NEW FOR 2026
Getting to The Big E by train just got easier!
The Eastern States Exposition has partnered with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) to provide The Big E Express, a daily express shuttle service between Springfield Union Station and The Big E throughout the 17-day Fair.
The FREE shuttle will run between Springfield Union Station and the Transportation Center at The Big E fairgrounds, giving passengers arriving by train an easy way to reach the Fair without dealing with Big E traffic.
The Big E Express is available to all fairgoers, not just those arriving by train. Anyone can use the free shuttle between Springfield Union Station and The Big E, regardless of how they traveled to the station.
Days of operation
Daily, from Friday, September 18 (Opening Day), through Sunday, October 4 (the final day of the Fair).
Hours of operation
Monday–Thursday: 12:30 pm – 9 pm
Friday–Sunday: 9:30 am – 10 pm
The Big E Express is scheduled to leave Union Station at :30 past each hour, and Gate 1 at the Big E at the top of each hour.
Additional PVTA service between Union Station and the Big E is available by using the PVTA’s regular R14 service which operates from Bay 14 .
Big E Express stops
Springfield Union Station
Bay 14
The Big E fairgrounds
Gate 1B (the Transportation Center, behind the State of Maine building)
The full schedule for this service and the R14 can be found here:
PVTA Big E Express
R14 service (PDF)
Further updates will be added as soon as we know more.
Why take the train to The Big E?
Consider these points —
- Why not let someone else do the driving this year?
- CTrail and Amtrak trains are never delayed in Big E traffic
- On the Hartford Line, up to four children can ride for $1 each (details below)
- Traffic on Saturdays during The Big E is horrendous! (see the Google traffic map below)
Sat. September 21, 2024 | 11:15 am
The Google map above shows traffic in and around The Big E on a Saturday during the 2024 Fair.
The 40-minute travel time shown on the map was the estimated time to travel from the Connecticut–Massachusetts state line on I-91 to the Gate 9 parking lot at 11:15 a.m.
Current traffic in and around 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.
Sample Hartford Line fares
One-way fares
Hartford – Springfield | $6.75
Berlin – Springfield | $9.25
Meriden – Springfield | $10.50
Wallingford – Springfield | $11.75
New Haven – Springfield | $14.75
Discount One-way fares
– senior citizens (65 and older) and people with disabilities
Hartford – Springfield | $3.25
Berlin – Springfield | $4.50
Meriden – Springfield | $5.25
Wallingford – Springfield | $5.75
New Haven – Springfield | $7.25
Children’s fares
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
From the north
Take Amtrak’s Valley Flyer or Vermonter service from Greenfield, Northampton, or Holyoke to Springfield.
Alternatively, take the PVTA G73E Express bus…
Take the PVTA G73E Express bus from either Northampton (at the Academy of Music stop) or Holyoke Mall.
PVTA buses are currently fare-free, with the exception of Route B79, which operates between Amherst and Worcester Union Station.
The full schedule for the PVTA G73E Express Bus can be found on this link.
To book an Amtrak ticket visit Amtrak.com
Additional information
The Big E – Official website
Hartford Line – Official website
PVTA – Official website
Page updated: September 16, 2026