Navigating Transportation in Connecticut: Train Travel, Part Two 

All aboard! Welcome back to our transportation series within “Under the Rock.” Last week, we discussed Connecticut’s three main railroads: the Hartford Line, Shore Line East and the New Haven mainline. Did you know that there are even more trains that pass through our state? Many may be of interest to University of Connecticut students and we’re here to break it down. 

MTA Metro-North New Haven Branch Lines 

The Metro-North Railroad operates three branch lines off of the New Haven Line: the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches. 

Historically, these branches were separate railroads but were consolidated and combined when the modern-day Metro-North operation took over. The New Canaan branch is the smallest of the bunch at just five stops over eight miles, in the towns of New Canaan, Darien and Stamford reuniting with the New Haven mainline at Stamford station. 

The Danbury and Waterbury branches operate using traditional diesel trains like the Hartford Line, but they serve longer distances. The Danbury branch starts in Danbury and makes seven stops, connecting with the mainline at South Norwalk station – and the Waterbury branch extends from Waterbury through the Naugatuck River Valley for six stops meeting up with Stratford and Bridgeport stations. 

Frequent New Caanan and Danbury branch trains operate through-service to Grand Central, but Waterbury passengers currently have to transfer at Bridgeport station. 

Because the branch lines are extensions of the New Haven Line, and all within Connecticut’s state borders, students can travel for free any time using their U-Pass. 

Information about the New Haven branch lines can be found on the MTA Metro-North webpage at mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroad. 

Amtrak Northeast Regional 

Amtrak, the federal railroad operator here in the United States, operates a couple of different train services which pass through Connecticut. The Northeast Regional, Amtrak’s busiest train line nationwide, runs from Washington, DC northward past New York City into Connecticut alongside the New Haven mainline stopping at New Rochelle, Stamford and Bridgeport to New Haven. There, the Northeast Regional splits into two routes: the “shoreline” and “inland” route.

The “shoreline” continues eastward alongside Shore Line East trackage, stopping at Old Saybrook, New London and Mystic stations and traveling through Rhode Island to Boston, Massachusetts as its northernmost station. The “inland route” follows the Hartford Line ending in Springfield. 

An important thing for UConn students to know about Northeast Regional is that only “inland” route Northeast Regional trains running between New Haven and Springfield accept the U-Pass and Hartford Line tickets for coach seating. Luckily, those runs are included on the Hartford Line’s timetables, so students don’t have to worry about keeping track of another schedule. 

Unfortunately, any Northeast Regional run on the “shoreline” route or past New Haven will not accept the U-Pass or Hartford Line ticket. (yet!) Fares are based on availability and class: Northeast Regional offers the more affordable coach seating and a higher-priced “business class” option and can range from $5 to $50. 

Northeast Regional trains do have a cool benefit: a café car – with food service and table seating! The menu is comprehensive, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options and the prices aren’t too bad. Starbucks coffee is available alongside a number of other beverage choices. My personal favorite food option is the turkey and asiago sandwich with cranberry mustard and apple juice – plus, you get a cute tray with a picture of the train on the side. 

Amtrak Valley Flyer 

When Connecticut introduced the Hartford Line in partnership with Amtrak, Massachusetts got a little jealous – okay, maybe that’s a contrived interpretation, but the new Valley Flyer service was then born. 

The Valley Flyer is operated by Amtrak and acts as an extension of the Hartford Line northward, making the same eight stops from New Haven to Springfield. It then continues on, making three additional station stops at Holyoke, Northampton and ending at Greenfield flying along the Connecticut River valley. 

Similar to “inland” Northeast Regional trains, Valley Flyer runs are integrated into the Hartford Line timetables and accept the U-Pass and Hartford Line tickets – but, as is mostly the case, only between New Haven and Springfield. 

If you’re taking this line, use an Amtrak VTM, like those available at New Haven, Hartford and Springfield stations, and purchase a ticket originating from Springfield. A one-way fare between Springfield and Greenfield costs around $15. 

This line offers scenic views and some more adventure potential – I like visiting Northampton with friends. More details about the Valley Flyer can be found on the nonprofit webpage Trains in the Valley at trainsinthevalley.org/valley-flyer. 

Amtrak Vermonter 

Amtrak operates a third line through Connecticut, the Vermonter – which travels from Washington, DC to Saint Albans, Vermont. Although this train travels on a similar route to the Northeast Regional, the Vermonter is operated separately. 

From New York Penn Station, this line stops at Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, Hartford, Windsor Locks and Springfield then travels northward. 

Unfortunately, the Vermonter does not accept the U-Pass and does not participate in any ticket-sharing program with the Hartford Line. Sadly, the fares between like stations are more expensive – a one-way ticket between New Haven and Hartford on the Vermonter is $11 as opposed to the Hartford Line’s rate of $8.25. The trains operate at the same speed and the service is the same onboard. 

Vermonter trains also offer a café car, currently with the same menu offerings as the Northeast Regional pending availability. 

For years, Amtrak ran a slightly different service to Montreal, Quebec in Canada under the name Montrealer that used the Mohegan Line trackage and stopped in Willimantic for a period of its history. That line ended in 1995, when the Vermonter was designed to replace it. 

Although I don’t take the Vermonter frequently, it may come in handy for a future vacation. If you need to stop at an intermediate Hartford Line station or can’t afford to wait until the next U-Pass eligible train pulls in, do so. 

Amtrak Acela 

The last major service Amtrak operates through Connecticut is the high-speed Acela Express train, which runs from Washington, DC to Boston, Massachusetts making two stops in Connecticut: Stamford and New Haven. 

This service launched in 2000 and is the fastest in America. Because of its super speed, Acela service is only sold with “business class” and “first class” tickets – not accepting the U-Pass. A one-way fare between New Haven and Stamford ranges from $75 to $200 for business class depending on the time of day. 

Acela is a great option for long-distance travel along the corridor, but students would most likely benefit more from the cheaper (or possibly free) Northeast Regional service. 

All Aboard! 

When it comes to fast, efficient, and eco-friendly travel, trains are the tops! Hopefully our guide helped demystify rail travel in and out of Connecticut. Whether you’re taking our commuter, intercity or regional lines, students can go far. There’s even plans for expansions and improvements, which we’ll talk about some day. Thanks for reading — until next time, I’m going back “Under the Rock.”