New Hampshire has four Amtrak stations that serve two regional routes. The Downeaster connects Boston to Maine, stopping at three stations in eastern New Hampshire. In contrast, the Vermonter connects Washington, D.C., to Vermont, with one station located in western New Hampshire. These are regional services; for destinations beyond New England or the Northeast Corridor, you will need to transfer to long-distance trains at major hubs such as Boston, New York, or Washington. Here’s everything you need to know about riding Amtrak in New Hampshire.
Amtrak in New Hampshire: Routes at a Glance
Downeaster: Boston (North Station) to Brunswick, Maine
- Stations: Exeter, Durham, Dover
- 5 daily round-trips
- Service since 2001
Vermonter: Washington, DC to St. Albans, Vermont
- Station: Claremont
- 1 daily round trip
- This route has been around since 1995.
Exeter Amtrak Station (EXR)
Address: 60 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH 03833
Station Type: Unstaffed platform with shelter
Station Facilities
- Covered outdoor platform with open-air shelter
- Accessible high platform section
- Parking available
- No Wi-Fi
- No restrooms
- No building or enclosed waiting area
- No ticket office or Quik-Trak kiosk
Service Details
The station accommodates five Downeaster trains in each direction every day.
The platform features a covered shelter with a hipped roof and a gabled dormer, which was constructed in 2001. The shelter’s posts and brackets are painted a deep red to match the nearby historic Boston and Maine Railroad depot, built in 1891. On warm days, wooden benches are arranged alongside beautifully landscaped beds of trees and shrubs.
What’s Nearby
Exeter station sits on the western edge of historic downtown, all within easy walking distance:
- Phillips Exeter Academy (half mile)
- Downtown retail district (half mile)
- American Independence Museum
- Art galleries and local shops
- Convenience stores and restaurants near the platform
- Town walking trails
The station is approximately 70 minutes from both Portland and Boston, making it a popular midpoint stop for commuters.
Accessibility
The station has an accessible high platform section. Same-day and overnight accessible parking is available, but Amtrak cannot guarantee space availability.
Dover Amtrak Station (DOV)
Address: 33 Chestnut Street, Dover, NH 03820-3327
Station Type: Unstaffed station building with enclosed waiting area
Station Facilities
- Enclosed waiting area
- Accessible platform
- Parking ($0.50/hour, $3/day, $15 for 14-day pass)
- No Wi-Fi
- No checked baggage service
- No ticket office
- Restrooms
Service Details
The station serves five Downeaster round-trip trains daily.
Built in 2001 specifically for Downeaster service, the station building opens 30 minutes before most scheduled departures. Bubby’s Bagel and Deli is located adjacent to the train platform and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 7:00 am-1:00 pm, and Sunday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, with access to the Amtrak self-service ticketing kiosk.
What’s Nearby
The station sits north of the Cochecho River and is within walking distance of:
- Downtown Dover (quarter mile)
- Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (quarter mile)
- Restaurants and galleries
- Popular Riverwalk along the Cochecho River
- Dover Community Trail (accessible from the parking lot)
Public Transit Connections
- COAST Bus: Service to Dover, Portsmouth, Newington, Somersworth, and Rochester
- Wildcat Transit: Service to parts of Madbury and Durham (UNH Campus)
Accessibility
The station features an accessible platform with a barrier-free path from the drop-off area. Same-day and overnight accessible parking is available. Free passenger assistance is provided, including baggage handling and courtesy wheelchairs, where available.
Durham-UNH Amtrak Station (DHM)
Address: 3 Depot Road, Durham, NH 03824
Station Type: Unstaffed Station Building with Waiting Room
Station Facilities
- Self-service ticketing kiosk (open 6:00 am-11:00 pm daily, located in vestibule attached to Dairy Bar)
- UNH Dairy Bar restaurant in historic depot building
- Metered/permit parking ($1.50/hour or $18/day up to 5 days)
- No Wi-Fi
- Enclosed waiting area
Service Details
Durham station averages about 161 passengers daily, making it the third-busiest Amtrak stop in New Hampshire. The station serves five Downeaster trains in each direction daily.
The historic depot, built in the 19th century and sold by Boston & Maine to UNH for $1 in 1960, now houses the famous UNH Dairy Bar, known for its unique ice cream flavors. The Dairy Bar is currently open Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-3:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am-2:00 pm; closed weekends.
The University of New Hampshire owns the station, while the Town of Durham manages the adjacent parking area.
What’s Nearby
Located on the UNH campus, the platform is adjacent to:
- University of New Hampshire campus
- UNH Whittemore Center Arena/Wildcat Stadium
- Downtown Durham retail district (quarter mile)
- UNH College Woods trail
- Lamprey River outdoor recreation
Public Transit Connections
- Campus Connector: Free rides on fixed routes around town and campus (UNH transit, fully ADA accessible)
- Wildcat Transit: Connects Durham-UNH to Dover, Madbury, Newington, and Portsmouth ($1.50/ride or free to UNH ID holders)
Parking Details
Town-operated Depot Street Lot offers:
- $1.50 per hour metered parking
- $18 per day (up to 5 days)
- Permit parking available ($450 per UNH semester or $800 per academic year)
- Durham residents can obtain temporary single-day passes from the Durham Police Department (limited to 3 days per month)
Accessibility
The station has accessible facilities. UNH offers fully ADA-accessible transit services with low-emission CNG- and B20-powered buses.
Claremont Amtrak Station (CLA)
Address: Plains Road and Maple Avenue, Claremont, NH 03743
Station Type: Unstaffed outdoor platform with shelter
Station Facilities
- Concrete platform with enclosed wooden shelter (built 2015)
- Parking available
- No Wi-Fi
- No restrooms
- No ticket office or Quik-Trak kiosk
- No waiting room or building
- No accessibility features (platform not wheelchair accessible)
Service Details
Claremont is the only Amtrak station in western New Hampshire. The Vermonter stops here twice daily: one southbound train in the morning and one northbound train in the evening.
The station is located about 2.5 miles west of downtown Claremont, near the municipal airport. In October 2015, the community dedicated an enclosed wood-frame shelter that protects passengers from inclement weather and provides bench seating. A fanciful weathervane featuring a steam locomotive tops the handsome structure. Local businesses donated all materials for the shelter, and volunteers contributed their time to finish, stain, and seal the timbers, and landscape the surrounding area.
The adjacent former Boston and Maine Railroad depot, built in 1920, now houses the Claremont Cycle Depot bike shop.
What’s Nearby
- Claremont Cycle Depot (in historic 1920 B&M depot)
- Monadnock Mill complex (one of New Hampshire’s best-preserved mill building collections)
- Sugar River Trail with historic covered railroad bridges
- Downtown Claremont (2.5 miles east)
Connections
The Vermonter provides Claremont area residents with access to Springfield, Massachusetts, and connections to major East Coast cities, including Boston, Hartford, New Haven, New York City, and Albany.
Accessibility
Amtrak’s website states that this station lacks an accessible platform and does not offer wheelchairs at this location. However, some sources mention that accessible parking is available. For current information on accessibility accommodations, please get in touch with Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Booking Your New Hampshire Amtrak Trip
All New Hampshire stations are unstaffed, meaning there are no ticket agents on-site. You have several options for purchasing tickets:
- Amtrak.com or Mobile App: Book online 24/7
- Self-Service Kiosks: Available at Dover and Durham
- Phone: Call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
- Travel Agents: If you are looking for someone to plan a comprehensive adventure package, this could be the right option.
Amtrak in New Hampshire Route Details
Downeaster Schedule
The Downeaster operates between Boston’s North Station and Brunswick, Maine, with the following New Hampshire stops (in order from Boston):
- Exeter
- Durham
- Dover
Total journey time from Boston to Brunswick: Approximately 3 hours 20 minutes
Vermonter Schedule
The Vermonter operates between Washington, DC, and St. Albans, Vermont, with a stop in Claremont, NH.
From Claremont, you can reach:
- Springfield, MA: Part of daily service
- New York City: Via connections
- Washington, DC: Southern terminus
- St. Albans, VT: Northern terminus
Tips for First-Time Riders in New Hampshire
Arrive Early: All New Hampshire stations are unstaffed, so arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Some facilities, such as Durham’s kiosk, may have limited hours. If you arrive late, the train can and will leave without you.
How can I check if my train is on time? You can track your train using the Amtrak app or various third-party websites. For more information, please refer to my post on tracking Amtrak trains.
Parking: All four stations offer parking, but availability is not guaranteed. Dover and Durham provide the most structured parking options with transparent pricing. Exeter and Claremont offer parking, but it is less formal.
No Checked Baggage: New Hampshire stations do not offer checked baggage service. You must handle all luggage yourself. Both the Downeaster and the Vermonter allow carry-on baggage.
Limited Amenities: Only Dover has indoor waiting. Durham features the Dairy Bar (limited hours). Exeter has a covered platform only. Claremont has a shelter built by volunteers. Please dress appropriately for the weather if you need to wait outside.
Restrooms: Use the restroom before you leave for the train if none are available at your station. If you arrive early, consider supporting a small local business and using their restroom.
Accessibility: Dover and Durham have accessible platforms. Exeter has some accessible features, but only partially. Claremont currently has no accessibility options. Please call ahead if you require accessibility accommodations.
Contact Information
Amtrak General Information: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) Website: www.amtrak.com Downeaster Information: www.amtrakdowneaster.com
Final Thoughts on Amtrak in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s Amtrak service is modest but serves a strategic purpose. The Downeaster provides reliable regional service along the Boston-to-Maine corridor, while the Vermonter provides western New Hampshire access to the broader Northeast network. Although you won’t find long-distance routes or staffed stations like in other states, these services effectively accomplish their goal: transporting you to major hubs where more travel options are available.
If you’re new to train travel, the Downeaster is an excellent option because it offers five departures each day, giving you schedule flexibility. The short journey lengths also mean that missing a connection isn’t a significant issue. On the other hand, the Vermonter requires more advanced planning because it operates only one train daily. However, it is a reliable route with years of proven service.
Whether you are commuting to Boston, heading to campus at UNH, or connecting to other destinations, New Hampshire’s four stations offer straightforward access to the Amtrak network. Pack light and arrive early for a smooth experience.
Safe Travels & Happy Planning!
Kev
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Last Updated: January 2026
