Vermont is a small New England state of extraordinary natural beauty, famous for fiery fall foliage, world-class ski resorts, covered wooden bridges, and a thriving farm-to-table food culture. Burlington, its largest city, sits on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain and buzzes with craft breweries and independent shops. From the rolling Green Mountains to maple-syrup farms and award-winning cheese dairies, Vermont rewards travelers who seek authenticity over spectacle.
Vermont requires a rental car for most travel outside of Burlington. The state is small but rural, with ski resorts, covered bridges, and farm attractions spread across mountain roads and valleys. Burlington International Airport (BTV) is the main gateway. Amtrak serves the state with two routes from New York City. Green Mountain Transit provides local buses in Burlington and surrounding Chittenden County. Within ski resort areas (Stowe, Killington), free or low-cost shuttle services operate during ski season.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book rental cars through BTV airport agencies well in advance for foliage season (September–October) and ski holidays — inventory is often exhausted 3–6 months ahead
Vermont 511 (call 511 or visit 511vt.org) provides real-time road condition updates for winter travel — essential before driving mountain roads
All-wheel drive or 4WD is strongly recommended for winter travel, especially to ski areas on mountain roads
The Mad River Valley (Sugarbush, Mad River Glen) road from VT-100 can be icy in winter; drive slowly and carry chains as backup