Ride Borealis Trains
Borealis provides comfortable, affordable travel to great destinations! Named for travel to and from “the north” (in Latin), Borealis trains provide a second daily round trip Amtrak service between Saint Paul and Chicago, via Milwaukee. Travelers enjoy a more comfortable and productive choice than driving. Borealis trains run on a schedule that complements the Amtrak Empire Builder train service.
What to Expect Onboard
The Borealis trains offer a host of amenities to make your travel convenient, fun, and comfortable:
Café car featuring regional items
Wide reclining seats with ample legroom
Pet friendly
Pets are allowed on trips less than 700 miles. They must be small enough to fit in a carrier beneath the seat.
Views of the Mississippi River between Saint Paul, MN and La Crosse, WI
Free Wi-Fi onboard
No middle seats
Business Class seating available
Destinations
The Borealis train runs through some of the most beautiful stretches of scenery in the country. Service includes a stop at the revitalized, historic Union Depot in Saint Paul and travels through picturesque river towns in Minnesota on its way to major destinations such as Wisconsin Dells, Milwaukee and Chicago.
Schedule
Borealis trains complement Amtrak's Empire Builder train service and add additional stops in Sturtevant and the Milwaukee airport in Wisconsin. Borealis trains double the opportunity for passenger rail transportation between the Twin Cities and Chicago, while affording another safe, reliable, relaxing, economical, climate friendly alternative to driving or flying.
Fares
Borealis coach fares start at $41 each way between Saint Paul and Chicago for adults, with everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, groups, and others. Upgrades to Business Class are available.
FAQs
What is the Borealis train?
The Borealis train is a daily round-trip Amtrak service between Saint Paul and Chicago, via Milwaukee, and provides travelers a more comfortable and productive choice than driving. The service schedule is complementary to the Amtrak Empire Builder schedule.
Why is it named Borealis?
The Borealis train is named for travel to and from the north (Borealis is Latin).
What amenities are on Borealis trains?
The Borealis trains offer a host of amenities to make your travel convenient, fun, and comfortable:
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Café car featuring regional items
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Pet friendly
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Free Wi-Fi onboard
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Wide reclining seats with ample legroom
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No middle seats
How do I buy tickets?
Visit www.amtrak.com/Borealis to book tickets and learn more about the service.
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What do the trains look like?
Each Borealis train consists of four single level Horizon Coaches, a Business Class/Café car and a Locomotive. The coaches have 70 reclining seats with drop-down tray tables, electrical outlets, overhead reading lights and two restrooms.
The Business Class/Café car has an Amtrak attendant who sells a variety of pre-packaged snacks, sandwiches, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and beers – including some regional food and beverages. The Business class section offers 17 wider-spaced seats in a “1-2” layout at extra charge. Business class passengers receive a complimentary beverage.
The locomotive is a refurbished P42 purchased from GE between 1998-2002. It provides 4,250-horse-power of tractive power and electricity for on-board services like lighting, heating, and water pressure.
Can I bring my pet on Borealis trains?
​Amtrak allows you to bring your small dog or cat along for a small fee. Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) are welcome where the scheduled origin and destination times are seven hours or less. Only dogs and cats are allowed to travel as pets. Service animals are always welcome.
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Amtrak pet policy and ticketing
Can I bring my bicycle on Borealis trains?
Unfortunately, standard bicycles are not allowed at this time. The passenger cars on Borealis are Horizon class vehicles that were in service in other parts of the country and have been refurbished. These vehicles do not have space built in for bicycles. The states and Amtrak recognize that this amenity is very important to passengers. Every attempt will be made to accommodate bicycles on Borealis trains in the future.
Foldable bikes under the dimensions of 34” x 15” x 48” will be allowed onboard in lieu of a piece of baggage. Only true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly) are acceptable. Generally, these bikes have frame latches allowing the frame to be collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bikes of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bikes, and may not be stored as folding bikes aboard trains. You must fold up your folding bicycle before boarding the train. You may store the bike only in luggage storage areas at the end of the car (or, in Superliners, on the lower level). You may not store bikes in overhead racks.
When does the train stop near me?
Borealis trains make once daily stops each way. See the table below for information for your city.
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​Are passenger trains safe?
Trains are one of the safest modes of transportation available. While a few high-profile accidents have happened in the last few years, trains operate constantly and are rarely involved in accidents. When they are, it's often at grade crossings with vehicles trying to go around crossing arms. State, federal and rail industry partners must work together to continue addressing safety concerns as passenger rail use increases.
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The TCMC route will include track and switch improvements to accommodate safe travel of a second passenger train.
More information about passenger rail safety is here.
