Amtrak levels of tickets

Based on my own research and watching YouTube videos, the main difference appears to be that first class gets a dedicated bathroom space for just first class passengers.

Seems worth it if you're just comparing different ticket levels for train rides.

For the Northeast Regional and most other local trains, Coach seats are not assigned. Not a big deal if you’re traveling alone, but if you’re with other people, you may not find seats together. Business is assigned seats and comes with free non-alcoholic drinks.

Acela is all assigned seats and nicer. First class comes with complimentary food and drinks.

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For the Northeast Regional and most other local trains, Coach seats are not assigned. Not a big deal if you’re traveling alone, but if you’re with other people, you may not find seats together. Business is assigned seats and comes with free non-alcoholic drinks.

Acela is all assigned seats and nicer. First class comes with complimentary food and drinks.

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This post nails it. NE Regional and local trains coach are very comfortable. If you are boarding at a major stop (DC, Philly, NYC, Boston, etc.) it shouldn't be a problem getting seats togethers or in a desired car, at smaller stops there won't be as many open seats when you board.

Acela is nicer, and not that much more expensive if you can book a month or 2 out. The 2nd gen Acela trains are really nice!!!!! Many of the trains have quiet cars if you want that. And if you are not obnoxious about it you can bring your own drinks.

Last, while train stations are usually easy to navigate, the first time you arrive/depart from a station give yourself a little extra time to navigate the station. That said, once familiar with a station I never arrive more than 20 minutes before departure.

There is nothing better than being dropped off/picked up right in the middle of the City, especially for a day/short weekend trip.

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Is there an electric gate separating the passengers from the different classes or is like a plane where it is a curtain. Every time I think of traveling and the different classes, I am reminded of Seinfeld.

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I've specifically been researching the Pacific Sunliner on the west coast for a vacation we're planning where we're going to start in San Diego for a week and then take the train to L.A. for week 2. I've also watched some other videos of people taking trains coast to coast, etc, just to see how insane that might be.

For that specific train (Pacific Sunliner), first class is on a completely different level of the train (like a separate floor). Doesn't seem like anyone is blocking people from taking the stairs or anything, but it is an obviously defined and separate space.

That’s actually really cool.

I wish there was more Amtraks available.

I would enjoy the ride and being able chill, have drinks, and watch shows the whole way

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not sure they are still set up to allow you to sit at the bar and ride there.

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We made a quick run earlier this year, as long as you are buying/eating/drinking you're good. They don't like it when you camp out in the club car without spending money

Since it's open seating, when you're walking down the platform to board, check the cars, the club car will be labeled on the outside. Grab coach seats the closest you can to that car. They'll announce when the car opens, you can be first to grab a table.

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That’s actually really cool. I wish there was more Amtraks available. I would enjoy the ride and being able chill, have drinks, and watch shows the whole way

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Yeah and it’s like 3-4 hours to New York. We could barely drive that in that time. Flying would be shorter in air time but when you add in 2+ hours at the airport plus having to uber or subway from queens into manhattan as added time and cost the train becomes a no brainer. Plus you can actually get up and move around very easily. Order food and all that.

The northeast given its compactness really is conducive to this type of travel. I’ve looked into Boston from DC and it’s like 7 hours. That’s a little less fun but I feel like I’d still be traveling around 7 hours if I flew there.

The cheapest Amtrak seats are much bigger and more comfortable than coach class on an airplane. So if it’s for just DC-Boston - get the cheaper seats and you’ll be fine. General Admin in most cars of a class type so just pick some you like and enjoy the ride.

The higher end seats depends on the train. The Pennsylvanian doesn’t have many of the higher end seats - they have the older cars that rattle and shake as the train rolls past 100mph in New Jersey. The Acela has some very awesome stuff - all of the seats are better than in the Pennsylvanian. All of the Acela cars are much smoother than the Pennsylvanian - and the Acela moves faster and tilts in the turns.

The Pennsylvanian usually has a bar car with snacks and a little cafe but it’s not anything special.

The NEC part of Amtrak is one of the only routes where I think they are competitive with most airlines.

First class gives you access to the lounges. The one at Moynihan (NYC) is awesome. The one at Philly, nothing special but some basic snacks/soft drinks/coffee

Good notes. Will add if you are traveling solo you definitely can't take a entire table in the cafe car, you will have to share the table or will be asked to leave. Yes, book Acela if possible, so much nicer.

Amtrak/trains prices are always competitive with flying and usually cheaper. But to your point, outside of NEC the frequency of service and total travel time doesn't compete with flying. Which is ok, good to have different options for people.