Getting to & Around Northern New England

Getting There -- There are few international flights into Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont (those that exist are mostly from Canada), so the odds are good you'll arrive by way of Boston or New York. Bus and train services reach parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, but both tend to be spotty and relatively expensive, especially if two or more are traveling together (it's often much cheaper to rent a car than to pay for two tickets). Note also that these states are best seen by exploring the countryside, which is virtually inaccessible by mass transportation.

By Plane -- Many international travelers come to northern New England via Boston's Logan Airport or one of the three New York City-area airports. Boston offers the easiest access to northern New England: Portland, Maine; New Hampshire's White Mountains; and the southern Green Mountains are 2 to 3 hours away by car. Figure on about 6 to 8 hours of driving time to most attractions if you're coming from New York airports.

Dozens of airlines serve New York and Boston airports from overseas, although New York gets far more overseas traffic. Some helpful contacts include American Airlines (tel. 0845-778-9789; www.aa.com), British Airways (tel. 0870/850-9850; www.british-airways.com), Continental (tel. 0800/776-464; www.continental.com), Delta (tel. 0800/414-767; www.delta.com), United (tel. 0845/8444-777; www.unitedairlines.co.uk), and Virgin Atlantic (tel. 0870/380-2007; www.virgin-atlantic.com).

Those coming from Latin American, Asia, Australia, or New Zealand will probably arrive in New England through gateway cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, clearing Customs there before connecting onward, flying directly to northern New England. Bus service is available from Boston's Logan Airport to several cities in northern New England. Limited train service is also offered.

Airports with regularly scheduled flights in the region include Portland and Bangor, Maine; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Burlington, Vermont. Albany, New York, is another option, especially if your destination is southern Vermont.

Airline Discounts -- The smart traveler can find many ways to reduce the price of a plane ticket simply by taking time to shop around. For example, overseas visitors can take advantage of the APEX (Advance Purchase Excursion) reductions offered by all major U.S. and European carriers. For the best rates, compare fares and be flexible with your dates and times of travel.

Some large airlines (for example, Northwest and Delta) offer travelers on their transatlantic or transpacific flights special discount tickets under the name Visit USA, allowing mostly one-way travel from one U.S. destination to another at very low prices. These discount tickets are not for sale in the United States and must be purchased abroad in conjunction with your international ticket. This system is the best, easiest, and fastest way to see the United States at low cost. You should obtain information well in advance from your travel agent or the office of the airline concerned, as the conditions attached to these discount tickets can be changed without advance notice.

Immigration & Customs Clearance -- Visitors arriving by air, no matter what the port of entry, should cultivate patience before setting foot on U.S. soil. Getting through immigration control can take as long as 2 hours on some days, especially on summer weekends, so be sure to carry this guidebook or something else to read.

People traveling by air from Canada, Bermuda, and certain countries in the Caribbean can sometimes clear Customs and Immigration at the point of departure, which is much quicker.

By Train -- Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com). makes once-daily stops in Rutland and Brattleboro, Vermont and Claremont, New Hampshire (among other places) on two routes originating in New York City. Several Amtrak trains per day also run from Boston up the southern coast of Maine as far north as Portland. International visitors (excluding Canada) can also buy a USA Rail Pass, good for 15 or 30 days of unlimited travel on the Amtrak network. The pass is available through many overseas travel agents. Prices in 2004 for a 15-day pass were $295 off-peak, $440 peak; a 30-day pass cost $385 off-peak, $550 peak. With a foreign passport, you can also buy passes at some Amtrak offices in the United States, including locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Reservations are generally required and should be made for each part of your trip as early as possible. Regional rail passes are also available.

By Bus -- Although bus travel is often the most economical form of public transit for short hops between U.S. cities, it can also be slow and uncomfortable -- certainly not an option for everyone (particularly when Amtrak, which is far more luxurious, offers similar rates). Greyhound/Trailways (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) offers an International Ameripass that must be purchased before coming to the United States, or by phone through the Greyhound International Office at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City (tel. 212/971-0492). The pass can be obtained from foreign travel agents or through Greyhound's website (order at least 21 days before your departure to the U.S.) and costs less than the domestic version. 2004 passes are priced as follows: 4 days ($140), 7 days ($199), 10 days ($249), 15 days ($289), 21 days ($339), 30 days ($379), 45 days ($429), or 60 days ($519). You can get more info on the pass at the website, or by calling tel. 402/330-8552. Special rates are available for seniors and students.

The regional bus lines Vermont Transit (tel. 800/451-3292; www.vermonttransit.com) and Concord Trailways (tel. 800/639-3317; www.concordtrailways.com) link many of the smaller cities and towns throughout northern New England. See the individual state chapters for more information on local bus depots and contact information.

By Car -- The most cost-effective, convenient, and comfortable way to get around northern New England is by car. Some of the national car-rental companies include Alamo (tel. 800/462-5266; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/230-4898; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-3665; www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty (tel. 800/847-4389; www.thrifty.com).

If you plan to rent a car in the United States, you probably won't need the services of an additional automobile organization. If you're planning to buy or borrow a car, automobile association membership is recommended. AAA, the American Automobile Association (tel. 800/222-4357), is the country's largest auto club and supplies its members with maps, insurance, and, most important, emergency road service. The cost of joining runs from $63 for singles to $87 for two members, but if you're a member of a foreign auto club with reciprocal arrangements, you can enjoy free AAA service in America.