Borealis Train Puts Winona on the Map for Midwest Travelers

According to a recent MPR News report by Matt Mikus, Amtrak’s Borealis line, which connects St. Paul to Chicago with a stop right here in Winona, has now carried more than 416,000 passengers since launching in May 2024. Two years in, ridership keeps climbing, and Winona is one of the scenic highlights along the way.

Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said the agency is pleased the line continues running at capacity and is looking at ways to grow the service further alongside its Wisconsin and Illinois partners.

Riders Are Choosing the Train — and Loving It

The MPR report captured what’s drawing people to the Borealis in the first place: a more relaxed alternative to flying or driving. Riders Sara and Ethan Kimmes told MPR News it was their first time taking the train, and that they were drawn to it as a more affordable, lower-stress option than flying, especially compared to a long drive. Another rider, retired Chicago Transit Authority worker Henry Davis, who now lives in Savage, said he prefers Amtrak to other travel options he’s tried, comparing it favorably to bus travel and pointing to the hassles of modern air travel.

That kind of word-of-mouth enthusiasm matters for a stop like Winona — the easier and more pleasant the ride, the more likely riders are to make the trip again, and to recommend it to friends planning their own getaway along the river.

A Front-Row Seat on the Mississippi

The Borealis follows the Mississippi River for much of its route, and the stretch between La Crosse and Winona is widely considered the most scenic leg of the entire Chicago–Twin Cities corridor. Passengers riding the upper level of the train’s Superliner coaches get sweeping views of the bluffs and river as they roll into town — a perfect introduction for first-time visitors and a daily reminder for locals of just how beautiful this stretch of the Mississippi really is.

Amtrak’s own marketing for the route leans into Winona’s outdoor appeal, encouraging travelers to scale Sugar Loaf Bluff, bike the path around Lake Winona, go birding at nearby Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, paddle the river’s quiet channels, or try their luck fishing for walleye. For a city that has long been a hidden gem for outdoor lovers, having a direct train stop from two major metro areas is a meaningful new front door for tourism.

Why This Matters for Winona

A few takeaways from the ridership numbers worth highlighting for visitors and local businesses alike:

• Convenience without a car. Travelers from St. Paul/Minneapolis or Chicago can now reach Winona in a single, scenic, hassle-free train ride — no flying, no driving, no parking to worry about downtown.
• Strong demand, even from “small town” markets. While the bulk of Borealis riders travel between major cities, the line has also opened up easy access for “big city to small town” trips — exactly the kind of weekend getaway Winona is built for.
• Room to grow. Combined with the Hiawatha Service between Milwaukee and Chicago, ridership across the corridor has grown 27 percent in two years to nearly 1.8 million passengers. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari said the railroad is working to add capacity because demand already outpaces what current train sizes can handle — good news for a stop like Winona, where more seats means more visitors.
• A sign of bigger things to come. MnDOT passenger rail director Matt Bailey told MPR the Borealis has proven there’s real demand for state-sponsored passenger rail after Minnesota spent four decades without it, and the agency is now studying additional routes, including a possible St. Paul–Duluth line. A growing statewide rail network could mean even more visibility — and visitors — for towns like Winona along the way.

Getting Here

The Borealis runs daily in each direction — St. Paul departs for Chicago a little after 11:30 a.m., while Chicago departs for St. Paul around 11 a.m., giving riders two daily departures in conjunction with the long-distance Empire Builder. It’s coach-only seating with a café car onboard, free Wi-Fi, and stops that also include Red Wing, La Crosse, Milwaukee, and the Wisconsin Dells — making it easy to pair a Winona visit with stops along the way.

For a city built around its bluffs, lakes, and river views, having a train pull right up to the doorstep is more than just a transportation milestone. It’s a steady, growing stream of visitors discovering what Winona locals have always known.