Like many, I love Vermont. But I’m not crazy about getting there.
From my home to Burlington VT is about 300
miles. By car, that’s at least five hours and about $50 in gas roundtrip.
Flying may seem quicker, but with the airport drive it’s not much faster and will
set you back about $250.
But there’s another alternative: Amtrak.
There are actually three trains a day that will
take you to (or close to) Vermont:
THE VERMONTER:
Your best choice, this train runs daily from Washington DC to St Albans VT
(right next to Burlington), coming through Stamford at about noontime each
day. It also stops in Bridgeport and New Haven before heading up the
Connecticut River Valley to Vermont stops in Brattleboro, Windsor, Montpelier,
Waterbury (Stowe) and Essex Junction (Burlington), to name but a few.
It’s not the fastest run (Stamford to Essex
Junction is 8 hours), but it’s certainly beautiful and relaxing. A
frustrating reverse move at Palmer MA has been eliminated with new tracks,
shaving an hour off the run.
The newly refurbished Amfleet seats in coach are comfy. There’s also business class
seating (for a premium). The AmFood is tasty. The crew is great…
and there’s even free WiFi. Despite the many stops, the train hits 80 mph
in many stretches on smooth, welded rails. And the views of fall foliage
can’t be beat.
And remember: Amtrak runs in any kind of
weather, so if you’re thinking of skiing this winter when there’s a blizzard
and its 20 below zero, the train will get you there when airports and highways
are closed.
THE ETHAN ALLEN EXPRESS:
If you’re heading to Rutland VT on the western side of the state, this is your
train. Originating at NY’s Penn Station mid-afternoon, this train bypasses
Connecticut and shoots up the Hudson Valley, arriving in Rutland just before 8
pm with stops in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Castleton VT. There’s
even a bus connection to Killington.
For Connecticut residents, the best strategy is
to catch this train at Croton-Harmon (in Westchester County) where there’s
plenty of paid parking available. The hope is that the Ethan Allen may be
extended from Rutland north to Burlington in the coming years. And maybe
from there to Montreal.
It offers the same kind of Amfleet cars, coach
and business, AmCafé and free WiFi.
THE ADIRONDACK: This daily train
from NY’s Penn Station to Montreal doesn’t go through Vermont, but it used to
get you close… if you didn’t mind a ferry boat ride. It’s not running again (yet) due to COVID, but there are hopes for its return before the new year.
It offered the same kind of seating, WiFi etc,
but on this train you’re traveling with a much more international crowd of
Quebecois. Alas, no poutine on the AmMenu. And until a few years
ago they even ran a special dome car several days a week for the gorgeous
scenery north of Albany.
Thanks to state subsidies and increasing ridership, fares on all of these Amtrak are very affordable: on The Vermonter, Stamford to Burlington (booked in advance) is just $69 one-way and kids are half-price.
So if you’re planning a vacation in The Green Mountain state, remember that getting there can
1 comment:
For me, it comes down to how I use my time. Do I stare at tail-lights? Or do I relax and get work done. I know I'll arrive refreshed if I take the train, and while it takes longer than driving, the amount of time I throw away is a lot, lot less.
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