Amtrak Borealis Route

Daytime Midwest Rail Travel Along the Mississippi

The Borealis is designed to offer reliable regional transit between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The route runs along the Mississippi River bluffs, offering passengers stunning views of the river valleys and rolling Midwestern countryside.

Passengers can choose between spacious Coach class and Business class seating. Onboard, a Café Car is stocked with regional food and drink specialties, including Wisconsin cheese and regional beers.

Key Stations & Cities Served

The Borealis serves several major cities and university hubs across the upper Midwest, facilitating travel between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

Major stops include St. Paul Union Depot, Red Wing (MN), La Crosse (WI), Wisconsin Dells (a major family vacation destination), Portage, Columbus (gateway to Madison), Milwaukee Intermodal Station, and Chicago Union Station.

For travelers headed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbus station provides convenient shuttle and bus connections directly to the campus.

Onboard Travel Experience & Amenities

The Borealis uses comfortable regional passenger cars. Seating is designed with generous legroom, adjustable headrests, and pull-down tray tables, providing a comfortable space for working or relaxing.

Café Car Dining: The Café Car offers a variety of hot and cold beverages, breakfast sandwiches, pizzas, and snacks. It highlights regional flavors, including local craft beers and local coffee.

Baggage & Wi-Fi: Complimentary basic Wi-Fi is available. There is no checked baggage on this route; passengers can bring up to two carry-on suitcases and one personal item, which store easily in overhead racks.

Borealis vs. Empire Builder

Daytime Schedule: The Borealis operates strictly as a daytime train, leaving St. Paul in the mid-morning and arriving in Chicago in the late afternoon. This is ideal for enjoying the Mississippi River scenery in full daylight.

Empire Builder overnight option: The long-distance Empire Builder also runs this segment, but its schedule is dependent on transcontinental transit times from Seattle/Portland, making it more prone to delays.

Borealis Reliability: Because the Borealis originates in St. Paul, it has a much higher on-time performance rate than the long-distance train, making it the preferred choice for corridor commuters.

Travel Planning & Booking Tips

Best Season to Travel: Autumn is spectacular as the foliage along the Mississippi River bluffs changes color. Summer is also highly popular for families connecting to the water parks at the Wisconsin Dells.

Booking Early: Fares are dynamic and rise as the departure date approaches. Book at least 14 days in advance to secure the lowest saver rates.

Who This Route Is Best For

Twin Cities to Chicago Travelers: Ideal for anyone looking for a comfortable, stress-free alternative to driving I-90/I-94 or taking a short-haul flight.

Seniors and Families: Perfect for travelers who prefer spacious seating, freedom of movement, and no airport security lines.

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