“Talking Transportation”
By Jim Cameron
President
CAMERON COMMUNICATIONS INC
Author: “Off The Record: Confessions of a Media Consultant“
Like so many people, I absolutely love Vermont. But the journey to get there? Well, it’s not my favorite part.
From Fairfield County to Burlington, VT, it’s about 300 miles. Driving takes around five hours and costs roughly $35 in gas one-way. Flying might sound faster, but once you factor in the time to get to and from the airport, it’s not much quicker—and it’ll cost you at least $228 one-way.
But, there’s a fun, scenic alternative to ride north: Amtrak!
There are a couple of different trains that will take you to (or at least close to) Vermont? Here’s a breakdown of each:
THE VERMONTER
This one’s your best bet! Running daily from Washington, DC, to St. Albans, VT (right next to Burlington), The Vermonter passes through Stamford around noon each day. It also makes stops in Bridgeport and New Haven before heading up the beautiful Connecticut River Valley, with Vermont stops in places like Brattleboro, Montpelier, Waterbury (for Stowe), and Essex Junction (for Burlington), just to name a few.
It’s not the fastest option (Stamford to Burlington takes around 8 1/2 hours), but it’s incredibly scenic and peaceful. Plus, with recent track upgrades, the ride is now an hour shorter! Increased ridership recently added a fifth Amfleet coach to the train.
The newly refurbished Amfleet seats are super comfy, and for a bit extra, you can treat yourself to business class. The Amfood is much improved, the crew is always friendly, there’s a Quiet Car and yes—there’s free Wi-Fi! The train even hits 80 mph on smooth tracks, and the fall foliage views are unbeatable.
Amtrak Quiet Car
And here’s the real perk: Amtrak runs in all kinds of weather. So, if you’re planning a winter ski trip and a snowstorm hits, Amtrak will still get you there when highways and airports are shut down!
THE ETHAN ALLEN EXPRESS
Heading to the western side of Vermont, like Rutland or Burlington? The Ethan Allen Express is your train! It departs from Penn Station in New York City in the mid-afternoon and arrives at its final destination of Burlington around 10 p.m., stopping at places like Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, and Castleton, VT. There’s even a bus connection to Killington for ski lovers.
Now terminating in downtown Burlington, you’re in the heart of that vibrant city’s action, just steps from hotels and restaurants. Rental cars also available nearby.
For those of us in Connecticut, the easiest way to hop on this train is from Croton-Harmon in Westchester County, where there’s plenty of long-term parking. Exciting news: there’s discussion about extending the Ethan Allen all the way to Montreal sometime in the future!
THE ADIRONDACK
While this train doesn’t go through Vermont, it used to be a fun option for those willing to take a ferry. You could hop off its 12 hr. daily run from New York’s Penn Station to Montreal on the western shore of Lake Champlain and see Burlington across the lake. But alas, the old ferry from Port Kent NY to Burlington is no more, having been scrapped during the pandemic.
So, if you’re dreaming of a trip to Vermont, why not make the journey part of the fun by letting Amtrak take the wheel? It’s the “green” way to travel to the “Green Mountain State”.
Jim Cameron is founder of the Commuter Action Group and advocates for Connecticut rail riders. His weekly column “Talking Transportation” is archived here. You can contact Jim at [email protected].
