The Amtrak Rochester to NYC is an intercity rail route in New York State, with up to four daily departures in each direction. Two train lines operate on this corridor: the Empire Service and the Lake Shore Limited. The Empire Service provides multiple daytime departures, completing the journey in approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes to 7 hours and 24 minutes. The Lake Shore Limited offers an early morning departure from Rochester at 3:47 a.m., arriving in New York in 6 hours and 1 minute. Tickets start from around $44 in Coach. Business Class is available on the Empire Service, while the Lake Shore Limited provides Sleeping Car accommodations.
Rochester to New York City on Amtrak
The Empire Service is the dedicated New York State corridor train, running the full Buffalo-New York City route daily with multiple departures throughout the day. The Lake Shore Limited is a long-distance transcontinental train originating in Chicago, which passes through Rochester on its way to New York in the early hours of the morning.
- Train Lines: Empire Service (multiple trains) and Lake Shore Limited (Train 48/49)
- Duration: 6 hours 1 minute (Lake Shore Limited) to 7 hours 24 minutes (Empire Service)
- Distance: Approximately 370 miles (595 km)
- Frequency: Up to 4 daily departures in each direction
- Departure Station: Amtrak Rochester Station (ROC), 320 Central Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605
- Arrival Station: Amtrak New York Moynihan Penn Station (NYP), 351 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001
Amtrak Rochester to New York City Train Schedule
The pricing mentioned below is the base fare, and it can increase with demand. Passengers are advised to check the cost of tickets in advance of booking.
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Rochester) | Arrival (New York) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Sleeping Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 Lake Shore Limited | 3:47 a.m. | 9:48 a.m. | Daily Service | 6 hrs 1 minute | From $44 | From $162 |
| 280 Empire Service | 5:31 a.m. | 12:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 7 hours 14 minutes | From $44 | From $79 |
| 284 Empire Service | 8:25 a.m. | 3:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 7 hours 20 minutes | From $44 | From $79 |
| 282 Empire Service | 10:06 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | Daily Service | 7 hours 24 minutes | From $44 | From $79 |
Intermediate Stops: 49 Lake Shore Limited from Rochester
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY (ROC) | Departs 3:47 a.m. |
| Syracuse, NY (SYR) | 5:22 a.m. |
| Rome, NY (ROM) | 6:07 a.m. |
| Utica, NY (UCA) | 6:22 a.m. |
| Amsterdam, NY (AMS) | 7:28 a.m. |
| Schenectady, NY (SDY) | 7:51 a.m. |
| Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 8:17 a.m. |
| Hudson, NY (HUD) | 8:54 a.m. |
| Rhinecliff, NY (RHI) | 9:15 a.m. |
| Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 9:33 a.m. |
| Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 9:40 a.m. |
| New York Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) | Arrives 9:48 a.m. |
Intermediate stops: Train 280 Empire Service
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Rochester, NY (ROC) | Departs 5:31 a.m. |
| Syracuse, NY (SYR) | 7:02 a.m. |
| Rome, NY (ROM) | 7:42 a.m. |
| Utica, NY (UCA) | 7:58 a.m. |
| Amsterdam, NY (AMS) | 9:01 a.m. |
| Schenectady, NY (SDY) | 9:21 a.m. |
| Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 10:05 a.m. |
| Hudson, NY (HUD) | 10:28 a.m. |
| Rhinecliff, NY (RHI) | 10:15 a.m. |
| Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 11:10 a.m. |
| Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 11:50 a.m. |
| New York Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) | Arrives 12:45 p.m. |
New York to Rochester Westbound
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Rochester) | Arrival (New York) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Sleeping Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 Lake Shore Limited | 3:45 p.m. | 9:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 6 hours | From $44 | From $162 |
| 281 Empire Service | 10:20 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | Daily Service | 7 hours 14 minutes | From $44 | From $79 |
| 283 Empire Service | 5:45 p.m. | 10:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 8 hours | From $44 | From $79 |
| 287 Empire Service | 5:45 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. | Daily Service | 7 hours 15 minutes | From $44 | From $79 |
Intermediate Stops: Train 281 Empire Service (From New York)
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| New York Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) | Departs 10:20 a.m. |
| Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 11:01 a.m. |
| Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 11:43 a.m. |
| Rhinecliff, NY (RHI) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Hudson, NY (HUD) | 12:25 p.m. |
| Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 1:15 p.m. |
| Schenectady, NY (SDY) | 1:39 p.m. |
| Amsterdam, NY (AMS) | 1:57 p.m. |
| Utica, NY (UCA) | 2:56 p.m. |
| Rome, NY (ROM) | 3:13 p.m. |
| Syracuse, NY (SYR) | 4:09 p.m. |
| Rochester, NY (ROC) | Arrives 5:34 p.m. |
Passenger Cabins on the Amtrak Rochester to NYC Route
Two trains operate on this Amtrak Rochester to NYC route with similar cabins that offer similar comfort levels and amenities on board for passengers.
Empire Service: Amtrak Coach Class
All Empire Service trains offer Coach Class accommodations. Seats are configured two‑by‑two in Amfleet single‑level cars, with features such as ample legroom, reclining backrests, tray tables, reading lights, and Amtrak electrical outlets.
Lake Shore Limited: Coach Class
The Lake Shore Limited operates Viewliner single-level cars on its eastern route. Coach seats are wide with reclining backs, reading lights, power outlets, and fold-down tray tables.
Lake Shore Limited: Sleeping Accommodations
The Lake Shore Limited has Viewliner sleeping cars on the Rochester-New York City segment. Passengers booking Sleeping accommodations receive meals served in the Dining Cars for the duration of travel.
Roomette: A compact private cabin for two, with seats that convert into berths, plus a window, lights, USB charging, climate control, and included meals.
Bedroom: This accommodation provides a full‑size lower bed, upper bunk, and private toilet and sink, with shared shower facilities located in the Bedroom Suite car. Meals are included, and passengers may access the Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall in New York.
Accessible Bedroom: Lower-level room with wide doorways, accessible toilet and sink, and space for a mobility device.
To travel from Amtrak Rochester to NYC, passengers get multiple departure options throughout the day. With two lines serving this route simultaneously provide multiple cabins and services onboard including Amtrak internet connection that is complimentary, along with meal facilities.
FAQs
The fastest service is the Lake Shore Limited (Train 49), which takes 6 hours and 1 minute, departing Rochester at 3:47 a.m. and arriving at 9:48 a.m. Empire Service trains take approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes to 7 hours and 24 minutes depending on the specific departure.
Up to four trains run daily in each direction, three Empire Service departures and one Lake Shore Limited in each direction.
Coach fares start from approximately $44 on advance bookings on both services. Business Class on the Empire Service starts from around $79. Lake Shore Limited Sleeping accommodations start from approximately $162 and include all meals.
Both trains depart from Rochester Louise M. Slaughter Station at 320 Central Avenue in downtown Rochester.
Yes. The Lake Shore Limited (Train 49) departs Rochester at 3:47 a.m. and arrives in New York at 9:48 a.m., the only service that reaches New York before noon. The Empire Service Train 280, departing at 5:31 a.m., arrives by 12:45 p.m.
