Ethan Allen Express With Kids: Every Stop, Vermont Tips and Tickets
Yes, the Ethan Allen Express is a good way to get kids to Vermont. One train a day runs between New York and Burlington in about 7 hours, with Business Class and a café on board, and children 2 through 12 ride for half price. After the Hudson Valley it turns away from the river at Schenectady and heads into Vermont farm country, through Rutland and a newer tunnel under downtown Middlebury. The finish is a lakeside station with steel monkeys on the roof, a pretty good reward for a long day of sitting.
The short version
- One train each way a day: about 7 hours 7 minutes northbound and 7 hours 2 minutes southbound.
- Trains started running to Burlington on July 29, 2022, the city's first direct passenger service in 69 years.
- Kids 2 to 12 get 50 percent off, and students can use the New York Student Discount on the New York part of the trip.
- Ride Rutland to Saratoga Springs and back and you get more than five hours in Saratoga.
- Count them when you arrive: four winged-monkey statues sit on the roof of Burlington Union Station.
Ethan Allen Express at a glance
- Runs between
- New York City's Penn Station and Burlington Union Station on Lake Champlain
- States
- New York and Vermont
- Distance
- about 310 miles
- End to end
- about 7 hours
- Trains
- one each way, every day
- Train cars
- usually four single-level Amfleet coaches plus a club car
- Business Class
- yes, in the club car, one seat on one side and two on the other
- Upstairs seating
- no, one level throughout
- Food
- café counter in the club car
- Sleeper rooms
- none
- Locomotives
- one at each end, so the train can change direction without turning around
- State partners
- New York State DOT and the Vermont Agency of Transportation
Look inside the book
Ethan Allen to Burlington? Rally knows about tunnels.
It reads in about five minutes, so you can finish it between Castleton and Rutland. Turn a few pages below.
Rally Takes the Train
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Do kids need a ticket on the Ethan Allen Express?
Every child 2 through 12 pays half the adult fare when an adult 18 or older rides along. Babies under 2 ride free on a lap, one per paying adult.
Two states pay for this train, and you can see it in the fares. Vermont's Agency of Transportation helps fund the trip north of Albany, including discounted fares for most rides inside Vermont, so a short hop like Burlington to Middlebury can cost little. On the New York side, a student ID (ages 13 to 25) gets 15 percent off coach through the New York Student Discount, as long as the whole trip stays in New York, like New York City to Saratoga Springs.
Have a 13 to 15 year old who wants to go solo? Check the stations first. Amtrak only lets young teens travel alone between staffed stations that accept them, arriving by 9:30 p.m., and Middlebury's new station has no staff. The northbound train reaches Burlington at 9:26 p.m., right at the edge of that limit, so call 1-800-USA-RAIL before you book.
Free for train families
Print the free Ethan Allen Express activity book
Screen-free fun for the whole ride: track all 15 Ethan Allen Express stops, spot landmarks out the window, play train window bingo and earn an “I rode the Ethan Allen Express” certificate. Free to print at home.
Get the free Ethan Allen Express activity bookEvery Ethan Allen Express stop, from New York City to Burlington, Vermont
Fifteen stops: ten in New York and five in Vermont. If an old map shows Fair Haven, Vermont, that stop closed in 2010 and Castleton replaced it.
New York- New York (Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station)
- Yonkers
- Croton-on-Hudson (Croton-Harmon)
- Poughkeepsie
- Rhinecliff
- HudsonLook for: Built for the New York Central in 1874, this depot is a short walk from downtown Hudson's shops and old buildings.
- Rensselaer (Albany-Rensselaer)
- Schenectady
- Saratoga SpringsLook for: Have them look up as you walk in: a wave-shaped arched roof covers the entrance, and inside there are high ceilings, art on display and an outdoor patio.
- Fort EdwardLook for: Spot the old Delaware and Hudson depot beside the platform, with fancy wooden trim and a small tower on its roof.
- CastletonLook for: Tell them this depot went up in 1850. That makes it one of the oldest station buildings anywhere on Amtrak.
- Rutland (James M. Jeffords Station)Look for: The station opened in 1999 on the western edge of downtown, near the old Rutland Railroad yard, and the shops of Merchant's Row are close by.
- MiddleburyLook for: Watch for the dark: in 2020 the railroad built a 360-foot tunnel under Main Street and Merchants Row downtown, and this train rides right through it.
- Ferrisburgh-Vergennes
- Burlington Union StationLook for: Count the four steel winged monkeys on the roof, added to give the 1916 station some fun. The Lake Champlain waterfront and ferry dock are just steps away.
What kids can see from the Ethan Allen Express
The Hudson first
From New York to Albany, the Ethan Allen shares the Hudson River line with Empire Service. Going north the water is out the left windows, and coming back it's on the right. Amtrak's page for this train puts the Hudson Valley first, then the farms, villages and Green Mountains of Vermont.
The turn toward Vermont
At Schenectady the train leaves the Empire Service route and heads north to Saratoga Springs and Fort Edward, then east into Vermont at Castleton. The stretch between Whitehall and Rutland was upgraded in the 1990s to bring passenger trains back to Rutland in 1996, the first in 43 years. Track work in 2011 and 2012 made it faster.
The Middlebury tunnel
Middlebury used to have two old rail bridges downtown. In the summer of 2020 a 360-foot tunnel under Main Street and Merchants Row replaced them, and the first train went through on September 18, 2020. As you get close to the Middlebury stop, tell the kids to watch for the windows to go dark.
A lakeside finish
When the train reached Burlington on July 29, 2022, it was the city's first direct passenger service in 69 years. Burlington Union Station sits at the west end of Main Street near Lake Champlain, with the Island Line Trail on the other side of the tracks and the ferry dock about 600 feet away. After seven hours in a seat, that's room to run very close by.
What you'll see by season
Amtrak lists spring wildflowers, summer sailing on Lake Champlain, fall color and winter skiing as the draws along this line. The Rutland stop was meant in part to bring skiers to Killington and Pico Mountain, so on winter trains, don't be surprised to see families with skis.
Where to sit with kids on the Ethan Allen Express
A typical Ethan Allen is short: four coaches and a club car, with a locomotive at each end. Coach seats are two and two, and some face backward; Amtrak won't promise which way you'll face.
Business Class sits in the club car next to the café, with leather seats, footrests, a free non-alcoholic drink and a refundable ticket. With a preschooler who asks for a snack every 20 minutes, sitting next to the café counter has real appeal.
Some Vermont stops are small. Middlebury is a single platform with a shelter and no staff, so have bags zipped and kids ready a stop early, then step off quickly.
Riding north for the views? Sit on the left until Albany for the Hudson. After that, either side works for the Vermont farmland.
On a train this short, a small folding stroller is easiest; it rides free in place of a regular bag. Car seats can't be secured to Ethan Allen seats, so bring one only if you're driving on from Rutland or Burlington.
If you can't find seats together on the Ethan Allen
Get everyone onto one reservation, then plan to board early. Coach is open seating, and a ticket guarantees you a seat, not the one you had in mind. At Moynihan, ask if families with toddlers can board first. Business Class in the club car, with pairs on one side, also keeps a parent and child together near the café.
With about four coaches, a full search is quick. Walk each car looking for a free pair, and split the aisle between you while you look.
Need someone to trade? Ask while bags are still going up, not an hour past Albany. Keep it simple: “Our 4-year-old is riding with us. Would you swap for this aisle seat so we can stay in one row?” Make it an even trade facing the same direction, never a worse seat for their window, and let it go if they'd rather not.
When the conductor comes through, let them know it's you plus the kids, give their ages, and ask about other cars. They can point out spare seats and have luggage shifted, one seat per ticket, but nobody gets bumped from a seat they're sitting in. Never leave a young child sitting alone, even for the 46 minutes to Middlebury.
The best first Ethan Allen Express ride with kids
One train each way means your plans have to fit its clock. These times come from the current Amtrak timetable; confirm before you go.
- Rutland to Saratoga Springs and back. The southbound train leaves Rutland at 11:06 a.m. and reaches Saratoga Springs at 12:35 p.m. Spend the afternoon there, then catch the northbound train at 5:56 p.m., home in Rutland at 7:45 p.m.
- Burlington to Middlebury, about 46 minutes, one way. Leave Burlington at 9:25 a.m. and reach Middlebury at 10:11 a.m., with Vergennes in between. The northbound train doesn't get back to Burlington until 9:26 p.m., so most families pair this with a car pickup.
- New York to Rutland, under six hours. Train 291 leaves New York at 2:19 p.m. and reaches Rutland at 7:45 p.m. From spring to early fall, kids see the Hudson in daylight and still arrive close to bedtime. Burlington comes at 9:26 p.m.
Whichever ride you choose, the long Hudson stretch is a good time for our free train word search and coloring pages.
Food, bathrooms and naps on the Ethan Allen Express
Amtrak describes the club car café as light fare, snacks and beverages, sold from a counter next to Business Class. Going north, the 2:19 p.m. departure means dinner happens on the train. A packed meal from home plus one café treat keeps everyone fed without a big bill.
We couldn't find any Amtrak note on changing tables for this train, so a fold-up changing pad is cheap insurance. Do a full change in the station before you board, since seven hours with one café car and small restrooms goes better with a fresh start.
The southbound train leaves Burlington at 9:25 a.m., so a toddler may nap somewhere around Rutland and wake up for the Hudson. Going north in the cold months, the light fades while you're still in Vermont, so save drawing and the book for the last hour.
A train book for the ride
In the book, Rally's train heads into a dark tunnel and then out into bright light. The Ethan Allen has a real one in Vermont: the 360-foot tunnel under downtown Middlebury, built in 2020. Read the tunnel page together after Rutland, then let the kids count down when they feel the train slow for Middlebury.
For the long afternoon up the Hudson, our free printable Rally pack is on the coloring pages page, and the book makes a nice Burlington souvenir.
A tunnel story for the Middlebury tunnelRally Takes the Train has a dark tunnel and a bright ending, painted in watercolor for readers up to age 8. $13.99 on Amazon.
Buy on Amazon
More for train families
- Every Amtrak route with kids: find another train by city or station
- The complete guide to Amtrak with kids: tickets, car seats, changing tables, family tables and what to pack by age
- Free Rally activity pack and coloring pages to print before your trip
- Adirondack with kids
- Vermonter with kids
- Empire Service with kids
Sources
- Amtrak: Ethan Allen Express route page
- Amtrak: Ethan Allen Express timetable
- Wikipedia: Ethan Allen Express
- Wikipedia: Burlington Union Station
- Wikipedia: Middlebury station
- Wikipedia: Rutland station
- Amtrak: Passenger discount for children
- Amtrak: New York Student Discount
- Amtrak: Unaccompanied minors policy
- Amtrak: Hudson station
- Amtrak: Saratoga Springs station
- Amtrak: Fort Edward station
- Amtrak: Castleton station
- Amtrak: Rutland station
- Amtrak: Middlebury station
Checked against Amtrak and partner railroad pages in October 2026. Schedules and policies change, so confirm on amtrak.com before you ride.
Ethan Allen Express with kids: questions parents ask
Do kids need a ticket on the Ethan Allen Express?
Yes, every child 2 and up needs one. On this train, ages 2 through 12 ride for half the adult price with a companion 18 or older. Vermont funds discounted fares for most trips inside Vermont, so a hop like Burlington to Middlebury can be cheap, and students 13 to 25 get 15 percent off coach on trips that stay inside New York.
Do babies ride free on the Ethan Allen Express?
Yes. Each Ethan Allen adult paying a full adult fare can hold one under-2 at no charge. Add a second baby, or give the baby a seat, and that child pays the child rate. A typical Ethan Allen has only about four coaches, and a lap infant gets an empty seat only when no ticket holder needs it, so plan on the lap.
Do I need a car seat on the Ethan Allen Express?
No. Amtrak can't attach car seats to its seats, this train included. If you'll be driving in Vermont after the ride, bring yours; it comes along free, counted as a regular bag. A spare seat can hold it only when nobody with a ticket needs that spot, and otherwise it's stored while your under-2 rides on your lap.
Are there changing tables on the Ethan Allen Express?
We couldn't confirm. We found no Amtrak note on changing tables for this train, and Amtrak doesn't have a formal rule on them. Pack a fold-up pad and use the larger accessible restroom. Do a full change in the station before you board, since it's about 7 hours to Burlington on a short train with one club car.
Where are the bathrooms on the Ethan Allen Express?
Yes, each car has at least one restroom, and the occupied light saves you a wasted walk. The Ethan Allen is usually four coaches and a club car, so it's close by. Go in with younger kids, let them know the flush is loud, and make a stop before Middlebury if you're getting off there, since it's a single platform with no staff.
Can I bring a stroller on the Ethan Allen Express?
Yes. A folding stroller can travel free instead of a regular bag, and when the rider is under 2, that stroller sits outside your carry-on limit. Jogging or double strollers could need checking under Amtrak rules, and we couldn't confirm this train takes checked bags, so pick a compact one. At Burlington, the Island Line Trail is right across the tracks, good stroller territory.
Can I breastfeed or bottle-feed on the Ethan Allen Express?
Yes. You can nurse in public anywhere in the U.S., so feed the baby at your Ethan Allen seat whenever needed. There's no dining car, just a café counter in the club car, so pack bottles, formula and enough water to last the 7 hours. Northbound, that includes the dinner feed, since the train leaves New York at 2:19 p.m.
Is there food on the Ethan Allen Express?
Yes. A café counter in the club car sells light meals, snacks and drinks. The northbound train runs through dinnertime, so a lot of families bring a packed meal and buy drinks or a treat on board. It's counter service only, so nobody brings plates to your seat.
How do I keep kids busy on the Ethan Allen Express?
Hand out jobs. Kids can watch the Hudson on the left until Albany, wait for the windows to go dark in the 360-foot Middlebury tunnel, and count the four steel winged monkeys on Burlington Union Station's roof. The club car café makes a good walk. For quieter stretches, our free coloring pages and a copy of Rally Takes the Train do the trick.
Can we sit together on the Ethan Allen Express?
Usually, if you board early. Coach seats are two and two, not assigned, and some face backward. A typical Ethan Allen has about four coaches and a club car. Business Class sits in the club car beside the café counter, a single seat on one side of the aisle and a pair on the other. Heading north, the Hudson is on the left until Albany.
What if we can't find seats together on the Ethan Allen Express?
The train is usually just four coaches and a club car, so check every car for side-by-side seats before you split up. Meanwhile, take seats on either side of the aisle, keeping each young child with an adult. Heading north, look again after stops like Albany and Saratoga Springs. If you ask a neighbor to swap, offer a seat at least as good as the one they'd give up.
How do I ask the conductor for help sitting together on the Ethan Allen Express?
Wait for the ticket scan, or catch the conductor on the platform before you step on, and keep it short: how many of you, how old the kids are, and whether there's room in another car. They can point you to empty seats and ask people to shift bags, since each ticket is good for one seat. They won't make a seated rider move, so be ready to ask a neighbor politely yourself.
Is there a Quiet Car on the Ethan Allen Express?
We couldn't confirm one. The Amtrak pages we used for the Ethan Allen don't list a Quiet Car, and the train usually carries just four coaches. If you do see one, skip it unless your kids can manage near silence and muted screens. A regular coach is the easier fit. Pack headphones for tablets either way.
What should I pack for kids on the Ethan Allen Express?
Plan for about 7 hours. Northbound, train 291 leaves at 2:19 p.m., so pack a real dinner plus snacks. Add diapers and a fold-up changing pad, a water bottle, the printable "what happens next" page, headphones and pajamas for the 9:26 p.m. Burlington arrival. In winter, bring warm layers for small Vermont stops like Middlebury, where the platform has only a shelter.
Can kids nap on the Ethan Allen Express?
Sure, right in their seats; this line has no sleeper rooms. Southbound, the 9:25 a.m. train from Burlington lets a toddler nap around Rutland and wake up for the Hudson. Northbound, the train doesn't reach Burlington until 9:26 p.m., so some kids will drift off in the last stretch. Have pajamas on before Middlebury and carry them off sleepy.
What is a good first ride on the Ethan Allen Express?
Burlington to Middlebury, about 46 minutes. Leave Burlington at 9:25 a.m., pass Vergennes, and reach Middlebury at 10:11 a.m., going through the new tunnel as you near the stop. The northbound train doesn't get back to Burlington until 9:26 p.m., so most families pair this with a car pickup. Check times on amtrak.com before you go.
Can my teenager ride the Ethan Allen Express alone?
Only with care. Solo riders 13 to 15 are allowed only between staffed stations that accept them, arriving by 9:30 at night, with no change of trains. Middlebury's station has no staff, and the northbound train reaches Burlington at 9:26 p.m., right at the limit. Call 1-800-USA-RAIL before booking; solo teens pay the full adult fare. Kids 12 and under never ride alone.
How early should we get to the station for the Ethan Allen Express?
About 30 minutes early. At a busy station like Moynihan Train Hall, staff often let families with small children board first, so ask. Seats aren't assigned, and getting on early is how you sit together. At small Vermont stops like Middlebury, a single platform with no staff, have bags zipped and kids ready to step on quickly.
What if my child is scared of the tunnel on the Ethan Allen Express?
The Middlebury tunnel is the big moment, and it's short: 360 feet under Main Street and Merchants Row, so the dark ends quickly. Turn to Rally's tunnel page after Rutland, then count down together as you near Middlebury. Our free Rally activity pages make a calm distraction. Warn them about the horn too, and hold hands through the busy first minutes at Moynihan.
Is the Ethan Allen Express safe for kids?
Yes, with simple rules. Hold hands on platforms and wait well back until the train fully stops, especially at small Vermont stops. Keep shoes on, sit or hold on while the train is moving, and walk together to the club car café. At Burlington, the tracks run right beside the Island Line Trail, so keep hands held until you're clear.
What if the Ethan Allen Express is delayed?
Pull up the Amtrak app's live map and any advisories on travel day. With one train each way a day, there's no catching the next one, so carry extra snacks, diapers and a spare activity. If someone is picking you up in Vermont, share the train's status with them. Northbound, a late train means an even later Burlington bedtime.
Should we take the Ethan Allen Express or the Vermonter to Burlington?
The Ethan Allen goes right into downtown Burlington, a short walk from Lake Champlain, in about 7 hours from New York. The Vermonter stops at Essex Junction, its station for Burlington, after a route through Connecticut and Massachusetts. If your hotel is on the lakefront, we'd pick the Ethan Allen.