4 ms·

I used to take the Amtrak Acela from Boston to NYC a few times a year for business travel and it was very enjoyable. I always looked forward to the ride, which

I used to take the Amtrak Acela from Boston to NYC a few times a year for business travel and it was very enjoyable. I always looked forward to the ride, which is absolutely not something I would ever say about driving or flying these days. Comfortable, scenic, quiet, possible to work (or just relax and watch a movie) in your seat, reasonable food and drink available in the dining car. Step off the train and you're in the heart of the city. That said it would be much tougher to justify if work wasn't footing the bill. A single round trip is up around $500 per person unless you are willing to leave at the crack of dawn. Doing this regularly, or with a family, would get prohibitively expensive for most people. I definitely wish rail travel was more viable and accessible in the US, it's got so much going for it.

woodruffw 3y ago
I agree with most of your post, but just out of curiosity: how far in advance were you making your NYC<->BOS bookings? I've done the NYC<->WAS Acela dozens of times in the last decade and NYC<->BOS maybe a dozen times, and my roundtrips are typically $250 if I book around a month out.
- saalweachter 3y ago
  I was looking at NYC<->BOS for the beginning of November, and was shocked to see $20 each way available if you're willing to get to the station at 6am.
- jdwithit 3y ago
  To be honest my job changed during the pandemic so I have not made the trip in several years. Before making my post I went on the Amtrak website and priced out a trip in mid October. It was about $225 each way before tax etc. If you were willing to get on the 6am train it was a few bucks cheaper. I'm happy to concede that you could get better deals booking further out etc, I didn't spend time checking. Hell, I'd love to be wrong. Because again, I enjoy traveling by rail. If I somehow accidentally priced the literal worst case, that's good to know.
wahnfrieden 3y ago
500 insane when bus is 30
- bombcar 3y ago
  I’ve been on a few busses where $500 to get off would have been a discount.
  - wahnfrieden 3y ago
    top front of megabus has been good to me. but now i have an airport in short walking distance so i take that

woodruffw 3y ago

I agree with most of your post, but just out of curiosity: how far in advance were you making your NYC<->BOS bookings? I've done the NYC<->WAS Acela dozens of times in the last decade and NYC<->BOS maybe a dozen times, and my roundtrips are typically $250 if I book around a month out.

saalweachter 3y ago
I was looking at NYC<->BOS for the beginning of November, and was shocked to see $20 each way available if you're willing to get to the station at 6am.
jdwithit 3y ago
To be honest my job changed during the pandemic so I have not made the trip in several years. Before making my post I went on the Amtrak website and priced out a trip in mid October. It was about $225 each way before tax etc. If you were willing to get on the 6am train it was a few bucks cheaper. I'm happy to concede that you could get better deals booking further out etc, I didn't spend time checking. Hell, I'd love to be wrong. Because again, I enjoy traveling by rail. If I somehow accidentally priced the literal worst case, that's good to know.

wahnfrieden 3y ago

500 insane when bus is 30

bombcar 3y ago
I’ve been on a few busses where $500 to get off would have been a discount.
- wahnfrieden 3y ago
  top front of megabus has been good to me. but now i have an airport in short walking distance so i take that