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Cheap train tickets from New York to Rochester

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New York to Rochester Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from New York to Rochester?

There are usually 24 daily bus trips from New York to Rochester.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$81.12
Avg. Price
$105.04
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
24
Daily Trips
4
Duration
Duration
7h 55m
Duration
7h 10m

Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from New York to Rochester. Traveling by train from New York to Rochester usually takes 7 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Empire Service train can make the trip in 6 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance251 mi (404 km)
Fastest train6h 55m
Lowest price$81.81
Trains per day4
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Empire Service
Train lines3

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from New York to Rochester

(Based on 23 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

John L

August 29, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: The train ride offered some stress-free time to read, doze, and sightsee for 370 miles. When driving the same road, i cannot relax and enjoy the scenery. Cons: More headroom..it felt claustrophobic in tunnelz, etc.the aisles are narrow!

4.0

Laura

February 5, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Maple Leaf

Pros: Riding a train is awesome! You can sleep and relax instead of driving. Cons: A little more attention to keeping the bathrooms clean.

5.0

Carolisa

September 10, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: Easy way to travel. I'll definitely do it again next time I'm visiting East Coast. Cons: Not too much to improve on, although when the person who announced the next train stops spoke it was so loud that it was hard to understand. Tips: None that I can think of.

5.0

LUCILENE M

June 28, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Empire Service

It was Fantastic !! Beautiful views along the way

5.0

Karen

June 15, 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: Very quiet and quick. Cons: Na. Tips: Na.

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What is the price of a train ticket from New York to Rochester?

Over the past month, a train ticket between New York and Rochester cost $100.67, on average. Booking your trip at least 25 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $89.97 more.

Average train ticket prices from New York to Rochester by travel date

$172$115$57JanFeb

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from New York to Rochester will cost between $92 and $155. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from New York to Rochester by month

$144$115$86$57$29FMAMJJASONDJ
Mark your calendar for January if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from New York to Rochester. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $100. If you're planning a trip from New York to Rochester during July, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $125 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

$215$172$129$86$433020100

By booking your train trip from New York to Rochester on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about $89.97 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from New York to Rochester?

There are 3 train lines with service from New York to Rochester. Amtrak Empire Service is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Empire Service27h 2m$121.26
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited17h 43m$132.37
Amtrak Maple Leaf16h 58m$116.05

  • The Amtrak Empire Service is a rail line spanning the Empire Corridor, a rail route through New York state from New York City to Niagara Falls. Several Amtrak passenger trains service this route, providing travelers with multiple options when commuting between cities in New York State. The trains themselves feature free internet, cafe service with snacks, beverages, and meals, and comfortable seats to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Hudson River Valley and Upstate New York.

  • The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is an overnight train that runs along some of the best shorelines in the U.S., connecting New York City and Boston with Chicago. The service provides top-tier amenities to its passengers, including free WiFi and dining onboard. The Lake Shore Limited departs from NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in New York and arrives at Louise M. Slaughter Station in Rochester. The route takes about 7 hours and 43 minutes and ticket prices start at $93.

  • The Amtrak Maple Leaf is an international rail line that runs from New York City to Toronto. It stops at some popular locations on its way, including Niagara Falls and Albany. Onboard WiFi and a cafe car make travel on the Maple Leaf comfortable and convenient. A trip from New York to Rochester takes about 6 hours and 58 minutes on this line, and the average ticket price is .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from New York to Rochester

The distance between New York and Rochester is approximately 251 miles, or 404 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 11 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 55 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from New York to Rochester on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs New York at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 4 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from New York to Rochester.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Rochester to New York.

City Information

New York

NYC-0NYC-1NYC-2

New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. Or hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.

NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.

With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.

Rochester

Rochester, NY

Image credit: Ryan Hyde

Link to image attribution

Perched on the shore on Lake Ontario, Rochester is an idyllic city with a small-town vibe, making it the perfect destination for those looking for some family-friendly fun. Rochester’s pride is Highland Park, which is one of the oldest arboretums in the U.S. Designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the park features idyllic paths cutting through treelines and fragrant lilac bushes. If you wish to marvel at the beauty of the Genesee River’s Gorge, go on a hiking trip on the Genesee Riverway Trail. For more cultural activities, George Eastman Museum, the world’s oldest photography museum, would be a great choice.

Rochester’s food scene features many quirky dishes, including the famous local garbage plate, which features your choice of meat along with decadent sides. For the best garbage plates, you might want to check out Nick Tahou Hots.

The city’s busiest bus station is the Trailways Terminal downtown. The station serves several bus carriers, including New York Trailways, Greyhound and OurBus, among others. The principal Amtrak train station is Louis M. Slaughter Station, which is located just across the street from the bus station. Rochester is served by Amtrak’s Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited and Maple Leaf lines. The city’s commercial air services are served by the Greater Rochester International Airport, located 3 miles southwest of downtown.

Station Information

Where is the train station in New York?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Main departure station: NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

All train stations in New York:

  • NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

Where is the train station in Rochester?

Louise M. Slaughter Station - ROCAMT-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Louise M. Slaughter Station

Opened in 2017, the Louise M. Slaughter Station Rochester is nearly brand new. It serves three Amtrak train lines: the Lake Shore Limited, the Empire Service, and the Maple Leaf. The station was renamed Louise M. Slaughter Station in honor of U.S. Representative Louise M. Slaughter, who died in March 2018. This intermodal transit station is connected to the rest of the area via transit buses and taxis. Spread across 9,500 square feet, Louise M. Slaughter Station has a classic red brick design, with cast stone and granite used in various places. At the station, you will find an indoor waiting area with plenty of seats. There are also several vending machines, an ATM, and restroom facilities.

Train stations in Rochester:

  • Louise M. Slaughter Station

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