The Amtrak route, which is called the Ethan Allen Express, runs to the cities of Burlington, Vergennes and Middlebury. It initially launched on 29^th July, and this is the first time since 1953 that Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, will have a regular passenger train service. The Ethan Allen route is named after the American Revolutionary War hero and co-founder of Vermont, Ethan Allen. The Mayor of Burlington commented that the new service would boost the state’s economy and improve its connectivity.

The full route takes approximately 7 hours and 34 minutes, and there is one service each way daily. The southbound service departs Burlington at 10:10 am, arriving in Penn Station at 5:45 pm, while the northbound service leaves Penn Station at 2:21 pm and arrives in Burlington at 9:55 pm. Tickets for the new line cost from $75 and can be bought either via the Amtrak website or app and at Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks. So far, the route has been as popular as expected. According to the Vermont Agency for Transportation, ridership numbers increased by 51 percent in August following the launch of the route, compared to 2019 statistics. The route sees an average of 60 passengers per day from Burlington and New York and between 15 to 40 at the stops along the route. As expected, the busiest days for the service are Thursday, Friday and Sunday evenings, when passengers head home for the weekend.

Much like other Amtrak services, the train offers onboard WiFi and a café cart, both business class and coach seats, and pets are allowed on the train. Business class passengers can enjoy fully refundable tickets when cancelling journeys, leather seating and complimentary non-alcoholic drinks. To make the line possible, the state of Vermont contributed more than $100 million to improve and upgrade railway tracks and renovate stations and platforms.

Attractions in Burlington

Burlington is located in the state of Vermont, knowns as the Green Mountain State due to its natural beauty and outdoor sights. Visitors to the city can enjoy activities such as cruises on Lake Chaplain, the state’s largest lake, or visit the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, which details the history of Allen, whom the Amtrak line was named after. Another unique attraction just outside the city is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, which is open for tours, as the ice cream brand was founded in Burlington in 1978. Church Street Marketplace is a particularly popular shopping district. It serves as the main hub for tourists, offering some of the city’s best restaurants, shops and cafes, as well as seasonal events and parades.