Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor runs through the heart of South County, and the region has more rail options than many residents realize. Here is how to use them.
Kingston station
Kingston station, on Route 138 in West Kingston, is South County’s busiest rail stop and serves the University of Rhode Island. Amtrak Northeast Regional trains stop there, connecting to Providence, Boston, New York and points south, and some Acela trains stop as well. The historic station building, dating to the 1870s, has a waiting room, and there is a parking lot for rail passengers.
Westerly station
Westerly station, in downtown Westerly, is also served by Northeast Regional trains, with fewer daily stops. It is convenient for Westerly, Watch Hill and the beaches, and for travelers from nearby Connecticut.
Commuter rail at Wickford Junction
The MBTA’s Providence/Stoughton commuter rail line extends to Wickford Junction in North Kingstown, with a stop at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick. The station has a parking garage beside Route 4 and offers weekday service to Providence and Boston. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation supports the extension under an agreement with the MBTA.
Buses
- RIPTA routes connect Kingston station, the URI campus, Wakefield, Narragansett and Providence, with some summer routes to the beaches and Galilee.
- RIPTA’s Flex service provides on-demand rides in some lower-density areas.
- Check RIPTA’s trip planner for current schedules, which change with the seasons and the university calendar.
Tips
- Book Amtrak tickets early for the best fares; holiday and Friday trains sell out.
- URI students and staff should check for transit discounts offered through the university.
- Allow extra time in winter, when weather can delay trains.
