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LSL

Lake Shore Limited

Boston, MA  ●  Hudson, NY · 959 mi · Amtrak

Long-Distance Amtrak Daily

The Lake Shore Limited connects Boston, MA and Hudson, NY over a 959-mile route operated by Amtrak, calling at 23 stations across 6 states.

Quick Facts

Operator
Amtrak
Service type
Long-Distance
Endpoints
Boston ↔ Hudson
Distance
959 mi
Frequency
Daily
Stations
23
States served
6 (MA, NY, PA, OH, IN, IL)
Typical fare range
$95 – $495

Route guide

The Lake Shore Limited is a long-distance service operated by Amtrak. Trains run Daily over 959 miles of mainline track between Boston South Station and Hudson, calling at 23 intermediate and terminal stations across 6 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Mohawk River valley overnight in summer; Lake Erie shore at sunrise eastbound.

History & service notes

Inaugurated by Amtrak in 1975 with the New York Central name, the Lake Shore Limited combines sections from Boston and New York at Albany–Rensselaer. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Lake Shore Limited includes viewliner sleepers, Amfleet II coaches, Viewliner II diner, cafe-lounge. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.

Stops along the route

Stations are listed in geographical order from Boston to Hudson. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

Sample fares & travel times

Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.

FromToDistanceTimeFare
Boston Worcester 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Worcester Springfield 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Springfield Pittsfield 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Pittsfield Rensselaer 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Rensselaer Schenectady 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Schenectady Utica 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Utica Syracuse 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Syracuse Rochester 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Rochester Depew 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Depew Erie 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Erie Cleveland 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Cleveland Sandusky 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Sandusky Toledo 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Toledo Elkhart 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Elkhart South Bend 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
South Bend Hammond 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Hammond Chicago 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212
Chicago New York 44 mi 1h 3m $41 – $212

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Boston, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Hudson. The corridor passes through cities including Boston, Worcester, and Hudson, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.

Trip planning tip. The Lake Shore Limited's lowest fares typically appear when booked 14 days or more in advance, and on midweek departures. Same-day "walk-up" fares are usually closer to the upper end of the range shown. Saver and Value buckets sell out first.

Further Reading on the Lake Shore Limited

  • Riding the Lake Shore Limited: a first-timer's full-route diary
  • Best window seats and viewing tips along the line