- Must visit
New York State Museum
Wide-ranging museum covering New York history, nature and culture, with strong exhibits on the Hudson Valley and the September 11 rescue effort.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Albany, NY is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to Albany, NY will cost around £252 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £211.
To travel from Washington, DC to Albany, NY you need to make at least one change.
66 Northeast Regional · 69 Adirondack
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66 Northeast Regional · 63 Maple Leaf
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156 Northeast Regional · 241 Empire Service
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80 Carolinian · 245 Empire Service
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80 Carolinian · 63 Maple Leaf
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156 Northeast Regional · 241 Empire Service
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164 Northeast Regional · 291 Ethan Allen Express
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80 Carolinian · 245 Empire Service
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66 Northeast Regional · 63 Maple Leaf
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66 Northeast Regional · 69 Adirondack
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Trains from Washington, DC to Albany, NY run on average 19 times per day, taking around 6h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £50 but you can travel from only £34 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 03:20, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 501 km distance in 5h 11m.
Distance 501 km |
Average train duration 6h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price £50 |
Trains per day 19 |
Fastest train 5h 11m |
First train 3:20 |
Last train 22:00 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Washington, DC to Albany, NY.
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Albany, NY trains for tomorrow, Saturday 14 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
164 Northeast Regional · 291 Ethan Allen Express | 7:52 Alexandria Station, Alexandria, VA | 8h57 | 16:49 Albany / Rensselaer Amtrak, Rensselaer, NY | 1 change | |
156 Northeast Regional · 241 Empire Service | 13:34 Alexandria Station, Alexandria, VA | 7h41 | 21:15 Albany / Rensselaer Amtrak, Rensselaer, NY | 1 change | |
80 Carolinian · 245 Empire Service | 16:03 Alexandria Station, Alexandria, VA | 9h53 | 1:56 Albany / Rensselaer Amtrak, Rensselaer, NY | 1 change | |
80 Carolinian · 63 Maple Leaf | 16:03 Alexandria Station, Alexandria, VA | 17h47 | 9:50 Albany / Rensselaer Amtrak, Rensselaer, NY | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Albany, NY — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Albany, NY trip today.
Wide-ranging museum covering New York history, nature and culture, with strong exhibits on the Hudson Valley and the September 11 rescue effort.
Historic house museum with restored rooms and exhibits on the Ten Broeck family, Albany society and the surrounding formal garden.
Small local museum preserving Albany's Dutch roots, decorative arts and manuscripts in a historic setting near the city centre.
Large urban park with lake views, trails and open lawns. A dependable local favourite for walks, picnics and seasonal colours.
Riverfront park with walking paths, event spaces and broad Hudson views. It is a pleasant place for a stroll near downtown attractions.
Historic downtown street lined with 19th-century buildings, shops and cultural venues, useful for exploring Albany on foot between major sights.
A peppery dry-cured beef sausage linked to Albany’s historic Italian-American community, often served sliced with bread, cheese, or antipasti.
A regional hot dog topped with a spicy meat sauce, mustard, and onions. It is a long-standing Capital Region staple at classic luncheonettes.
Thin-crust bar pizza cut into squares and topped with tomato sauce and cheese. A familiar upstate New York pub and tavern favourite.
Refined New American restaurant serving seasonal dishes and cocktails in an elegant yet relaxed warehouse-style space.
Historic German-American beer hall known for sausages, schnitzel, and imported beer in a lively traditional setting.
Long-running local spot famous for mini hot dogs with meat sauce, plus other classic diner-style comfort food.
Moderate for a US state capital. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than New York City, while taxis and some downtown stays can still add up.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, more for excellent service. Taxis usually get 10-15%. In cafés, small change or about $1 per drink is common.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Albany, NY.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Albany, NY by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Albany, NY, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Washington, DC to Albany, NY trains use the Union Station to station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Albany, NY train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Shake Shack, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Chopt Creative Salad Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill, Thunder Grill, Johnny Rockets, Jamba Juice, Ladurée Union Station, & many more
Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak. ATMs are there are 2 ATM machines located on Level G.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00, Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
Luggage storage is amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill, Phoenix Park Hotel, Kimpton George Hotel.
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