Getting around Albany
How to move around a small state capital: 3 CDTA bus routes you’ll actually use, when a car makes sense, and where rideshare beats both.
CDTA bus at a downtown Albany stop
Walking
Downtown Albany is small. State Street to Empire State Plaza to Lark Street to Washington Park is under 20 minutes end to end. Bring shoes for hills — State Street climbs 200 feet from the river to the Capitol.
CDTA buses
The Capital District Transportation Authority runs buses across Albany, Troy, and Schenectady. Fare is $1.50 a ride or $4 for an all-day pass — buy on the CDTA Navigator app or with cash on board (exact change). Key routes: the 905 BusPlus runs the length of Washington Avenue and Central Avenue every 15 minutes and connects downtown to Wolf Road hotels. The 22 goes to Troy. The 100 connects downtown to Crossgates Mall. Buses run roughly 6am to midnight.
Rental car and parking
Rent a car if you’re doing day trips — Saratoga, Hudson, Cooperstown, and the Berkshires all need one. Airport rentals are $50 to $80 a day. Downtown parking is metered $1.25 an hour Monday to Saturday, free Sunday. Garage parking runs $10 to $15 a day; hotels typically add $18 to $28 for valet.
Rideshare and taxis
Uber and Lyft both operate reliably. Downtown to the airport is $22 to $30, downtown to Troy $18 to $25. Taxis exist but are worse — book Uber.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Not for the city itself. Yes, for day trips beyond Troy and Saratoga.
About $25 to downtown, 15 minutes. CDTA route 737 also runs this for $1.50 every 30 minutes.
No. Albany's transit is bus-only.
Amtrak once a day for $15, or CDTA route 450 (about $6). The train is faster but the schedule is limited.
Hotels in Albany
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