How Far is Albany From New York City? (Best Ways to Travel)

Are you planning a trip from New York City to Albany? Wondering how far Albany is from New York City? If so, you’re in luck!

In this article, we’ll discuss all the ways to get from New York City to Albany (and vice-versa), plus provide some tips for each method of transportation.

Albany is the state capital of New York and flies under most tourists’ radar. But there are a lot of reasons why the city is worth visiting. Albany has fascinating museums, beautiful parks, and you can even take a cruise down the Hudson River!

Whether you plan to make the journey by car, train, bus, or another form of transportation, the scenic route to upstate New York can easily be completed in just a few hours.

So let’s begin! 

Distance between Albany and New York City

The distance from Albany to New York City is approximately 145-160 miles. Depending on your mode of transportation, the entire journey will take somewhere between 2.5 and 4 hours.

The Big Apple is massive, and it’s not always quick to travel between boroughs, so it’s essential to consider your starting point. The travel time and costs throughout this post are in reference to a traveler starting in Manhattan, specifically Penn Station and Port Authority Bus Terminal. 

If you are starting in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, or the Bronx, you need to add anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to your itinerary.

Here is a quick overview of each transportation method:

• Train from NYC to Albany = 2.5 hours ($35-65)
• Bus from NYC to Albany = 3 hours ($40-50)
• Driving from NYC to Albany = 2.5 hours ($70-90 for a rental car + $20-25 in gas)
• Flight from NYC to Albany = 1.5 hours ($100-150)

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How to Take the Train from New York City to Albany, New York

The best way to get from New York City to Albany is to take the train from Penn Station in central Manhattan. It’s very convenient and allows you to take in the sights of the Hudson River as you make your way from one city to another!

Does Amtrak go from NYC to Albany?

The Amtrak Empire Service is the only service that runs from NYC to Albany. The good thing is that it has trains running every day of the year. 

Every day, there are 10 – 14 trips to Albany, New York. The earliest train usually departs from Penn Station at 7:15 am, and the final train leaves the station at 8:55 pm.

How long is the Amtrak from NYC to Albany?

The trip starts at Penn Station (at the heart of Manhattan) and takes approximately 2.5 hours to get to Albany. There are five stops between each city, including Yonkers, Poughkeepsie, and Hudson. 

How much is a train ticket from NYC to Albany (and vice-versa)?

The cost of a ticket from Penn Station to Albany is between $35-65, depending on the time of day and which day of the week. Tickets are more expensive on the weekends and holidays and for trains departing early in the morning.

How to Take a Bus from New York City to Albany (NY)

Buses are typically the most affordable option to get from New York City to Albany. Some buses cost as little as $25 (one way). This is also the best option for people looking for flexibility because over 25 buses run daily. 

There are three different major bus providers that you can choose from:

• Trailways – 7 buses to Albany per day (between 11 am – 9:30 pm)
• Greyhound –  6 buses to Albany per day (8:30 am – midnight)
• MegaBus – 13 buses to Albany each day (7:00 am – 9:30 pm)

Each provider is highly rated, and all buses depart from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Lower Manhattan. Once you get situated on the bus, it takes about three hours to get to the Albany Bus Station. 

Driving from New York City to Albany

Driving from NYC to Albany is a great way to take in the beauty of upstate New York. 

The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours and is a straight shot once you’re on the highway. It’s easy to find driving directions by using Google Maps.

Rental cars cost about $75-90 per day, depending on how long you rent the vehicle, and you can find the most affordable car rentals or airport transportation here. Gas for the trip will cost around $20-25 but this may vary. 

If you are taking a road trip to upstate New York, there are lots of scenic landmarks, hiking trails, and restaurants along the Hudson River, so consider planning time for a couple of pitstops.

Flying from NYC to Albany

Technically, the quickest way from New York City to Albany is by plane. The flight is only 134 miles since it can travel in a straight line and takes just over an hour.  

Tickets generally cost $100-150 each way. Once you arrive, getting from Albany International Airport to the city center is very easy. 

If you do choose to fly from NYC to Albany, New York, you will find that only two airlines offer flights between cities, Delta Airlines and United Airlines. Delta flies out of LaGuardia Airport (usually has better prices), while United operates flights out of Newark International Airport. 

There are no direct flights out of John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

New York City to Albany (FAQ)

Further questions often arise for people traveling from New York City to Albany. Here are the answers to a few of the most common questions. 

What is the fastest way to get from New York City to Albany?

The fastest way to get from NYC to Albany is by flying. You can catch a flight in just over an hour, and tickets usually cost around $100-150 each way.

However, when you consider transportation to the airport, waiting to board, and possible delays, it ends up being a large chunk of your day, so it’s probably best to take the train or bus to Albany. 

Is Albany, New York, worth visiting?

Albany is an excellent destination where those passionate about history and nature can explore the oldest architecture in America while also experiencing majestic parks and scenic trails. Some of the city’s best things to see and do include the New York State Museum, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Washington Park, and the Schuyler Mansion.

Is Albany a nice city?

Albany is a very nice city to explore. From impressive architecture to diverse cultural attractions, there’s plenty to explore in this upstate New York destination. It’s one of the most affordable places to live and travel in upstate New York, clean, and very safe.

Conclusion: Getting to Albany from New York City

Hopefully, this blog post has helped you feel confident in finding transportation to Albany from New York City. In all honesty, no matter which mode of transportation you choose, the journey is sure to be enjoyable due to the gorgeous scenery of upstate New York and the short travel time!

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Final Thoughts

I hope this blog post peaked your interest on visiting the very beautiful Albany, New York. Which mode of travel was your favorite? Are you ready to visit Albany? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also FYI, depending on the time of year you go Albany can be very cold; Dress warm with the following items: Scarf, hat, and gloves. As always, thank you for reading. Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know. Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here. 

Find me here: I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends: Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Traveling to Austin and looking for cool museums to check out? Read this post and this one. Visiting San Francisco and looking for delicious spots to eat at? Look here and here. 

Have a sweet tooth and looking for tasty treat ideas? Check this out. Are you a wine drinker or you’d like to experience a wine tour? Read this. Want to know whether you should carry-on your bag or check it on the plane? Read more here. Having wanderlust, or traveling out of the country? Check out my detailed travel itineraries to Aruba, Belgium, London, Paris, and Amsterdam.

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Photo Credit

Thank you to Daniel Scicchitano for the photo on the Empire State Plaza, Verina Waldner for the photo on the Hudson River, Roger Lipera for the photos on Washington Park and the Albany skyline in my Pinterest pin, Yakov Leonov for the photo on The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. I discovered all of their work from Unsplash.com. Please check them out!

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