Amtrak's Borealis

The Amtrak Borealis is a newly introduced regional train that runs daily between Chicago, IL, and St. Paul, MN. It makes all the stops along the Hiawatha and Empire Builder routes from Chicago and the Twin Cities. This train replaces the Hiawatha 333 and 340 trains. Depending on your destination, either of those trains could be substituted for this train if needed.

Following the Empire Builder route to St. Paul, passengers can visit several cities, including Wisconsin Dells, Columbus (Madison), La Crosse, the Milwaukee Airport, and Sturtevant, WI.

The train makes thirteen stops and travels 410 miles, taking 7 hours and 14 minutes to complete the journey.

• The Amtrak Borealis offers two service classes.
  • Coach Class: an economical way to travel.
  • Business Class: Provides extra amenities—currently, a suspended class.
    • Priority boarding (at select stations), complimentary beverages, and more spacious seats

This post provides information about Borialis, including their schedule and timetable, as well as additional details.

Amtrak Borealis Coach Class

The train consists of three to four Superliner Coach cars, with a locomotive at each end. A cab car may replace one of the locomotives.

I’ve traveled many miles in coach class and, at 6’2″, found it accessible. If you need to get up and stretch your legs, feel free to do so.

The seats are comfortable, with decent legroom, making the journey more relaxing. Each seat includes a tray table, a storage pocket, and a personal reading light.

Overhead storage is available for your belongings. If you’re unable to lift heavy items, a luggage rack is located at one end of the car for larger bags.

One of the best features is the absence of middle seats, ensuring that you’ll always have either a window or aisle seat with ample space to yourself.

You’ll also find a 120-volt grounded outlet under the window, perfect for charging your devices.

Two restrooms are conveniently located at one end of the car, making it easy to freshen up during your trip.

Overall, coach class on the Amtrak Borealis offers a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

A diagram of the coach car is included below for reference.

Kev’s coach class travel tips!

During my years of travel, I’ve discovered a few essential items to bring along that enhance my trips.

An extension cord, preferably 3-6 feet long, is a practical necessity for people who work or need to charge multiple devices, especially when seated in an aisle. It’s a game-changer, providing power exactly where you need it and minimizing any inconvenience to your seatmate.

I also bring a water bottle and snacks to stay fueled and hydrated during my travels. While a café or snack car is available, having extra money for meals and snacks can make the trip more enjoyable.

If you’re bringing electronics, remember to bring chargers, cables, and headphones. Headphones are essential for watching or listening to anything on a device.

If you need more entertainment ideas, I have an article about entertainment on Amtrak that may be helpful.

Amtrak Borealis Coach Class Layout

This diagram provides an overview of the layout of a coach car.

Business class

Business class is currently suspended on this train while it uses the Superliner cars.

Step into an upgrade with Amtrak’s Business Class, available on the Amtrak Borealis. Enjoy extra legroom, spacious seating, and complimentary beverages. Seat selection and a 25% bonus on reward points enhance your journey.

Wi-Fi and entertainment

The Borealis will offer complimentary Amtrak Wi-Fi for your use during travel.

Amtrak does not offer in-seat entertainment, except for the occasional view outside the windows and conversation with a seatmate. I have an article that provides entertainment ideas for Amtrak, which you are welcome to view.

Luggage on the Borealis

There are a few things you should know before planning your trip!

Luggage

The Borealis does not offer checked bags or bike service.

Each passenger may carry on:

• One personal item, up to 25 pounds (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
• 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 limit for that train is 28 x 22 x 11 inches per piece.

Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.

Borealis Add-Ons

Bikes are not allowed on the Borealis. Please note that these services are subject to change without notice.

Pets

Amtrak allows dogs and cats:

• Up to 20 pounds
  • The combined weight of the pet and carrier.
• These spots may be limited, and paperwork is required.
• You need paperwork before you leave for the station.
• For information on paperwork, rules, and limitations, please refer to Amtra’s pet policy.

If you have a service or comfort animal, read the Amtrak service animal policy before booking for qualifications and booking information.

Golf clubs

You must make reservations to bring golf clubs on the train; you can do so on the app, website, phone, or at staffed stations. For more information, please refer to Amtrak’s golf club policy.

Food on the Amtrak Borealis

If you’re planning a trip on the Amtrak Borealis, it’s good to know that food is available on the train. It can be a fun experience to walk to the café car during your journey and grab a snack or a beverage.

The café car is situated on the lower level of a coach. Please ask a conductor or listen for announcements.

The café car is open most of the route. It typically opens after the train leaves its first station and closes shortly before its final destination. It may also close for breaks. 

The café car offers a diverse range of hot and cold meals, often with combo options, snacks, and a wide selection of hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages. You can conveniently pay for purchases using cash, credit, or most debit cards.

While you can bring your food and drink onto the train, you cannot consume adult beverages you did not buy on the train. Amtrak cannot store or heat any food or drink you bring onto the train.

Alternative Train Options to Borealis

There are two alternatives to the Borealis.

Hiawatha

If you’re traveling between Milwaukee and Chicago, consider using the Hiawatha as a convenient option.

Empire Builder

If you are traveling from Chicago to St. Paul, you can take the Empire Builder.

However, this train does not stop at Sturtevant, WI, or the Milwaukee Airport. You can also not take it from Milwaukee to Glenview or Chicago.

It doesn’t matter which train you choose—whether it’s Train 7 or Train 27 heading west, or Train 8 or Train 28 going east; all of these trains operate together between these stops. I recommend selecting the cheapest available seat for your journey.

For more details, please refer to my article about trains with multiple train numbers.

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Amtrak Borealis schedule or timetable

Here is the Amtrak Borealis schedule, and below is a PDF version for your reference.

Note that the chart below does not indicate that you cannot take the Empire Builder between Chicago and Glenview or Chicago and Milwaukee. You can download or print it out. Depending on your destination and needs, the Empire Builder or Hiawatha could also work for you.

Note, although not indicated in the chart below, that you cannot take the Empire Builder between Chicago, Glenview, or Milwaukee.

1333 Borealis Read Down	7/27 Empire Builder Read Down	Communities Served	Miles	8/28 Empire Builder Last Stop	1340 Borealis Last Stop
11:10a	3:05p	Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) (CT)	0	4:45p	7:21p
11:34a	R 3:29p	Glenview, IL (GLN) (Metra)	17	4:12p D	6:45p
12:12p	—	Sturtevant, WI (SVT)	63	—	6:08p
12:27p	—	Milwaukee, WI Airport (MKA)	78	—	5:55p
12:42p | 12:49p	4:35p – 4:45p	Milwaukee, WI Downtown Intermodal (MKE)	85	2:57p – 3:05p	5:53p |- 5:55p
1:55p	5:55p	Columbus, WI (CBS) (Madison)	150	1:47p	4:23p
2:23p	6:24p	Portage, WI (POG)	178	1:17p	3:55p
2:43p	6:42p	Wisconsin Dells, WI (WDL)	195	12:58p	3:37p
3:23p	7:20p	Tomah, WI (TOH)	240	12:16p	2:56p
4:11p	8:04p	La Crosse, WI Amtrak Station (LSE)	281	11:37a	2:17p
4:45p	8:40p	Winona, MN (WIN)	308	11:01a	1:41p
5:47p	9:42p	Red Wing, MN (RDW)	371	9:44a	12:37p
6:41p	10:56p	St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN Union Depot (MSP)	410	8:50a	11:49a
Last Stop	Last Stop	Stations	Miles	Read Up	Read Up

Schedule/Timetable Notes

If you decide that the Empire Builder is a better option for travel between Chicago and St. Paul in coach class, it doesn’t matter whether you book train 7, 27, 8, or 28. Between these stops, all of these cars operate as one train. I recommend selecting the most affordable seat available.

For more information, please refer to my article about trains with multiple train numbers.

Note that the chart below does not suggest that you cannot take the Empire Builder between Chicago, Glenview, or Chicago and Milwaukee.

Amtrak Borealis printable schedule

The printable Amtrak Borealis schedule link is from the Rail Passengers Association website.