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Amtrak Empire Service train tickets - Search & book deals

Official Amtrak Empire Service partner

Wanderu is an official partner of Amtrak Empire Service

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About Amtrak Empire Service

The Amtrak Empire Service is a descendant of multiple train routes that originally merged in 1869. In 1967, the New York Central Railroad created the Empire Service, an inter-city rail line that is now owned and operated by Amtrak. The line itself follows the Empire Corridor, a 465-mile rail corridor spanning New York state, from East to West and North to South. Some trains specifically service the route between New York City and Albany, while others continue to Buffalo and all the way north to Niagara Falls. Together, these trains run an average of 491 trips every day across 16 different cities.

The Amtrak Empire Service is the epitome of convenience and luxury with an affordable price tag. Trains on this rail line provide free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, beautiful views, and a cafe service with a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages for sale. Board the Amtrak Empire Service headed north to visit the Finger Lakes region, stop in Hudson for the Hudson River Valley's wine country, or continue on towards Niagara Falls. Then, take the return trip south to New York City for the lights of Broadway, the view of the Empire State Building, or the history of Ellis Island.

Amtrak partnered with Wanderu in 2015, so you can search all Amtrak routes and trains quickly and easily to find the cheapest train ticket to your chosen destination. Don't forget to enter your Amtrak Guest Rewards member number at checkout to earn points!

Contact Amtrak Empire Service

Phone number: US: 1 (800) 872-7245

Online support: Amtrak Empire Service website

Amtrak Empire Service Amenities

Air conditioningAir conditioning
RestroomRestroom
Extra legroomExtra legroom
Loyalty rewardsLoyalty rewards
Power outletPower outlet
SnacksSnacks
WiFiWiFi

Quickview

Amtrak Empire Service train coverage

Daily Trips491
stations16
cities16
countries1

What travelers are saying about Amtrak Empire Service

Here’s what Wanderu users who have booked trips with Amtrak Empire Service had to say about their travel experience.

Traveling During COVID-19

“They took COVID safety precautions seriously.”
based on 280 reviews

Onboard Experience

“The WiFi actually worked for the entire trip”
based on 332 reviews
“I’ll travel with them again just for the staff!”
based on 390 reviews
“Really cheap tickets and really good service.”
based on 432 reviews
“The train got there on time.”
based on 439 reviews
“Seats were really comfy and spacious”
based on 441 reviews
“The train was almost suspiciously clean”
based on 454 reviews

Amtrak Empire Service reviews from Wanderu customers

Overall review score for Amtrak Empire Service

(Based on 499 reviews)

4.6
Ratings (Out of 5)
Comfort

4.4

Timeliness

4.7

Staff

4.4

Value

3.8

Condition

4.6

Amtrak Empire Service passenger reviews

5.0

Meredith

January 29, 2023- Solo travel

New York to Rensselaer

Pros: The Red Cap service (which I used for the first time on this voyage) was exceptional. I have severe arthritis. When travelling alone (as I was this time), i need help and extra time to get on board and settled. I was most grateful for the friendly and exceptio...

Pros: The Red Cap service (which I used for the first time on this voyage) was exceptional. I have severe arthritis. When travelling alone (as I was this time), i need help and extra time to get on board and settled. I was most grateful for the friendly and exceptionally kind Red Cap assistance at both ends of my travel. Cons: I can't answer "Yes" or "No" regarding working WiFi on board. It fades in and out, as you are probably aware. I don't think there's much that can be done about it, given much of the trip, the track runs along the river bluff.

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5.0

Jonathan

January 26, 2023- Business

Hudson to New York

Excellent

Excellent

5.0

Katherine

January 18, 2023- Business

Hudson to New York

Pros: On time nice seat’s beautiful ride. Cons: Train fares. Tips: Book in advance.

Pros: On time nice seat’s beautiful ride. Cons: Train fares. Tips: Book in advance.

4.0

Michele

January 16, 2023- Visiting family

New York to Rensselaer

Pros: Ease of trav. Cons: Did have bathroom backup Not sure anyone notified staff We were almost in Albany when I noticed it, so didn’t say anything.

Pros: Ease of trav. Cons: Did have bathroom backup Not sure anyone notified staff We were almost in Albany when I noticed it, so didn’t say anything.

5.0

Michele

January 15, 2023- Visiting family

Rensselaer to New York

Pros: Ease of travel. Tips: Wifi was in and out Return trip 1 bathroom unusable Not sure if any staff was notified Was end of trip so maybe not.

Pros: Ease of travel. Tips: Wifi was in and out Return trip 1 bathroom unusable Not sure if any staff was notified Was end of trip so maybe not.

Amtrak Empire Service Routes & Network

Amtrak Empire Service’s train network features 223 train routes that connect 16 cities serving 16 stations. On average, Amtrak Empire Service performs about 491 train trips every day. The top cities to which Amtrak Empire Service offers the highest number of daily train service include New York and Buffalo.

Top Cities Served by Amtrak Empire Service

CityRouteEarliest trainLatest train
New York248:52 am11:10 pm
Rensselaer185:16 am4:35 am
Buffalo168:52 am1:07 am
Rochester178:52 am11:51 pm
Syracuse158:52 am11:00 pm
Poughkeepsie155:16 am4:35 am
Hudson165:16 am4:35 am
Rhinebeck125:16 am4:35 am
Niagara Falls143:20 pm2:34 am

Most popular Amtrak Empire Service routes

The train from New York to Buffalo is Amtrak Empire Service’s most popular route. Trips from New York to Syracuse and New York to Hudson are also highly popular.

Top Amtrak Empire Service routes

RouteDaily TripsDurationPrice
New York to Buffalo28h 22m$68
New York to Syracuse25h 34m$53
New York to Hudson82h 1m$31
Poughkeepsie to New York61h 33m$22
New York to Rochester26h 55m$53
New York to Rhinebeck81h 39m$23
New York to Niagara Falls29h 5m$68
New York to Utica24h 27m$53
New York to Rensselaer82h 30m$36

Amtrak Empire Service Cancellation Policy

All Amtrak Empire Service tickets can be cancelled for a full refund within the first 24 hours after purchase. If more than 24 hours have passed, the cancellation policy and change fee structure for Amtrak bookings depend on the type of fare you purchased:

Saver Fare tickets: A 25% fee applies for any changes. If you cancel the trip, you will receive an eVoucher worth 75% of the original ticket price.

Value Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable up to 15 or more days before departure. If cancelled less than 14 days before departure, a 25% cancellation fee applies.

Flexible, Business and Premium Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable if cancelled or changed before departure.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable after the train has departed, so be sure to make your updates as soon as possible if your travel plans change.

If your Amtrak Empire Service ticket is eligible for change or cancellation, you can do that by calling Amtrak’s customer service phone number at 1 (800) 872-7245. To cancel or change your booking online, simply go to www.amtrak.com and click on the “Modify Trip” tab in the upper right corner.

Wanderu also offers an affordable trip protection option by Allianz Global Assistance that you can purchase when booking your tickets. In addition to 24-hour assistance during your trip and coverage for lost or damaged baggage, trip protection can help you get your money back in case you need to cancel or change your trip. You can file a claim to have any Amtrak change or cancellation fees reimbursed if you cannot travel due to covered reasons such as illness, extreme weather, or required work shifts.

Amtrak Empire Service Train Guide & FAQs

Do Amtrak Empire Service trains have WiFi?

Yes, Amtrak Empire Service offers WiFi on their trains. Although most trips with Amtrak Empire Service will have WiFi as advertised, some trains might not come equipped with WiFi and onboard WiFi can lose its connection in rural areas. We recommend you bring a book or download a movie just to play it safe. Amtrak Empire Service WiFi is generally best used for surfing the web, checking emails and chatting with friends; you shouldn’t count on the WiFi to binge watch your favorite show.

Are there power outlets or USB plugs on the train?

Yes, there are power outlets onboard Amtrak Empire Service trains. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. With the onboard power outlets, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a USB power adapter that typically comes with most phones and tablets.

Since Amtrak Empire Service might sometimes use replacement train vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. We recommend to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case.

What is Amtrak Empire Service's schedule?

On a typical day, Amtrak Empire Service has 491 scheduled train trips in total. However, the exact departure and arrival times vary depending on the day and route. The best way to find the exact schedule for your trip is to use the search tool on this page.

Can you pick up will call tickets at the station?

No, Amtrak Empire Service does not offer will call tickets. You should purchase your tickets online and make sure you have everything you need to board before you arrive at the station.

Do you need an ID to get on the train?

Yes, Amtrak Empire Service requires you to present an ID to an agent to be allowed to board the train. Make sure you have identification issued by a government agency that meets the carrier’s requirements. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, won’t work.

What are Amtrak Empire Service’s COVID-19 policies?

Visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide to view the most up-to-date information about Amtrak Empire Service’s cleaning protocols and adjusted ticket change policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are there bathrooms on Amtrak Empire Service trains?

Yes, there are bathrooms on Amtrak Empire Service trains. The bathrooms are pretty basic and include a toilet, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Most bathrooms don’t have running water. As you will be using a bathroom on a moving vehicle, please use caution and hold on to a rail at all times.

Are meals or beverages available?


Amtrak Empire Service provides snacks to satisfy your hunger during your travels. Be sure to pack a credit card and some cash in case you get hungry.

Do you have to print your Amtrak Empire Service ticket?

Amtrak Empire Service does not require a printed ticket to board the train. Instead, an eTicket is sent to you by email when you make your reservation. You can use your smartphone to show this eTicket to the ticketing agent as you board.

Does Amtrak Empire Service offer any premium features like extra legroom or movies?

Amtrak Empire Service goes the extra distance to deliver premium features to its customers.

Do you find yourself squished in a regular seat or just love having extra room to sprawl out? Well you’re in luck as Amtrak Empire Service offers extra legroom seating. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good.

Cheap Amtrak Empire Service tickets recently found on Wanderu

With 491 Amtrak Empire Service trips per day, there are a lot of great deals to uncover for the bargain hunter and Amtrak Empire Service tickets start at just $11.00. Check out some of the latest and greatest deals snatched up by Wanderu users.

How do I get the best deal on Amtrak Empire Service tickets?

Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak Empire Service tickets with the lowest available fares every day. Plus, you can compare Amtrak Empire Service prices with trips offered by other train companies to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tickets!

Pro travelers know that booking your ticket well in advance is key to finding the lowest price. Ticket prices normally go up the closer you get to the travel date, so don’t miss out on a good deal when you see one. If you can be flexible with your travel date, you can also get cheap tickets by traveling on weekdays instead of weekends.

When you’re ready to book, type your departure city and destination city in the search bar above, select your travel date, and let Wanderu work its magic to show you all of the best bus and train ticket prices available for your trip. Pick the ticket that’s best for your budget, schedule, and preferences, and complete the booking right on Wanderu to secure your great deal.

More transportation options

Top Amtrak Empire Service Routes

Top Amtrak Empire Service Destinations

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