Urgent Care in Burlington, VT

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, home to about 44,000 residents and a metropolitan area of 220,000 (the Burlington-South Burlington metro, Vermont's only MSA). Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington is 45 minutes south of the Canadian border. The city rose in the 19th century as a lumber shipping port on Lake Champlain, and today is Vermont's political, commercial, and cultural hub. Burlington is known for its Church Street Marketplace (4-block pedestrian shopping/dining area), Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain, and vibrant arts scene. The economy is driven by healthcare, higher education, technology (Dealer.com/Cox Automotive, MyWebGrocer), and tourism (ski resorts nearby: Stowe, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen). The University of Vermont (UVM, 14,000 students, Vermont's flagship university) and Champlain College (2,000 students) are major institutions.

Healthcare in Vermont is dominated by the University of Vermont Health Network — Vermont's largest healthcare system, anchored by the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM Medical Center, Burlington, 562 beds, Level I Trauma Center — Vermont's only Level I Trauma, and the teaching hospital of UVM Larner College of Medicine). The UVM Health Network includes 6 hospitals across Vermont and Upstate New York: UVM Medical Center (Burlington), Central Vermont Medical Center (Berlin), Porter Medical Center (Middlebury), Alice Hyde Medical Center (Malone NY), Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (Plattsburgh NY), and Elizabethtown Community Hospital (NY). Northwestern Medical Center (St. Albans, 70 beds, independent) serves Franklin County in northern Vermont. Walk-in urgent care in Northern Vermont is served by ConvenientMD (a New Hampshire-founded chain with 4 Vermont locations), UVM Health Network Urgent Care, MinuteClinic at CVS, AFC Urgent Care, and CityMD (limited presence).

This directory covers verified urgent care locations across Burlington proper (Downtown/Church Street, Old North End, New North End, South End, Hill Section) and the greater Chittenden County metro — South Burlington (Vermont's 2nd-largest city), Essex / Essex Junction, Williston (major retail — Maple Tree Place, University Mall), Colchester (home to Saint Michael's College), Winooski (dense urban neighbor of Burlington), Milton, Richmond, and Shelburne. Plus Franklin County (St. Albans) and Addison County (Middlebury, home of Middlebury College). Whether you need same-day care near UVM Medical Center, a walk-in clinic in Williston, or after-hours care in South Burlington, you'll find the nearest verified option with hours, insurance, and directions.

Common questions about urgent care in Burlington

Quick answers before you visit.

What insurance do urgent care clinics in Burlington, VT accept?

Most urgent care clinics in Burlington accept major commercial plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana), Medicare, Vermont Medicaid, and TRICARE. Specific in-network coverage varies by clinic — check the individual clinic page for the most accurate list, or call the clinic directly to confirm before your visit.

Which urgent care networks are strongest in Burlington?

The largest walk-in care networks in the Burlington area include UVM Health Network, and Northwestern Medical Center. See the 'Local networks' section on this page for a description of each — their typical services, affiliated hospitals, and FAQs about insurance acceptance.

Is urgent care cheaper than the ER in Burlington?

Yes — significantly. A typical urgent care visit in Burlington costs $25–$75 with insurance (copay), or $100–$200 cash-pay for a basic visit. An ER visit averages $1,500–$2,500 even for non-emergency issues. Urgent care is appropriate for fevers, flu, UTIs, pink eye, minor injuries, strep, and most same-day concerns — reserve the ER for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or trouble breathing.

Do Burlington urgent care clinics take walk-ins, or do I need an appointment?

All Burlington urgent care clinics accept walk-ins — that's their core business. Many large chains (MinuteClinic, AFC Urgent Care, Concentra, and Solv-partnered clinics) also let you reserve a time slot online to skip the waiting room. Wait times are typically posted live on each clinic's website.

Are there pediatric urgent care options in Burlington?

Most adult urgent cares in Burlington see children age 1 and older. For infants under 12 months or complex pediatric presentations, look for dedicated pediatric urgent care — PM Pediatric Care, children's-hospital-affiliated walk-in centers, or pediatric-specific clinics. Check individual clinic pages for pediatric availability and age ranges.

How late are urgent care clinics open in Burlington?

Most Burlington urgent care clinics are open 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week. Some major-chain locations (MinuteClinic, AFC Urgent Care, Concentra) offer extended or weekend hours, and a handful operate 24/7. Check the 'hours' line on each individual clinic page for current operating times — clinic schedules change, so we recommend confirming before travel.