During the 2026 Great New York State Fair, select Amtrak trains will make stops directly at the fairgrounds in Syracuse. Tickets are currently on sale for travel to the seasonal New York State Fair station, which has the station code NYF.
Five trains will stop at the Fair each day from Wednesday, August 26, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. The stop is served by select Empire Service and Maple Leaf trains, allowing travelers from New York City, the Hudson Valley, Albany, Central New York, Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and other communities to avoid traffic, tolls, and parking.
When the Fair is not operating, travelers should use the Syracuse Regional Transportation Center instead.
Amtrak to the New York State Fair: Quick Facts
| Amtrak station code | NYF |
| Station name | New York State Fair, NY |
| Location | Gate 11, 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, NY |
| Trains serving the Fair | Select Empire Service and Maple Leaf trains |
| 2026 Fair dates | August 26–September 7, 2026 |
| Best for | Riders from New York City, Hudson Valley, Albany, Utica, Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls |
| Important reminder | Check Amtrak before booking because only select trains stop at NYF |
2026 New York State Fair Admission and Parking
The 2026 Great New York State Fair runs from Wednesday, August 26, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, in Syracuse, New York.
General admission tickets cost $8.32, including fees. Children 12 and younger and adults 65 and older get free admission every day. Special admission offers may be available on select days, so check the official New York State Fair website before your visit.
Planning to attend more than once? The Frequent Fairgoer ticket costs $25.70, including fees, and allows entry once each day. These non-transferable tickets are available exclusively online.
Automobile parking costs $12.41 per vehicle, including fees, in the Fair’s public lots. Taking Amtrak directly to the seasonal New York State Fair station, NYF, can help you avoid traffic, parking fees, and the search for a space.
Ticket prices, parking information, and special admission offers can change, so check the official New York State Fair website before your trip.
Countdown to the Fair
The trains that take you to the Fair
Two Amtrak routes serve the Fair: the Maple Leaf and Empire Service. Together, select trains on these routes provide five daily stops at NYF. These trains share many of the same stops, so you could ride one train route there and the other back when booking.
Taking these trains can save you the tolls, traffic, parking fees, and gas hassle by enjoying a ride on one of the two Amtrak train lines that serve the Fair.
Amtrak Tickets, Discounts, and the NYF Stop
You have several ways to buy Amtrak tickets:
- The Amtrak website
- The Amtrak app
- An Amtrak kiosk at many larger stations
- A ticket agent at a staffed Amtrak station
- Amtrak by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL
When you book your trip, choose New York State Fair, NY (NYF) as your departure or arrival station. Tickets to NYF are only sold for dates when the Fair is open.
Make sure you don’t select Syracuse, NY (SYR) unless you want to use the city’s regular Amtrak station instead of the special Fairgrounds stop.
You can print your Amtrak eTicket or show it on your phone. Keep the barcode handy so the conductor can scan it after you board.
Since NYF is a seasonal stop without staff, be sure to buy your ticket before you get to the station.
Amtrak’s See NY and Save deal can give you 15% off certain coach fares within New York. There are advance-purchase rules, blackout dates, and limited seats, so check the latest promotion details before you book.
Where is the New York State Fair Amtrak stop?
The State Fair Amtrak Stop is at the rear of the fairgrounds, adjacent to the Suburban Park concert area. For more information, visit the official Amtrak NYF Stop Page.
Maple Leaf Schedule to the New York State Fair
The departure times are accurate; however, trains may arrive earlier than the posted times. For a complete printable schedule, visit the Maple Leaf Schedule page. Last updated July 23, 2026.
| 63 Westbound Read Down | Communities Served | 64 Eastbound Read Bottom Up |
|---|---|---|
| 7:15a | New York, NY Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) | 9:21p |
| 7:44a | Yonkers, NY (YNY) | 8:42p |
| 8:03a | Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 8:22p |
| 8:45a | Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 7:41p |
| 9:00a | Rhinecliff, NY (RHI) | 7:25p |
| 9:21a | Hudson, NY (HUD) | 7:03p |
| 10:10a | Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 6:40p |
| 10:34a | Schenectady, NY (SDY) | 5:39p |
| 10:52a | Amsterdam, NY (AMS) | 4:51p |
| 11:5a | Utica, NY (UCA) | 3:48p |
| 12:05p | Rome, NY (ROM) | 3:29p |
| 12:59p | Syracuse, NY Regional Transportation Center (SYR) | 2:46p |
| 1:11p | NEW YORK STATE FAIR STOP (NYF) | 2:30p |
| 2:25p | Rochester, NY Louise M. Slaughter Station (ROC) | 1:15p |
| 3:39p | Buffalo, NY – Depew Station (BUF) | 12:20p |
| 3:50p | Buffalo, NY Exchange Street Station (BFX) | 12:05p |
| 5:02p | Niagara Falls, NY (NFL) | 11:30a |
| – | This train continues to Canada; For the complete Canadian Schedule | |
| End | Stations | Read Up |
Empire Service Schedule to the New York State Fair
The departure times are accurate; however, trains may arrive earlier than the posted times. Last updated July 23, 2026.
| Train 281 North Bound Read Down | Train 283 North Bound Read Down | Amtrak Stations | Train 284 South Bound Read Bottom Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:20a | 1:20p | New York, NY Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station (NYP) | 3:45p |
| — | 1:44p | Yonkers, NY (YNY) | 3:11p |
| 11:01a | 2:03p | Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 2:50p |
| 11:43a | 2:45p | Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 2:10p |
| 12:00p | 3:00p | Rhinecliff, NY (RHI) | 1:51p |
| 12:25p | 3:23p | Hudson, NY (HUD) | 1:28p |
| 12:50p | 4:10p | Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 1:05p |
| 1:39p | 4:34p | Schenectady, NY (SDY) | 12:17p |
| 1:57p | 4:52p | Amsterdam, NY (AMS) | 11:50a |
| 2:56p | 5:51p | Utica, NY (UCA) | 10:47a |
| 3:13p | 6:07p | Rome, NY (ROM) | 10:31a |
| 4:09p | 7:01p | Syracuse, NY Regional Transportation Center (SYR) | 9:51a |
| 4:21p | 7:13p | NEW YORK STATE FAIR STOP (NYF) | 9:30a |
| 5:40p | 8:27p | Rochester, NY Louise M. Slaughter Station (ROC) | 8:15a |
| 6:50p | 9:37p | Buffalo, NY – Depew Station (BUF) | 7:19a |
| 7:13p | 10:00p | Buffalo, NY – Exchange Street Station (BFX) | 7:02a |
| 7:55p | 10:48p | Niagara Falls, NY (NFL) | 6:27a |
| End Of Line | End Of Line | Station | Read Up |
Amenities found on these trains
Both routes use similar equipment; here are a few things to expect.
- Accommodations
- Free Amtrak Wi-Fi.
- There is a Cafe car,
- Offers snacks, light meals, and a variety of drinks, including soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages.
- You can bring food and drink aboard, but you cannot drink the alcohol you carried on board.
- You can charge your phone at the seat outlets, provided you bring a working charger and cable. An extension cord would make things easier.
If this is your first Amtrak trip, you may want to read this article about entertainment on Amtrak.
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