I recently made the decision to take Amtrak from Burlington, Vermont, to Penn Station, New York City.
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Rather than fly from Burlington to La Guardia, I opted for the scenic route. One that’s a little greener than air travel, and also less prone to delays, thanks to the recent government shutdown. (TSA and ATC workers aren’t being paid for their work at this time, which has led to many delays at airports.)
Amtrak’s route between Burlington and New York City is similar to another well-known route, the Vermonter. The Vermonter connects St. Albans, Vermont, and Washington, DC.
Though less well-known, the Ethan Allen Express was a treat. And while I was nervous about being stuck on board an Amtrak car for seven hours, the time flew by way faster than my seven-hour flight back to Barcelona.
Here’s what I loved about the Ethan Allen Express.
10 things I loved about taking the Ethan Allen Express from Amtrak
The cars were spacious
I boarded the Ethan Allen Express in Burlington, Vermont, where the route begins. That meant the cars were almost empty when I boarded, letting me grab a window seat. Even when the train eventually filled up (it was a Friday and a fully booked route) and the overhead was full of suitcases, the cars still felt spacious.
You could walk freely through the aisles without squeezing between the seats or requiring other passengers to move. If you’re sick of those overly cramped airplanes, I can’t think of a better reason to book on Amtrak.
The bathrooms weren’t bad
Were the bathrooms lovely? Not by any stretch. However, they were clean and well-maintained, well-placed at the end of every car, and easy to maneuver. I also like that there were small outlets in the bathrooms, in case you need to use a curler, straightener, or other device.
The chairs were wide and comfy
One reason I’ve started to pay more for air travel is to avoid budget airlines that seem to shrink their seat width and seat pitch every year. I’m of average height and weight, so I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it is for larger passengers to manage even shorter flights. That’s not the case with the Ethan Allen Express.
The seats were wide and comfortable enough that I almost want to call them luxurious. While they’re not actually high-class, they do feel that way for those of us who are burnt out on those tiny, difficult plane seats.
The window view was scenic
The Ethan Allen Express is one of the best routes for anyone hoping to see fall foliage in the Northwest. It cruises from northern Vermont through upstate New York, down the Hudson Valley toward New York City. I took the train in mid-October, which was a great time to see the turning leaves. I imagine the views are just as lovely in spring and summer, too.
The train goes into reverse
If you often take Amtrak routes, you might not feel too surprised when the train switches into reverse. The train reverses direction in Vermont, although it might also reverse in Albany, New York, too. That was a surprise that I didn’t see coming, and I enjoyed it. A small but cool detail to me!
The food was decent
Similar to the seats, I was pleasantly surprised by the menu in the dining car. Compared to plane fare, the list was long, and the meals I purchased were good. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have other dietary restrictions, you’ll be able to find a bite. The prices were a little high for food, but the drinks were reasonably priced.
The wifi worked well
There was free wifi on board the Ethan Allen Express that I was able to use to get some work done. To be honest, I hadn’t banked on the wifi connection being strong. However, when I connected, I was able to send emails, upload articles, and otherwise do all the writing and research that I’d normally get done in an office. Also, it was free.
There was a long break in Albany
Train officials gave us a heads-up that the train would stop for a short break in Albany. It allowed smokers to take a break and other passengers to simply stretch their legs. I ended up chatting with a few other passengers while getting some fresh air. It was a much-needed break that made the seven-hour journey go by a lot faster than a plane ride of the same length.
It was highly affordable
I paid around $90 to travel between Burlington, Vermont, and New York City. By comparison, a flight costs around $250 for the same route. Factoring in a taxi ride from La Guardia Airport in New York City to my destination would have added another $50-60. While I would have saved on time (the flight is around an hour and a half), I didn’t mind taking the train instead. Thanks to the functional wifi, I was even able to log a few hours during the ride.
Staff were friendly and helpful
As soon as I approached the train, I was greeted by the conductor and staff. I had an insanely heavy suitcase with me, which they helped me get on board. The conductor who came by to check our tickets was friendly, along with the dining car staff. And when I say friendly, I don’t just mean they were amiable while on the clock—I mean they gave off a genuinely warm vibe that made me happy to be there.
