BlissWorld

Someone's immigration application to the US of A got denied I see

Sealink

Agreed, a similar distance in the UK (London to Manchester) can be done in about two and a bit hours, on a Virgin Train. They include food in the First Class price, but not nearly as nice as Amtrak Acela! And fares here range from about GBP £40.00 to about GBP £300.00.

Another niche operator in the UK - The Wrexham & Shropshire Railway operating from Marylebone to Shewsbury & Wrexham include food in their first class tickets too, apparently it's very good but I've yet to try it.

As far as the journey time goes, it was fine for me. I was on holiday.
The cheaper option to the train was JetBlue JFK-BOS. But with airport transport, check-in time, waiting for baggage etc. I don't think it would have got their any faster. But it's a shame that these fairly new trains don't reach their full potential a lot of the time.

Sealink

You only get complimentary food in First Class on the West Coast Line (Virgin Trains). The East Coast line (NXEC you get tea and coffee and nothing else).

thadocta

Oops - what is it they say about the pot, the kettle and the colour black?

Dave

Bretteee

The trains in the USA are awful. Too slow. That's the problem. And I think that $150 is expensive.

tfjim

I experienced Acela first class a few years ago BWI to New York Penn Station. It was a Friday evening and I had just finished a meeting at a hotel near BWI so hopping on the train seemed like a fun idea to get back to the city. It was fine, nice big seat, plenty of room. Considering Friday afternoon crowds in the regular coaches it was nice to be in first.

The only interesting thing about the trip was that Janeane Garofalo sat down in the single seat across from me. She scrunched up on the seat and pulled her skater hoodie down over her head and basically text messaged the entire trip. Nobody bothered her.

So, celebrity sightings on the Acela.

MatthewLAX

Great trip report! It is cheaper to fly than use the Acela, but it seems Amtrak is much more conveinent.

Sealink

Of course at the time I booked the exchange rate was $2 to Ł1, so to me it was a bargain. I could've travelling in Acela Business class for $89.00, and those seats looked comfy too.

jadedinsider

Very nice report and thank you ! ^

We recently took a 6 hour train ride from Prague to Budapest. It was such a wonderful experience. We purchased F tickets but barely sat in the coach because we had a long leisurley meal in the dining car, and then sat at the bar for 2 hours and talked and drank. The food was very good btw and the service excellent.

I wish we had more rail transportation in the U.S. It is much more fun, relaxing, and less stressful than airports.

sculler1x

I travel pretty frequently (about once per week) between Boston and NYC on the Acela, and I'd say that for business travelers, the train is almost always cheaper. The walk-up first class fare on Acela is about $325 or so RT, while a walk-up fare on the US or DL shuttle is at least $100 more. Add in the $60 for RT cab service into Manhattan from LGA, and the train wins every time. I can't remember the last time I actually took the plane instead of the train to NYC.

thadocta

The train would almost be quicker wouldn't it, from downtown to downtown? As well as not having to endure the delightful treatment at the hands of the TSA! (SSSS anyone?)

Dave

sculler1x

In a perfect world (no delays at LGA or BOS, no traffic into the City), the plane might win, but I defy you to find a day that meets those criteria. So yes, the train is slighly slower by the schedule, but usually faster in reality.

thadocta

I thought as much - it is a LOOOOOOOONG time since I have been to the US, so I can't comment on this specific case, but it is the reason I use the train between London and Paris/Brussells, city-centre to city-centre the train wins hands down by an order of magnitude.

Dave

gsupstate

I'm sure our rail system (tracks, switching, control, etc) is nowhere near as integrated and sophisticated as in most of Europe. That's probably the reason.

flyingfkb

I took the same trip last year but in "business class" which is the other class besides first on the Acela train. It was a great trip. The tracks go for a long part right at the coast. I also liked that you go from downtown to downtown. I really hope Amtrak invests some money in the Acela service to make it even faster. I would say with the right tracks it should be possible to do the trip in 2,5 to 3 hours instead of 3,5 hours.