New Amtrak Borealis Train Route | Everything You Need To Know 

So glad that Amtrak is adding routes. Keep moving west, please, and bring back the Pioneer!

I have a business class seat booked for the inaugural run on the 21st Chicago to Saint Paul

That will be cool. Am still waiting for a route between MPLS/ St Paul to Duluth. I would definitely do that route

Sorry to have to tell you, but I don’t think you can get to Minneapolis in time for the start of a Twins night game. You’ll have to ride the light rail from Union Depot in St Paul over to Target Field in Minneapolis and by the time you’ve finished all that they’ll probably be in the 2nd or 3rd inning even if it’s a 7:10 start. And a lot of the time they start at 6:40. The St Paul Saints, on the other hand, (their AAA team) play right outside Union Depot. That would work.

I like this option from Chicago. It seems like this route has been awhile in the making. I also saw this week that Amtrak is trying to revive the old Texas Central Rail idea for a genuine HS option. I don't think it will ever get across the goal line here in Texas, but I think it speaks to the subtle philosophy change within Amtrak. This is good stuff.

I really need to correct one thing you said, The train does not go into Minneapolis, yes the stop is MSP, but the train station is in St. Paul!! You will need to find transportation to Minneapolis especially if your intention is to stay in a Minneapolis hotel or attend a Minnesota Twins or Timberwolves game. There is a light rail station nearby but there has been some issues with that train. I just wanted to make sure people are aware of the Train Station location. I live in St. Paul and am very excited to have this new train available. The time of arrival in St. Paul is so…. Much better than arrival time on the Empire Builder.

I live on the Empire Builder/borealis route. I'm excited to try taking the borealis from here to Chicago as it seems much more rider friendly for a quick weekend excursion

Your channel always makes me smile with your adventures on AmTrack! I've been sick for a while and haven't been able to keep up, but I'll check out your previous posts. I just love the abundant info you give with every post. Thanks for all you do!

If the Business Class seat is not any wider than a regular Coach seat, I'd say the extra cost is not worth it. You'd have to order a lot of free drinks to pay for the price difference!

Just booked a round trip from MSP to Winona for the first day of the Borealis!

The train is apparently an extension of an existing Hiawatha train, so if you are only going between Chicago and Milwaukee, this is the train you should take, because it's the only train with a cafe! (I often travel between Philadelphia and Lancaster, and I try and take the Pennsylvanian for the same reason - it has a cafe car.)

In the future there could be quite a few trains running between Wisconsin and St. Paul. The Corridor Identification and Development Program (CID) in December gave money to a handful of projects in the region. One grant was given to Eau Claire County to study a route from St. Paul to Eau Claire - which I think is just phase one of that plan, with phase two being extending it to Green Bay (I could be wrong about that). Another grant was given to WisDOT to study a route that goes from St. Paul to Milwaukee (does not continue on to Chicago) but goes through Eau Claire and Madison. If the North Coast Hiawatha starts to run again (which seems likely, it's just a matter of when), it will act almost like a second Empire Builder, only the route between Fargo and Spokane will be different, so that will be another option for getting between St. Paul and Chicago. Another grant was given to MnDOT to get the Northern Lights Express train (hopefully) moving soon - which will run from Minneapolis (Target Field, specifically) to Duluth four times per day. And then the TCMC (now called Borealis) Service Expansion grant not only got the Borealis finished but included money to study if more than one Borealis is needed. And if that wasn't enough, now that Borealis is running, the push has begun to extend it beyond St. Paul and up to Fargo (which still won't stop it in Minneapolis as there currently is insufficient rail capacity between Union Depot and Target Field for any passenger train to utilize both stations). And that's not even including the FRA's suggested long distance routes which, if they happen, would create three new routes and connect the Twin Cities (not clear if they mean Minneapolis or St. Paul) to Denver, San Antonio, and Phoenix.

The main thing I wish they could've done with this route is have it go through Madison instead of staying on the Empire Builder route. I also noticed that the Borealis replaces one trip of the Hiawatha between MKE and CHI in either direction.

Wisconsin Dells? Now if only the Dells could go back to the simpler times of the 70’s. It used to be such a great place.

Speaking of food, would you guys consider doing a video about the logistics of eating when you travel full-time with all your various destinations, domestic and international? Seems like it would be difficult to eat healthy, or cook for yourself, or maybe maintain a particular diet on a regular basis. Do you eat out for most meals?

Already booked for later this summer!

We were really excited about this. But it turned out that there is no baggage service, and hence will not accommodate bicycles. I think that is a huge misstep on Amtrak's part.

There is something new route-wise offered by the Borealis. Because the Empire Builder does not stop in Sturetevant nor Milwaukee Airport, those stations will get new service to MSP and all intermediate stations west of MIlwaukee. Milwaukee Airport is very popular but is essentially a south suburban station used for convenience, but Sturtevant serves the roughly 360k resdents of Racine and Kenosha counties. Having train service from Racine/Kenosha area to Minneapolis and La Crosse is a boon.

Good turnaround meet at Wisconsin Dells for those who want to try the train from CHI. Also running different coaches than Empire Builder. Single level corridor type

I would also be very happy if the Borealis is extended to St. Cloud, MN or maybe even Fargo. Lots of people would take advantage of those runs. The one drawback is that in order to get to Minneapolis for a Twins or Vikings game, passengers have to take the city light rail or buses from St. Paul Union Station to the stadiums. I understand the rationale for using St. Paul's Union Depot, but the Borealis could easily be extended to the Target Field station used by the North Star commuter lines. The BNSF lines between St. Paul and Minneapolis aren't that clogged with freight traffic.

All I need now is a connection to Winnipeg! It existed once but closed in the 60s.

The Minneapolis ballpark is so beautiful. I am so excited about this new route!!

This sounds great, definitely a trip I'd like to take. They need to run it more than once a day for it to be consistently useful along the length of the route.. They need to commit to more rides to get more riders. I hope they are watching what Virginia is doing so successfully. Anyway, it improves the frequency a bit for people trying to get to Milwaukee.

Minneapolis is also considering adding a train called the “Northern Lights Express,” which would run from MSP to Duluth and Lake Superior, which is about a two hour drive north from the Twin Cities. Amtrak previously operated a train along this corridor from 1975-1985.

I love your comparison to the Noetheast Corridoe (NEC). At 411 miles, this new service is one of the longer state corridors. Extending the more frequent Milwaukee service is going to work well to bring more trains to my region.

Love your guys’ videos,did the cross country and back thing with my dad for about 10 years from 1995 to 2005 when we had family living in San Diego and we used to take the Empire Builder or one of the cross country trains going out and then one of the southern routes coming back,I’m pretty sure I’ve been on all the original routes and I love the sound of The Borealis but I think it should run across the entire country along the US/Canadian border but what good is a route with that name and no observation car ? Just doesn’t make a whole lotta sense,anyway I love watching your videos because it brings back some unbelievable memories of traveling with my dad who passed away in 2018,so thank you 😊

I'm still recovering from last week's California Zephyr horror!

I'm excited for this train ... it makes it possible to head south from Minneapolis to spend a weekend in Milwaukee or Chicago. Two things can improve it: - increase the speed as much as feasible. 8 hours is a long ride, cutting an hour or two (or more) off would make a big difference. - increase frequency. Now I just need an excuse to go to Chicago 🙂

Wow! I would love to book that route as a day trip, if possible. Rob just said what I was thinking (3:50 minute mark). This new route seems like Amtrak’s Northeast commuter routes: e.g., Boston to NYC.

Living in northern Iowa, I'm very much looking forward to this service. Before I'd always drive to Princeton, Illinois to catch a train into Chicago. It will be much easier to drive to LaCrosse or Winona. You're right that business class isn't worth the upgrade. When they used to allow business passengers to use the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago that was a big perk. They've done away with that, though, and the on-train amenities are basically none.

I’m definitely gonna use this route. I’ll be using it to come back from Oktoberfest in lacrosse this year.

Super happy about this route. I’m planning on taking it in July. I love the fact that we will have a more on time train from St Paul to Chicago. It’s such a better alternative to flying.

The Borealis follows the old Milwaukee Road route (as does the Empire Builder between St. Paul and Chicago). The old Burlington Route line was more picturesque - it ran along the Mississippi much further than the current Amtrak route does, though it skipped large cities such as Milwaukee. And in pre-Amtrak days the Hiawatha followed the Milwaukee Road route all the way to Minneapolis. The Empire Builder ran on the Burlington Route between Chicago and the Twin Cities, and continued westward from there (it was a Great Northern train).

I understand your disappointment about food on the Hiawatha service. However, it is basically a 90 min commuter train between Milwaukee and Chicago. I have lived in Milwaukee all my life and I have never even know food on that route. We would always pack a lunch or stop to get food before boarding. If you are in Milwaukee, I recommend the Milwaukee Market near the station which has awesome food you can bring with you.

I live near MSP and plan on taking this. It'll be much more on time than the Empire Builder from Seattle.

glad you love my hometown....chicago

The same thing could be done Raleigh to Atlanta. They already have routes for the stations but adding a mid day route between the 2 is a lot more convenient than the current Crescent or Carolinean.

(1) If the new train consists of Siemens coaches, than the seats will be thin and hard and will hardly recline at all. In that case, an old Business Class seat will be preferable, especially if you have an interest in sleeping. (2) You will never get to a Twins game on time if you are relying on mass transit, as you are left off at St. Paul and have to take a long and tedious light rail trip to Minneapolis. If you are on time and take an Uber straight to the stadium, then maybe.

Any news on when Amtrak is opening service to other areas in Wisconsin? I know Green Bay is part of that expansion.

Thank you for the update & can't wait to see you ride on it & give a review. I'm surprised that something called Borealis doesn't have an observation area & you won't see a Borealis. Take care & thanks again ❤❤

We also have a goal of seeing all the baseball parks! ❤️⚾️

Some, but what I really want are they trains in the south to increase. Traveling from Houston to New Orleans is great, but try Houston to San Antonio arriving at midnight. Nothing for Houston to Dallas, not directly. What about connecting trains, or new routes Dallas to Savanah, Fort Worth to Amarillo to Denver? I won't mention fixing what Katrina tore out.

Thanks for the information. I look forward to when you take the trip and review it. We have reservations for the end of May!

Next April, Green Bay, Wi will host the NFL drat. There is talk that Amtrak might provide service between Milwaukee and Green Bay. Any news on that? Any ideas on how that would work? Though Green Bay is a hub for freight, all passenger service has been gone many decades ago. The three depots have either been torn down, or converted into restaurants.

You two are the most adorable pair!! So fun to watch your videos! Full of good info!

LOL! In Whitefish now waiting for the Empire Builder. Yep; it’s late! The waiting room is packed! I thought this was a small stop

ACTUALLY you can see the Aurora Borealis tonight and maybe this weekend. See the news!

I think it is good to give a reminder that the train stops in St. Paul, not in Minneapolis. So, making a 7:00 pm Twins game would not really be possible even when taking the Borealis train. With that said, I plan to use the heck out of this new route because I always hate having to be at the station so early, and then the train is often late. I very much like having the option to leave around noon instead - it will get me to MKE or CHI still with enough time for a nice dinner somewhere before I do whatever evening activity I have.

Really hoping to see another route aside from the Lake Shore Limited for Buffalo to Chicago and stops in Ohio in-between. Only having overnight/early morning options is really taxing, especially accounting for hotel check-in and the potential of limited transportation depending on arrival

It’s about time Amtrak adds service to this route. The long distance trains are unreliable. Here on the West Coast the lack of train frequency continues to stall ridership.

Thank you. Very informative.

I love your honesty toward the trips to and from city to city and times keep up with this great channel I am now retiring to travel thanks so much 😂

In response to comments about service to Green Bay. Running trains to GB for the draft was a request by Mark Murphy to Amtrak. Since this isn't a regular Amtrak route, I think it's a long shot with CN. Before CN bought the WC, there were some excursions on their tracks so that may have been a possibility. Don't see it now, but I don't have any inside info. As for returning regular service to Fox Valley/GB, a study has been funded and an engineering firm should be selected this month. It will be years before service can be re-established because it has been gone so long and track alignments and owners have changed since 1971. I don't think CN is under any obligation to be a host since Amtrak and Wisconsin elected not to continue the route in 1971. Join Wis-ARP to keep up with the news. 1st year is free.

Good news about the Borealis. My wife’s relatives live near Red Wing so it makes a good option for a visit departing from Strutevant. One route I wish they would bring back is the International between Chicago and Toronto. We have friends in Toronto and would love the option

If this a new train, like the Missouri River Runner, the coach seats don't even recline and are super uncomfortable. So business may be worth it.

right now, with the AMtrak sale, the one-way coach seat fare (basic, not flex) from Chicago to Minneapolis is only $30!!!

Thanks for making a video about this! We live in western Wisconsin. We're still disappointed that this isn't really "new", it's just additional. We've been pleading for years for them to bring passenger rail back closer to us actually through the middle of Wisconsin.

Just a side note- the train goes to St. Paul not Minneapolis. Minneapolis station doesnt exists anymore as it was converted many years ago into iceskating ring and event venue. Instead you can take the green line light rail from St. Paul to Minneapoli that actually stops right front of US Bank football stadium and terminates front of Target baseball field.

This route is WAYY overdue!!

How exciting!

What is the train set consist? Superliner, Amfleet, Horizon? BTW, Carolinian business class is a superior offering. It use Amfleet I cars for coaches, the business class has more room,curtains, plus free beverages.

Just a reminder, you are not getting into Minneapolis; the station is in St Paul (says a St Paulite).

Hello thank you for sharing this video. I am excited for this new Amtrak route the time frame just works better for me. Hopefully they will add more times down the road. Again thank you for sharing this video. Peace

I am looking forward to the train to Phoenix. I live in Southern California, and currently, I have to go to Tucson and rent a car or take a greyhound bus to Phoenix.

We need Amtrak back in Vegas. A Vegas to LA route would assure my Coast Starlate vacation.

Not as helpful as I hoped for me in Northern Wisconsin. With having to travel 4 1/2 hours to get a station. WHEN we get the Northern Lights connection may be better. Since I am traveling to NW Indiana getting into Chicago at 7:14 there is almost no rail connection across the line, getting into Gary on South Shore at 10 PM is not great. Don't get me wrong, it's an improvement, would probably be better with 2 times a day. But not sure how much help it will be to tourism along the line like they are touting unless you are planing on staying overnight.

Way back when - pre-Amtrak days - the Burlington aka C,B&Q - ran trains from Chicago to Minneapolis. West to the Mississippi River and up a route to the Twin Cities. Bypassing the current Amtrak WI route except for the WI Mississippi River towns.

I hear Biden has given Antrak extra money and maybe it will help to make positive changes.

Minneapolis to Chicago used to be a Very crowded route with lots of young families.

Would be nice if they continued this through Aberdeen SD and then up to Bismarck. Not sure if that is possible logistically but....

Speaking of business class dont you get 1 free complimentary drink necause im my experience all the trains ive been on they have give. 1 free drink. Also i really dont see any good things about business class because due to changes you cant stay in the metro lounge unless you have a sleeper car. I think they are losing money due to that change.

Are you guys going to be on the first train out on the new route?

in Minneapolis the station connects to the Light Rail which will take you either into downtown Minneapolis, US Bank stadium, etc adn the other way will take you directly to either the airport or the Mall of America. My daughter lives in Minneapolis and it has a lot to offer and maybe next time I go up to see her we will take a quick trip to Chicago. thanks for sharing!

In the Midwest, Business Class Seats have leg rests and are very comfy

I'm still waiting for some new stuff happening with Kansas City. So much potential there for new routes, and extensions of existing ones.

FYI, we're having a "welcome" party in Red Wing from 11:30 - 1 pm eastbound, and "craft stations" from 5-6 p.m. heading west.

There is absolutely no reason this train cannot leave on schedule.

Hi, I really like your reviews! Do you know if it is warm or cold on the train?

Amtrak also plans to extend Hiawatha service to Green Bay.

What about a pair of trains that leaves for Chicago a bit earlier than the (planned) departure of the Empire Builder, and then returns as soon as reasonably possible for a single train set? Might really add options.

Cool! Is this annual? If so, I will make plans for next year.

Is there going to be wifi on board?

❤😊

The Venture train business class is absolutely worthless. I’ve taken it on the Wolverine and Pere Marquette routes and it has zero selling points over the coach class. The seats are basically the same and most of the time you get absolutely nothing from the cafe car. Don’t waste your money on business class on any routes using the venture class trains

Why doesn't Amtrak have anything in Tennessee? 🤨

No stop at st cloud too bad 😢

The empire builder goes backward as much as forward

Amtrak Borealis was canceled today, June 18, due to mechanical issues. As expected, there was no help getting refund or alternate travel. I’m done with them.

What a misnomer! Amtrak, did you get lost on way to Alaska?

If you have pet allergies, they are not allowed in business class.

Free drinks for business class? Take coach and a pint of brandy.

how come no one goes to new orleans

We were disappointed to learn that we cannot travel on this train with our bikes

It’s amazing what a massive difference the little things make. All they had to do was use the standard method of booking train tickets (as done in Europe), or airplane tickets and let you pick your seats on the train so that families and groups can sit together. Ruined our trip. 1 star. Won’t take the train again.

5:48 To make Business Class worth the premium, you’d need to drink something like 20 cans of Soda or more to “get your money’s worth”. Pass

This is not a new route! False news! Click-bait!