Amtrak Advice

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Anyone ride the Northeast corridor route from Boston/New York to D.C. regularly enough to know if:

1. Business class (i.e., reserved *seats*) are a safer bet than just coach class (i.e., reserved *train* but no guarantee of a seat) for most trains?

2. Does Amtrak add trains if sales start to increase such that trains are selling out?

TIA for any info/advice you can provide!!!

[Tennesseer]

Having lived in the northeast and taken Amtrak and Metro North commuter trains, I can off a bit of knowledge.

During the busier hours of the day additional cars may be added to the train. On days before a major holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas), an additional train may be added to the regular schedule. Trains before the holiday may be so crowded it's SRO for coach.

As for which type of ticket to buy-it all depends where your ride will begin, where it will end, and estimated time length of your trip. Some folks are perfectly happy riding/standing in the bar car during their entire trip.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Thanks, Tenn!!!

I'm asking for a friend. He's active and fit, but still, Boston/NYC to D.C. is an awfully long time to stand, LOL. Since trains are selling out for the time he's thinking of traveling, I suggested that he buy a business class seat. But, he's reluctant to spend the extra $$$. If it were me, I'd spend it in a heartbeat so I could sit after I've gotten tipsy, LOL.

[Tennesseer]

GRG-if it's around a holiday, better with business class.

While I am no longer familiar with Boston/NYC to Washington, D.C. commuter express flights, it may be even cheaper (time wise and just a few more dollars) to fly. I often consider my time as having value so I might/would possibly opt to fly.

Or take an express bus (if they exist).

[dannylion]

Business class! Yes!

I recently traveled by Amtrak from Baltimore/BWI to St. Louis, the first (admittedly very short) leg of which was on a Northeast Corridor train. Business class was less than half full. I had a whole row of seats to myself. The other people in the car were well behaved. There were free newspapers. It was very pleasant.

When I was planning my trip, I found this forum:

discuss.amtraktrains.com/

It is populated by people who are passionate about train travel and very knowledgeable about the various Amtrak routes and happy to share their knowledge. I found their advice very helpful.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Nov 6, 2012 10:51:12 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Business class! Yes!

I recently traveled by Amtrak from Baltimore/BWI to St. Louis, the first (admittedly very short) leg of which was on a Northeast Corridor train. Business class was less than half full. I had a whole row of seats to myself. The other people in the car were well behaved. There were free newspapers. It was very pleasant.

When I was planning my trip, I found this forum:

discuss.amtraktrains.com/

It is populated by people who are passionate about train travel and very knowledgeable about the various Amtrak routes and happy to share their knowledge. I found their advice very helpful.

Thank you, DL!!! Exactly what I am looking for. I need to convince him with facts, not simple convenience.

[8 Bit WWBG]

Ever since airlines jacked their rates, I've taken the train from DC to NYC. I find the "door to door" time for my specific trip to be far more favorable with the train. Last year was especially crazy, with holiday time flights (even 3 months+ ahead of time) already at $400. My train trip was less than $200. Plus, add in the extra security time, and the cab I'd have to take from LGA, and the train is a better choice for my specific trip.

I've never paid for business class. Yes at holiday times, its going to be expensive and crowded no matter what you do. I am fortunate in that I have a few options for my origin point, so I pick one that is usually less crowded and I can get a seat. I'm even nice and will move to let couples sit together if they ask me nicely and if they help me find a similar seat.

If your friend wants the peace of mind of having an assigned seat, then yes pony up now. If he is fine either getting to the station really early and lining up, or facing standing room only, then book the normal fare.

[Peace77]

There are express buses. We have taken Megabus to NYC lots of times. It's much faster than driving since we don't have to stop to pay tolls and MUCH cheaper than taking the train or flying. The seats are comfortable. Usually there are power outlets and free Wi-fi. Sometimes there are free movies (depends on the driver). The Megabus stops near Penn Station (Manhatten) which is convenient.

When we flew, the person who arranged our travel booked our return flight out of Islip. It took us longer to get to the airport by car than it did to fly home.

Another excellent express bus is Boltbus.

[steph08]

I took the train from SW PA to NYC - never again! It took 9 hours with all the stops - when I took Megabus, it took 5 hours and was $100 cheaper. Megabus all the way!

[ontrack]

We like to take the train to NYC from DC. I've never had a problem not getting a seat. We sometimes do the regular regional train, but I like the Acela better. It's faster and an overall better experience. We've had bad experiences with the buses that run there. One the toilet was broken so it smelled like sewage the whole way, the other took a really long time due to traffic (Memorial day weekend).

[Peace77]

We have never had a bad experience with Megabus. We've taken it so many times that I've lost count. It was once a month for awhile.

[Bob Ross]

Beware of hobos.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

The express busses have a bad rep around here -- some tragic accidents and occasional RMV inspections that turn up all kinds of safety and licensing violations.

As for hobos, I'm not too worried. They're easy to spot with their worldly goods wrapped in that red bandana tied to a stick.

<<<------walks off shaking head at Bob Ross's lack of hobo knowledge

[Peace77]

The Chinese bus services are known for poor maintenance and many accidents. The newer companies such as Boltbus and Megabus have much better records.