Airport workers and budget flyers use the $1 CDTA Route 737
CDTA Route 737 runs from Albany International Airport’s Main terminal to downtown Albany and Wolf Road for $1 with a Navigator card or $1.50 cash. It’s a regular local bus, not a dedicated shuttle, but it hits the key airport curb and then heads toward downtown in roughly 25–35 minutes depending on traffic and stops.
Buses usually come every 20–30 minutes, with service stretching closer to the 30‑minute mark in the late evening and early morning. That matches what locals on /r/Albany say: it’s cheap, but you might wait a bit, especially if you just missed one or you’re catching a flight around 6:00 a.m.
The stop sits right outside the Main terminal, so you roll your bag straight from baggage claim to the curb in under 5 minutes. From there, Route 737 continues to key points like Pearl Street downtown, where a lot of people transfer to other CDTA routes toward neighborhoods or Schenectady instead of waiting for a less frequent through bus.
Fares are simple: $1.50 cash, or $1.00 if you tap a Navigator smart card or mobile ticket, exactly the same as any other CDTA local route. Regular airport staff often stack savings with a Navigator monthly pass, pushing the effective per‑ride cost under $1, which beats both daily parking and a $25–$35 rideshare from ALB to downtown.
Figure 25–35 minutes from the airport to central Albany in normal traffic, even though some visitors expect a faster “shuttle” time. With luggage, the small walk from downtown stops around Pearl Street to final destinations can feel longer in February when sidewalks are icy and you’re dragging a 50‑pound roller.
What regulars do: they ride Route 737 into a downtown trunk hub like North Pearl Street, then hop to another high‑frequency line rather than waiting for a rare one‑seat ride to their specific neighborhood. That usually cuts the combined wait and ride time by 10–15 minutes compared to sitting on the curb for the “right” bus.
Watch out for thin early‑morning and late‑night service, where gaps creep toward 30 minutes and locals report the occasional no‑show. If you’ve got a 6:00–7:00 a.m. departure or you’re landing after 11:00 p.m., check the CDTA Route 737 timetable in advance and have Uber or Lyft as a backup if the next bus is more than 30 minutes out.
Tip: Buy a Navigator mobile ticket on your phone before you leave the terminal so you’re not fishing for $1.50 in cash when the 737 finally pulls up.