The 2023 Big E has come and gone. We will update this page for the 2024 Big E in early September 2024.
Days of Operation for the 2023 Big E Shuttle
Sat/Sun September 16th & 17th
Sat/Sun September 23rd & 24th
Sat/Sun September 30th & October 1st
Contents
Big E–Union Station shuttle bus schedule
On the fence about taking the train?
Big E – Union Station shuttle bus schedule
2023 Big E Shuttle Schedule (PDF)
As of September 12, 2023
Pickup locations
At Springfield Union Station
When you arrive in Springfield proceed to the main waiting room and then look for the passageway with the words Intercity Buses.
Proceed down this passageway to the intercity bus berths, where you will find the Big E Shuttle — operated by King Gray Coach Lines this year — on Berth 24.
Springfield Union Station | September 18, 2019
At the Big E
Please proceed to to the Big E Transportation Center, which is located behind the State of Maine Building on the Avenue of the States.
On the fence about taking the train?
Consider these points —
- Why not let someone else do the driving this year?
- The Big E shuttle buses bypass most of the traffic on Memorial Drive by accessing the fair grounds via a special entrance that is not open to the public.
- CTrail and Amtrak trains are never delayed in Big E traffic
- Traffic on Saturday’s during the Big E is horrendous! (see the Google traffic map below)
Sat. September 22, 2018 | 11:30 am
Current traffic near the Big E | Google Maps
Train information
From the south…
Take a Hartford Line train from New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, or Windsor Locks to Springfield.
Hartford Line trains connect to/from Metro-North’s New Haven Line at New Haven Union Station.1
Please visit the Hartford Line website for the current schedule.
1 For the 9:45 pm southbound trains on Saturday and Sunday from Springfield, the connection with Metro-North at New Haven may be impacted if the CTrail train must be held to wait for the Big E shuttle bus.
Sample Fares Hartford Line Fares
One-way
Hartford – Springfield | $6.00
Berlin – Springfield | $8.00
Meriden – Springfield | $9.25
Wallingford – Springfield | $10.25
New Haven – Springfield | $12.75
Discount One-way
– senior citizens (65 and older) and people with disabilities
Hartford – Springfield | $3.00
Berlin – Springfield | $4.00
Meriden – Springfield | $4.50
Wallingford – Springfield | $5.00
New Haven – Springfield | $6.25
Children one-way
Up to four children ages 2-12 with a paying adult – $1 per child
Additional children ages 2-12 charged half the adult fare.
Under age 2 – Free
Parking costs
Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford | Free on the weekend
Windsor and Windsor Locks | Free, but parking is limited at these stations
From the north…
Take Amtrak’s Valley Flyer service (from Greenfield, Northampton or Holyoke).
Valley Flyer train information can be found on this link.
OR
Take the PVTA G73E Express bus from either Northampton (at the Academy of Music stop) or Holyoke Mall.
The PVTA adult fare is $1.50. (Important Note: Five College IDs are valid for fare payment on the G73E bus.)
The full schedule for the PVTA G73E Express Bus can be found on this link.
To book a Valley Flyer ticket visit Amtrak.com
PVTA Route R14 Bus to the Big E
You can also get to The Big E from Springfield Union Station — seven days a week — by taking the PVTA R14 Feeding Hills/Springfield Bus which departs Springfield Union Station from Berth 14.
The best way to find a public transit connection to the Big E is with Google Maps.
(Use Eastern States Exposition as your destination.)
PLEASE NOTE | The R14 Bus is on a detour route during the Big E, to avoid the traffic on Memorial Drive.
If you are traveling TO the Big E on the R14 tell the driver and they will drop you off at the corner of Colony Street and Memorial Drive, across the street from Gate 1. (Google Maps Street View)
If you are traveling FROM the Big E you can board the R14 from the existing bus stop on Memorial Drive near Gate 1. (Google Maps Street View)
Further information
The Big E (Official website)
Hartford Line (Official website)
Page last change: October 1, 2023
Page last reviewed : August 30, 2023