ray seva

After staying in Cooperstown for a few days, I will be going down to NYC. Has anyone ever taken AMTRAK from Albany to NYC? Is it a scenic trip...or is it boring? Also, how far is the train station from the Albany airport? Thanks!

GREG

Well, I dont know what bores you, but the trip was interesting to me. I made the trip from Schenectady to NYC last Sept. so I will relate some of my experiences and let you be the judge.

Upstate New York is rural so you travel most of the 2 hour trip thru green countryside.

The train finally parallels the Hudson river, and passed by (I believe) West Point located on the oppositer side of the Hudson from the train.

Approaching NYC from a distance, one can see the skyline. The Twin Towers are prominant.

In NYC the train passes thru Harlem and then descends underground ending the trip in Penn Station which is under Madison Square Garden.

Daniel Williams

I've taken the train from Montreal down through Albany on to NYC a few times. Yes, the Albany-NYC stretch is definitely pretty, going right along the Hudson river (I find the Adirondack stretch between Montreal and Albany most spectacular though). Certainly nicer than the highway between Albany and NY.

The Albany airport as I recall is in the middle of nowhere, a good several miles out of the city in farmland. The train station is actually across the river from Albany in Rensselaer. I would estimate that they're 10 miles apart but others may know better than I.

Steve

the view down the hudson is beautiful. be sure to sit on the hudson side of the train when you get on, or if there are no seats there move over to that side when people get off at hudson, rheincliff, or poughkeepsie.

Owen O'Neill

Yes the tripp is somewhat scenic. Sit on the right side facing forward as you enter the train tio be sure you face the river - the scenery is minimal on the other side of the train. Ten miles is a good estimate for the distance to the airport. YOu could get a cab direct or if $$ is an issue you could grab a cab to one of the big downtown hotels (I think it's the Omni) and get an airport shuttle (I assume they have airport shuttles due to the number of people traveling in and out for state government but suggest you check first).

George

The airport in Albany and the train station in Rensselaer are about twenty minutes apart via highway if there is no traffic. I've never taken a cab from one to the other, but I would expect that it would cost about $20. Ask the cabbie in advance what the fare will be so you're not surprised at the station.

As for the train ride itself, the previous posters are correct. Sit on the right side (along side the Hudson) facing forward if possible. Just so you know, in my experience the train is seldom crowded.

Daniel Williams

Around holidays, the Montreal-NYC train in my experience can be completely full. Friday and Sunday also it's more crowded than during the week.

sandy

Call Amtrak ahead of time to see if your train is "reserved" or not and make a reservation if you have to. The previous posts are correct; the Albany Airport is across the Hudson River in Renssalaer, about 20 minutes away. Traffic usually isn't bad unless you're traveling during rush hour and there's construction.

In addition to confirming the cab fare ahead of time, make sure they don't put someone else in the cab that's going "somewhere in the same direction" as you, unless it's right to the train station and you're OK with it. A certain cab company has a monopoly on airport pick-ups and tries all kinds of tricks because they've been getting away with it for years. I know this because I live in Albany.

The trainride itself is nice. Try and get a seat on the river side.

ray seva

Thanks for all the info, guys/gals! My wife & I are grateful. We've both been hard at work here in SoCal and are very much looking forward to the trip. I'll definitely sit on the Hudson side...and take a cab to the train station as soon as we drop off the rental car at the airport.