CHESTER TRAIN RIDES
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We no longer operate train rides from Chester, VT
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We no longer have the equipment to operate in both Chester, and Burlington, VT. We sold the majority of our Green Fleet after COVID and are focusing on our Dinner Train Experience from Burlington.
ON BOARD ACCOMMODATIONS & SEATING
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We do have restrooms restrooms on board the dinner train. There are also bathrooms located in the Amtrak Station in Burlington as well as at the Info Center.
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We do have a wheelchair lift to get on the train. However, our historic cars are not ADA compliant. We will try our best to accommodate all passengers. Please see our handicapped policy on our policy page for more details and information or email [email protected].
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We do not have any Narragansett-style (open-air) cars. All of our passenger cars are enclosed with large windows. Our Silver Fleet is fully climate controlled with both heating and air conditioning.
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We operate in all weather conditions and will not delay the train due to the weather. Please be safe while traveling and give yourself extra time if necessary.
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Seating will be automatically generated at the time of purchase for all dinner trains and is processed through our system based on party size and car availability.
If you did not select a private table for two, you will share a table with another couple and each couple will have one window seat and one aisle seat (your seats will be side by side).
All of our tables seat 4 guests, if you have more than 4 guests in your party, you will need to purchase two tables (or more depending on party size) and they will automatically be close together (usually separated by the aisle) as long as they are all under one booking.
Please see our Rules of the Rails for more details.
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To book a party of 5 or more people. Please purchase more than one table in your order. By doing so, your tables with automatically be grouped together with the aisle in between you. Suggested Orders:
Table of 2 (private or not private is up to you) + Table of 3 = Party of 5
Table of 2 (private or not private is up to you) + Table of 4 = Party of 6
Table of 3 + Table of 4 = Party of 7
Two tables of 4 = Party of 8
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Please email [email protected] so that we can group your parties together.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
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Outside food and drink are NOT permitted on any of our dinner trains or the Cocktails on the Rails excursion.
If you have dietary restrictions/preferences, please indicate that when reserving your tickets.
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Outside alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted on board any of our excursions. We offer a full bar service on all of our dinner train excursions throughout the season. Chartered events may bring alcohol on board if provided by a licensed caterer.
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A meal is provided with your Champlain Valley Dinner Train ticket.
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No. Our commercial kitchen car on board the dinner train gives us the capacity to operate a limited menu much like a restaurant. Advanced ordering is not necessary unless a guest in your party has severe dietary restrictions. You will select your entrée from the menu on board the train and your server will take your order.
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Chef Paul has been the Executive Chef on the dinner train since 2017. Though the menu is small, it is very versatile and with enough notice, he can accommodate the toughest restrictions in the book. We always have gluten free and vegan options every season. What we cannot do, however, is whip something up in a moments notice so please make sure he has enough time to prepare and add your dietary restrictions when prompted to do so upon booking.
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No. Due to limited capacity on board the train, we charge 1 additional ticket to secure a private table for two. Our caterer does not get a percentage of the additional ticket, it only covers the expense of the train for the two empty seats at your table.
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We do not offer a kids menu at this time due to limited storage space in the kitchen car, we have a very limited menu that is built to give our guests a fresh and enjoyable dining experience on board the train.
TICKETS
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You can purchase tickets online from the links included on our pages. Phone reservations may also be made between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, we are closed Sunday & Monday. Our customer service line is 800-707-3530.
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Once your order has been made, your name will be added to our guestlist. Much like a restaurant reservation, when you arrive at the train, our hostess will ask for your name and check you in, a confirmation or physical ticket is not needed.
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Burlington – A hostess/ticket agent will be located at a hostess stand on the Amtrak platform at One Main street in Burlington under the green pillars one hour before each departure time, you do not need tickets to board the train, the hostess will give you a card with your seating assignment when you board.
PAYMENT
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We accept all major credit cards for our online ticketing system. Also, we also accept cash at the station. Phone reservations may also be made between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Our customer service line is 800-707-3530.
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Yes, you may use a credit/debit card on board our dinner trains.
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Our online ticket platform, Fareharbor, issues an additional tax/fee for each order processed. If you have any questions, please call our customer service line between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Our customer service line is 800-707-3530.
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There is a gift card redeem link during the booking process, if you have trouble redeeming a gift card please email [email protected]
CANCELLATIONS & EXCHANGES
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Cancellations must be made VIA EMAIL: [email protected] by 4 pm on the Friday before your scheduled date for a full refund (Thursday by 4 pm for Friday departures in the fall). No refund or rebook option if you miss the train; we offer to board one hour in advance to give you plenty of time to get to the train, find parking, and settle at your table. The train leaves on schedule and will not wait for late arrivals. A 50% refund may be given for same-day cancellations. Online booking fees are non-refundable.
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A non-refundable, one-time exchange for a different date may be processed depending on availability. If you are unsure of when you can rebook, we may refund your tickets onto a gift card for future use. Exchange requests must be made 24+ hours before the train ride initially purchased. Exchange requests after the original date of travel may not be granted by a ticket agent and will not be eligible for a refund.
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Missing a train can be very inconvenient for both parties. Much like an airport, we operate on a set departure schedule. The railroad understands that, at times, circumstances cannot be avoided and in these instances, we may offer to exchange the ticket(s) for a new date of the customers choosing depending on availability. No refunds may be given unless the customer follows our cancellation policy explicitly above. Please make sure to account for weather and parking while traveling (Burlington may have construction). Please make sure to read your confirmation email in full detail before your event for specific information about your event.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
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For safety reasons, and to ensure a relaxing experience for all patrons, the Champlain Valley Dinner Train is limited to passengers age 5 and older. We do not allow children under the age of 5 due to the duration and timing of the dinner train. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and must be able to use the restroom. We do not offer a children’s menu on these trains.
OTHER
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We do not allow animals on board any of our trains for health and safety purposes. Some passengers may find it uncomfortable to be in the proximity of even the most well-behaved pets. However, Service Animals (animals trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental impairment) are welcome on board. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA and will not be allowed on board.
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We strongly recommend making reservations for any of our trains to guarantee ridership. However, it is not required for any of our excursions. Tickets may be purchased at the station up until it’s departure time based on availability. Please note that all tickets are first come, first serve.
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Burlington may require paid parking by the waterfront. Public parking is available near the boarding location. We recommend parking at King Street in the garage or public parking lot.
HANDICAP:
Handicap Parking is free in the City of Burlington (as long as it is not a private lot). Passengers who cannot walk far distances can be dropped off at King Street Crossing, this will be the closest access to the train to avoid parking fees from the private lot or needing to go through the building. We do have a wheel chair in the station if requested in advance.
Cornerstone Building Garage (Access King Street): Closest access to the train, $2.50/hour
OTHER:
We recommend downloading the ParkMobile App in advanced, this will show you where public city parking is located throughout Burlington and allows you to add more time to your meter right from your phone and it reminds you if/when the meter is about to run out.
Main Street Landing lot next to station (Access Main Street): Private lot, $10/day, uses gates and is not free for handicap vehicles
Echo Lot (Access College Street): Located at Echo Leahy Center, $3/hour, will need to walk around the train to access platform
Cornerstone building Garage (Access King Street): Closest access to the train, $2.50/hour
King Street Lot (Access King Street): $4/hour, very close to train platform
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No, all of our regularly scheduled trains depart Burlington Station. We have changed our location and schedule based on the increase in freight activity over the last few years.
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All of our train rides are round-trip. We do not offer one-way fares.