Vermont Rail System
Vermont Rail System
3.7
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.7
21 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
2
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2
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3
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3
oetbyg
Vermont108 contributions
Dec 2019
We recently took Amtrak from Essex Junction, VT to Northampton, MA.
The trip south was on time, the car clean, and the ride comfortable.
We could have driven this trip in about the same time, but we wanted to try the train.
We bought lunch on board. It was perfectly OK. The attendants were friendly.
On this trip, the train had originated just one station before so one would expect it to be very tidy. My wife was advised to use one restroom rather than the one she was headed for. Hmm.
The return trip was also on time after departing from D.C. many hours earlier. It was a fine ride except for the gross conditions in the rest rooms. There needs to be servicing between D.C. and the end of the line.
The trip south was on time, the car clean, and the ride comfortable.
We could have driven this trip in about the same time, but we wanted to try the train.
We bought lunch on board. It was perfectly OK. The attendants were friendly.
On this trip, the train had originated just one station before so one would expect it to be very tidy. My wife was advised to use one restroom rather than the one she was headed for. Hmm.
The return trip was also on time after departing from D.C. many hours earlier. It was a fine ride except for the gross conditions in the rest rooms. There needs to be servicing between D.C. and the end of the line.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas P
4 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Seats was clean, food was acceptable, staff were polite and often friendly. They have power available for laptops. Regularly did 5 hour trips to see girlfriend at the time.
Only complaint is that on occasion the speaker systems on the trains were not audible or full of static.
Only complaint is that on occasion the speaker systems on the trains were not audible or full of static.
Written 4 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Biff Simpson
Wilbraham, MA937 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
My experience with Vermont Rail centers around two things:
Summer service to the Montshire Museum: An absolutely fabulous 1/2 hour trip to Norwich Vermont with good scenery, a banjo player doing sing-alongs and an old-time flavor. You stop at the Montshire for about 2 1/2 hours before they pick you up at the station to return to your car in White River Junction.
Commuter service to Springfield, MA, NYC and Washington, DC: To begin, the ticket booth and waiting room are on the other side of the building from parking and the route is not well marked. I arrived to drop off my daughter on the morning of a snowstorm and the sidewalk hadn't been shoveled, so the little wheels on the bottom of the suitcases didn't do well. There was no one at the window at first and the waiting area was poorly lit, making reading difficult. One good thing: the train from DC used to travel east of Springfield to Palmer, MA to swap the electric engine from DC with a diesel to finish the trip to St. Albans, VT. This side-trip is now gone, so the trip is shorter. They are also cleaning up the track in southern VT to allow faster travel, but it is still a full day trip from DC to White River Junction. Those going on to Montreal must exit the train in St. Albans and take a bus the rest of the way (booooo!!!)
There is also only one daily trip from VT to DC and no overnight train. They have a long way to go to compete with air travel.
Summer service to the Montshire Museum: An absolutely fabulous 1/2 hour trip to Norwich Vermont with good scenery, a banjo player doing sing-alongs and an old-time flavor. You stop at the Montshire for about 2 1/2 hours before they pick you up at the station to return to your car in White River Junction.
Commuter service to Springfield, MA, NYC and Washington, DC: To begin, the ticket booth and waiting room are on the other side of the building from parking and the route is not well marked. I arrived to drop off my daughter on the morning of a snowstorm and the sidewalk hadn't been shoveled, so the little wheels on the bottom of the suitcases didn't do well. There was no one at the window at first and the waiting area was poorly lit, making reading difficult. One good thing: the train from DC used to travel east of Springfield to Palmer, MA to swap the electric engine from DC with a diesel to finish the trip to St. Albans, VT. This side-trip is now gone, so the trip is shorter. They are also cleaning up the track in southern VT to allow faster travel, but it is still a full day trip from DC to White River Junction. Those going on to Montreal must exit the train in St. Albans and take a bus the rest of the way (booooo!!!)
There is also only one daily trip from VT to DC and no overnight train. They have a long way to go to compete with air travel.
Written 19 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
Burlington, VT2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
I want to give a great review over 70 years ago, trains stop coming to Burlington Vermont. But today Burlington Vermont grand opening of the Amtrak station in beloved Burlington. It was a very beautiful ceremony everyone, really worked hard to make it happen and it wasn't easy they're selfless work paid off. I sat there amazed at the commitment and the strength ,and the kindness and the beautiful souls that made this happen. In conclusion thank you for a wonderful experience I will be enjoying Amtrak for a very long time. Sincerely David call Burlington Vermont
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leftcoastrightcoast
Pikesville, MD1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Solo
Traveled from Brattleboro towards NYC. Rude little ticket guy, insisting we not put our bags on the seat next to us, despite a mostly empty train. Maybe it's policy, but there tone on the PA was impatient and condescending. Further, lectured me when I moved seats- not knowing I needed to take my ticket stub, which they place above your seat. Just an angry little dude in a funny hat. No sense of politeness. Some scenic views while in VT., but Mass and Conn., where depressing freeways, strip malls, and land next to tracks covered in garbage. Haven't got further down the line, so maybe it will get better, but so far definitely not an "E" ticket ride.
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Saint Albans, VT93 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Aged, tatty and uncomfortable, the Business Class seats are primitive. Awful food, dirty bathrooms and surly crew made today's ten hour ride a one time only for me. A terrible way to travel...
Written 13 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kgmag
boston2 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
I have a child obsessed with trains to the Green mountain flyer is a must do for him. Great conductors and great views
Written 21 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skysoxwiz
colorado springs4 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
The Green Mountain Railway took us up the Connecticut River in October, glorious colour and scenery with a stop at an organic farm and market. There was plenty of room on the train and easy to shoot photos. Food and drinks were available on the train which is an entrepreneurial venture being done well.
Written 25 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrainManDan10
Keene, NH1,855 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
My wife and I took Amtrak's daily Vermonter from Washington Union Station to Brattleboro, VT, on our first trip to Vermont. We arrived about 5 PM, which allowed us a full hour to pick up our rental car at Enterprise. They picked us up at the station. The fare was cheap because we got it about a month prior to the trip, saving about 25% in Guest Rewards Points. On the way home on Saturday, we drove to Springfield, MA, to catch the Lynchburg Regional Train that allows us to travel directly to Manassas, VA, without changing travel. We highly recommend using Amtrak when traveling to Vermont
Written 13 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Savannah L
1 contribution
Apr 2018 • Solo
I am a 22 year old, 100 lb little person. I was very reluctant traveling on Amtrak by myself going to NYC. The people seemed nice at first, but they kept getting creepy! One Amtrak man who had to be in his late 50’s, asked me for my Facebook for no reason at all?? I was so shocked and creeped out. I ended up skipping my ride back and took an airplane from NY to VT. I felt safer that way.
It just didn’t feel right at all.
It just didn’t feel right at all.
Written 22 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivienne K
Bristol, United Kingdom
Hi I am visiting the area in 2018. Probably travelling to Burlington from Montreal and then on to Boston. Can you recommend any trips to see the colourful foliage in October
Written 21 February 2017
Your question was attached to the Vermont Rail System, so I'll answer your question two ways:
1) If you are going from Burlington to Boston via rail, you'll be travelling southwest to White River Junction and then south to Springfield, MA along some of the most scenic areas of the Green Mountains. Springfield to Boston via rail has smaller hills, but still some typical New England countryside.
2) If you go via car, I would take Interstate 80 from Burlington to White River Junction and then take Interstate 89 southeast through New Hampshire. Hike up Mt. Cardigan, just east of Canaan, NH. It has an easily-climbed summit of 962 meters and the top is all rock, so you have a 360 degree view of the surrounding region. Stop off at the Flying Goose Brew Pub in New London, NH. It has a great vista and brews its own ale. Make a trip to Mount Sunapee in Sunapee, NH and do the Zip Line tour. Take Interstate 89 to I93 south into Boston.
Written 22 February 2017
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