Metro-North Launches NYC-Albany Trains with Lower Fares in 2026

By Mirai Abe | November 17, 2025

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Between two-and-a-half-hour drives, back-aching bus rides and limited Amtrak service, getting from Albany to New York City can be a hassle. But in spring 2026, another travel option will be available. 

Metro-North service of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will begin one daily round-trip train between Albany-Rensselaer Station and Grand Central in Spring 2026, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Oct. 20. This will cover the three daily Amtrak Empire Service round-trips that were canceled due to the repair of the East River Tunnels, along with the restoration of one of the daily Amtrak round-trips between Penn Station and Albany on Dec. 1.

The suspension of the weekday Amtrak trips in May resulted in less ticket availability and higher prices. Amtrak coordinated with New York State to introduce a “first-of-its-kind”  fare cap of $99 on coach seats on all Empire Service trains. 

This move lowers the maximum ticket price that once went up to $109. Metro-North’s fares are expected to be competitive with the low end of existing Amtrak fares between Albany and New York City, according to the press release. 

The introduction of a new train service is great news for students at the University at Albany, many of whom are from downstate New York. 

Over 5,900 students — about 33.4% of all students — at UAlbany are from New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the university’s Public Information director Amy Geduldig. 

Itzel Sanchez, a criminal justice senior from Brooklyn, said she was surprised to know when she heard about the new Metro-North service. 

“I would say that it is a good idea for students who want to visit the city,” Sanchez said. “I would consider taking this train because it’s another way to get to the city. I’ll use it if I go home for a short amount of time or if I just want to spend the day in the city.”

Raven Daniel, a criminal justice junior also from Brooklyn, said she would look more into the Metro-North train scheduled to run in spring upon hearing about it. 

“I would definitely consider taking these new trains as they appear to be another reliable route to and from the city. There aren’t many options,” Daniel said, referencing how it would change her travel experiences and the frequency of going home. 

“Pricing is a significant factor when discussing the topic of going home,” Daniel added. “And hearing that these trains would be [expected to be] cheaper than Amtrak is definitely a plus.” 

Sanchez also shared how the Metro-North service would impact her trips between Albany and New York City.

“It will change my travel experiences between Albany and home because the ride may be quick and cheaper than the Amtrak,” Sanchez said. “With the new trains I will definitely be going home more often.”

This will be the first time since 1967 that MTA’s Metro-North will extend its service to the Capital Region. The current Metro-North’s northbound destination is Poughkeepsie. The northbound train will depart Grand Central at mid-morning, and the train bound to Grand Central will leave Albany-Rensselaer Station and arrive in New York city in the afternoon, leaving enough time for passengers to enjoy the evening in the city. 

Test trains without passengers are planned for later this year.