Options For Travel Between NJ and Burlington, Vt. (Other than Car)

Anybody do this trip recently? What do you suggest?

Thanks

Took the bus frequently in 2005 when my mom was ill and in a Burlington Hospital............A few Greyhounds a day going North from Port Authority.

Now there is the Mega Bus which actually has fares as low as 1 dollar but make reservations in advance.

Probably not done anymore...........before they allowed us to board we were searched thoroughly for knives etc. "Take this bus to Cuba"

I recently purchased train tickets to Burlington VT....haven't gone yet though! Sounds like it will be a long trip.

I went last summer by car. It's a long trip, but a great place.

According to Google Flights, you can get a R/T fare from as low as $183 from LGA and $203 from EWR.

It's not a bad drive, maybe 5.5 hours if you are an adult alone. It's a really, really long MegaBus and Amtrak trip, although there's a train station right on the university campus, handy if you are a student. It's an inexpensive flight, considering the time you save. Fares of $200 and under are easy to find and taxi fare from the airport to most places on campus or to the lakeside hotels is minimal. If your question is about student transportation between here and UVm, finding a ride online is pretty easy.

Burlington is a lot of fun, and if you're there, I highly recommend stocking up on cheese, beer, and visiting the Champlain Islands.

Until last summer I was kind of indifferent about Vermont (understatement), and I'm emphatically not a B&B fan. But after dropoff weekend at UVm, I joined a three-day cycling trip out of North Hero, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Last winter my two college guys and I spent a vacation at Smuggler's Notch, and we're looking forward to doing it again this year, maybe at Stowe. Vermont convert here!

My sister lives up there - I took the amtrack up and really enjoyed the ride-- its LONG 8 hours but amtrack has wifi- i brought a bunch of snacks, wine etc and just sat back and relaxed- easy since amtrack picks up out of newark penn it was a quick uber ride as well

I dont think train goes exactly to burlington though - you will have to get picked up

new207040 said:
My sister lives up there - I took the amtrack up and really enjoyed the ride-- its LONG 8 hours but amtrack has wifi- i brought a bunch of snacks, wine etc and just sat back and relaxed- easy since amtrack picks up out of newark penn it was a quick uber ride as well
I dont think train goes exactly to burlington though - you will have to get picked up

It goes to Essex Junction, Vermont - a 10-15-minute car ride to Burlington. Might even be cabs there when you get in - if you go for this option, call the train station and ask if that's the case.

I'd vote for either flying or driving. Flying is super-fast, about 45-50 minutes in the air, and usually around $200-250 per person from EWR. Driving is cheaper (gas-cost-wise) than a plane ticket, but it's about 5-6 hours of driving. More, if you're like me and go with little kids.

(My family lives right outside of Burington, Vermont, so I'm an expert on this itinerary. Heh.)

ETA:

I just spotted your subject line - no driving. THen I totally vote for flying. The train ride is scenic and good to try... once.

Thanks all. Driving is not an option. No flights for under $480 for the dates she's traveling and Amtrak doesn't seem to have trains to Vermont from NJ on weekdays; She may have to be on the bus.

cubby said:
Thanks all. Driving is not an option. No flights for under $480 for the dates she's traveling and Amtrak doesn't seem to have trains to Vermont from NJ on weekdays; She may have to be on the bus.

Yes it does. The Vermonter leaves Newark Penn at 11:03 every weekday morning.

The Burlington craigslist.org has a rideshare board.

https://burlington.craigslist.org/search/rid

I was able to get one way ticket for one adult and two kids to Essex Junction for about $100.00 - good deal. We are traveling on a Sunday leave Maplewood in the morning and arrive in VT around 8 pm.

davidfrazer said:

cubby said:
Thanks all. Driving is not an option. No flights for under $480 for the dates she's traveling and Amtrak doesn't seem to have trains to Vermont from NJ on weekdays; She may have to be on the bus.

Yes it does. The Vermonter leaves Newark Penn at 11:03 every weekday morning.

Thank you...I was looking for Metro Pk to Burlington. Penn (NY) to Essex Junction is a good option

The Vermonter stops at Metropark NJ and Newark (as well as NY Penn) and the Ethan Allen Express stops in Newark. The schedule changes this month.

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/50/172/Vermonter-Schedule-071315.pdf

jr: Thanks; this is very helpful!

My son took the train from NY Penn (easier for me than NJ options) to Rutland yesterday. No issues, except the train was about an hour late getting into Rutland. Not sure whether that's typical, but it'd be a pretty late arrival several klicks up the road.

I have done the train, it is long, but doable. And yes will need a pick up from essex junction. worked well for me since going to Stowe...Surprised about the flights, usually in advance always low pricing; have often found last minute deals on united for $169 - depart Friday/return Monday - if that is an option. I have to check out that rideshare link!

I'm following this thread with interest. Our niece is getting married in Stowe next August (2016.) We're trying to decided whether to drive or fly into Burlington. I'm tending towards flying and renting a car. It looks like United is the only airline that flies out of Newark into Burlington.

truegrid said:
I have done the train, it is long, but doable. And yes will need a pick up from essex junction. worked well for me since going to Stowe...Surprised about the flights, usually in advance always low pricing; have often found last minute deals on united for $169 - depart Friday/return Monday - if that is an option. I have to check out that rideshare link!

Just checked United again for Fri-Mon. Lowest fare is $535, lol, but will check again.

If your dates are flexible, try searching +- three days at kayak.com. I found a number of combinations of days for under $200. (In the example I tried, a Monday return was the most expensive)

Did you try JetBlue from JFK? if you can provide transport to/from Newark airport, she can take the shuttle for $20 or so or take the subway/LIRR to JFK from Penn.