How to Book Train Travel from Montreal to Albany

Albany, situated in northern New York near the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, is the capital of New York State and recognized as a center for culture, education and government. Amtrak makes traveling by train from Montreal to Albany a comfortable and memorable experience.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access.

Book Your Train Travel from Montreal to Albany

1. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak's web site in the "Resources" section below. On the web site, you can book your train reservations via Amtrak's Fare Finder. You can also navigate the site if you have a PDA, Blackberry or other handheld device. Bear in mind that the trip from Montreal to Albany takes about 7 or 8 hours.

2. If you ordered your tickets online or by phone, pick them up at a ticket agent (unfortunately, the Montreal station does not have a Quik-Trak kiosk). If you've booked your trip far in advance, you can also request that your tickets be mailed to you. When picking up tickets, make sure you have your reservation number.

Navigate Your Way Around Albany

3. Hop on a local bus directly from the Albany-Rensselaer train station. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) serves Albany and the greater capital district.

4. Take a cab from the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station to downtown Albany, where you'll find nightlife, good food and excellent lodging.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that the Greyhound, Trailways, and Peter Pan/Bonanza bus lines also serve the Albany area and are accessible from the train station.
• Be prepared to be screened when entering the U.S./Canadian border. All non-U.S. citizens must have a passport, and some may be required to carry a visa as well. In addition, non-U.S. citizens must register with the US-VISIT program recently implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Canadian and Mexican citizens with border crossing cards are usually exempt.) First-time visitors to the U.S. will also be required to submit to a digital photograph and finger scan. The entire process takes just a few minutes, but visitors must pay a nominal fee of about $5 (payable in U.S. or Canadian currency).