Albany (ALB): the frequent airport bus never goes downtown, and the one that does runs four times
CDTA route 117 calls at the terminal all day, seven days a week, but it is a crosstown between Crossgates Mall and Latham and it does not enter downtown Albany. Route 737 is the only direct bus to downtown and it runs weekdays only, four departures from the airport.
- Route 117 is the frequent one and it does not go downtown. It runs Crossgates Mall to Latham by way of the airport and Wolf Road, and its last stop is Crossgates Mall Station.
- Route 737 is the only direct bus into downtown Albany. It ends at Madison Avenue and Green Street via State/Downtown Station and Broadway/SUNY Plaza.
- Route 737 runs weekdays only. Four departures from the airport, 06:52 to 17:26, and five towards it, 07:00 to 17:27.
- Route 117 from the airport on a weekday: first 05:37, last 23:42. Saturday 06:27 to 00:01.
- Sunday route 117 is effectively 10:27 to 18:06, with a single early pair at 06:42 and 07:09 and nothing else before mid-morning.
- The cash fare is $1.50 and CDTA vehicles give no change, so carry coins or dollar bills.
- BusPlus routes cost $2.00, but neither of the airport routes is a BusPlus route.
- Uber and Lyft both operate at ALB, through their own apps.
- Advantage Taxi (Yellow Cab) is on (518) 434-2222.
- The first hour is free in every airport car park.
- Economy E-Lot has a $7.00 daily maximum, Long Term $12.00, the North and South Garages $18.00 and Short Term $24.00.
- The cell phone lot is on Albany Shaker Road, about two minutes from the terminal.
The bus that comes often is not the bus you want
- CDTA route 117, the Colonie Crosstown, is the one that calls at the terminal all day and every day. It is genuinely frequent and it runs late. It also never touches downtown Albany. Its published stop list runs from Latham down British American Boulevard, past the airport, along the length of Wolf Road, through Colonie Station and finishes at Crossgates Mall Station.
- If you are staying downtown, that means a change at Crossgates or at Colonie Station. Plan for it rather than discovering it on the bus.
- Route 737, Corporate Woods to Airport, is the only CDTA route that runs from the terminal into downtown Albany. It goes out along Albany Shaker Road, loops Corporate Woods, then comes down Northern Boulevard and Henry Johnson Boulevard to Lark/Library Station, Hawk/Capitol Station, State/Downtown Station and Broadway/SUNY Plaza, ending at Madison Avenue and Green Street.
- It is a weekday commuter service. CDTA's own schedule data has four departures from the airport, 06:52 to 17:26, and five in the other direction, 07:00 to 17:27. There is nothing at a weekend and nothing in the evening.
Route 117 times worth knowing
- Weekday, from the airport: first 05:37, last 23:42.
- Saturday: 06:27 through to 00:01.
- Sunday: one early trip at 06:42 towards Crossgates and 07:09 towards Latham, then nothing until 10:27, and the last is 18:06. A Sunday flight landing in the evening has no bus.
Fares
- Base cash fare $1.50. CDTA vehicles do not provide change, and the fare box takes US coins and one dollar bills only.
- BusPlus routes are $2.00, but the Red, Blue and Purple lines do not serve the airport, so $1.50 is what you need.
- Senior and disabled half fare is $0.75 with a half fare card.
Cars, cabs and apps
- Uber and Lyft both operate at Albany International, booked in their own apps.
- Advantage Taxi, trading as Yellow Cab, is on (518) 434-2222. Tech Valley Shuttle takes group and individual bookings around the clock but requires advance arrangement.
- Every airport car park gives the first hour free. After that the daily maximums are $7.00 in Economy E-Lot, $12.00 Long Term, $18.00 in the North and South Garages and $24.00 Short Term.
- The cell phone waiting lot is on Albany Shaker Road, about two minutes from the terminal, which is the sane way to collect somebody.
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