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Rensselaer to Rochester train

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Rensselaer - Rochester Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Rensselaer and Rochester. The average train journey from Rensselaer to Rochester takes 9 hours and 39 minutes, but some Amtrak Maple Leaf train trips are as short as 4 hours and 3 minutes.

Distance199 mi (320 km)
Fastest train4h 3m
Lowest price$38.00
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Lake Shore Limited
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Rensselaer to Rochester

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Nomvuyo

January 18, 2024- Regular commuter

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: Fast. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Amtrek is Reliable.

4.0

Francesca

December 24, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: It was spacious and clean. Cons: Left a little late from the station. Tips: None.

5.0

Joan

July 16, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: I thought the trip itself was very good but people were each taking up 2 seats, with their belongings in the second seat. One family of 4 had 8 seats! You really should be more strict about spreading out, especially on a busy train! I had to walk up through the entire train to finally find an available seat! Cons: Ckean the bathrooms! Tips: Don't be rude and take more than your alloted seats!

5.0

Heidi

May 7, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Service

Easy trip!

5.0

Sam

February 2, 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Service

Pros: I was able to have my own space to do my work while also efficiently commuting to the city I needed to be in. Cons: Generally, the bathrooms but nothing too serious. Tips: Definitely use Amtrak.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Rensselaer to Rochester was $74.15. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 6 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $17.72 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$120$80$40AprMay

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Rensselaer to Rochester is expected to fluctuate between $68 and $117 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Rochester in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Rensselaer is $68.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during September. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Rensselaer to Rochester, with the average price at just $58. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in March, when the average price goes up to $73. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

By booking your train trip from Rensselaer to Rochester on Wanderu at least 6 days ahead of time, you can save about $17.72 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Rensselaer to Rochester?

There are 3 train lines with service from Rensselaer to Rochester. Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Empire Service24h 12m$48.55
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited210h 4m$89.30
Amtrak Maple Leaf14h 7m$46.96

  • 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 travelers 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 Albany-Rensselaer Train Station in Rensselaer and arrives at Louise M. Slaughter Station in Rochester. The route takes about 10 hours and 4 minutes and ticket prices start at $38.

  • 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 Rensselaer to Rochester takes about 4 hours and 7 minutes on this line, and the average ticket price is .

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Rensselaer and Rochester is approximately 199 miles, or 320 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 3 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Rensselaer to Rochester on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Rensselaer at 10:00am 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 4 scheduled trains on most days. 5 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 Rensselaer.

City Information

Rensselaer

Rensselaer is a small town located just across the Hudson River from the New York State capital, Albany. The Amtrak train station that serves Albany is actually located within Rensselaer, so many commuters and vacationers alike will pass through the city when traveling in the Hudson River Valley.

Rensselaer itself boasts a rich industrial tradition, and it was known as a major railway hub in the 19th century. One of the appealing local attractions in town is the Crailo State Historic Site. The site is a manor house, built in 1707, that today serves as a museum dedicated to the culture of Dutch colonists in New York State. More museums, activities, parks, and sights are waiting just across the river in Albany for the curious traveler.

The city of Rensselaer is an important transportation hub for Amtrak trains throughout the region, which include the Amtrak Empire Service, Amtrak Lake Shore Limited, Amtrak Maple Leaf, and Amtrak Ethan Allen Express. Between these services, Amtrak connects Rensselaer to New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and beyond. The nearest airport to the city is the Albany International Airport.

Rochester

Rochester, NY

Image credit: Ryan Hyde

Link to image attribution

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 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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Rensselaer?

Main departure station: Albany-Rensselaer Train Station

Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 7 stops and stations in Rensselaer where you can board the train.

All train stations in Rensselaer:

  • Albany-Rensselaer Train Station

  • Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

  • South Station

  • Union Station Transportation Center

  • Union Station

  • 417 Waverly St

  • Scelsi Transp Ctr - 1 Columbus Ave

Where is the train station in Rochester?

Louise M. Slaughter Station - ROCAMT-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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 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.

All train stations in Rochester:

  • Louise M. Slaughter Station

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