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All the places you can go on the Amtrak Downeaster
Your next New England adventure is only a train ride away.
An afternoon at Maine’s Old Orchard Beach or a number of other New England spots this season without the hassle of tolls, traffic, and parking are just a train ride away on the Amtrak Downeaster.
The Amtrak Downeaster is a 143-mile regional passenger train service that runs from Boston’s North Station to Brunswick, Maine. This year, Amtrak is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Downeaster.
The year-round train services 12 stations and operates five daily round-trips between Brunswick and Boston, serving a total of 12 communities across three states — Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Here is a map.
“Traveling along the Downeaster’s route, you’ll find historic colonial cities offering beautiful beaches, a thriving arts and entertainment scene, world-class shopping – and the best seafood in the world,” wrote Amtrak on its website.
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Travelers on the Downeaster relax in reclining seats and enjoy free Wi-Fi. Each seat is equipped with electrical outlets, fold-down trays, and overhead reading lights. There is room for luggage and there is a restroom in every car. Each station and train is wheelchair accessible.
Customers can buy snacks, light meals, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages at the Downeaster Cafe, available on every train. Passengers can also bring their own food on board (but not alcohol).
The following are all of the places travelers can go on the Amtrak Downeaster:
Boston — North Station
Woburn
Haverhill
Exeter, N.H.
Durham, N.H.
Dover, N.H.
Wells, Maine
Saco, Maine
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Portland, Maine
Freeport, Maine
Brunswick, Maine
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Reservations are required and seats are unassigned and available on a first-come, first-served basis. One-way Value Fares range from $3 to $36, one-way Flex Fares range from $5-$38, and one-way Business Fares are an additional $6 – $12 and include extra legroom and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage. Seniors age 65 and over get 50% off every day and no promo code is required.
Passengers can travel with a small pet (20 pounds or less for a fee of $29 one way) or a bicycle (for a $3 to $8 fee) if arranged ahead of time. Service animals are allowed.
Attending a game or concert? There are late-night return options on select dates, but Amtrak notes that the Downeaster will not delay its departure if a concert or game runs long.
Travelers can check the train schedule here and follow Amtrak Downeaster on social media for special discounts and events.
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