The Berkshire Flyer is a seasonal Amtrak passenger train service that runs from New York City to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, via the Hudson Valley. Throughout the summer, the weekly train departs Penn Station on Friday afternoons and returns on Sundays. The route’s 2023 season began on May 26 and continued through October 9, marking the second year of a three-year demonstration program. In this blog post, you will get a complete rider guide about Amtrak Berkshire Flyer Train, including stops, stations, and other things that you should know.
Amtrak Berkshire Flyer Train Route & Stops
| Amtrak Berkshire Flyer Train Route map |
 Lake Shore Limited to Springfield / Boston190 mi306 km Pittsfield Massachusetts New York Empire Corridor 141 mi227 km Albany–Rensselaer Train reverses114 mi183 km Hudson100 mi161 km Rhinecliff 80 mi129 km Poughkeepsie40 mi64 km Croton–Harmon18 mi29 km Yonkers Harlem River To Philadelphia0 New York City To New Haven |
Starting point:
- New York City (Moynihan Train Hall)
End point:
- Pittsfield, MA (Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center)
Intermediate stops:
- Yonkers, NY
- Croton-Harmon, NY (mention scenic Croton Gorge)
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Rhinecliff, NY
- Hudson, NY (mention “upstate’s favorite downtown”)
- Albany-Rensselaer, NY
Read Also: ACELA TRAIN: Stops & Things To Know (A Complete Rider Guide)
Amtrak Berkshire Flyer Train Trip Schedule & Booking
If there are two times, the first is the arrival and the second is the departure; if there is just one, it is a quick stop.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Berkshire Flyer operates as a seasonal train. Tickets are not currently available, and the information is based on the 2023 timetable.
| FRIDAYREAD DOWN1235 | COMMUNITIES SERVED | SUNDAY*READ UP1244 | MILES |
| 3:15p | New York, NY (NYP)Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station | 7:10p | 0 |
| 3:39p | Yonkers, NY (YNY) | 6:38p | 14 |
| 3:58p | Croton-Harmon, NY (CRT) | 6:10p | 32 |
| 4:40p | Poughkeepsie, NY (POU) | 5:30p | 73 |
| 4:55p | Rhinecliff, NY (RHI)Kingston, NY | 5:12p | 88 |
| 5:15p | Hudson, NY (HUD) | 4:50p | 114 |
| 5:45p | 6:17p | Albany-Rensselaer, NY (ALB) | 4:10p | 4:30p | 141 |
| 7:12p | Pittsfield, MA (PIT) | 3:00p | 190 |
Use this as a guide; exact times may vary at any time, so check Amtrak.com or your eticket.
Tickets and Fares
Economy tickets start at $45 and do not exceed $105 one-way. Book early to secure a seat! The Flyer usually sells. Purchase your ticket now.
INSIDER TIPS:
- Last summer, the federal mileage rate increased to 65.5 cents per mile. Driving to the Berkshires from NYC would cost more than $100 each way. Take the train to save!
- Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend Flyer services provide the only weekends in which passengers can spend two full days and three nights in the Berkshires.
Where do I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets via Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Read Also: Amtrak Auto Train: Stops, Stations & Must-Knows (A Complete Rider Guide)
Amtrak Berkshire Flyer Train Onboard Experience
Seating options:
There are two seats available on this train.
Coach Class
- Fold-down tray
- Individual reading lights.
- The wall has 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
- There are overhead and storage racks at the end of the car to keep your belongings.
Business Class on Amtrak Berkshire Flyer:
If you’re looking for a more comfortable and luxurious travel experience on the Berkshire Flyer, Business Class is a great option. This class offers several benefits, including:
Extra legroom: Enjoy more space to stretch out and relax.
Wide and comfortable seat: Sit back and enjoy a comfortable ride.
Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages: Refresh yourself with a complimentary beverage.
Seat Selection: Pre-select your preferred seat on Northeast routes for a smooth boarding experience.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Bonus: Earn 25% more points on every dollar you spend.
Although many routes have fixed seating arrangements, you can still change your seat when making a reservation. Keep in mind that child car seats cannot be secured in any seat on Amtrak trains or buses. If you are traveling with an infant or young child, you can place the car seat in an empty seat if it is not needed by a paying passenger. Children under the age of 2 may need to sit on your lap, and the car seat should be stored in a designated luggage compartment.
Baggage allowance:
What’s Allowed?
Each passenger may bring:
- one personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and
- two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
(Pacific Surfliner: up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each).
Make sure you have a tag with your name and address on the outside of all your bags.
Read Also: AMTRAK BLUE WATER TRAIN: STOPS, STATIONS, & THINGS TO KNOW (A Complete Rider Guide)
Amtrak Berkshire Flyer Train Amenities and Policies
- Business Class offers exclusive amenities like extra legroom, a wide, comfortable seat, and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage.
- Seat selection is available on many routes in the Northeast, providing a seamless boarding experience.
- Business Class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
- Seat orientation is fixed forward and backward, but can be changed upon reservation completion.
- Child car seats cannot be secured to any seats on Amtrak trains or buses.
- All passengers are asked to use earphones or headphones for sound-emitting devices.
- Overweight bags must be repacked to under 50 lbs.
- A $20 excess baggage fee is charged for each carry-on and personal item above the quantity and size limits.
- Carry-on bags must fit in the sizer at the station.
- Infant items under the age of two may be brought onboard, which does not count toward the carry-on baggage or personal item limit.
- Personal items must fit under the seat and carry-on bags must fit in overhead racks or luggage towers.
Bikes:
Carry-on/Trainside bicycles can weigh up to 50 pounds. Standard bike sizes apply. Maximum tire width is 2″. Check the link for more information; bike service may not be provided at every station.
Pets:
Amtrak accepts dogs and cats weighing up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) for excursions lasting up to seven hours. Spots may be restricted, so be sure to check the Amtrak pet policy before reserving.
If you have a service or comfort animal, please review the Amtrak service animal policy before reserving.
Food Service
The Berkshire Flyer does not provide food service, so bring a delectable treat and even a bottle of wine (alcohol is permitted) to enjoy during the journey.