This page is written for people who wish to travel by train between the western and eastern parts of Massachusetts on Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited service. For information on the East–West Passenger Rail Study please visit this page.
SERVICE ALERT
The Lake Shore Limited, and most of Amtrak’s other long distance trains, are now operating on a triweekly schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in travel demand.
Train 448 (westbound) now departs Springfield on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Train 449 (eastbound) now departs Springfield on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited (trains 448 and 449) provides service between Boston South station and Albany-Rensselaer, NY, with intermediate stops in Boston Back Bay, Framingham, Worcester, Springfield, and Pittsfield.
Through service to/from Chicago, and intermediate stations, is also available.
Station specific information for Springfield be found on this link
Springfield Union Station
Current timetable
Source: Amtrak website
Accommodations and amenities on board
• Sleeping car accommodations, for those traveling longer distances.
Amtrak fares
One-way in Coach (Adult)
- Springfield Union Station
- ⮂ Boston South Station | $9 or $23
- ⮂ Boston Back Bay Station | $9 or $23
- ⮂ Framingham, MA | $9 or $20
- ⮂ Worcester, MA | $9 or $17
- ⮂ Pittsfield, MA | $9 or $12
- ⮂ Albany, NY | $9 or $18
- ⮂ Chicago, IL | $90 or $112
Important notes
- The higher price listed is the fare when a ticket is purchased less than fourteen (14) days in advance.
- Higher fares are possible during peak travel times and when seats are limited on a particular train.
- Discounted fares are available for Children (12 and under), Seniors (65 and over), Military (Active), Veterans Advantage, and members of the Rail Passengers Association.
- The sample fares listed are for tickets purchased on July 1, 2020 for travel between July 1 and July 31, 2020.
Tickets
Tickets should be purchased on Amtrak’s mobile app or website [Amtrak.com].
Tickets can also be purchased by calling Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) or by visiting a staffed Amtrak ticket office, for example at Springfield Union Station.
Further information is available on Amtrak’s How to Purchase Tickets webpage.
Train one-way and bus the other
For those wanting to try the train to/from Boston you might want to consider taking the train one-way and an intercity bus in the other direction — if the train times don’t work for you.
Both Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound offer daily service between Boston South Station and Springfield Union Station.
Note that some of the bus runs also stop at Worcester and/or Framingham.
Background
The Lake Shore Limited service is part of Amtrak’s Long Distance Service Line. It is financed primarily through funds made available by the federal government.
See also
East-West Passenger Rail Study
Other Rail Travel Options in the Pioneer Valley
Further information
Lake Shore Limited (Amtrak)
Lake Shore Limited (Wikipedia)
“East West Rail Across Massachusetts”
A travelogue by Robert Kearns | December 15, 2019
Page last updated: October 24, 2020
Page last reviewed: January 11, 2020