Tickets are now available for a second daily Amtrak service connecting the Twin Cities and Chicago, with a route that includes Milwaukee. The new state-sponsored Borealis trains will depart from St. Paul at midday and from Chicago in the late morning. Starting May 21, 2024, travelers will have twice the current rail options, providing a more comfortable, sustainable, and productive alternative to driving.
Amtrak Borealis coach fares start at $41 each way between St. Paul and Chicago for adults, with everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, groups, and others.
Amtrak Borealis trains will offer Coach and Business Class in addition to a café car featuring regional items. Customers will enjoy wide reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, and views of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse, Wisc., in daylight in both directions across Wisconsin.
The Borealis will travel along the same route as the Empire Builder and Hiawatha Service between Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul. Additional stops will be made in Red Wing, MN, Winona, MN, La Crosse, WI, Tomah, WI, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Portage, WI, Columbus, WI, Milwaukee, WI – Downtown, Milwaukee, WI – General Mitchell Airport, Sturtevant, WI, and Glenview, IL.
“A second daily passenger rail service connecting St. Paul to Chicago via Milwaukee is a welcome addition to our transportation system, providing more choices and travel flexibility for passengers,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, Minnesota Department of Transportation. “We appreciate our partnerships with communities, federal, state and local governments, the host railroad CPKC, and Amtrak that were needed to get this service on-track, and to provide another safe, reliable transportation option. We look forward to continuing these partnerships as we work toward further building out passenger rail options in the Midwest.”
“This route includes eight stations in Wisconsin, and doubling the frequency of the service will better connect the many businesses, universities and tourist attractions along this corridor,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “This expansion is thanks to the work WisDOT was able to do together with Minnesota, Illinois and Amtrak, as well as the opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We will continue to work with federal and state partners to explore more passenger rail options in Wisconsin.”
For complete details, visit Amtrak.com.
