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This will be our first trip on Amtrak from Montreal (actually, St Albans) to Penn Station on #55, connecting to Orlando on #97.
For our dates, #55 arrives at Penn Station at 6pm. Our ride on #97 leaves a scant 1 hr, 5 mins later at 7:05pm.
Would you recommend we make overnight hotel reservations near Penn Station?
Any other pertinent comments will be appreciated.
TIA
lakeshorelimited Member # 576
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Based on my experience, the Vermonter is usually on-time, atleast the NB vermonter. The track through Vermont isn't Amtrak owned, but it doesn't see heavy train delaying traffic. One hour is usually a close transfer time for long distance trains, but the Vermonter is considered to be a medium-distance train, and isn't as delay-prone as long-distance trains. If it were me taking the trip, I wouldn't make hotel reservations, unless you don't mind spending the money and the extra day in New York. New York's a fun place to have a layover anyways.
-Tim
Kent Loudon Member # 902
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There is a lot of padding on the Vermonter scehdule into Penn Station. I have been 20 minutes late at Stamfort and on time into Penn!
If you have the time and money to spend a night in New York, why subject yourself to an ungodly 5:35 AM bus connection ? Here is a much more civilized option: Take the Adirondak (#68) to New York. This departs directly from Montreal at a respectable 9:55 AM, arriving in New York at 7:40 PM. (The views of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River equal the Vermonter scenery, in my opinion.) The following day you have your choice of three departures to Miami, 7:45 AM, 11:35 Am, and 7:05 PM. I would suggest you do some sightseeing and take the evening departure.
Kent Loudon Member # 902
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Sorry, I see you are going to Orlando. This illiminates the 7:45 AM train from New York, which runs via Tampa.
mrlithian Member # 1129
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We hadn't even considered the Adirondack, but it sounds like a better alternative and we LOVE the departure time from Montreal. Many thanks for the input.
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