Downeaster trains travel between Boston, MA and Brunswick, ME multiple times each day with stops in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. The entire route takes about 3.5 hours, with most passengers riding the Downeaster for business commutes, day trips, or weekend getaways.
In this guide, get an overview of route, learn about popular stops, schedule highlights, and helpful things to know when planning your trip.
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Table of Contents
Downeaster Overview
| Route Information | Facts & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Distance | 146 miles |
| Travel time | 3.5 hours |
| Frequency | Multiple trains per day |
| Amenities | Cafe car, WiFi |
| Best time to ride | Late June-October |
| Scenery highlights | Coastal marshes, charming small towns, forests with great fall foliage |
Popular Stops
Explore the popular stops on the Downeaster train route with nearby things to do and recommendations on where to stay.
Boston
What to Do: Museums, Freedom Trail, Boston Public Garden, Fenway
Where to Stay: Beacon Hill, Downtown, or Courtyard by Marriott North Station
Old Orchard Beach
What to Do: Palace Playland, Pier, mini golf, seafood restaurants
Where to Stay: The Beachwood, Atlantic Ocean Suites, vacation rentals
Portland
What to Do: Old Port District, Portland Head Lighthouse, Eastern Promenade Trail, sightseeing cruises
Where to Stay: Old Port or Arts District
Freeport
What to Do: LL Bean Flagship Store, Freeport Village Station Outlets
Where to Stay: James Place Inn, Nicholson Inn, Hilton Garden Inn
Schedule Highlights
- There are multiple trains to choose from each day, making day trips doable, including from Boston to Maine for a lobster roll and stroll.
- Travel time between Portland and Boston is about 2.5 hours.
- You can travel between Boston and the first Maine stop (Wells) in less than 2 hours.
View current schedules on AmtrakDowneaster.com.
Tips & Things to Know
- Business class seating is available.
- Trains arrive and depart from Boston’s North Station (there is also a South Station).
- Day trips are an option on this route, so if you’re sightseeing in Boston, you can easily spend a little time in Maine without driving or flying.
- Avoiding traveling during weekday morning and evening rush hour for a less crowded ride (unless you are commuting).
- Trains also fill up (and tickets sell out or get expensive) on Bruins and Celtics game nights roughly October through April (the sports venue is next to North Station). Check the event calendar and plan to ride the train at another time, unless you’re going to a game or concert!
Stations
Explore the full list of Downeaster Amtrak stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.
- Brunswick, ME (BRK)
- Freeport, ME (FRE)
- Portland, ME (POR)
- Old Orchard Beach, ME (ORB)
- Saco, ME (SAO)
- Wells, ME (WEM)
- Dover, NH (DOV)
- Durham, NH (DHM)
- Exeter, NH (EXR)
- Haverhill, MA (HHL)
- Woburn, MA (WOB)
- Boston, MA – North Station (BON)
More Information
- Amtrak trips to Maine
- 10 best fall train trips
- 10 best Amtrak trips on the East Coast
- 10 best Amtrak routes to ride in summer
Top photo credit: MBTafan2011/Wikimedia (Downeaster train in Massachusetts)
