Know Before You Go
Getting to Saranac Lake
Know Before You Go
Getting to Saranac Lake
Know Before You Go
Getting to Saranac Lake
Know Before You Go
Getting to Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is closer than you think
Welcome to Saranac Lake!
Saranac Lake is about a five-hour drive from major northeast metropolitan areas, including New York City and Boston; less than four hours from Ottawa, Canada, and Syracuse, NY; and two to three hours from Albany, NY, Burlington, VT, and Montreal, Canada! Start planning your route to the Adirondacks and make the most of your trip!
Driving distance and time to Saranac Lake
- New York City, NY: 295 miles / 5.5 hours
- Albany, NY: 146 miles / 2.5–3 hours
- Schenectady, NY: 138 miles / 2.5–3 hours
- Troy, NY: 143 miles / 2.5–3 hours
- Syracuse, NY: 190 miles / 3.5–4 hours
- Burlington, VT: 75 miles / 1.5–2 hours (including ferry)
- Plattsburgh, NY: 55 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes
- Rochester, NY: 240 miles / 4.5–5 hours
- Buffalo, NY: 310 miles / 5.5–6 hours
- Watertown, NY: 105 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes
- Boston, MA: 300 miles / 5 hours
- Philadelphia, PA: 380 miles / 6.5 hours
- Montreal, QC, Canada: 110 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes (plus border)
- Ottawa, ON, Canada: 135 miles / 2 hours 45 minutes (plus border)
- Toronto, ON, Canada: 330 miles / 6 hours (plus border)
Regional airports
Saranac Lake is approximately a two-hour drive from the international airports in Albany, NY (ALB), Burlington, VT (BTV), and Montreal, QC (YUL). Car rental services are available at all three airports.
Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), located about one hour north of Saranac Lake.
Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) provides nonstop service to and from Boston’s Logan Airport (BOS) and New York’s JFK Airport. You can arrange a car service pick-up, taxi, or car rental at SLK. Flights from Boston take approximately 1 hour 50–55 minutes, and the airport is just a 10–15 minute drive to downtown Saranac Lake.
Lake Placid Airport (LKP) is located about 20 minutes east of Saranac Lake, next to the town of Lake Placid. It accommodates chartered flights, including small private or corporate aircraft.
Note: Travel to and from airports, train stations, and bus terminals must be planned in advance. While Uber, taxis, and car services are available, options can be limited, especially during peak seasons, so arranging transportation ahead of time is strongly recommended.
Additional travel options
Adirondack Trailways offers bus service from New York City, Port Authority Terminal, and bus terminal points north, with drop-offs at Lake Placid and Saranac Lake—close to hotels, restaurants, and shops in both communities.
To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience, we encourage all visitors to arrange their transportation to and from airports and bus stops well in advance. Ride services such as Uber and taxis are sparse throughout the region—even during peak seasons—and private car rentals are also limited. Planning ahead gives you peace of mind and more time to explore all that Lake Placid has to offer.
