Downeaster — Schedules, Fares & Stops

The Downeaster connects Boston, MA and Brunswick, ME over a 143-mile route operated by Amtrak (NNEPRA), calling at 12 stations across 4 states.

Quick Facts

Operator: Amtrak (NNEPRA)
Service type: State-Supported Corridor
Endpoints: Boston ↔ Brunswick
Distance: 143 mi
Frequency: Five daily round trips
Stations: 12
States served: 4 (MA, US, NH, ME)
Typical fare range: $15 – $55

Route guide

The Downeaster is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (NNEPRA). Trains run Five daily round trips over 143 miles of mainline track between Boston North Station and Brunswick, calling at 12 intermediate and terminal stations across 4 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Coastal southern Maine, with glimpses of the Atlantic between Wells and Old Orchard Beach.

History & service notes

Operated under contract with the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority since 2001, the Downeaster was the first new long-distance Amtrak corridor of the 21st century. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Downeaster includes amfleet I coaches with cafe and business class, Charger locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.

Stops along the route

Stations are listed in geographical order from Boston to Brunswick. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

Boston North Station — Boston, MA BNT
Woburn — Woburn, US WOB
Haverhill — Haverhill, MA HAV
Exeter — Exeter, NH EXR
Durham, NH — Durham, NH DUR
Dover, NH — Dover, NH DOV
Wells — Wells, ME WEM
Saco — Saco, ME SAO
Old Orchard Beach — Old Orchard Beach, ME OOB
Portland Transportation Center — Portland, ME POM
Freeport — Freeport, ME FRE
Brunswick — Brunswick, ME BRK

Sample fares & travel times

Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.

From	To	Distance	Time	Fare
Boston	Woburn	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Woburn	Haverhill	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Haverhill	Exeter	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Exeter	Durham	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Durham	Dover	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Dover	Wells	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Wells	Saco	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Saco	Old Orchard Beach	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Old Orchard Beach	Portland	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Portland	Freeport	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Freeport	Brunswick	13 mi	26m	$8 – $25
Woburn	Brunswick	130 mi	2h 46m	$14 – $52
Boston	Haverhill	26 mi	41m	$8 – $28
Haverhill	Brunswick	117 mi	2h 30m	$13 – $49
Boston	Exeter	39 mi	57m	$8 – $31
Exeter	Brunswick	104 mi	2h 15m	$13 – $46
Boston	Durham	52 mi	1h 12m	$9 – $34
Durham	Brunswick	91 mi	1h 59m	$12 – $43

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Boston, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Brunswick. The corridor passes through cities including Boston, Woburn, and Brunswick, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.

Trip planning tip. The Downeaster's lowest fares typically appear when booked 14 days or more in advance, and on midweek departures. Same-day "walk-up" fares are usually closer to the upper end of the range shown. Saver and Value buckets sell out first.