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Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between East Lansing and Rhinebeck. The average train journey from East Lansing to Rhinebeck takes 28 hours and 2 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 21 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 543 mi (873 km) |
| Fastest train | 21h 55m |
| Lowest price | $104.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from East Lansing to Rhinebeck?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects East Lansing to Rhinebeck. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 1d 4h 3m | $177.08 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from East Lansing to Rhinebeck every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $104.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between East Lansing and Rhinebeck is approximately 543 miles, or 873 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 28 hours and 2 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 21 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.
Trains departing from East Lansing to Rhinebeck tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. 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 East Lansing at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 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 carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Rhinebeck to East Lansing.
City Information
East Lansing
East Lansing, a city shockingly located just east of Lansing, is primarily known as the home of Michigan State University. In fact, around half of its population is composed of students, and some of the city's most visited attractions are situated on the college campus. Among them are the historic W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the 104-foot-tall Beaumont Tower, the contemporary Broad Art Museum, and the renowned Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Aside from its vibrant college life, East Lansing is also known for its yearly events, such as The East Lansing Film Festival, the largest of its kind in the entire state.
Lake Lansing is a go-to for swimming, fishing, or just getting some fresh air, but you'll also find parks and golf courses all around the city. The tree-lined Grand River Avenue divides the MSU campus from the rest of the city; find some of the city's best shopping and dining in the Grand River area, including HopCat, Beggar's Banquet, and Barrio East Lansing.
Public transit buses connect East Lansing to the closest airport, the Capital Region International Airport. However, it's also easy to take an intercity bus to nearby travel hubs, Detroit and Chicago, by booking a ticket with Greyhound, Indian Trails, or Jefferson Lines. East Lansing is a stop on Amtrak's Blue Water line, which makes train travel in and out of the city a breeze.
Rhinebeck
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: tiarescott
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Craig Moe
Link to image attributionWith its stunning views of the Catskill Mountains, Rhinebeck is a charming and historical town in the northwestern area of the Hudson Valley. Despite being only 2 hours by car from one of the world's busiest cities, Rhinebeck remains a peaceful, quaint town filled with much to explore.
The best way to discover the town is simply by walking through its beautiful streets. Take a walk along Market Street and Montgomery Street for many independent shops and local food fares, as well as hushed bookstores and charming cafes.
Rhinebeck offers many hiking and bike trails, so adventurous travelers should consider bringing a bike along. With several National Parks around the area featuring some of the most stunning mountain views, Rhinebeck offers the perfect place to explore the outdoors. Rhinebeck is also home to the famous Dutchess County Fair. Although the fair is only held annually (usually in August), the fairgrounds are open year-round, exhibiting many events and shows.
Travel to Rhinebeck is straightforward due to its proximity to New York City. Rhinebeck is near several major airports, including Albany International and New York's airports. You can take an Amtrak train or a Trailways NY bus to get to Rhinebeck itself.
Station Information
Where is the train station in East Lansing?
Main departure station: Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E
There is one train station in East Lansing.
All train stations in East Lansing:
Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E
Where is the train station in Rhinebeck?
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 455 Rhinecliff Rd
Rhinecliff-Kingston station, also known as simply Rhinecliff, is an Amtrak station right on the Hudson between Kingston and Dutchess County, south of Albany. The station itself was built back in 1914. Amtrak took it over in 1971, but it still has a little bit of Mission-Spanish revival charm (as well as modern upgrades like air conditioning). The station services several of Amtrak's trains, including the Ethan Allen Express, the Maple Leaf, and the Empire. These services connect across New York State, Vermont, and into Toronto in Canada. Within the station, you can find a waiting room with plenty of seating, ticket office, and vending machines filled with snacks. Plus you can enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson from your platform while you wait!
All train stations in Rhinebeck:
455 Rhinecliff Rd
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