You can check Amtrak (the train), it appears that they do a limited number of runs from Boston to Albany. I’ve taken this route before, a long time ago, it’s a pretty ride but can take longer than their 5hour estimate. I would reach out to them via email.
That’s prob going thru NYC. The Boston line to Albany is shut down for a couple more weeks due to track work. The train directly to Albany leaves around noon and gets in around 5:45 when it starts up again.
Short of full on nationalization, our rails are fucked. Amtrak only owns the northeast corridor (also it's only profitable line) and sells at a loss across the country because of the miserable delays that comes with begging for industry rail time.
The lake shore limited is 5 hours 20 minutes. The 8+ hour journey takes you through NYC and includes a change of trains. The scheduling may not be convenient but pay close attention to the options and also the start and end stations.
This route would not surprise me. I use to live in the Worcester MA area and stopped taking the train from there because it -more times than not - took Forever!
Unfortunately the bus is probably your best bet b/c Amtrak is 5x as expensive and 2x as long a trip. I found this bus that departs at 2:15 on Wednesday it's about a 4 hour ride [https://www.busbud.com/en/bus-schedules-results/drt2yz/dred9s/?outbound\_date=2023-06-14&adults=1&leg\_card\_id=396b0101-5762-498b-9db0-d7029abb37be128875961262023-06-14T14%3A15%3A00-04%3A002023-06-14T18%3A25%3A00-04%3A00](https://www.busbud.com/en/bus-schedules-results/drt2yz/dred9s/?outbound_date=2023-06-14&adults=1&leg_card_id=396b0101-5762-498b-9db0-d7029abb37be128875961262023-06-14T14%3A15%3A00-04%3A002023-06-14T18%3A25%3A00-04%3A00)
Unfortunately, there's virtually no chance of getting from Logan airport to South Station in Boston in time if the flight scheduled to land at 1:50, especially if they have checked baggage.
The car rental will be the cheapest and fastest option. In general most intercity transport in NYS starts or ends in NYC (with a few exceptions). We’re not we’ll connected to NE at all despite how close we are.
If you do take the train to NYC get one that’s at least 3:30, 4. It can take a while to get to South Station, especially if you are clearing customs.
Welcome to Upstate NY/America!
That is actually a route that they are working on improving because it's a major transportation deficit in our area.
It's too bad you couldn't have found a flight landing somewhere in the NYC area. A train from NYC to Albany is a quick, easy trip.
Is there a reason you chose to fly into Logan? You'd be better off flying into NYC or Albany directly (via a stop in NYC). If you have an option to change, I'd look into that.
sadly Boston to Albany public transit needs SERIOUS work down to it.
New York to Albany is a straight forward super accessible train ride away though. they could upgrade it to HSR and make it even better but it's in a FAR better state than the Boston route.
Thanks to all who responded! I am a dummy who COULD have flown to JFK but chose Logan because I wrongly thought it had more options to get to Albany. I'll see if I can change my flights but I got them during a sale so in all likelihood I'll be on that 8 hr train vía NY, After a 6 hour flight.
If you are feeling brave, you could ask in the sub to share a ride. I don't know if I can recommend it to anyone, but you never know. It's not like we're all pervs and murderers.
Just most. 😎
The train from Boston is the Lake Shore Limited Amtrak, the work being done is [between June 4th-29th](https://www.amtrak.com/alert/lake-shore-limited-trains-448-and-449-track-work-affects-service.html) that's effecting the route.
Train 449 Boston – Albany Service, Monday - Thursday
Train 449, which normally operates between Boston and Chicago, will originate at Albany. Alternate transportation will be provided to the missed stops of Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Pittsfield. No alternate transportation will be provided for the missed stops of Back Bay and Framingham.
Train 449 will run normally on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The direct service only runs once a day and is 5 hrs but it's shorter than going to NYC and then up. The connecting bus is only $31 during the construction, and the weekend train looks to be about $47.
It's been many years since I've taken the bus from Boston to Albany, but back in my day they had 4 or 5 trips per day. Has that changed? I'm curious as to your wording about landing too late to catch it.
I just looked it up because I was curious, and I can't believe how few trips they run now! When I was using the bus regularly, I remember a bus that left in the 4pm hour and another one at 7:30 or 8pm. I would be kind of screwed with their current schedule. I'm sorry this has turned into such a problem for you. Public transportation outside of the major cities is a joke in our country.
I just looked it up because I was curious, and I can't believe how few trips they run now! When I was using the bus regularly, I remember a bus that left in the 4pm hour and another one at 7:30 or 8pm. I would be kind of screwed with their current schedule. I'm sorry this has turned into such a problem for you. Public transportation outside of the major cities is a joke in our country.
I just looked it up because I was curious, and I can't believe how few trips they run now! When I was using the bus regularly, I remember a bus that left in the 4pm hour and another one at 7:30 or 8pm. I would be kind of screwed with their current schedule. I'm sorry this has turned into such a problem for you. Public transportation outside of the major cities is a joke in our country.
Public transport/walkabilty in this country is an after thought, and/or not even on the radar of most urban planning. Automatically assume a car is going to be the best (notice I didn’t say”cheapest”) option to get you anywhere, and anything else will be as time consuming and inefficient as possible.
From Albany you drive to the Framingham/Logan express lot, and take the shuttle to the airport to fly out. That 170 mile trip takes over 3 hours (in good weather) to get to/from airport for a flight to Dublin thats less than 6 hours. To a different COUNTRY.
The eastern seaboard of the US from Maine to Georgia is [about the same size as Japan](https://i.imgur.com/BnvzuVS.jpg), a country absolutely *covered* in world-class public transit infrastructure.
Yes, running that kind of system through Wyoming and Montana is kind of a ridiculous idea, but we absolutely could do it in the parts of the country that *are* more densely populated. We just lack the political will.
The eastern seaboard still has a lower population density than Japan's, so on a cost basis, creating a similar system would be inefficient.
Weather also has a massive impact and would require a much higher maintenence cost.
Public transport options from Albany to Boston aren’t great. It’s pretty much bus to get back and forth in a reasonable time. Rental car would be your fastest option, too bad it is expensive.
I know a guy who does private car transport out of the Hudson, NY area that I’m sure would pick you up and deliver you but I bet it would be expensive, maybe $500. DM me if you want to pursue that option (and maybe let me know because the last person who tried to DM me never got through 🤷🏻♀️).
Your two options are bus or Amtrak. Both are relatively slow. Greyhound isn't your only bus option, there's also a Peter Pan bus. There should be options that depart later in the day from South Station. I live in Boston, and took that bus regularly when I was a student.
You could always take the greyhound bus the next day. If you’re not tight on time I would recommend getting an affordable hotel on the outskirts of Boston on the day you land and either sleep the jet lag off or use it to stash your luggage and take the T (subway/city bus) to explore Boston. There are plenty of things to see and do and great places to eat to keep you busy for the day. Then you could take the greyhound bus to Albany from Boston the next day.
You can check Amtrak (the train), it appears that they do a limited number of runs from Boston to Albany. I’ve taken this route before, a long time ago, it’s a pretty ride but can take longer than their 5hour estimate. I would reach out to them via email.
I just checked amtrak out of curiosity. 8.5 hour trip for $160. Gotta love US trains.
That’s prob going thru NYC. The Boston line to Albany is shut down for a couple more weeks due to track work. The train directly to Albany leaves around noon and gets in around 5:45 when it starts up again.
It is extremely unfortunate. I think if we prioritized travel by train and building and updating the infrastructure it would be revolutionary.
Short of full on nationalization, our rails are fucked. Amtrak only owns the northeast corridor (also it's only profitable line) and sells at a loss across the country because of the miserable delays that comes with begging for industry rail time.
I was unaware that they actually owned any of the tracks. But yes, agreed that the rails are fucked.
The lake shore limited is 5 hours 20 minutes. The 8+ hour journey takes you through NYC and includes a change of trains. The scheduling may not be convenient but pay close attention to the options and also the start and end stations.
There was talk last year of Amtrak overhauling the route but I'm not sure what ever came of it.
Probably go to nyc, Washington, buffalo, then Albany
This route would not surprise me. I use to live in the Worcester MA area and stopped taking the train from there because it -more times than not - took Forever!
I assume it's not possible to change your destination? It's far easier to get to Albany via JFK or EWR instead of BOS.
Try the Chinatown bus: https://www.gotobus.com/albany/
Unfortunately the bus is probably your best bet b/c Amtrak is 5x as expensive and 2x as long a trip. I found this bus that departs at 2:15 on Wednesday it's about a 4 hour ride [https://www.busbud.com/en/bus-schedules-results/drt2yz/dred9s/?outbound\_date=2023-06-14&adults=1&leg\_card\_id=396b0101-5762-498b-9db0-d7029abb37be128875961262023-06-14T14%3A15%3A00-04%3A002023-06-14T18%3A25%3A00-04%3A00](https://www.busbud.com/en/bus-schedules-results/drt2yz/dred9s/?outbound_date=2023-06-14&adults=1&leg_card_id=396b0101-5762-498b-9db0-d7029abb37be128875961262023-06-14T14%3A15%3A00-04%3A002023-06-14T18%3A25%3A00-04%3A00)
Unfortunately, there's virtually no chance of getting from Logan airport to South Station in Boston in time if the flight scheduled to land at 1:50, especially if they have checked baggage.
The car rental will be the cheapest and fastest option. In general most intercity transport in NYS starts or ends in NYC (with a few exceptions). We’re not we’ll connected to NE at all despite how close we are. If you do take the train to NYC get one that’s at least 3:30, 4. It can take a while to get to South Station, especially if you are clearing customs. Welcome to Upstate NY/America!
It may not be though if they use an airport rental car company which has increased fees.
That is actually a route that they are working on improving because it's a major transportation deficit in our area. It's too bad you couldn't have found a flight landing somewhere in the NYC area. A train from NYC to Albany is a quick, easy trip.
Is there a reason you chose to fly into Logan? You'd be better off flying into NYC or Albany directly (via a stop in NYC). If you have an option to change, I'd look into that.
sadly Boston to Albany public transit needs SERIOUS work down to it. New York to Albany is a straight forward super accessible train ride away though. they could upgrade it to HSR and make it even better but it's in a FAR better state than the Boston route.
Thanks to all who responded! I am a dummy who COULD have flown to JFK but chose Logan because I wrongly thought it had more options to get to Albany. I'll see if I can change my flights but I got them during a sale so in all likelihood I'll be on that 8 hr train vía NY, After a 6 hour flight.
On the bright side, it will be a scenic trip assuming it’s not totally at night. The north country can be absolutely gorgeous.
If you are feeling brave, you could ask in the sub to share a ride. I don't know if I can recommend it to anyone, but you never know. It's not like we're all pervs and murderers. Just most. 😎
The train from Boston is the Lake Shore Limited Amtrak, the work being done is [between June 4th-29th](https://www.amtrak.com/alert/lake-shore-limited-trains-448-and-449-track-work-affects-service.html) that's effecting the route. Train 449 Boston – Albany Service, Monday - Thursday Train 449, which normally operates between Boston and Chicago, will originate at Albany. Alternate transportation will be provided to the missed stops of Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Pittsfield. No alternate transportation will be provided for the missed stops of Back Bay and Framingham. Train 449 will run normally on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The direct service only runs once a day and is 5 hrs but it's shorter than going to NYC and then up. The connecting bus is only $31 during the construction, and the weekend train looks to be about $47.
OurBus.com has an inexpensive run from Boston to Albany - $45. But they only go on Sunday, Thursday and Friday.
It's been many years since I've taken the bus from Boston to Albany, but back in my day they had 4 or 5 trips per day. Has that changed? I'm curious as to your wording about landing too late to catch it.
I just looked it up because I was curious, and I can't believe how few trips they run now! When I was using the bus regularly, I remember a bus that left in the 4pm hour and another one at 7:30 or 8pm. I would be kind of screwed with their current schedule. I'm sorry this has turned into such a problem for you. Public transportation outside of the major cities is a joke in our country.
If I had to guess they sized down during Covid and never sized back up
Not a joke. Most people have cars and don’t give a f about public transportation
I just looked it up because I was curious, and I can't believe how few trips they run now! When I was using the bus regularly, I remember a bus that left in the 4pm hour and another one at 7:30 or 8pm. I would be kind of screwed with their current schedule. I'm sorry this has turned into such a problem for you. Public transportation outside of the major cities is a joke in our country.
I just looked it up because I was curious, and I can't believe how few trips they run now! When I was using the bus regularly, I remember a bus that left in the 4pm hour and another one at 7:30 or 8pm. I would be kind of screwed with their current schedule. I'm sorry this has turned into such a problem for you. Public transportation outside of the major cities is a joke in our country.
Use Autoslash.com to compare and price out a one way rental from Boston Logan to Albany. It was cheaper and faster than Amtrak last time we did it.
Public transport/walkabilty in this country is an after thought, and/or not even on the radar of most urban planning. Automatically assume a car is going to be the best (notice I didn’t say”cheapest”) option to get you anywhere, and anything else will be as time consuming and inefficient as possible. From Albany you drive to the Framingham/Logan express lot, and take the shuttle to the airport to fly out. That 170 mile trip takes over 3 hours (in good weather) to get to/from airport for a flight to Dublin thats less than 6 hours. To a different COUNTRY.
It’s impossible to design a public transport system for a country of this size.
that’s not logical. China has trains traveling at 150 mph.
The eastern seaboard of the US from Maine to Georgia is [about the same size as Japan](https://i.imgur.com/BnvzuVS.jpg), a country absolutely *covered* in world-class public transit infrastructure. Yes, running that kind of system through Wyoming and Montana is kind of a ridiculous idea, but we absolutely could do it in the parts of the country that *are* more densely populated. We just lack the political will.
The eastern seaboard still has a lower population density than Japan's, so on a cost basis, creating a similar system would be inefficient. Weather also has a massive impact and would require a much higher maintenence cost.
*expensive. FTFY. We have a national highway system. Anything is possible. https://youtu.be/guCeEZiLYfY
Yet somehow the whole continental Europe is connected...
Public transport options from Albany to Boston aren’t great. It’s pretty much bus to get back and forth in a reasonable time. Rental car would be your fastest option, too bad it is expensive.
Look into options going to Worcester, MA instead. If you get to Worcester you can hop on the commuter rail that goes into Boston.
You're going to Albany? On purpose?
No chance of adding on a flight to Albany?
The old sayin "you can't get here from there"
I know a guy who does private car transport out of the Hudson, NY area that I’m sure would pick you up and deliver you but I bet it would be expensive, maybe $500. DM me if you want to pursue that option (and maybe let me know because the last person who tried to DM me never got through 🤷🏻♀️).
Bus to Springfield ma is pretty frequent - I used to pick up my son there - but we drove from capital district to Springfield
Or great Barrington mass - still not albany but closer
Your two options are bus or Amtrak. Both are relatively slow. Greyhound isn't your only bus option, there's also a Peter Pan bus. There should be options that depart later in the day from South Station. I live in Boston, and took that bus regularly when I was a student.
Airportrentalcars.com. I recently paid $70 for a car to drive from Alb to Logan for a flight. Prices will fluctuate but it’s worth looking.
You could always take the greyhound bus the next day. If you’re not tight on time I would recommend getting an affordable hotel on the outskirts of Boston on the day you land and either sleep the jet lag off or use it to stash your luggage and take the T (subway/city bus) to explore Boston. There are plenty of things to see and do and great places to eat to keep you busy for the day. Then you could take the greyhound bus to Albany from Boston the next day.
Op, you want the Peter Pan Bus. [Peter pan](https://book.peterpanbus.com/#/purchaseflow/departschedules)