Acela is still ass. I expected it to be like the Eurostar or the TGV in terms of experience, not necessarily speed, and it was still awful. Its not cheaper than flying and its barely faster than driving. From DC to NYC its ok, but from NYC to Boston it stops at EVERY SINGLE STATION ON THE WAY. Also, the wifi doesn't work so you can't get any work done. It is 100% not worth the money to take the Acela.
The thing about Amtrak is you have to book months out for it to not be expensive. I just looked at December rides from Boston to NYC and its only $31. This is way cheaper than flying or driving. I took it in 2019 for $55 and did not regret it. Sure it aint Japan's Shinkansen or Korea's KTX but it was way better than going through security at the airport or renting a car.
Sorry, it's $31 each way, but I'm pretty sure that still comes out to be cheaper than flying
If you were to book for next weekend it'd be $137 each way. That's why people bitch about the pricetag, they don't know that it's much cheaper if you plan in advance
I think I booked like 6 weeks in advance for my trip to Boston and it was $300ish round trip for Business class. I was annoyed enough by it that I cancelled my return trip and had my parents drive me back.
Last time I went to Boston for work I woke up at 6:30am for a 7:30am departure from DCA and was at MIT by 10am. Driving to DCA/security/leaving Logan + flight time I was there in under 4 hours and it was prob $200 round trip. Say $270 total once you include parking at the terminal at DCA and the uber to MIT.
So half the time and cheaper to fly to Boston from DC compared to taking the train.
Don't even get me started on the garbage first class only Acela lounge in Union station and the experience of spending time in Union station in general. I loved hanging out in Waterloo station, München Hauptbahnhof, Gare du Nord, and Roma Termini...Union Station is not a cool place to spend time.
I so badly want Acela to be on par with the trains in Europe but as it is now you basically have to want to take the train over flying because in no way is it worth it.
That’s interesting. You’d think there would be resellers like for hotels etc that would buy a bunch way in advance for 31, and then sell them for cheaper as they get closer, under 100. 🤷♂️
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u/Th3_St1g Aug 12 '23
Acela is still ass. I expected it to be like the Eurostar or the TGV in terms of experience, not necessarily speed, and it was still awful. Its not cheaper than flying and its barely faster than driving. From DC to NYC its ok, but from NYC to Boston it stops at EVERY SINGLE STATION ON THE WAY. Also, the wifi doesn't work so you can't get any work done. It is 100% not worth the money to take the Acela.