ALBANY, N.Y. -- According to AAA, more than 2 million people are expected to travel by train, bus or cruise for Thanksgiving this year. This data accounts for a 9% increase in travelers from 2023.

As more holiday travelers are heading to the rails, Amtrak has added additional trains and increased trip frequencies to accommodate the increase in demand.

AAA announced more than 80 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving. Experts recommend planning ahead and arriving early to destinations.

Several travelers were eager to unite with their loved ones for the holidays at the Albany-Rensselaer train station on Tuesday. Long Island native Stephen Canarick said he travels to Albany several times a year by train, and when it comes to holiday travel, he's looking for convenience.

"It costs me the same thing if I drove," Canarick said. "So, if I came with a group of people, I might want to take a car for economical reasons, but for one person, the train is the way to go."

Canarick said the train provides him with peace of mind and he doesn't have to worry about sitting in traffic during the peak travel season.

"I love the train," Canarick said. "I sit next to the window, facing the Hudson River, and I enjoy the view."