Amtrak Is Launching a New Route to the Berkshires in Time for Summer Travel

Just in time for summer travel, Amtrak is launching a new route on its popular Northeast corridor from New York City to the Berkshires. The soon-to-debut Berkshires Flyer train will launch on July 8, and tickets just went on sale.

The new train service will run on weekends during the summer months from New York Penn-Moynihan Station in New York to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The journey on board is set to be a scenic one, winding along the Hudson River Valley and through the Catskill mountains, with several stops throughout New York state, including Yonkers, Croton-Harmon, Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff, Hudson, and Albany-Rensselaer before arriving in charming Pittsfield. “Travelers who want to enjoy a summer weekend in the quaint valley towns of the Berkshires or experience all New York City has to offer can now do so sustainably, without being in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and while taking in the scenery of the Catskill Mountains all at once via Amtrak,” Stephen Gardner, Amtrak’s president and CEO, said in a release.

Pittsfield and the surrounding hamlets have long been enclaves for writers and artists. Today, the picturesque towns are home to a growing number of boutique hotels, stylish general stores, and museums. In the summer, visitors can take advantage of the area’s natural beauty that offers outdoor activities including hiking, boating on lakes, and taking a dip in secluded swimming holes.

The train’s schedule is perfect for travelers looking for a summer weekend getaway. Every Friday, the Berkshire Flyer will depart New York Penn-Moynihan at 3:16 p.m. and arrive at Pittsfield’s Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center at 7:12 p.m. Returning, the train will depart Pittsfield at 3 p.m. and arrive in New York at 7:05 p.m. On board, passengers can expect the same experience as any other Amtrak train, including free Wi-Fi, picture windows, and spacious seats.

Amtrak officials say they’ve been evaluating a possible route from New York to the Berkshires since 2018, and that the Berkshire Flyer‘s launch comes as the train company is seeing increasing demand from passengers. The Berkshire Flyer will run on a trial basis in 2022 and 2023; if the route seems lucrative enough, Amtrak will operate it permanently each summer.

Tickets for the new train route are currently available for purchase on Amtrak’s booking page; fares for coach seats are currently as low as $45 one-way.