This Amtrak Route Takes Riders to the Heart of Vermont’s Stunning Fall Foliage

If you’re planning a trip up or down the East Coast this fall, you may want to forgo driving and, instead, ride the train—specifically, the Amtrak Vermonter. The daily service runs between Union Station in Washington, D.C., and St. Albans, Vermont, offering stunning views of the fall foliage all along the way.

While the Amtrak Vermonter isn’t necessarily designed as a fall-specific train ride—it’s your classic Amtrak train—the route snakes through some particularly stunning parts of the East Coast. The entire journey takes about 13 hours and 45 minutes, but you don’t have to ride the whole thing to get your fill of autumnal colors. One of the major stops for the Amtrak Vermonter, for instance, is New York City; so, New Yorkers, this is your chance to get out of the city and head up to New England for peak leaf-peeping season without dealing with the hassle of renting a car.

What to Expect

“With no middle seats, ample legroom, and large panoramic windows, you’ll be able to relax while you soak up the spectacular fall foliage that New England has to offer,” Jason Abrams, the senior public relations manager at Amtrak, tells Travel + Leisure. “Along the way, visit the café car, featuring snacks and beverages for sale, and enjoy an onboard picnic.”

According to the Explore Fall fall foliage tracker, Vermont and its surrounding states should start to see moderate color by the first week of October, with mid-October being the prime time to witness the reds, oranges, and yellows of the season. That means you’ll want to book your Amtrak Vermonter trip ASAP, and we’d recommend upgrading to business class if you can swing it.

Although you’ll certainly be able to take in the scenery from coach seats, business-class fare includes an assigned seat (so you don’t have to search for a seat in a panic when you board) as well as footrests. And don’t stress about which side of the train you pick. “Both sides of the train give great access to some of the best views in New England,” says Abrams. Plus, he adds, there are power outlets at each seat, so “don’t forget to bring your chargers so you can keep capturing the breathtaking landscapes.”

Stops Along the Route

No matter where you board the train, your final destination should be somewhere in Vermont—whether you’re riding all the way to St. Albans or getting off a bit earlier at Essex Junction-Burlington, Waterbury-Stowe, Montpelier-Berlin, or White River Junction. After all, Airbnb did just name the Green Mountain State as the top-rated destination in the U.S. for fall foliage.

“St. Albans and Essex Junction-Burlington both put you right in the heart of the Lake Champlain Valley,” says Abrams. “Montpelier-Berlin is located between the Green and Taconic Mountains, for a dramatic landscape view of fall foliage, and White River Junction offers views between the southern Green Mountains and the Connecticut River Valley. “ He also suggests disembarking in Randolph, “if you’re looking for more farmland scenery.”

If you book a ticket to the Waterbury-Stowe station, you may want to rent a car to explore the greater area, which is known for its incredible array of fall colors and fall-themed activities. Reserve a room at Outbound Stowe, and spend your days hiking, eating cider donuts at Cold Hollow Cider Mill, and driving along the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway. Brattleboro, the northbound train’s first stop in Vermont, is another highlight along the route. Here, travelers can visit the Saturday farmers market, hike the trails at Retreat Farm, and shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts in the historic downtown.