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I have never ridden the Vermonter myself north of Springfield and would love to ride it through Vermont, esp since there is sometimes talk of Vermont cutting out of Amtrak. But if I were to ride it to Vermont, I would have to overnight someplace, because it doesn't just turn around same day. I was wondering what the stops were like toward the end of the route--is the Montpelier stop in downtown Montpelier? Where is the Burlington/Essex Junction stop? Where is the St Albans stop? Are they near any hotels you might recommend? Are there taxis at these stops? I see they are not manned stops; what is coming back on them like when the train is late--are they deserted?
Thanks for the info
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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I think you could find some kind of hotel within easy taxi distance, maybe some with a courtesy shuttle, at Essex Jct (Burlington) and maybe even St. Albans. Waterbury has one or two chain motels within similar distance. Montpelier is a very small capital city with a capital about the size of many rural county courthouses. The station is out of town and it doesn't look it would be easy to access lodging. Hopefully somebody who lives in that area can respond better. The Vermonter trip is well worth the effort though I liked it better when the train ran to Montreal.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I sure wish it would run to Montreal too! I have been to Montpelier (by car) and enjoyed it but if the train is out of town, that is not good!
TBlack Member # 181
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The station for Burlington/Essex Junction is in Essex Junction which is quite a way east of Burlington. There are plenty of chain motel options, but they tend to be oriented toward I-89 which is also west of the station. What you would need to do is google "taxi Essex Junction". That will bring up several options. Call one of them and ask them to meet your train to take you to a motel. As long as you're in the cab, you might want to pick a hotel/motel in Burlington proper which gives you the opportunity to do a "walk about" in the evening. It's not a big town, but pleasant on the lake.
Judy McFarland Member # 4435
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What about trying to make a loop with the Adirondack & the ferry across Lake Champlain? I'm not aware of the specific details, but it might be worth investigating. The Adirondack stop for the ferry is Port Henry, I think.
MDRR Member # 2992
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The Essex Jct. stop has taxi(s) that meet the train. Be aware that they often have you share a ride with others due to supply and demand. I have seen 1 or 2 hotels pick up passengers before but dont recall whom. In St. Albans, there are 3 motels, in descending order of quality are: Comfort inn, Red Roof Inn, and Cadillac Motel. None of which operate a shuttle. St Albans fluctuates between being a one and two taxi town. Haven't been there in a couple years but if it is just one they will be taking crew to Comfort Inn in 2 separate trips. If you talk to inbound crew (after SPG) and are by yourself you could probably ride with them. Or cab will take you in between the 2 crew trips.
All Stations north of Spg with exception of Amherst, Claremont, Windsor, and Randolph have a caretaker on duty to open/close stations and assist passengers with any questions/problems.
rresor Member # 128
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Okay, here's what I know about the Vermonter's stops in Vermont (a previous spouse grew up north of Montpelier, so I spent a lot of time in the state).
At White River Junction, there is a hotel (the Coolidge) about a block from the station. WRJ has a compact little downtown focused on the train station, very 19th Century. Lots of artsy stuff, even a theater, and several restaurants.
Randolph is a small town. Have not been there.
Montpelier Junction is "out in the sticks" but only about two miles from downtown Montpelier. There are taxis available, and Montpelier is a lovely little walkable town with several good used bookstores, good restaurants, and several good places to stay. Try the Inn at Montpelier.
Waterbury is a small place.
Essex Junction is about five miles out of Burlington, but no more than two miles from the airport (a $20 cab ride, though -- boy are cabs expensive!) The local transit system does provide bus service from Essex Junction to downtown Burlington, however, and there is a caretaker who will have info on both buses and taxis. Burlington is by far the biggest "city" in Vermont, and full of expat New Yorkers, but it's a nice walkable city. Ferries leave from right on the Lake Champlain waterfront (where there are also several hotels) for Port Kent, NY, where the ferry terminal is literally 200 yards from the Amtrak stop (just a shelter).
I'd suggest you take the Adirondack north to Port Kent and catch a ferry to Burlington, stay overnight, and then either bus or cab out to Essex Junction the next morning to catch the Vermonter south. That will make a very nice trip, especially in the spring (I did it two weeks ago and we were in a snowstorm most of the way to WRJ).
St. Albans is a very small place, and only 30 mins north of Essex J. Don't bother.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thank you all for the info! I have been to some of these places in Vermont by car (inc Montpelier) but it's been a long time, and I know nothing about the trains here.
When you get off the ferry in Burlington, are you right in downtown Burlington? Does any have any not too exorbitant, convenient hotel recs for near there in Burlington (and then I would take a taxi to Essex Junction next day)?
BTW, I had no idea the ferry ran this early. I thought it ran only in summer months.
rresor Member # 128
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Ferry appears to start running June 18, and yes, it leaves right from downtown Burlington.
The bus, at least on weekdays, runs every half hour from the Cherry Street bus terminal (which is right downtown) to the Amtrak station in Essex Junction.
Run time looks to be about 35 minutes. This is the Chittenden County Transit Authority.
About five years ago, I took Amtrak to Port Kent, walked down the hill to the ferry, crossed to Burlington, walked to the bus terminal, and took the bus out to the airport to pick up a rental car. It all worked fine.
Tanner929 Member # 3720
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Does Amtrak still run the connecting bus service from St Albans to Montreal's Station? I took that a few years back.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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According to the current AMTRAK timetable on the web site, there is currently NOT a connecting bus to Montreal. A couple years ago, I believe they put the bus back in service, but it only lasted for a year or so, then it was gone again.
MDRR Member # 2992
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It has been 3-4 years since any bus connection operated. The operator, Vt Transit did a reorganization then and cut about 50% of their bus service in the upstate Vt. area. At the same time they told Amtrak they would need alot more motivation ($$$) to continue with the bus. Thus gone.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Can you still catch a bus to Montreal if you overnight in the area? Or perhaps a same day going south bound if you catch an early bus out of Montreal?
George Harris Member # 2077
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Roe the St.Albans to Montreal bus once something like 1996. Five passengers.
DeeCT Member # 3241
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Sojourner-
As I read the schedules here goes ---
The closest point for bus connection to Montreal is Montpelier/Barre (MPR).
Northbound Vermonter arrives MPR at 8:05. The Hound leaves for Montreal at 8:00AM,10:45AM,and 3:45PM. (All would require an overnite stay in Montpelier area).
Southbound Vermonter leaves MPR at 9:42AM. The Hound leaves Montreal for MPR at 2:45PM and 6:25PM - arriving in MPR at 5:35PM and 9:45PM. (Once again this would require an overnite stay in Montpelier area.)
The Hound is about a 3hr 30min to 3hr 45min trip.
Not a good deal in either direction.
Dee
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks SO MUCH for the info. But what is the Hound? What bus company is it? Is there also a bus between Burlington and Montreal (even if it's not near the Amtrak)?
MDRR Member # 2992
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Hound= Greyhound.
IIRC, no longer direct service from Burlington to Montreal.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Ah, Greyhound, I hate them! But I checked, and the Greyhound service seems to be old Vermont Transit here, so that's OK.
There is a bus from Burlington to Montreal, 4 a day, and takes less time than from Montpelier. Just not sure where the bus stop is. (At the Greyhound Web site, shen I try to clink the link for addresses, nothing happens)
DeeCT Member # 3241
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Sojourner -
Amtrak Station -- (Burlington station is actually located in Essex Junction)
29 Railroad Ave Essex Junction, VT 05452-3214
Greyhound (not sure if a station or if just a pickup location)
345 Pine St Burlington, VT 05401-4739
A quick check with Mapquest gives this time and distance info.
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