Travel by Train in Vermont

I love a good deal. I love Vermont. And I love traveling by train. And now, thanks to a brand new program with Amtrak, I can enjoy all three. Here is the deal: for 12 bucks, you can travel between two towns in Vermont. They’ve also arranged some special lodging packages. Personally, my favorite cities on the route are Brattleboro, Montpelier and Burlington with Montpelier ranking numero uno. There are great little outdoor excursions that you could include on these jaunts, plus some tasty meals, fun shopping, maybe even a museum visit here and there. Stay over a few nights in each city and do even more. What a fun adventure. For more information, click on the link at the very bottom.

Amtrak Offers Reduced Fare to Passengers Traveling to Vermont’s Downtowns

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Passengers on the Amtrak Vermonter can take advantage of a reduced ticket price and a variety of lodging specials when traveling between any two Vermont stops on the train’s daily route.

Amtrak and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing are offering “Downtowns by Rail,” which includes a special passenger rate of $12 on the Amtrak Vermonter. In addition, 15 lodging properties in communities along the route have put together special packages to encourage overnight and multi-day stays in Vermont’s historic downtowns.

“The ‘Downtowns by Rail’ program combines green travel with sustainable communities,” said Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Bruce Hyde. “Vermont’s downtowns are home to unique local businesses, historic architecture, as well as rich cultural and social activities. Promoting Amtrak with our revitalized downtowns is a natural fit.”

The Amtrak Vermonter route runs from Brattleboro to St. Albans with stops in nine communities. Getting to Vermont is easy using Amtrak’s Vermonter service, which serves 20 cities in the Northeast outside of the state. When booking a “Downtowns by Rail” trip between Vermont stops, request the discount code V189 for the $12 fare. Travelers from outside Vermont can obtain an additional discount for travel to Brattleboro (request Visit Vermont discount code V446) when making their reservation with Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL).

Lodging packages offered through this promotion, which include everything from mountain bike rentals to cooking classes to horse-drawn carriage rides, range from $125 to $599. Shuttle or taxi service from the train station is included in some packages. The “Downtowns by Rail” promotion will be offered through 2009.

For more information, visit VermontVacation.com/VTbyRail.