Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited is a daily overnight train that runs between Chicago and two East Coast cities, New York City and Boston. The train splits in Albany, with one part going to each city. It offers beautiful views of lakes, rivers, and small towns. This route connects the Midwest and Northeast, making it great for long trips or local stops. Onboard, you’ll find comfortable seating, sleeping rooms, dining options, and helpful staff. This guide covers the full route, station stops, amenities, and tips to make your trip smooth and fun.
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited Train Stops and Stations
Here’s a detailed listing of all major stops served by the Lake Shore Limited, including the branching East segments:
| Route | Station Name (Code) | Station Address |
|---|---|---|
| Main Line | Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI) | 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606 |
| Main Line | South Bend, IN (SOB) | 2702 W Washington St, South Bend, IN 46628 |
| Main Line | Elkhart, IN (EKH) | 131 Tyler Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516 |
| Main Line | Waterloo, IN (WTI) | 485 W Van Vleek St, Waterloo, IN 46793 |
| Main Line | Bryan, OH (BYN) | Paige & Lynn St, Bryan, OH 43506 |
| Main Line | Toledo, OH (TOL) | 415 Emerald Ave, Toledo, OH 43604 |
| Main Line | Sandusky, OH (SKY) | 1200 N Depot St, Sandusky, OH 44870 |
| Main Line | Elyria, OH (ELY) | 410 East River Rd, Elyria, OH 44035 |
| Main Line | Cleveland, OH (CLE) | 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, OH 44114 |
| Main Line | Erie, PA (ERI) | 125 W 14th St, Erie, PA 16501 |
| Main Line | Buffalo, NY – Depew Station (BUF) | 55 Dick Rd, Depew, NY 14043 |
| Main Line | Rochester, NY – Louise M. Slaughter Station (ROC) | 320 Central Ave, Rochester, NY 14605 |
| Main Line | Syracuse, NY – Regional Transportation Center (SYR) | 1 Walsh Cir, Syracuse, NY 13208 |
| Main Line | Utica, NY (UCA) | 321 Main St, Utica, NY 13501 |
| Main Line | Schenectady, NY (SDY) | 332 Erie Blvd, Schenectady, NY 12305 |
| Main Line | Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 525 East St, Rensselaer, NY 12144 |
| Boston Branch | Pittsfield, MA (PIT) | 1 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201 |
| Boston Branch | Springfield, MA (SPG) | 55 Frank B Murray St, Springfield, MA 01103 |
| Boston Branch | Worcester, MA – Union Station (WOR) | 2 Washington Sq, Worcester, MA 01604 |
| Boston Branch | Framingham, MA (FRA) | 417 Waverly St, Framingham, MA 01702 |
| Boston Branch | Boston, MA – Back Bay Station (BBY) | 145 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116 |
| Boston Branch | Boston, MA – South Station (BOS) | 2 South Station, Boston, MA 02110 |
| New York Branch | Rhinecliff, NY (RHI) | 455 Rhinecliff Rd, Rhinecliff, NY 12574 |
| New York Branch | Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 41 Main St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 |
| New York Branch | Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 4 Veterans Plaza, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 |
| New York Branch | New York, NY – Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) | 351 W 31st St, New York, NY 10001 |
About the Schedule
- Frequency: Operates daily, with eastbound trains numbered 48/448, and westbound 49/449.
- Journey Time:
- Chicago to New York: covers approximately 959 miles, taking roughly 19–20 hours.
- Chicago to Boston: about 1,018 miles, with a total journey spanning over 22 hours.
- Split Routing: At Albany‑Rensselaer (ALB), one section heads to New York (Train 48/49), the other to Boston (Train 448/449).
- Northbound / Eastbound boardings:
- Eastbound (48): offers Breakfast and Lunch.
- Eastbound (448): serves Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Westbound (49): serves Dinner and Breakfast.
- Westbound (449): serves Lunch.
Explore All Amtrak Routes situated across the United States.
Services and Amenities Available at Lake Shore Limited Train Route
The Lake Shore Limited offers a range of onboard services to make your overnight journey more comfortable:
- Seating & Accommodations: There are Coach Class Seats with standard seating with overhead racks, reclining seats, good for budget-conscious travelers. Viewliner Sleeping Cars are also available with several room types (all require a reservation):
- Roomette (2 beds)
- Bedroom (2 beds, more space)
- Bedroom Suite (up to 4 beds)
- Accessible Bedroom (ADA‑compliant)
- Dining & Food Service: Dining cars include full-service with flexible meal options depending on train segment and direction. Café service with snacks and drinks available for purchase for coach and sleeper passengers.
- Wi‑Fi & Power: Onboard Wi‑Fi is available on board, though performance may vary given the long-distance route. Power Outlets are also available in both coach seats and sleeping accommodations (typical for Amtrak long-distance trains).
- Luggage & Baggage: Carry‑on is allowed with storage in the Overhead racks and space near seats. Checked Baggage is also available at selected stations (generally staffed ones).
- Accessibility: There are accessible cars and stations with ADA‑compliant roomettes and facilities. While luggage and boarding assistance are also available.
- Pet Travel: Small dogs and cats (in carriers) are allowed onboard per Amtrak’s pet policy; confirm reservations and guidelines before travel.
- Route Highlights & Scenery: You’ll pass scenic views of the Great Lakes shoreline, the Erie Canal, Pennsylvania farmland, upstate New York’s cities and valleys, the Finger Lakes, and New England’s Berkshires before reaching Boston.
For any inquiry or doubt about Amtrak Routes and Schedules, you can contact Amtrak representatives at (1-800-872-7245) or visit www.Amtrak.com.
Mostly Asked Questions
It stops at major cities like Chicago, South Bend, Cleveland, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and branches off to New York City (via Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-Harmon) or Boston (via Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Back Bay, South Station).
You can expect a long ride of 20 hours to New York, and 22+ hours to Boston.
The passengers can choose between simple coach seats, or Viewliner Roomettes, Bedrooms, Suites, and Accessible Bedrooms, all offering more privacy and comfort.
Meals in the Dining Car depend on the direction: Breakfast and lunch on some segments, plus dinner on eastbound trains branching to Boston. Coach riders can buy food in the Café.
Yes, small pets in approved carriers are permitted. Reservations and guidelines must be confirmed beforehand.
Yes, the Lake Shore Limited runs daily all year. Train numbers are 48/448 eastbound and 49/449 westbound.