We are flying into Albany. Driving to Montreal. Then driving to Saratoga Springs before returning to Albany. Do we need to purchase the toll coverage through the rental car company? It appears tolling ends at Albany, but don't want to take a chance and get a huge charge from a rental car company.

Hi myram

I went from Montreal to Albany last month by bus. I’m about 99.9% sure you’re right that there are no tolls.

Daniel

There may be a small toll on the way. I am not sure. Years ago we lived near Albany and would drive to Montreal and sometimes beyond on long weekends. Then there no tolls but times may have changed.
Do you have an EZ pass now? If so you can temporarily add the license plate number of the rental to your account. It is easy to do.

https://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html

I remember paying a dollar in cash when heading south of Albany.

How long ago? toll booths that accept cash are disappearing.

I drive Route 87 all of the time, 87 north of Albany no tolls 87 south of Albany there are tolls. So if you leave Albany airport (which is North of Albany) to Montreal/Saratoga Springs no toll on Route 87.

Thanks for the responses. I do not have an Easy Pass-not many tolls in my part of the country. I thought it appeared that tolls wouldn't be a problem on our route but wanted to be sure.

I can confirm no tolls Albany to Montreal by car. It’s about 3.5 hr drive, a little longer coming south if you get stuck in traffic at US immigration.

If you need info about Saratoga or Albany I can help - ask away.

Toll booths themselves are disappearing…. Tolls in the region - NYS Thruway (87) south of Albany or (90) to the east and west are all overhead electronic or pay by plate tolls. You have a 7 day window to self pay using the plate number so an EZ Pass isn’t even needed for a rental car anymore.

That is good to know about being able to pay from the plate number of the rental car. I had a transponder in a rental car in Boston, but still got billed by the rental car company for one toll at a ridiculous cost.

We are going to the races in Saratoga Springs. I've looked at several historic sights to visit. We will have 2 full days in Montreal Staying downtown on Crescent Street. Looks like there are lots of places to visit - the Old City and Notre Dame are at the top of my list. Other suggestions are welcome. It appears we can use public transportation near our hotel to get around. Not planning to use the car.

Crescent St is fine, but not really near where you say you want to visit. Personally, I prefer the area closer to the old city/Chinatown. The Holiday Inn Chinatown is super convenient to walking and while not fancy, it's perfectly fine.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check out this hotel. I would like to stay close to the areas we want to visit. I don't want to drive anywhere once I get to Montreal. The only negative is that I don't like Chinese food,

Personally I would want 3 days in Montreal if you've never been there as there is much to see and do beyond the Cathedral and Old Montreal. There is the Museum of Fine Arts as wll as the Archeological History Museum, Mont Royal which is lovely and has an amazing lookout area for the panoramic view, there is the Biodome and Botanical Gardens as well as the Olympic Tower which if I recall correctly is very close to the Biodome. It is lovely to walk along the waterfront and you can see the dome now housing that had been built for the Montreal Word's Fair.

As you are going to Saratoga for the racing season, your trip is in August and so you will have long daylight hours. Both have outstanding dining options. Saratoga also has much to offer beyond the races which are indeed awesome. I once went to breakfast at the track, a breakfast buffet and you see the morning work-outs and then you visit the stable areas and the guide pointed our some famous horses there for the season as well as famous trainers and jockeys. One of my favorite things to do in Saratoga is to walk around or drive around and look at the amazing architecture, large Victorian houses and mansions, many located between the main shopping street and Skidmore College campus.

Track season in Saratoga starts July 10 and runs every Wed-Sun until Labor Day. There are also 5 days of racing June 4-8 for the Belmont Stakes.


www.saratogaracetrack.com

Thanks for the suggestions. We are going to the races at Saratoga on July 11 & 12. We are hoping to get tickets for the morning tour and breakfast. Due to my daughter's schedule we are going on this trip from July 8-13. Unfortunately we aren't able to add a day to our visit to Montreal. We will see as such as possible during our visit.

The days will be long in July so you can make the most of it. In any event, it will whet your appetite for a return visit. Living in NY, I've been to Montreal at least five or six times initially with my family when I was in college, on a business trip, with my husband several times and once with our family and never tire of it. Same with Saratoga as I went there almost annually on a business trip for years, as did my husband. You can think about a trip next time that allows you some town to get off the highway and spend a few days in Lake Placid area. Of course the Adirondacks are beautiful with much to do. Lake Placid also has the Olympic history as a plus. The athletes sometimes train during the summer on foam at the ski jump and seeing the size of it.. it is pretty terrifying to think of skiing down it and launching oneself.

Meant to say.. some time. preferably 2-3 nights, not some town..

I believe this trip is happening now...

Any info you need about Saratoga that I can help you with?