Cheap train tickets from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI. Travelling by train from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI usually takes 18 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 17 hours and 21 minutes.
- Distance
- 594 mi (956 km)
- Fastest train
- 17h 21m
- Lowest price
- £154.55
- Trains per day
- 6
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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:
Rochester, NY to Madison, WI Train Timetable

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI (Based on 1 rating and review)
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI:
See more detailsPrice trends for trains from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI
Average train ticket prices from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI by travel date
Average train ticket prices from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Rochester, NY to Madison, WI. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 18h 38m | £156.33 |
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI
While the train is the main method of transport from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a coach or express shuttle.
There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your hand luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
Trains per day
6
Direct trains
0
The distance between Rochester, NY and Madison, WI is approximately 594 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 17 hours and 21 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)
594
Distance (km)
956
The earliest train departs Rochester, NY at 23:29 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:29. 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
11:29pm
Last train
11:29pm
Trains from Rochester, NY to Madison, WI are the most crowded on Monday. 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
Monday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Rochester



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.
Madison



Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest coach/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Rochester, NY?
Main departure 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 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.
All train stations in Rochester, NY:
- Louise M. Slaughter Station
Where is the train station in Madison, WI?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Madison, WI receives travellers from Rochester, NY at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Madison, WI:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Plan your next adventure
More trains from Rochester, NY
Continue by train from Madison, WI
Check out these popular routes

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.




