We are flying into LaGuardia and traveling to Saratoga for The Whitney race weekend. Would it be better to rent a car and drive or take the train both from a cost and time standpoint? We are from Texas so not terribly familiar with trains. And how long is the drive and/or the train ride?
Second Question: Should we take a cab to the track? Heard parking was difficult.
Thank you. Charlene
To get as far north as Saratoga by train, you'd have to take Amtrak https://www.amtrak.com/home (the commuter rail lines don't go that far north) Ticket are cheaper purchased a couple weeks in advance. The train ride up the Hudson Valley is fairly scenic.
Amtrak trains leave out of Penn Station in Manhattan, which you'd have to get to by cab or public transport.
Another option would be to take the commuter rail lines to someplace like Tarrytown or Poughkeepsie and rent a car there. http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/mnrmap.htm There is a bus (M60) that connects to the 125th Street Metro North Station. Commuter trains are less expensive and don't require reservations.
Driving is certainly possible and you can avoid the worst traffic by heading from Queens through the Bronx to head north. (Routes can be detailed if you chose this option.) When you are doing this (day of week and time of day) makes a difference in the amount traffic.
Not sure about public transit, parking and cabs within Saratoga, hopefully a local will advise.
You might comparison price car rentals at various pick up locations to help you decide.
Edited: 10 July 2016, 08:16When are you flying in? I hope not the day of the race.
Traffic on that weekend will be incredibly heavy as you near saratoga - it can take 30 minutes or more just to exit the NY Thruway to get on to the Northway towards Saratoga. If you are driving up that day you need to leave early am to avoid the worst of the traffic. Driving would take 4 to 4.5 hours while the train will take more than 6 hours.
Also - do you have seats yet? If not, it is likely too late to get them (many people buy the when they go on sale (I think Jan). So unless you are owners it may be standing the whole day.
Can you change your flights?
Albany, NY is alot closer to Saratoga then NYC is
If you must fly to NY, dont bother with the train, Drive it. Its about 3-4 hour drive
Contributor 
2,382 posts
25 reviews The best option from La Guardia (especially with luggage) is to rent a car.
If you can fly to Albany and rent a car, that is even better.
Your hotel in Saratoga may provide shuttle service to the track for the Whitney. If not, parking at the track is not terrible. There are remote lots with shuttle service. Parking downtown, however, during track season can be very difficult. Again, a shuttle from your hotel is your best option. Cabs are usually plentiful, too, but may need to be arranged in advance (depending on the time of day and location). Admission to the track will not be a problem, but if you do not have reserved seating your best option is to bring folding chairs or claim a picnic table early in the morning. More info is here: www.saratoga.com/race-track/tickets.cfm
Thank you for such a quick response. We are arriving in LaGuardia on Thursday at Noon and driving from there. We have our tickets for Friday and Saturday, so we have from about 1pm or so to get to Saratoga on Friday. Will traffic be terrible around 1pm or so?
Thank you so much for your response. Looks like driving is best.
I think you will be fine, Once you are out of the City its smooth sailing and 1pm or so, traffic isnt that bad
Thanks from Texas!!!
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