I made this trip from NYC in late September 6 or 8 years ago. I didn't even know there was BC on the Vermonter. I don't recall the Vermonter being crowded at all until much closer to the City, say Hartford. The northbound Adirondack, on the other hand, seemed full all the way. Make sure the ferry still is running on your date.....it stops for the season around that time. I had it on the last day IIRC. I stayed in a Tibetan Guest House a little south of Burlington. I got from the ferry to the GH and then from the GH to Essex Junction station with public transit with no problem.