The Amtrak Downeaster is a regional train with daily runs daily runs between Boston, MA, and Brunswick, ME, with stops in between. The route covers 145 scenic miles between picturesque landscapes and historic landmarks. With five daily round trips, passengers can easily plan their travels for business or an adventure, with an average travel time of 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The Downeaster is efficient, offering comfy seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, coach, and business class. The train also provides bike racks so that cyclists can bring their bikes. A cafe car is available for food and beverage needs.
The Downeaster offers several destinations, from Boston to the quaint shores of Brunswick. Each stop offers various attractions and activities that can stir up your interest. From the cultural delights of Portland, ME, to the historic charm of Old Orchard Beach, the Downeaster invites you to uncover the hidden gems of New England at every turn.
Join me as we delve into the world of the Amtrak Downeaster, where you can find its schedule, amenities, and everything you need to know to embark on your unforgettable journey through the heart of the Northeast.
Welcome aboard!
Track Work Affects Downeaster Service
Effective through May 3, 2024
The MBTA is performing trackwork that impacts the Downeaster service through May 3, as described below. Amtrak updated the schedules listed on Amtrak.com to reflect this change.
Trains 682 and 684, which generally operate between Haverhill and Boston North, will detour, missing the stop at Woburn with no alternate transportation provided.
Trains 681 and 683, which generally operate between Boston North and Haverhill, will detour, missing the stop at Woburn with no alternate transportation provided.
Expect delays of up to 20 minutes to Boston North.
For the most up-to-date schedule times, please visit Amtrak.com.
Amtrak Downeaster Coach class
The Downeaster provides coach seating with various features, including comfortable seats, fold-down seat trays, individual reading lights, and 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets. Additionally, the coach car has overhead luggage shelves, and there is usually a rack at the end of the coach car where you can store your belongings.
I found the regional coach seats comfortable during my many years of traveling by Amtrak. If you ever need to stretch your legs or get a different view for a little while, you can head to the cafe car. I will provide more information about the cafe car later on.
- Comfortable seats
- A fold-down tray
- Individual reading lights
- 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
- There are overhead luggage shelves and often a rack at the end of the car where you can also put your gear.
Business class
The Downeastern offers business class, which gives passengers extra legroom, a comfortable seat, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.
Business Class passengers will also receive a 25% Amtrak Guest Rewards points bonus.
Downeatern Wi-Fi and food
Wi-Fi is free and available on this train.
The café car on the train offers a diverse selection of hot and cold meals, snacks, and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
You may bring food and drink aboard the train, but you cannot consume alcohol on the train you brought aboard.
Add-ons for your trip
If you want to bring your bike or pet, this section is for you. Plus, if you are wondering about checked luggage.
Bringing your bike on the Downeastern
Standard full-size bicycles may be carried and stored onboard bicycle racks on select trains. Passengers traveling on short-distance routes in the Northeast must remove the front wheel before storing their bikes. Bikes go in Specially Designated Spaces Only.
Passengers can store bicycles inside designated racks in Coach passenger cars. Unreserved carry-on bicycle service racks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the racks are full, bicycles will not be accepted onboard.
Pets and service animals on the Downeaster
- Amtrak allows you to bring your dog or cat, providing the following:
- Your fluffy travel companion and their carrier must weigh 20 pounds or less.
- There are size restrictions as well.
- Your pet needs to be on your reservation.
- Paperwork is needed, and Amtrak will send it after your reservation is complete, or you can find it in the My Trip section.
- To get additional info and the paperwork, check out Amtrak’s pet policy.
- Your fluffy travel companion and their carrier must weigh 20 pounds or less.
If you have a service or comfort animal, read Amrak’s service animal policy for booking and instructions and animal qualifications before booking.
Luggage on the Downeaster
The Downester does not offer checked baggage service.
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and
- Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
- If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each.
Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Amtrak Downeaster Service Schedule
As a good practice, check your etickets on your travel date to ensure no last-minute time changes. Click on the stations to see the services offered at that stop.
Northbound Amtrak Downeaster Schedule
| Communities Served | Miles | 681/691 | 683/693 | 685/695 | 687/697 | 689/1689 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA (BON) North Station | 0 | 8:50a | 11:50a | 3:45p | 5:20p | 10:30p |
| Woburn, MA (WOB) | 13 | 9:08a | 12:08p | 4:03p | 5:38p | 10:48p |
| Haverhill, MA (HHL) | 34 | 9:38a | 12:38p | 4:33p | 6:08p | 11:18p |
| Exeter, NH (EXR) | 51 | 9:59a | 12:59p | 4:54p | 6:29p | 11:39p |
| Durham, NH (DHM) University of New Hampshire | 62 | 10:12a | 1:12p | 5:07p | 6:42p | 11:52p |
| Dover, NH (DOV) | 68 | 10:20a | 1:20p | 5:15p | 6:50p | 11:59p |
| Wells, ME (WEM) | 84 | 10:38a | 1:38p | 5:33p | 7:08p | 12:18a |
| Saco, ME (SAO) | 100 | 10:55a | 1:55p | 5:50p | 7:25p | 12:35a |
| Portland, ME (POR) | 116 | 11:25a* | 2:25p* | 6:20p* | 7:55p* | 1:00a |
| Freeport, ME (FRE) | 136 | 11:55a | 2:55p | 6:50p | 8:25p | 1:30a |
| Brunswick, ME (BRK) | 145 | 12:10p | 3:10p | 7:05p | 8:40p | 1:45a |
Southbound Amtrak Downeaster Schedule
| Communities Served | Miles | 680 | 682/692 | 684 | 686/696 | 688/698 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick, ME (BRK) | 0 | 4:30a | 7:10a | 11:00a | 12:55p | 5:45p |
| Freeport, ME (FRE) | 9 | 4:43a | 7:23a | 11:13a | 1:08p | 5:58p |
| Portland, ME (POR) | 29 | 5:18a | 7:58a | 11:48a | 1:43p * | 6:33p* |
| Saco, ME (SAO) | 45 | 5:40a | 8:20a | 12:10p | 2:05p | 6:55p |
| Wells, ME (WEM) | 61 | 5:59a | 8:39a | 12:29p | 2:24p | 7:14p |
| Dover, NH (DOV) | 77 | 6:17a | 8:57a | 12:47p | 2:42p | 7:32p |
| Durham, NH (DHM) University of New Hampshire | 83 | 6:25a | 9:05a | 12:55p | 2:50p | 7:40p |
| Exeter, NH (EXR) | 94 | 6:39a | 9:19a | 1:09p | 3:04p | 7:54p |
| Haverhill, MA (HHL) | 111 | 7:00a | 9:40a | 1:30p | 3:25p | 8:15p |
| Woburn, MA (WOB) | 132 | 7:29a | 10:09a | 1:59p | 3:54p | 8:44p |
| Boston, MA (BON) North Station | 145 | 7:50a | 10:30a | 2:20p | 4:15p | 9:05p |
Printable Amtrak Downeaster Schedule
You can use the link below to print out the Amtrak Downeaster, or if you want a custom schedule, you can do that, too! Amtrak.com allows you to print the most up-to-date schedule or a custom schedule. Learn how to print off Amtrak Schedules here.
The information for these guides comes from Amtrak, and Amtrak can change times anytime.
Safe Travels,
Kev
