The Hartford Line is an Amtrak train service that runs mainly between Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, on Amtrak’s New Haven-Springfield line.
The line’s service consists of a shuttle, Valley Flyer, and Northeast Regional trains. The shuttle trains connect with Acela and Northeast Regional services at New Haven Union Station, where passengers may usually transfer between trains across the platform. Valley Flyer trains provide the same connecting service in New Haven but continue north via Springfield to Greenfield, Massachusetts. At least one Northeast Regional round trip runs daily between Washington, D.C., and Springfield, with extra through trains running on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Before the Valley Flyer and Northeast Regional through trains, the service was referred to as the New Haven-Springfield Shuttle or just the Shuttle. The route was renamed in September 2019. Today, the service is a component of and shares the name with the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Hartford Line commuter rail service.
During fiscal year (FY) 2023, the service transported 442,028 riders, up 36.3% from FY 2022. The rise in ridership was largely owing to the tourist industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Connecticut and Massachusetts Departments of Transportation both provide financial assistance for the program.
Stations and Stops
The Amtrak Hartford Line travels between Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut. Here is a table summarizing the stations:
| Station | City/Town, State | Landmarks/Points of Interest | Limited Service |
| Springfield, MA (SPG) | Springfield, MA | Springfield Museums, Basketball Hall of Fame, Six Flags New England | No |
| Windsor Locks, CT (WNL) | Windsor Locks, CT | Historic canals, Windsor Locks Canal State Park | Yes |
| Windsor, CT (WND) | Windsor, CT | Windsor Historical Society, Connecticut River | No |
| Hartford, CT (HFD) | Hartford, CT | Connecticut State Capitol, Bushnell Park, restaurants, shops | No |
| Berlin, CT (BER) | Berlin, CT | Parks, recreational areas | Yes |
| Meriden, CT (MDN) | Meriden, CT | Silver City Premium Outlets, hiking trails | No |
| Wallingford, CT (WFD) | Wallingford, CT | Local buses, shopping centers | No |
| New Haven, CT – State Street Station (STS) | New Haven, CT | Yale University, New Haven Green, museums | Yes (Acela Express & some Northeast Regional) |
| New Haven, CT – Union Station (NHV) | New Haven, CT | Yale University, Amtrak connections (Northeast Regional, Acela Express) | No |
Planning Your Trip
Ticketing Options:
The Hartford Line offers several convenient ways to purchase your tickets:
- Online: Visit the Amtrak website (https://www.amtrak.com/home) to browse schedules, fares, and book tickets.
- Mobile App: Download the Amtrak mobile app (https://www.amtrak.com/mobile) for smartphones and tablets to purchase tickets on the go, manage your reservations, and access real-time train information.
- Stations: Tickets can also be purchased at ticket vending machines or station ticket offices if available.
Using the Amtrak Website or App:
Amtrak’s website and mobile app offer a user-friendly platform to plan your trip:
- Check Schedules and Fares: Enter your origin and destination stations, date of travel, and desired travel time to view available train schedules and associated fares.
- Book Tickets: Once you have chosen your preferred train, you can book your tickets securely online or through the app. Select your seating class (coach, business class, etc.) and any additional options if available.
- Real-time Train Information: Access real-time updates on train arrivals, departures, and track assignments to stay informed about your trip.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals:
- Promotions and Discounts: Amtrak frequently offers promotional discounts and deals. Check the Amtrak website or app for ongoing promotions that may apply to your trip.
- Senior and Student Discounts: Seniors (age 65+) and students (with valid ID) are eligible for discounted fares on most Amtrak routes, including the Hartford Line. Make sure to select the appropriate passenger type while booking to avail of these discounts.
- Advance Booking: Booking your tickets in advance often leads to lower fares than buying closer to the departure date. Consider buying your tickets a few weeks in advance for possibly better deals.
- Weekday Travel: Traveling on weekdays (especially outside peak times) is usually cheaper than weekends or holidays. If possible, consider flexible travel dates to find the cheapest option.
What to Expect Onboard
Types of Trains:
The Hartford Line primarily uses single-level electric trains that offer a comfortable ride with plenty of legroom and overhead storage. However, on occasion, Amtrak may substitute single-level or bi-level diesel locomotives pulling multiple coaches.
Seating Options:
- Coach Class: is the most common and affordable option, offering comfortable reclining seats with legroom and a tray table.
- Business Class (Limited Availability): Offers more spacious seats with more spacious seats and amenities such as wider seats, extra legroom, and access to the Business Class Lounge on select stations (check availability).
- Quiet Car (available on some trains): Designated for passengers seeking a peaceful environment. Conversation and phone calls are discouraged in this car.
Amenities:
- Wi-Fi: Most Hartford Line trains offer free Wi-Fi access for passengers to stay connected during the trip. (Service availability and speed may vary)
- Restrooms: All trains have onboard restrooms for passenger convenience.
- Concessions: Select trains may have a cafe car offering drinks and snacks for purchase. You can also bring your own food and drinks on board.
Baggage Allowance and Fees:
Amtrak offers generous baggage allowance on most routes, including the Hartford line. Passengers are generally allowed two checked bags (up to 50 pounds each) and two carry-on bags for free. However, it’s always best to check the latest baggage policy on the Amtrak website for any updates or exceptions before your trip to avoid unexpected excess allowance fees.
Bringing Pets Onboard:
Small dogs and cats are allowed onboard Hartford Line trains in carriers for a designated fee. Specific regulations and pet fees apply, so be sure to review Amtrak’s pet policy on their website well in advance to ensure your furry friend meets the travel requirements.
Arriving at Your Destination
Station Amenities:
Most Amtrak stations offer a variety of amenities to enhance your travel experience upon arrival:
- Restrooms: All stations have restrooms for passenger convenience.
- Waiting Areas: Stations usually have designated waiting areas with comfortable seating for passengers to rest before or after a train journey.
- Shops (limited availability): Select stations may have convenience stores, cafes, or newsstands that offer travel accessories, snacks, and refreshments.
Ground Transportation Options:
It’s often easier to connect from the station to your final destination with several ground transportation options:
- Taxis and Ridesharing Services: Most stations are easily accessible via taxis or ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft. You can usually find designated pick-up and drop-off zones at stations.
- Public Buses: Many stations are located close to public bus stops, offering connections to local bus routes for further journeys into the city or surrounding areas.
Connecting to Other Amtrak Routes (if applicable):
Several stations along the Hartford Line serve as connection points for other Amtrak routes. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Springfield, MA (SPG): Offers connections to Amtrak long-distance routes traveling north, south, and west.
- New Haven, CT (NHV): A central hub that connects to other Amtrak routes such as the Northeast Regional and Acela Express, serving destinations north to Boston and south to New York City and beyond.
For specific details about available ground transportation options or to connect Amtrak routes to your destination station, visit the station information page on the Amtrak website or local public transportation authority websites.
Tips for a Smooth Ride:
- Arrive early (30 minutes recommended).
- Pack light (easier boarding and storage).
- Bring entertainment (books, music, etc.).
- Download offline content (for unreliable Wi-Fi).
- Dress for the weather (check forecast).
- Pack snacks (for delays or hunger).
- Be patient (potential delays may occur).
Hartford Line FAQs
Yes, there is a train that connects Hartford and New York. Both Amtrak Vermonter and Amtrak Northeast Regional operate this route. However, tickets are quite expensive compared to buses. The average rail ticket for this trip is about $50, while the average bus ticket is just $11.
Greyhound, Go Buses, and Peter Pan all operate trips from Hartford to New York City. Greyhound offers the most daily scheduled trips, with 17 per day and an average ticket price of about $13. Peter Pan Lines operates 11 excursions per day, with an average ticket price of $28. Go buses run the same route every day, with tickets around $15. The average travel time from Hartford to NYC is between 2 hours and 15 minutes and 2 hours and 50 minutes.
When taking I-84 S or CT-15 S, plan to pay approximately $7.00 by mail or $2.80 by E-ZPass New York. If you use I-95 S, you should expect to pay an additional $9.50 by mail or $6.12 with E-ZPass New York.
E-ZPass is a prepackaged passenger automobile tag available for $25 at approved retail locations. Once received, you set up an online account to pay for tools. When going through the toll, a separate lane is reserved for E-ZPass users only.
To avoid tolls altogether, try taking the bus instead.
On average, it takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes by bus to travel the 100 miles from Hartford to New York. However, the fastest bus takes 2 hours and 10 minutes. This is a great time to take a nap, do some work, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your bus may arrive earlier or later than expected, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Saturday is usually the busiest day, as many people board the bus to spend the weekend in New York. If you want to go on a Saturday, buy your tickets in advance, as they can sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is usually the least crowded day for bus travel on this route. If you need extra room on the bus, traveling during the week is your best option.
The first bus leaves at 7:00 AM, and the last bus leaves at 8:00 PM. To see all bus schedules from Hartford to New York, enter your travel dates in the search field.
There are 31 scheduled buses that travel from Hartford to New York every day, so you have plenty of options to choose from. It includes 21 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without transferring to a connecting bus at any point during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Hartford to New York. Ticket prices start at $13.00.
Bicycle regulations differ between CTrail Hartford Line trains and Amtrak trains running on the CTrail Hartford Line. Please check the schedule before traveling to see if you will be using a CTrail Hartford Line train or an Amtrak Hartford Line train, then refer to the cycling rules listed below.
CTrail’s Hartford Line Trains
The CTrail Hartford Line allows the following kinds of bicycles aboard all CTrail Hartford Line trains, subject to space availability:
Standard Bicycles: Customers must load and store bicycles in specified bicycle storage locations, as directed by the conductor.
Collapsible and Folding Bicycles: Customers must fold their collapsible and folding bikes before boarding. Collapsible and folding bicycles must be placed in baggage storage places at the end of the vehicle or beneath a seat and not on overhead racks.
Amtrak Hartford Line trains
Amtrak trains have varied bicycle requirements.
Customers wishing to carry a bicycle on an Amtrak Hartford Line train must buy their ticket via the Amtrak reservation center and add a bike to their reservation.
For additional information on Amtrak’s bicycle rules, go here or contact 1-800-US-RAIL.
Bicycle Racks
The Bicycle racks are located at all stations except Windsor and Windsor Locks.
Bicycle lockers are provided at both Hartford Union Station (in the Spruce Street Parking Lot on the west side) and New Haven Union Station.
For Lost & Found information, call CTrides or visit the Customer Service Center.
North of Hartford, there is just one track, which limits the amount of trains that may be scheduled via this stretch. Sign-up for updates to the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.
Tickets purchased through CTrail Hartford Line Ticket Vending Machines or the CTrail eTix app are accepted on all Amtrak trains between New Haven, CT and Springfield, MA (except Vermonter trains 54, 55, 56, and 57 at any time, and Amtrak Northeast Regional trains 140, 141, 143, 146, 147, 148, 157 blackout during holidays only). Passengers who submit a CTrail ticket for travel on the Vermonter will be charged the current Amtrak ticket fee.
Additional Resources
Official Amtrak website: (https://www.amtrak.com/home)
Amtrak Hartford Line information page (if available): (https://www.amtrak.com/amtrak-hartford-line-train)
Hartford Line’s official website: (https://hartfordline.com/)
Wikipedia: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Line_(Amtrak))