After Nearly 70 Years, This Popular Train Route Returns On The East Coast

On Friday, July 29, Amtrak resumed service between New York City and Burlington, Vermont, by way of Albany.

The last time this service was offered was in 1953, and it’s just in time to help travelers beat this summer’s high gas prices. The new trip, which extends the Ethan Allen Express line, takes about 7.5 hours, with fares starting at $75 one way. Business class costs more, and so does booking close to the date of travel. It’s so popular that some business class fares on certain days are selling out.

Local, state, and federal officials have worked with Amtrak since 2019 to make this project a reality. The extensive update included major track, station, and platform construction. The historic Burlington Union Station has been restored; Ferrisburgh-Vergennes Station, including ample parking for Amtrak passengers, has been renovated; and Middlebury Station now has a covered platform across its tracks.

Daily Service Is Offered

Per the state transportation department, the new northbound express route from New York City departs Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station at 2:21 p.m. and arrives in Burlington at 9:55 p.m. Southbound service leaves Burlington at 10:10 a.m. and arrives in New York City at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are now available for booking on Amtrak’s website.

Passengers traveling the Ethan Allen Express to Vermont can enjoy the same amenities as on all other Amtrak trains: free Wi-Fi, the ability to use phones and electronic devices at all times, a café car, seats with ample leg room, and no middle seats. They can also take their bikes with them, as long as they have a reservation and pay the $20 fee.

Enjoy Scenic Views And A Relaxing Experience While Helping The Environment

The Ethan Allen Express route runs through beautiful upstate New York. Stops include Saratoga Springs and Schenectady, by way of Albany. In Saratoga Springs, stroll among amazing Victorian buildings, enjoy 21 public mineral springs, and take your chances at the historic race track. Imagine you are on the battlefields of Saratoga National Historic Park. After taking in all that history, enjoy a round of golf, hit the local shops, and dine like a local.

The route extends through the scenic Hudson River Valley, a popular place for summer outings. In the fall, the trip offers leaf-peepers an excellent view of the changing autumn hues.

The route ends in Burlington, Vermont, at the restored Burlington Union Station on Main Street along the scenic Lake Champlain waterfront. The station was built in Burlington’s Battery Street Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Rutland Railroad company last used the station in 1953 as a hub.

Want to see more of Vermont’s natural beauty and historic spaces? The Vermont Rail System operates passenger excursion trains from Burlington’s Union Station.

Besides the unparalleled views and ultra-comfortable seating, travelers who have an eye toward environmental impacts will appreciate the lower carbon imprint of train travel versus car travel. Trains are nearly three times more energy-efficient than cars. In addition, Amtrak also lauds the new service for its part in the economic recovery of the Northeast.

Amtrak Makes A Comeback And Plans To Stay!

Amtrak believes that railroad leisure travel is coming back. This summer’s gas prices, and price increases in general, have helped this rejuvenation. More than 30 percent of all recent passengers on the Ethan Allen Express are new. In May alone, there were more than 4,200 riders aboard the Ethan Allen Express. That’s an increase of more than 400 riders over the same time in 2019.

Want to get away this summer or fall? Buy your tickets now for this new service. Leaf-peeping season is just around the corner, and seats will go fast.

And if you’re thinking about leaf-peeping this fall, be sure to check out these 8 Spectacular Fall Foliage Train Rides In The U.S.