One-day Suggestions from New York City (NYC):
NYC to Rhinecliff - depart NYC at 7:15am or 9:50am (Mon-Fri)
or 10:50am (Sat-Sun) and take boat across Hudson to the Rondout
Waterfront, which has plenty of summer entertainment and restaurants.
NYC to Albany - depart NYC at 7:15am. See "Albany"
for tour companies
NYC to Saratoga Springs - depart NYC at 7:15am (Call
1-800-888-8478 for more information and reservations.)
NYC to Lake George - depart NYC at 7:15am (Call
1-800-888-8478 for more information and reservations.)
One-day Suggestions from Western New York (WNY):
WNY to Utica - Call High Adventure Tours (800-717-5217) for
Central New York tours, including some of the attractions listed above
in under the Utica section.
WNY to Albany - See "Albany" for tour companies.
Enjoy a guided tour of the state capital buildings and/or the historic
Saratoga region by calling either Albany Remembered at 518-427-0401 or
Plaza Travel at 1-800-666-3404.
WNY to Saratoga Springs - Call 1-800-888-8478 for more
information and reservations. Convenient train to train transfers may be
made at Schenectady.
WNY to Lake George - Call 1-800-888-8478 for more information
and reservations. Convenient train to train transfers may be made at
Schenectady.
WNY to Rhinecliff - See "Rhinecliff" for possible
tour of area.
WNY to New York City - hundreds of tour companies in New York
City to provide your group with any variety of activities/attractions.
Automobile Club of Western New York (Triple A) at 976 Delaware Ave,
Buffalo, NY sponsors weekend rail trips from Buffalo to NYC on Mother's
Day weekend, Father's Day weekend, and an early December weekend for the
Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Call them at (716) 634-7900 for more
information and reservations for packages which include rail and hotel
and various events in New York City.
One-day Suggestions from Albany, Upper Hudson Valley to NYC Tourist
Attractions, Museums, etc. See any New York City tourism guide for more
details.
Combination packages from Albany, Hudson, and Rhinecliff with LIRR
connections at Penn Station, listed are LIRR prices from Penn Station
(call 718-217-LIRR to confirm) and may be purchased the day of travel at
the LIRR ticket window in Penn Station. The options include:
Long Beach: Beautiful Long Beach has the ambiance of a
seaside resort, superb ocean swimming and a mile long boardwalk for
strolling and is a 2 block walk from the Long Beach rail station with
hourly service from Penn Station. It takes about 45 minutes from Penn
Station. Price is $12 and available Weekends May 24 to June 24 and then
Daily June 25 to Sept 1.
Jones Beach: World Famous Jones Beach with miles of sand and
shoreline and ocean surf. Includes one day roundtrip rail fare to
Freeport and shuttle bus to the Central Mall at Jones Beach, leaving
Penn Station every half-hour. It takes about an hour from Penn Station.
Shuttle buses run continuously from 9am-7:30pm. Price is $11 (same for
kids) and available weekends May 24 to Sept 7 and Daily June 23 to Sept
1.
Robert Moses: Located on the western tip of Fire Island,
Robert Moses State Park offers world class sand and surf in a casual,
less-crowded atmosphere. Take the LIRR to Babylon and walk downstairs
for the S-47 bus to the beach. Buses run about every half hour on
weekends and hourly on weekdays. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from
Penn Station. The last bus leaves Robert Moses at 6:30pm. Price is $12
and available Daily June 25 to Sept 1.
Metro-North provides service into Grand Central Terminal (mid-town
Manhattan on east side) and passengers can transfer cross platform to
Metro-North at Croton-Harmon for travel to Grand Central. Additionally,
Metro-North stops at many station between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central
and passengers may transfer from Amtrak to Metro-North at Poughkeepsie, at
Croton-Harmon, and at Yonkers for convenient travel to Beacon, Peekskill,
Cold Springs, etc.
Monthly Pass (Commuting to Work) - provides for commuting to
Manhattan from Albany, Hudson, and Rhinecliff. A monthly pass is
available from each of those stations to NYC which allows unlimited
travel between that station and NYC during a calendar month on any
train, except on Trains 48 and 49 (which go to/from Chicago). The cost
for the unlimited monthly ride ticket (as of November 1998) is $380 from
Rhinecliff, $487 from Hudson, and $599 from Albany. The pass is
non-refundable and available at any Amtrak station about 2 weeks prior
to the start of that month.
Ten Trip Pass - provides for a 10 roundtrips within 45
number of days and provides a 10% discount to the cost of travel. It is
non-refundable and may be purchased at any Amtrak station.
Vermonter-Adirondack Combination - travel north on either
train to Montreal and then south on the other one, thus providing the
ultimate in scenic travel. Great option during the peak fall foliage
season. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Adirondack-Cruise Combination - Travel one way on the
Adirondack and take a fall cruise through the St. Lawrence Seaway to New
York City in the other direction. Call Train Holidays at 1-800-543-2846
for reservations. For 1998, they are offering a trip leaving NYC on the
Adirondack on Oct 7 with a return to New York City on October 15,
including a cruise on the QE2 from Montreal to NYC through the Seaway
with stops in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine.
VIA Railconnections
from Toronto and Montreal further into Canada can be made with VIA Rail
toll free from the United States at 1-888-842-7245.
Amtrak Vacations - offers packages to major cities
nationwide, including Amtrak, hotels, and many options. They can be
reached at 1-888-AMTRAK1. They also offer City Escapades with many
sightseeing options, which offer various sightseeing day trips of many
cities, including New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Niagara Falls NY,
Toronto, and Montreal. Gray Line, the world's largest sightseeing
organization, makes sightseeing easy, as City Escapade tours can be
reserved and depart right from the Amtrak stations.
New York Unlimited - provides unlimited stopovers during a
one way trip within New York State for a certain price. For example,
between New York City and Niagara Falls, the price is $66 with unlimited
stopovers for any length of time at any stations on the way to Niagara
Falls. The fare with unlimited stops from New York on the way to
Montreal is $62. From Schenectady to Montreal is $37. The return trip
may be the same price or a discounted fare without stopovers may be
available. All segments of the trip must be reserved before the trip
begins. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL for details. North America Rail
Pass - starting on January 27, 1998, the pass will allow unlimited
travel with unlimited stops on Amtrak and VIA for 30 days, thus
providing passengers with 27,000 miles of scenic railway in the US and
Canada, with over 900 possible destinations. The introductory off-peak
fare for the pass is $450 (US) from Jan. 27-May 31, 1998. Fares during
peak season (June 1-Oct. 15) will be $645 (US). Fares apply to all
customers ages two and over and no other discounts will apply. The North
America Rail Pass is for coach travel and can be upgraded to first-class
sleeping accommodations (Amtrak/VIA), Custom Class, Club Service
(Amtrak) and VIA 1 (VIA) for an additional charge. All segments of
travel will require a reservation. To minimize the chance of
encountering sold-out trains, it is recommended that all reservations be
made when the pass is purchased. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL for
reservations.
Air-Rail - travel one way by train to see the breathtaking
beauty of American and travel the other way using United Airliners or
United Express. During the train trip, you can make up to three stops
along the way. Call 1-800-437-3441 for more information.
Cruise Rail - travel packages which let you travel by train
before you cruise across the open sea. Cruise Rail vacations are
available through Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line. For
more details call 1-800-321-8684.
College Students - may save 15% off rail fares by purchasing
an Amtrak Student Advantage card for $20 by called 1-800-96-AMTRAK.
Seniors - travelers aged 62 and over receive a 15% discount
off the applicable adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains.
Children - Children aged 2-15 are eligible for 50% off the
applicable adult fare on most Amtrak trains. Children must be
accompanied by an adult, and up to two half fare children are allowed
per adult. Children under the age of 2 always ride free.
Amtrak Group Sales - for groups of 20 or more passengers,
call 1-800-USA-1GRP
Amtrak Charter Services - People and Businesses can charter
their own Amtrak train to serve their needs by calling 1-800-USA-1GRP
Amtrak Shipping - for shipping of packages on Amtrak trains,
call 1-800-368-TRAK
Amtrak may run special trains for the following events:
Saratoga Springs Racing Trains - Amtrak runs special trains
from NYC to Saratoga for each Saturday from the last Saturday in July
through the first Saturday in September. Trains will leave NYC at about
7:45am and arrives back in NYC at about 10:30pm.
New York Mets Baseball - Amtrak may run special trains to New
York Mets baseball games from Albany and Hudson. The trains run directly
to Shea Stadium and train dates and schedule will likely be available in
early June each year. For 1998, "Mets Express" trains will run
to the following games and depart Albany at 9:45am and Hudson at 10:07am
and arrive Shea Stadium at about 12:15pm for the 2pm start. The trains
will depart Shea 20 minutes after the final out, expected to be
something like 5pm-5:30pm. Cost was $60 per adult and $50 per child
(2-15 yrs old). Call 1-888-AMTRAK-1 for reservations in May or June. For
1998, the games are as follows:
June 27: Mets/Yankees game
August 2: Mets/Dodgers game
Sept 5: Mets/Atlanta Braves game
New York Rangers Hockey - Amtrak may run special trains to
New York Rangers hockey games during the January to March timeframe. For
example, they ran on March 2,1998 for the game verses Buffalo Sabres,
leaving Albany at 4:30pm, Hudson at 4:55pm and arrive at NYC at 6:45pm
for the 7:30pm Game. The train then departed at about 10:30pm or 15
minutes after the end of the game, whichever is later, with expected
arrival back into Albany at 12:45am. Depending on seat location, the
price was $60-75 per adult and $50-65 per child. Call 1-888-AMTRAK-1 in
January for details regarding specific games that Amtrak may serve.
Syracuse University Basketball - Big East championships in
early March at Madison Square Garden. Amtrak may run an extra train from
Syracuse to NYC and from NYC back to Syracuse or Amtrak may provide
special travel packages. Call either Syracuse University or Amtrak at
1-800-USA-RAIL for details.
New Years's Eve - May run, departing New York City at about
1:00am on Jan 1, 2000 to handle passengers wishing to stay in New York
City for the midnight welcome of the new millennium.
American Orient Express - an independent company which uses
their own luxury coaches and sleepers and provides excellent service,
similar to the Orient Express in Europe. Offers various weeklong
excursions across North America, which for 1998 incudes a fall excursion
from Montreal to Washington, through parts of New York State. Such a train
may run each autumn. For more information, call them at 1-888-759-3944.
Excursion Service along the Empire Corridor (using Amtrak
equipment): The following are the three most likely excursions to be run,
as these were run in 1997 and may or may not run in future years:
Western New York Railway Historical Society - Sponsors one
day trips (one Saturday and one Sunday in late September or early
October) from Buffalo to Corning and return. May offer one day trips
from Buffalo to Cleveland sometime in the future. Phone #???
Mohawk and Hudson Railway Historical Society - Sponsors one
day trip from Albany to Oneonta, likely in September. Phone #???
Buffalo Bills - sponsors one day trips from Albany,
Schenectady, Utica, Syracuse, and Rochester to Rich Stadium for most (6
of 8 games in 1998) Buffalo Bills home games, which include bus transfer
from Buffalo-Depew station. The price for 1998 is $85 from Albany and
Schenectady, $75 from Utica and Syracuse, and $70 from Rochester,
including rail, bus transfer, and football ticket. For more information
and purchase, call 1-800-4686NFL (between 8:30am and 6pm) or call the
Buffalo Bills at (716) 648-1800 in June for details.
Hopefully, you will you find your travel across New York State to be
very rewarding, educational, and fun. Amtrak provides a comfortable method
of travel, with cafe food service including sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs,
beverages (soda, coffee, milk, beer, mixed drinks), and deserts. Each seat
reclines and provides lots of leg room. Also, on many Amtrak trains you
can reserve an upgrade to custom class, which provides you a guaranteed
seat, non-alcoholic drinks, and a newspaper. Additionally, one train a day
connects New York State to Cleveland and Chicago and has sleeper and coach
accommodations. This train also provides connections to all Western trains
in Chicago.
This document provides information on many attractions located near the inter-city train stations of New York State, in addition to other stations located in southern Ontario, southern Vermont,
and Montreal. Hopefully, this information will be of value in helping the traveller and vacationer make their plans. (For any comments, corrections or suggestions on this document,
please e-mail us at travel guide feedback). Enjoy your trip!
