I’m here to help you unlock the charm of the Hudson Line Railroad, a branch of the Metro North Railroad track that runs along the Hudson River Valley and is in my opinion one of the most scenic train rides in all of New York. In this post I’ll provide you with all the details you need to know to fully enjoy a ride on this track.
Basic info:
- Name: Hudson Line
- Location: Starts in Grand Central and ends in Poughkeepsie (30 stations total)
- Ticket prices: Vary from $20 per person and up
- Duration: 3 hour trip total
- Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars
3 quick things to know:
- The Hudson Line is one of 3 different lines operated under the Metro North Railroad. It is classified as the green line.
- This is the most scenic train ride you can take to see most of the Hudson River Valley.
- There are numerous stations along the way where you can stop, visit small towns, go on outdoor expeditions and more.
Ticket info:
Choosing the right ticket can be a bit overwhelming with all the options available, so let’s keep it simple:
- The fare structure is based on how far you plan to travel but typically a one way ride to the end of the line will cost you about $30+ per person.
- For regular commuters on the Hudson Line, there are monthly and weekly passes, while leisure travelers might opt for single-ride or ten-trip tickets.
- Don’t worry too much about finding the ‘perfect’ ticket type, think about your travel plans, and choose something that resonates with your needs.
- Peak times are generally around the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays, whereas off-peak is pretty much any other time. Weekends are also super packed (typically) especially during spring-fall seasons as many NYC residents use this line to travel upstate. Fares during off-peak hours can be significantly lower, so if you want to save money and have a more relaxed trip, timing is everything.
Duration details:
The length of the trip can vary from a quick 20-minute jaunt between closer stations to potentially 2 hour plus expeditions from the city all the way up the line to Poughkeepsie. The further you go on the Hudson Line, the more beautiful the stations, views and experiences get.
Amenities:
Along the way the train cars also offer an array of services aimed at enhancing your travel experience. Wi-Fi, quiet cars for those who wish to work or relax, and onboard restrooms on many trains—these are just the starters. You’ll find that comfort isn’t an afterthought but a significant part of the Metro North journey.
Notable stops worth checking out:
While there are 30 stations you will pass across the Hudson Line, there are a few notable ones I want to cover that are worth stopping at and checking out and they are:
Beacon Station: This is where a lot of people exit to go hiking in a park called Hudson Highlands State Park. It has awesome trails and adventures.
Cold Spring: The town and views here of the Hudson River are amazing. There’s also some nice restaurants worth checking out there too.
Croton Harmen: A great stop to check out the awesome Croton Gorge State Park (it’s a 10 minute car ride from the station).
Grand Central Terminal: This is the starting point for most people traveling on the Hudson Line and any other line on the Metro North Railroad. It’s a beautiful station.
Poughkeepsie: This is the end point of the Hudson Line and it’s a beautiful town I’d recommend stopping at. There are also several beautiful parks west of it which are Minnewaska State Park and Monhonk Preserve I’d highly recommend seeing too (20 minute drive from the station).
Views along the ride:
Besides the stops themselves, the Hudson Line ride itself is the main treat and like I said before the further you travel on it from NYC, the more beautiful it’ll get. If you’re traveling from NYC to Poughkeepsie, then I’d recommend sitting on the left side of the car to get the best views and on the right side if it’s an opposite trip back to NYC.
But in terms of views, imagine cruising along the Hudson River Line, where the river stretches out beside you, flanked by rolling hills and steep cliffs. Look out for landmarks like the impressive Bear Mountain Bridge and the historic West Point Academy. During the fall, this route is a riot of color as the leaves change, painting a picture that’s hard to forget.
Tying it all together, the Hudson Line of the Metro North Railroad isn’t just a regular train ride you’d find in NYC, its one of the most scenic train rides in New York overall and possibly New England depending on the types of views you’re looking to see. It’s not so farfetched to say that this train ride in some ways mirrors some scenic train rides in Switzerland (but of course I understand the views are better there, but not by that much).
Having driven to the many places/stations that this train crosses, I can tell you that the views are better on the track than from the road (which are quite distracting because of how beautiful they are), but on the Hudson Line, you can sit back and enjoy a few hours of amazing scenic sights and on top of that visit more than one incredible place along the way to Poughkeepsie where you can spend a few extra nights/days enjoying the scenery/history and sights overall.