Getting To & From
Amherst, Massachusetts

Rent a Car at Logan

The most flexible option: you will have wheels waiting when you arrive in Amherst. Two main routes to choose from, each with different trade-offs.

Take a Shuttle with Valley Transporter

Valley Transporter is a Pioneer Valley institution. Family-owned since 1986, they offer door-to-door shuttle service between Amherst, the Five College area, and all major airports.

Two options: a shared shuttle on a set schedule (starting around $65 for 1–3 passengers), or a private airport run ranging from $750 to $900 depending on passenger count.

Book as far in advance as possible. Shared slots fill fast around move-in weekends and holidays. Call 413-253-1350.

Peter Pan Bus from Logan

Peter Pan Bus Lines runs direct service from Boston Logan Airport to Amherst Center (PVTA Bus Shelter, 79 South Pleasant Street).

Journey time is about 3 hours 30 minutes and fares start around $44.99. Buses do not run frequently, so check the schedule and book in advance at peterpanbus.com.

Prefer to start from downtown Boston? Peter Pan also departs from South Station (~$42.99, 3h), reachable from Logan on the free Silver Line (SL1).

Take Amtrak to Northampton, then Connect to Amherst

Amtrak's Vermonter line (departing Penn Station / Moynihan Train Hall in New York) stops in Northampton, about 8 miles from Amherst.

From Northampton station, take a short Uber, Lyft, or taxi into town, or catch a PVTA bus if your timing lines up.

Check Uber availability before committing to this final leg. It can be unpredictable depending on the time of year. See the seasonal availability note in the Local Services section below.

Take Amtrak to Springfield, then Connect to Amherst

Springfield's Union Station has more frequent Amtrak service than Northampton.

From Springfield, an Uber to Amherst takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly $30 to $40. Peter Pan Bus Lines also runs from Springfield to Amherst if you want a cheaper connection.

Uber and Lyft availability in Amherst fluctuates significantly by season. More on that in the Local Services section below.

Uber or Lyft Directly from Logan

Convenient but not cheap. Expect to pay around $150 or more depending on traffic, time of day, and surge pricing.

Worth it if you are traveling with a group splitting the cost, or if you want the simplest door-to-door option.

Once you arrive in Amherst, do not assume Uber will be equally easy to get. See the seasonal availability note in the Local Services section.

Rent a Car at Bradley

Jump on I-91 North and head straight up through Springfield to Amherst. It is a simple, mostly highway drive of about 45 minutes in normal conditions with no tolls.

If I-91 backs up, you are largely stuck, but significant delays are less common here than on the Pike.

When you arrive, Enterprise is the only car rental company with offices in Amherst itself, with locations on College Street and on the UMass campus. You can drop the car locally rather than driving back to the airport.

Take a Shuttle with Valley Transporter

Valley Transporter serves Bradley with scheduled shared shuttles starting as early as 4:30 AM, with departures on the half hour through 12:30 AM.

Shared rides start around $65 for 1–3 passengers. Private airport runs range from $750 to $900.

Reserve in advance and call the dispatcher when you land for instructions on where to meet your driver: 413-253-1350, option 1.

Uber or Lyft from Bradley

At roughly $55 to $60, an Uber from Bradley to Amherst is the most affordable ride-hail option of the four airports in this guide.

A solid choice if you are traveling solo and do not need a car once you arrive.

Just be aware that getting around Amherst by Uber can be hit or miss. See the seasonal availability note in the Local Services section below.

Greyhound Direct to UMass Amherst

Greyhound runs a direct bus from New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. No transfers, dropping off right on campus.

Journey time is around 5 hours and the lowest fare is typically around $38, making it the cheapest and most direct ground option from New York.

Check current schedules and book at greyhound.com.

Peter Pan Bus from Port Authority

Peter Pan Bus Lines runs multiple daily departures from Port Authority Bus Terminal (Gates 69-75) in Midtown Manhattan directly to Amherst, dropping off at Haigis Mall on the UMass Amherst campus.

Fares typically run $56 to $65. Port Authority is walking distance from Penn Station, making it easy to reach from JFK via the AirTrain and subway. Arrive at the gate 15 to 30 minutes before departure.

Greyhound also runs from Port Authority to Northampton (transfer at Springfield, ~4h 50m, ~$46) as a lower-cost alternative if the direct options are full. From Northampton, take a short Uber or taxi the remaining 8 miles to Amherst.

Amtrak from Penn Station

Head to Penn Station (Moynihan Train Hall) and catch Amtrak's Vermonter north.

You can ride all the way to Northampton (about 8 miles from Amherst) or get off at Springfield and connect from there. See the Amtrak options in the Logan section above for connection details.

Book early at amtrak.com. Prices rise closer to departure.

Valley Transporter from JFK

Valley Transporter serves JFK with door-to-door shuttle service directly to Amherst, with no transfers and no navigating Midtown. Private runs range from $750 to $900. Call 413-253-1350 to book.

Amtrak from Newark Penn Station

The simplest ground option from Newark. Take the AirTrain from the terminal to Newark Penn Station, then board Amtrak's Vermonter north, just two legs before you are heading straight to the Pioneer Valley.

The Vermonter stops at both Springfield and Northampton, each of which requires a short Uber or taxi for the final 8 to 30 miles to Amherst. See the Amtrak entries in the Logan section above for connection details.

Book early at amtrak.com. One important caveat: the Vermonter runs once a day. If your flight lands outside that window, see the bus option below for more flexible departures throughout the day.

Bus via Port Authority (Peter Pan or Greyhound)

More steps than Amtrak, but more departures throughout the day and lower fares.

From Newark Airport, take the AirTrain to Newark Penn Station, then a NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station (about 30 minutes total). From there, take the subway (the A, C, or E line from 34th Street Penn Station drops you at Port Authority in about five minutes) to Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound both run services to Amherst from Port Authority. Peter Pan drops off at Haigis Mall on the UMass campus and at Amherst Center. Greyhound also runs a direct service to UMass Amherst.

Fares start around $32 with Greyhound and $42 to $55 with Peter Pan. Journey time from Newark to Amherst is roughly 5 to 7 hours depending on the connection.

Book ahead at peterpanbus.com, greyhound.com, or use Wanderu to compare options in one search.

Valley Transporter from Newark

Valley Transporter can arrange door-to-door service from Newark. No transfers, no navigating Midtown. Call 413-253-1350 to book and confirm rates.