Getting In, Getting Around Poughkeepsie

Poughkeepsie sits at the junction of the north-south US 9 and east-west US 44 and NY 55 highways.

The Mid-Hudson Bridge, opened in 1930, carries US 44 and NY 55 across the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Highland. The Poughkeepsie Bridge opened in 1888 to carry railroad traffic across the Hudson, but has remained unused since a 1974 fire damaged its decking.

In nearby Wappingers Falls, the Dutchess County Airport services local commuter flights and general aviation. The nearest major airport to Poughkeepsie is Stewart International Airport about 25 miles (40 km) south in Newburgh, with the three major metropolitan airports for New York City - John F. Kennedy International approximately 85 miles (137 km) south, Newark Liberty International approximately 105 miles (169 km) south, and LaGuardia Airport approximately 75 miles (121 km) south, and Albany International Airport approximately 90 miles (145 km) north.

Commuter service to New York City is available by train, served by the MTA's Metro-North Railroad. Metro-North Railroad is the last station stop on Hudson Line commuter trains out of New York City. Express service between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal is about 1 hour and 40 minutes, local service considerably longer. Local service is also available to other Metro-North commuter stations. On-board train fares are subject to a stiff surcharge, so buy your tickets at the vending machines located on the platform. On trains departing from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, get a seat on the left side of the train. Opposite Yonkers and Hastings-on-Hudson you will be treated to great views of the sheer cliffs of the Palisades and between Cold Spring and Beacon you will get a glimpse of Bannerman Castle on an island offshore. Some of Amtrak's long-distance trains stop at Metro-North's Poughkeepsie station.

Within Poughkeepsie there are two transit bus services. City of Poughkeepsie Transit, operated by the City, operates five mostly unidirectional loop routes throughout the city, town, and into Hyde Park. Dutchess County LOOP, operated by Dutchess County, travels throughout Dutchess County and also serves as the main link to the Route 9 corridor including Poughkeepsie Galleria and South Hills Mall.

Other buses serving this area include Adirondack Trailways, Coach USA, commuter runs to White Plains, and a shuttle to New Paltz.