5.0
Pros: Less stressful than other modes of travel. Cons: The restrooms were disgusting. In my opinion they should be cleaned at least halfway through the trip. Tips: Please clean up after yourself!!
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
There are usually 8 daily bus trips available from Boston to Rochester.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$92.14 | Avg. Price$156.44 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips8 | Daily Trips7 |
Duration | Duration12h 40m | Duration13h 14m |
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Boston to Rochester. Traveling by train from Boston to Rochester usually takes 13 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Lake Shore Limited train can make the trip in 10 hours and 26 minutes.
Distance | 337 mi (542 km) |
Fastest train | 10h 26m |
Lowest price | $71.00 |
Trains per day | 2 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak Lake Shore Limited |
Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Boston to Rochester
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Less stressful than other modes of travel. Cons: The restrooms were disgusting. In my opinion they should be cleaned at least halfway through the trip. Tips: Please clean up after yourself!!
The average price for a train ticket from Boston to Rochester is $149.70, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 29 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $32.89 more.
For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Boston to Rochester will range from $117 to $237. If you're planning to travel by train to Rochester in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Boston you can find in the next 7 days is $117. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Boston to Rochester. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around $32.89. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
2 train services operate from Boston to Rochester. Amtrak Lake Shore Limited usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 2 | 16h 1m | $215.42 |
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited | 2 | 10h 30m | $125.37 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Boston to Rochester every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $87.
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 Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St in Boston and arrives at Louise M. Slaughter Station in Rochester. The route takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes and ticket prices start at $60.
The distance between Boston and Rochester is approximately 337 miles, or 542 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 13 hours and 12 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 26 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.
Trains departing from Boston to Rochester tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Boston at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Rochester. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Rochester to Boston.
Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbor, if you will):
Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.
From Boston, travelers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.
Image credit: Ryan Hyde
Link to image attributionPerched 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.
There are two stations in Boston where you can board the train to Rochester.
Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
South Station
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionOpened 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.
Louise M. Slaughter Station
$61+
$329+
$145+
$143+
$154+
$137+
$112+
$298+
$289+
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules 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 bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.