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Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Schenectady and East Lansing. The average train journey from Schenectady to East Lansing takes 18 hours and 9 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 14 hours and 32 minutes.
| Distance | 534 mi (860 km) |
| Fastest train | 14h 32m |
| Lowest price | $192.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Schenectady to East Lansing?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Schenectady to East Lansing. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 18h 9m | $234.33 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Schenectady to East Lansing every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $192.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Schenectady and East Lansing is approximately 534 miles, or 860 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 14 hours and 32 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 Schenectady to East Lansing tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Schenectady at 7:00pm 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 3 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 East Lansing to Schenectady.
City Information
Schenectady
Schenectady is a city in the Hudson Valley about 20 minutes outside of the New York state capital, Albany. Schenectady is a convenient and exciting place to stay if you want easy access to some of the best Upstate destinations, from Saratoga Springs and Lake George to the Adirondacks.
Dive into the area's history by wandering through The Stockade Historic District, a residential area with over 40 homes that pre-date the American Revolution. Then, to pay homage to more recent history, like Thomas Edison's establishment of General Electric in Schenectady, the Museum of Science and Innovation includes exhibits about outer space, engineering and design, inventions, and technology. And remember to stop and smell the roses at the Central Park Rose Garden!
Schenectady is well-connected to other Upstate New York destinations via Trailways buses, including Adirondack Trailways. Intercity buses also provide service to New York City in just over 3 hours. Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, Maple Lead, Empire Service, and Ethan Allen Express stop in Schenectady with connections to Buffalo, Chicago, Washington, and more. For those who prefer to fly, Albany International Airport is the closest airport to Schenectady.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Schenectady?
Main departure station: 332 Erie Boulevard
There is one train station in Schenectady.
All train stations in Schenectady:
332 Erie Boulevard
Where is the train station in East Lansing?
Main arrival station: Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E
East Lansing has one train station.
All train stations in East Lansing:
Train Station - 1240 S Harrison Rd E
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