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Amtrak served close to 3 million travellers in Massachusetts in 2008 fiscal year, an increase of 25 percent from 2007, in part attributed to the summer spike in fuel prices. Amtrak operates 56 daily trains in the area, including Acela Express serving Boston - New York - Washington and local and regional trains of the Northeast Corridor.
The Downeaster features five daily roundtrip trains between Portland and Boston’s North Station, with eight intermediate stops — Woburn, Haverhill, Exeter, Durham-UNH, Dover, Wells, Saco, and in season, Old Orchard Beach.
The Vermonter connects Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and St. Albans, Vermont. You can catch this train from Springfield by switching from The Lake Shore Limited.
The Lake Shore Limited connects Boston, Springfield and Albany, NY. From Albany you can continue on to Buffalo NY, Cleveland OH and Chicago. Or you can go on to Niagara Falls by switching to Empire State train from New York. Adrionack train coming from New York will take you from Albany to Montreal, Canada.
The Northeast Regional will take you from Boston to Newport News, Virginia past Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington.
From Washington you can switch to the Auto Train connecting to Orlando area. Yes, you can bring your car along! The train runs daily in both directions. You can take a car, a van, an SUV, a truck or a motorcycle on the Auto Train, as long as they meet certain dimension requirements.
The trip lasts 17 hours. A sample round trip fare for two adults, two kids and one car with return in seven days costs $1385.50 from Washington DC. Your amenities include a full-service dining car with three hot meals a day, included in the ticket price, a lounge and on-board entertainment.
There are a number of spaces available for small enclosed trailers, trailers for transporting boats, jet-skis, etc. Please call us at 1-877-SKIP-I-95 (1-877-754-7495) for more information.
Acela Express is the fastest Amtrack train at speeds reaching 150 miles an hour. It will take you from Boston to New York to Washington DC in 7 hours. It caters to business travelers and provides superior comfort, upscale amenities and polished professional service, including:
- A faster trip with fewer stops
- Reserved First Class and Business Class seating
- At-seat electrical outlets for your laptop or DVD player
- Adjustable lighting and large tray tables
- Conference tables
- Quiet Car
- Cafe Car
- At Seat Cart Service on select trains
Plus in First Class:
- At-seat meal and beverage service (hot breakfast, lunch and dinner selections)
- Newspaper
- Access to ClubAcela lounges
Amtrak offers many types of discounts for travellers. Children under age 2 travel free, limited to one child per paying adult. A child is supposed to travel on lap, but can occupy a free seat if available.
Kids under 15 years old can travel at a 50% discount off the regular adult fare, with a limit of two per one paying adult. The discount is not available on weekly Acela express or on upgrades to business and first class. In addition there are various military, student and senior discounts available.
Amtrack offers many seasonal discounts, which can be found in the Hot Deals section on the Amtrak website. Currently they are offering discounts from Boston on same-day Saturday round-trip travel, also available on trips leaving Saturday and returning Sunday before 10:59 am. These are sample one-way per person fares based on round-trip reservation, to or from Boston:
Bridgeport, CT - $40
West Kingston, RI - $16
Metropark, NJ - $49
Mystic, CT - $22
New Haven, CT - $36
New Rochelle, NY - $48
Newark, NJ - $49
New York, NY - $49
New London, CT - $25
Old Saybrook, CT - $29
Stamford, CT - $44
Westerly, RI - $20
Before making a reservation, check the weekly specials page. It is used by Amtrak to get rid of unsold inventory of seats for last-minute travel at the lowest prices. You can receive a discount of up to 90%.
Another great way to save money on Amtrak tickets is to use discount codes. They usually require a 3-day advance purchase, are not available on high-speed Acela trains and during holiday periods (January 16-23, February 13 and 16, April 10 and 13, September 4 and 7, November 24-25 and 28-30).
Amtrak Downeaster Portland-Boston Discounts
The following promotions are from Amtrack Downeaster . Check their website for the latest discounts. The discounts are on travel from Portland to Boston and back. You may be able to use these codes online on travel from Boston to Portland.
For a limited time take advantage of Train to Maine promotions. Buy one adult full fare ticket, get the second for FREE. Offer is valid on Trains 681, 683, 686, 688, 691, 693, 694, 696, and 698 only. Use code V773.
Sports fans and theatre goers from Portland can enjoy even more savings when traveling to Boston for evening events. If you're traveling on trains 684, 686, 694 or 696 and are returning on train 689 or 699 the same day, you can save 25% when you make your reservations at least 3 days in advance of travel. Reference promotion code V687. Valid for sale 9/2/08 to 6/27/09.
Kids are half fare every day on the Downeaster, but can ride FREE on Sundays between 9/2/08 and 6/25/09. Up to two kids, age 2-15, can ride the Downeaster free with every full fare paying adult. Use code V581.
Seniors can save 50% on travel Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays now through June 2009. To receive this discount, you must be at least 62 years of age. Use code V543. Valid for sale 8/29/08 to 6/22/09.
Patients traveling to medical appointments save 25% now through June 2009. Use code V279.
Omni Parker House Amtrack Package from Portland
Hop on the Amtrak Downeaster train and stay in the heart of Boston at the historical and luxurious Omni Parker House. The Amtrak Downeaster package includes deluxe accommodations, breakfast buffet in a famous Parker's Restaurant, and 2 one-day GO Boston cards providing access to Boston's top attractions. Packages start at $249 per night. For reservations call 1-617-227-8600 or 1-800-THE-OMNI. Certain rate restrictions and blackout date may apply.
Promotion codes from Frommers.com
Click on the link for more information about discounts all across the US. If you are going for a weekend day trip heading south from Portland area from any station on the first train of the day, and then return north on any evening train, the round-trip will cost you $25 with code X188.
If you're heading from anywhere in the Northeast to any city in Massachusetts, make a reservation by phone and ask for discount code V221. That will give you 20% off each ticket, though December 15, 2009.
For 20% off trips from New York City to Rhode Island, book online and use code V174 through December 16, 2009. This code can be used on northbound trips to New London or Old Saybrook, CT. You can buy a ticket to Westerly, RI but get off early without a penalty. For example, a ticket from New York City to New London cost $43, but a ticket to Westerly with the code cost $36.80. Similarly, if you need to get of at an intermediate station, it can be cheaper to purchase a ticket to a further station with a code.
For two Boston-New Ark tickets you can get 40% off your second ticket until December 16, 2009 using code V558 online. You can save on trips to New York by booking two tickets to New Ark, and getting of early. Example: two Boston-NYC tickets cost $124, but two discounted Boston-Newark tickets cost only $100.80.
For even more latest offers and discount codes to special events across New England go to Arrive Magazine website. Arrive is the official magazine of Amtrak and provides the most up-to-date information and the best discount offers to entice people to travel aboard Amtrak.
For more information go to Amtrak website or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
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