Cheap train tickets from New York to Rochester

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from New York to Rochester. Travelling by train from New York to Rochester usually takes 7 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Empire Service train can make the trip in 6 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance
251 mi (404 km)
Fastest train
6h 55m
Lowest price
£42.55
Trains per day
4
Most frequent service
Amtrak Empire Service
Train lines
4

Millions of travellers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest coach & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most coach & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travellers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

New York to Rochester Train Timetable

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

There are usually 44 daily coach trips from New York to Rochester.

Train
Coach
Avg. Price£123.49Avg. Price£63.15Cheaper
Daily Trips4Daily Trips44
Duration7h 40mFasterDuration8h 6m
Wanderu mascot

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on coach & train tickets sent directly to you.

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from New York to Rochester (Based on 25 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

John L

29 August 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

5 February 2023 - Holiday

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

10 September 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

28 June 2022 - Visiting family

Amtrak Empire Service
Pros: It was Fantastic !! Beautiful views along the way

5.0

Karen

15 June 2022 - Holiday

Amtrak Empire Service
Pros: Very quiet and quick Cons: Na Tips: Na

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

In the last month, train tickets from New York to Rochester cost about £68 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 21 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £120.59 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

£195£130£65OctNov

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from New York to Rochester will cost between £49 and £182. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from New York to Rochester by month

£100£80£60£40£20JFMAMJJASOND

Ticket prices for the train from New York to Rochester often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only £59. If you're thinking of travelling from New York to Rochester during October, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £89 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in October, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£200£160£120£80£4001020

By booking your train trip from New York to Rochester on Wanderu at least 21 days ahead of time, you can save about £120.59 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 4 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
Amtrak121h 35m£185.38
Amtrak Empire Service27h 2m£82.34
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited17h 43m£211.56
Amtrak Maple Leaf16h 59m£72.66
  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there is 1 Amtrak train from New York to Rochester every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from £107.49.

    Amtrak train passing through mountains, offering affordable train tickets for scenic rail travel - WanderuModern Amtrak train at a station, providing cheap train travel and convenient Amtrak tickets - WanderuAmtrak train speeding through scenic fall foliage, featuring cheap train tickets for long-distance trips - WanderuInterior view of a table in the dining car of an Amtrak train - WanderuInterior view of the dining car on an Amtrak train. Find affordable train tickets on - WanderuClean and spacious Amtrak bathroom, offering convenience and comfort for passengers during long train journeys with cheap Amtrak tickets - WanderuAmtrak power outlet for charging devices, providing convenience for passengers during affordable travel with cheap train tickets - WanderuComfortable Amtrak seats with ample legroom, ideal for relaxing during long journeys with cheap Amtrak tickets - WanderuSpacious Amtrak seats with reclining options, offering comfort and convenience for passengers on affordable train travel - WanderuAmtrak viewing car seats with large windows, offering panoramic views and comfort for passengers enjoying scenic routes with affordable train tickets - Wanderu
  • 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 travellers 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 £51.50.

  • 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 59 minutes on this line, and the average ticket price is £72.66.

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

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. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from New York to Rochester for £26.

Trains per day

4

Direct trains

4

The distance between New York and Rochester is approximately 251 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 40 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

251

Distance (km)

404

The earliest train departs New York at 7:15 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:40. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

7:15am

Last train

3:40pm

Trains from New York to Rochester are the most crowded on Thursday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Monday

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 travellers, 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 Liberty 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 coach 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, NYROC-1ROC-2

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 coach station is the Trailways Terminal downtown. The station serves several coach carriers, including New York Trailways, Greyhound and OurBus, among others. The principal Amtrak train station is Louise M. Slaughter Station, which is located just across the street from the coach 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?

Main departure station: Penn Station

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

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 transport, 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?

Main arrival station: Louise M. Slaughter Station

Louise M. Slaughter Station - ROCAMT-0

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 honour 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 toilet facilities.

Train stations in Rochester:

  • Louise M. Slaughter Station

Need a return trip from Rochester to New York?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train timetables and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.