Amtrak Continues Partnership to Offer Ferry Service from Providence to Newport via RIDOT-funded Shuttle

Rhode Island travelers can experience Newport with thruway connections 

PROVIDENCE – Amtrak today announced its continued summer partnership with Seastreak, the operator of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) seasonal Providence-Newport Ferry, for hassle-free booking and passage for Amtrak passengers directly to Newport, R.I. Upon arrival to Providence Station, customers can enjoy convenient shuttle connections funded by RIDOT to and from the Providence Ferry Terminal now through Monday, October 9. There will be four daily roundtrips available through Friday, September 1, and three daily roundtrips available from Tuesday, September 5 through Monday, October 9. This includes holiday transportation on Labor Day and Columbus Day.

“Amtrak is pleased to continue another year of partnership with Seastreak and RIDOT to provide travelers with a convenient and accessible way to explore all Newport has to offer,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy and Planning Dennis Newman. “Providence visitors can travel to Newport while enjoying the convenient amenities of the ferry and experience incredible views on an Amtrak train on the way to their exciting summer adventure.”

Travelers can purchase their ferry tickets through Amtrak. No additional purchase is necessary to get from the train station to the ferry terminal and onto the vessel. Providence Station is served by Acela and Northeast Regional trains, as well as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail that runs between Boston South Station and Wickford Junction via T.F. Green International Airport. In FY22, Providence Station was the 11^th busiest station in Amtrak’s national network with more than 569,000 passengers either boarding or alighting a train at the station.

Amtrak customers enjoy multiple onboard amenities including free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”), the ability to travel with small pets, a café car, and large spacious seats with ample leg room and no middle seat. Amenities on the Seastreak ferry include plush seating with generous legroom, a climate-controlled cabin, an open-air top deck, panoramic windows, private restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a full-service cash bar with cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, tea, coffee and snacks.