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There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Rensselaer to Utica. Traveling by train from Rensselaer to Utica usually takes 6 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Empire Service train can make the trip in one hour and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 82 mi (132 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 40m |
| Lowest price | $24.00 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Lake Shore Limited |
| Train lines | 3 |
Average score for trains from Rensselaer to Utica
(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
5.0
First time taking the train loved it no more bus for me
5.0
Pros: The express of it all. The train had enough room for the family and the luggage. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Be safe and have your ticket information ready so as not to slow everyone else up.
5.0
Pros: The room and comfort from the seating and staff. Cons: It's all good. Tips: No.
There are 3 train lines with service from Rensselaer to Utica. Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Empire Service | 2 | 1h 40m | $25.20 |
| Amtrak Lake Shore Limited | 3 | 7h 10m | $63.04 |
| Amtrak Maple Leaf | 1 | 1h 40m | $31.20 |
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 321 Main St in Utica. The route takes about 7 hours and 10 minutes and ticket prices start at $28.
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 Utica takes about 1 hours and 40 minutes on this line, and the average ticket price is .
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Rensselaer to Utica on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday 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 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Rensselaer to Utica.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Utica to 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.
Utica is a city in western New York, the county seat of Oneida County, and the tenth-largest city in the state. The town is famous for its greens, pies, and riggies (a.k.a. spicy, creamy chicken rigatoni), but Utica has so much more going for it than a delicious pasta dish.
If you’re in town during the second weekend of July, you can join in (or sit back and watch) the Boilermaker, a 15-kilometer footrace covering miles of hilly terrain both in and out of the city. Another main attraction in the city is the Utica Zoo, which has Red Pandas, Arctic foxes, Brazilian Rainbow Boas, and so much more. Afterward, stroll through the lush grounds of Roscoe Conkling Park, 625-acre of green encompassing the zoo.
The Stanley Theatre is another big attraction for the city, and it’s an absolute must-see. Originally built in 1928, the theatre has the perfect mix of Classic Hollywood charm and all the modern amenities. Come for a historical tour, host an event, or settle in for a live performance of your favorite play or musical.
For more history and gorgeous architecture, visit Union Station– either to admire the views or to catch an Amtrak to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Chicago, New York City, and Boston. Or, better yet, hop aboard the Amtrak Adirondack that winds through the wine country of the Hudson Valley into Montreal, showcasing some of the finest views New York State has to offer. Greyhound also has service to Utica with major routes from Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and Washington.
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 7 stops and stations in Rensselaer where you can board the train.
Albany-Rensselaer Train Station
South Station
Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St
Union Station
Union Station Transportation Center
417 Waverly St
Scelsi Transp Ctr - 1 Columbus Ave
Utica has one train station.
321 Main St
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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.
