MSPeconomist

If you've always just flown over this area, I would try to do the train at least once in the daytime for the scenery, given that downtown to downtown is so much more convenient than dealing with airports. In your comparisons, don't forget the cost of airport transportation and parking.

flying_q

Look here - covered a few weeks ago:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...e-bos-dca.html

I do this route every week. Logistically, DCA is no more inconvenient than Union station. You're looking at a 10-20 minute drive to most downtown hotels, and no more than a $25 dollar cab or Uber ride. Or...just pay 2 bucks and take the Metro.

Not to mention the 7 hour train ride. Scenic or not (which most of it is not), the train makes for a far earlier morning than you would ever need to fly - especially to arrive hours later than the flight.

I'd still connect in LGA over the train any day. Do yourself a favor and just book B6 or US. If you book US, sit in the last row and deplane out the back. If you need F, there are almost always $75 upgrades available for the less popular shuttle times.

bennos

Assuming OP is not trying to make a time sensitive appointment, and given that OP lives near Union Station, OP could take the 9am Acela (arriving no later than, say, 8:55) and arrive Boston at 3:46pm. While obviously flying is faster (assuming no WX), 9am isn't particularly early. And if it is, there's an 11am that arrives in time for dinner.

koreanair720

Ha! Yes. I've done that, actually. And I've even endured more Greyhound than I care to remember as well...

flying_q

Don't disagree.

Assuming they live near Union station, they can also take a 2pm flight, arriving DCA no earlier than, say, 120p. That will get them to Boston before 3:46p. They will be equally as close to anything in the city given S. Station and Logan are just a tunnel apart.

To each there own. I'd rather be at home between 830am and 1pm...not on a train that will likely cost twice as much as the flight.

BobH

[QUOTE=koreanair720;19839318And in Amtrak's favor, I live quite close to Union Station in DC so that's a consideration.


In other words: What would you do?[/QUOTE]

Other factors to consider are weather and where you have to be in Boston, particularly if it's near the Back Bay or South Stations on on the T.

Bob H

CTJoyce

Living in Boston for 5 years going to DC twice a year during that time I have done that trip via both train and air many times. If the question is Air (Delta or B6) vs Amtrak regional, Air every single time. Air (F or Y) vs Acela is a toss up. Acela is a more comfortable ride than even FC, the WiFi is better and there is power. No drink service, but the snack car isn't too expensive and you can also bring your own. The train means no TSA, and no checked luggage because you want to bring liquids with you, however more of your day is eaten up by travel time. I also find that I can work on the train given the better wifi and the ability to use my cell (I am a security expert doubling as a sysadmin when needed, so none of my work is offline) where as in flight (even with GoGo) I really can't work so I am offline from gate to gate (which could be only 2 hours but in a crisis 2 hours is way too long).

So if it were me, and I was coming home from a trip, I would be up in the air, maximizing my time at the A club in BOS and C club in LGA getting loaded on free G&Ts giving myself the flight home to sober up, where as if I were going from vacation to an assignment I would take the train so I could spend my travel day working and hopefully minimizing on site time.

hazelrah

^ this

Did it once on the Acela and it was enjoyable.

NotHamSarnie

I find FC on the NE Regional much more spacious and comfortable than standard (business) on the Acela. The ride is a bit longer, but more comfortable and less crowded. wifi on both, and scenery is the same. Price is the same (depends on time of day).

romadaro

If you decide to fly, JetBlue or the USAir Shuttle (which flies 737's and Airbus 319's on the route) are way better than Delta.

flying_q

USAir only flies the A319/A320 on this route. They aren't much different than DL.

DL doesn't fly the A319 on the shuttle anymore - only the E75 which is, IMO, far superior than the US A319.

CTJoyce

IMO the E70/75 Y product is superior to almost anything Mainline short of maybe a 738/9 with AVOD.

koreanair720

So the consensus on what I should do is clear: I should take the Acela, the Amtrak regional, the DL flights, Jetblue, US Airways, or Megabus.

Glad we cleared that up

But seriously folks...thanks to all who chimed in. I think I'll end up taking the train as I've got most of that Sunday to kill, and I don't need the mqms...Thanks!

NotHamSarnie

^ Remember to buy your ticket online days before you leave. The price doubles if you wait until you get to the station (as I learned from experience).