Parking at Albany-Rensselaer?

I'm going to Albany to take a train and will need to park my car for a week there. I was checking out their parking options and saw they have a parking garage for a rate of $12/day OR there a few surface lots (uncovered) for $8/day. What would you suggest? I'm not sure if I should spend the extra money to park in the garage or not.

rosewarbler said:

I'm going to Albany to take a train and will need to park my car for a week there. I was checking out their parking options and saw they have a parking garage for a rate of $12/day OR there a few surface lots (uncovered) for $8/day. What would you suggest? I'm not sure if I should spend the extra money to park in the garage or not.

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I have used the surface lots many times without incident, and it's definitely worth saving the money if you're leaving your car for a week or more. The most distant surface lot (I believe it's Lot B) is the cheapest -- you bear to the right as you enter the complex and take a ticket from the machine to enter. The biggest potential drawback is if you have a lot of luggage, you have to tug it a long way, so in that case you might want the garage just because it's right in front of the station and the elevators are close by. The other issue, this being upstate New York, is that in surface lots you might return to find your car covered with snow.

If you're starting out from somewhere west or north of Albany, also note that the parking is free at the Schenectady, Amsterdam and Saratoga Springs stations, although there are many fewer trains from these stations to New York (in the case of Saratoga, only one per day at present). At Schenectady, the number of parking spaces for Amtrak customers is somewhat limited, but the station agent would probably be able to direct you to a good spot if you arrive early.

To clarify, for the cheapest surface lot at Albany-Rensselaer, bear to the right immediately upon entering and don't go through the ticket-booth complex. Instead, you'll pull up next to a ticket-dispensing machine which will allow you into the lot when you take your ticket.

If its going to snow while you’re away park in the garage. Otherwise the surface lots are fine.

Another note about parking at Albany-Rensselaer: If you or someone in your party has a handicapped parking tag, presenting that at the booth when you leave entitles you to 50 percent off the price of garage parking, which makes the garage slightly cheaper than the most remote surface lot. In this case, the garage is an easy choice and, of course, involves much less schlepping for the person who is less able.

I've parked at the Albany station in past, but only with my car. This time I am going to bring my skoolie (full sized school bus) and leave it there for 4 days. I don't think the height will be any issue and it sounds like parking in the lot to the right (furthest from the station) is the key.

Has anyone noticed motorhomes parked there before?

Thanks,
Dave

dburden said:

I've parked at the Albany station in past, but only with my car. This time I am going to bring my skoolie (full sized school bus) and leave it there for 4 days. I don't think the height will be any issue and it sounds like parking in the lot to the right (furthest from the station) is the key.

Has anyone noticed motorhomes parked there before?

Thanks,
Dave

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Yeah no.

You’re going to need a different plan.
Parking lots are quite full. This will not work out well. You are going to have trouble get in and out of there. Your going to be chased down by an employee/police and told to move or not park there.

Only station I can think of to park a school bus would be Utica. Use the designated Adirondack scenic railroad parking spots, and still be pleasant surprised if you don’t get towed or multiple tickets.

dburden said:

I've parked at the Albany station in past, but only with my car. This time I am going to bring my skoolie (full sized school bus) and leave it there for 4 days. I don't think the height will be any issue and it sounds like parking in the lot to the right (furthest from the station) is the key.

Has anyone noticed motorhomes parked there before?

Thanks,
Dave

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The parking lot at Rensselaer is run by the Capital District Transportation Authority. I would certainly call them before I showed up with a school bus. In my dealings with them, I have not found them to be the most flexible organization, so my guess is they won't allow it. But it would certainly be better to ask than to just show up there. There is resident-only parking on the streets for some distance around the station. You might get away with parking on the street if you're willing to walk or take a cab/Uber from somewhere outside the resident-only zone.

https://www.cdta.org/rail-stations
this includes phone numbers btw, there is a 7 day rate
it does say overheight vehicles can be accommodated outside, but I would sure call (and get names) to verify ahead of time...

Annoying that it costs more to park here than at the airport econo park.

PVD said:

https://www.cdta.org/rail-stations
this includes phone numbers btw, there is a 7 day rate
it does say overheight vehicles can be accommodated outside, but I would sure call (and get names) to verify ahead of time...

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Thanks, I will call and see what they say. I've also started searching for alternate locations through friends.

I talked to one of the managers in the parking department today. They do have spaces where I could park the bus, but they can't guarantee they will be available. He told me to call them Saturday morning and if the spots are open they'd save one for me. Given the local alternatives (basically none) I think I'll keep the bus at home. I do have the ability to actually take the train from my town to Albany so I will just book those segments.