Governor Hochul, Amtrak and New York State Department of Transportation Announce Tickets Now Available for Direct Train Service to Great New York State Fair

Daily Train Service Offers a Safe, Convenient, Cost-Effective, and Environmentally Friendly Way to Reach Fun-Filled Event

Governor Kathy Hochul, in conjunction with Amtrak and the New York State Department of Transportation, today announced that tickets are now on sale for direct train service to and from this summer’s Great New York State Fair – one of the largest summer tourist attractions in the Empire State. The daily train service provides Amtrak customers and Fair visitors with a safe, convenient and environmentally sustainable option to reach one of New York State’s premier summer events and take in all that the Fair has to offer, including top musical performances, agricultural exhibits, fun games and delicious food. Five trains will make daily stops at the Fair throughout its 13-day duration, starting Wednesday, August 23 and continuing through Monday, September 4. Tickets are available now at Amtrak.com, via the Amtrak mobile app, at station ticket counters, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

“The Great New York State Fair is one of the must-see events of summertime in New York State and taking the train to get there only adds to the fun,” Governor Hochul said. “We are so pleased that Amtrak will once again offer direct train service to the Fair, allowing travelers to save on gas, minimize traffic and help protect the environment. I thank our partners at Amtrak for working with us to offer this convenient travel option for Fair goers.”

By taking the train, Fair visitors will skip tolls, traffic, and parking fees, and save on gas by arriving steps from the fairgrounds via select Empire Service and Maple Leaf (Trains 63 and 64) trains, which will make daily stops at the State Fair (in between stops at Rochester and Syracuse stations). The Amtrak stop at The Fair is in the rear of the fairgrounds, adjacent to the Suburban Park concert area. Train service to the Fair includes:

• Maple Leaf Train 63 – Departs Moynihan Train Hall at 7:16 am and arrives at the Fair at 1:09 p.m.
• Maple Leaf Train 64 – Departs Toronto at 8:20 a.m. and arrives at the Fair at 2:26 p.m.
• Empire Service Train 281 – Departs New York at 10:21 a.m. and arrives at the Fair at 4:17 p.m.
• Empire Service Train 283 – Departs New York at 1:20 p.m. and arrives at the Fair at 7:06 p.m.
• Empire Service Train 284 – Departs Niagara Falls at 6:27 a.m. and arrives at the Fair at 9:21 a.m.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Riding the rails was already a great way to see and experience the grandness of New York State, but when you add in a stop at The Great New York State Fair the journey becomes truly remarkable. The State Department of Transportation continues to invest in passenger rail because it is safe, reliable and environmentally sustainable. I encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of this service and have the time of their lives at the summer tradition that is the Great New York State Fair.”

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Every year, the New York State Fair gives us the opportunity to showcase agriculture and all the ways it makes our state stronger. The Fair provides a foundation for agricultural education and an opportunity for farmers and producers to highlight their work and connect with consumers so, it’s important to make this long-standing event and family tradition as accessible as possible. We are grateful for our partnership with Amtrak, which helps more visitors – from across the state and beyond – learn more about New York agriculture.”

State Fair Interim Director Sean Hennessey said, “We are grateful to Amtrak and NYSDOT for continuing to offer New Yorkers and Canadians this convenient option to ride to and from The Great New York State Fair in style, air conditioning, and comfort. We hear from fairgoers every year who have made the ride part of their Fair tradition, and yet, these accommodations are still a ‘hidden gem’ to so many people. We hope that more fairgoers will consider train travel as an option to visit The Fair – especially those who live in New York City, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Toronto, and other cities along the route. We invite everyone to come experience the fun, food, and farming that has made The Fair and Central New York such a great summer destination!”

Amtrak President Roger Harris said, “For over 20 years, we have proudly connected the Empire State to the Great New York State Fair and we are delighted to offer train service once again with our partners at NYSDOT and Governor Hochul. The most convenient, fun and comfortable way for families to travel to the state’s largest annual event is just an Amtrak away.”

Amtrak has been offering train service to the New York State Fair since 2002. The Amtrak station code for the New York State Fair is NYF. Customers can also spend less on their trip with Amtrak’s See NY and Save discount when booking online at least five days in advance of travel or via everyday discounts for kids, seniors, military groups and more. Customers will enjoy free Wi-Fi, Business Class seats, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”), a café car, ample leg room and large spacious seats.

The Great New York State Fair opens Wednesday, August 23 and continues through Labor Day, September 4. Admission, which is expected to go on sale online in just a few weeks, is $6 for adults, and free for those who are 12 years old and younger, and 65 years old and older.

Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is consistently recognized as one of the top five state fairs in the United States.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about the Great New York State Fair online, and follow the fun through photos on Flickr, as well as by engaging with the Fair on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.