I paid $168 for a 10-hour Amtrak business-class ride from New York City to Niagara Falls. It wasn't worth it.

Joey HaddenOct 8, 2022, 16:46 IST

Insider's reporter took a 10-hour train ride from NYC to Niagara Falls in business class.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently booked a business-class ticket on an Amtrak train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York.
For $168, I sat in a business-class seat with a tray table, an outlet, and a complimentary drink.

I recently spent 10 hours in business class on an Amtrak train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York. I paid $168 for my ticket, which was $100 more than I would have spent on coach fare, which costs around $68.

The author in front of an Amtrak train in Niagara Falls, New York.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently spent 10 hours in business class on an Amtrak train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York. I paid $168 for my ticket, which was $100 more than I would have spent on coach fare, which costs around $68.

I based my decision on my extensive experience traveling on Amtrak. In the past, I've spent 85 hours on Amtrak trains going up and down the East Coast, reviewing its various accommodations from business class to private rooms in sleeper cars.

The author on previous Amtrak rides.Joey Hadden/Insider

I based my decision on my extensive experience traveling on Amtrak. In the past, I've spent 85 hours on Amtrak trains going up and down the East Coast, reviewing its various accommodations from business class to private rooms in sleeper cars.

I previously tried business class on Amtrak from Baltimore to NYC, which was less than three hours. I wanted to get a feel for the experience on a longer ride and booked business class when I needed to travel to Niagara Falls.

The author in a business-class Amtrak car.Joey Hadden/Insider

I previously tried business class on Amtrak from Baltimore to NYC, which was less than three hours. I wanted to get a feel for the experience on a longer ride and booked business class when I needed to travel to Niagara Falls.

My journey began at NYC's Penn Station. I arrived at 6:45 a.m. for my 7:15 a.m. train. Amtrak suggests arriving a few minutes before your departure, according to their website.

The entrance to Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in NYC.Joey Hadden/Insider

My journey began at NYC's Penn Station. I arrived at 6:45 a.m. for my 7:15 a.m. train. Amtrak suggests arriving a few minutes before your departure, according to their website.

Penn Station's Moynihan Train Hall has an exclusive lounge for Amtrak riders with complimentary drinks and snacks, but it's only free for first-class passengers, while business-class passengers may enter for a $50 fee.

An escalator inside Moynihan Train Hall leads to the lounge.Joey Hadden/Insider

Penn Station's Moynihan Train Hall has an exclusive lounge for Amtrak riders with complimentary drinks and snacks, but it's only free for first-class passengers, while business-class passengers may enter for a $50 fee.

I've been in this lounge while traveling in first class and thought while there was a wide variety of offerings, it's not worth the $50, in my opinion.

In the author's experience, the lounge has snacks from nut bars to chips and hummus.Joey Hadden/Insider

I instead went to the main waiting area for all passengers with a train ticket that day.

Inside Moynihan Train Hall.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the waiting area, there were benches situated in front of screens with train schedules. I found it to be crowded on a Sunday morning, but after a few minutes of standing around, I grabbed a seat.

The waiting area for ticketed customers.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the waiting area, there were benches situated in front of screens with train schedules. I found it to be crowded on a Sunday morning, but after a few minutes of standing around, I grabbed a seat.

I didn't receive any priority boarding as a business-class ticket holder. Once on the train, I noticed the business-class car configuration was two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other.

The entrance to the business-class car.Joey Hadden/Insider

I didn't receive any priority boarding as a business-class ticket holder. Once on the train, I noticed the business-class car configuration was two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other.

My seat was not assigned, but I snagged a spot in the single row.

A single seat in Amtrak's business class.Joey Hadden/Insider

I noticed that the chairs appeared to be big and thought they'd be comfy and plush. However, once I sat down, I thought they felt stiffer than expected.

A double seat in Amtrak's business class.Joey Hadden/Insider

However, I was impressed by the amount of leg room and aisle space I had in my seat.

The aisle from the single row of seats in Amtrak's business class.Joey Hadden/Insider

An Amtrak representative told Insider that their business-class seats are about 20 inches wide with 42 inches of leg room.

The author's leg room in the business-class seat.Joey Hadden/Insider

The seat reclined slightly, like most trains I've experienced. I also had an outlet for charging devices.

The seat recliner with the outlet in the background.Joey Hadden/Insider

There was a tray table, too, like other Amtrak trains. This made it easier to pass the time with work and entertainment because I was able to rest my laptop and phone in front of me.

The seat-back tray table opened and closed.Joey Hadden/Insider

There was a tray table, too, like other Amtrak trains. This made it easier to pass the time with work and entertainment because I was able to rest my laptop and phone in front of me.

The train began moving on time but a couple of delays along the way made us arrive about an hour later than scheduled in Niagara Falls at 5:50 pm.

A view out the window of the Amtrak.Joey Hadden/Insider

A drink was included in the price of my business-class ticket, but a meal was not. I got a Diet Coke and brought my own snacks, but a cafe car is also available to all passengers to purchase meals, drinks, and snacks.

The author's snack and soda on the train.Joey Hadden/Insider

A drink was included in the price of my business-class ticket, but a meal was not. I got a Diet Coke and brought my own snacks, but a cafe car is also available to all passengers to purchase meals, drinks, and snacks.

To get my complimentary drink, I had to go to the cafe car. I didn't see attendants checking in with passengers or delivering any meals or snacks.

A view of the business-class Amtrak car.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I went to the private bathroom for business-class passengers, I didn't think that it was any different from lavatories I've experienced in other train classes. But I noticed the trash was overflowing.

Inside the business-class bathroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I went to the private bathroom for business-class passengers, I didn't think that it was any different from lavatories I've experienced in other train classes. But I noticed the trash was overflowing.

After traveling for 10 hours in a train car without a clean bathroom, I thought the business-class experience was not worth the extra $100.

The author inside and outside of the train.Joey Hadden/Insider

Amtrak issued the following statement in response to my experience. "We are constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience, including further differentiating the classes of service across the network. Customers will begin to see some of the changes this year."

An Amtrak train with business-class seating.Joey Hadden/Insider

Amtrak issued the following statement in response to my experience. "We are constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience, including further differentiating the classes of service across the network. Customers will begin to see some of the changes this year."

Aside from bigger seats and a free drink, business class didn't feel very different from coach to me. Next time, I'll save my money and ride economy.

The author inside the train.Joey Hadden/Insider

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I paid $168 for a 10-hour Amtrak business-class ride from New York City to Niagara Falls. It wasn't worth it.

I recently spent 10 hours in business class on an Amtrak train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York. I paid $168 for my ticket, which was $100 more than I would have spent on coach fare, which costs around $68.

I based my decision on my extensive experience traveling on Amtrak. In the past, I've spent 85 hours on Amtrak trains going up and down the East Coast, reviewing its various accommodations from business class to private rooms in sleeper cars.

I previously tried business class on Amtrak from Baltimore to NYC, which was less than three hours. I wanted to get a feel for the experience on a longer ride and booked business class when I needed to travel to Niagara Falls.

My journey began at NYC's Penn Station. I arrived at 6:45 a.m. for my 7:15 a.m. train. Amtrak suggests arriving a few minutes before your departure, according to their website.

Penn Station's Moynihan Train Hall has an exclusive lounge for Amtrak riders with complimentary drinks and snacks, but it's only free for first-class passengers, while business-class passengers may enter for a $50 fee.

I've been in this lounge while traveling in first class and thought while there was a wide variety of offerings, it's not worth the $50, in my opinion.

I instead went to the main waiting area for all passengers with a train ticket that day.

In the waiting area, there were benches situated in front of screens with train schedules. I found it to be crowded on a Sunday morning, but after a few minutes of standing around, I grabbed a seat.

I didn't receive any priority boarding as a business-class ticket holder. Once on the train, I noticed the business-class car configuration was two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other.

My seat was not assigned, but I snagged a spot in the single row.

I noticed that the chairs appeared to be big and thought they'd be comfy and plush. However, once I sat down, I thought they felt stiffer than expected.

However, I was impressed by the amount of leg room and aisle space I had in my seat.

An Amtrak representative told Insider that their business-class seats are about 20 inches wide with 42 inches of leg room.

The seat reclined slightly, like most trains I've experienced. I also had an outlet for charging devices.

There was a tray table, too, like other Amtrak trains. This made it easier to pass the time with work and entertainment because I was able to rest my laptop and phone in front of me.

The train began moving on time but a couple of delays along the way made us arrive about an hour later than scheduled in Niagara Falls at 5:50 pm.

A drink was included in the price of my business-class ticket, but a meal was not. I got a Diet Coke and brought my own snacks, but a cafe car is also available to all passengers to purchase meals, drinks, and snacks.

To get my complimentary drink, I had to go to the cafe car. I didn't see attendants checking in with passengers or delivering any meals or snacks.

When I went to the private bathroom for business-class passengers, I didn't think that it was any different from lavatories I've experienced in other train classes. But I noticed the trash was overflowing.

After traveling for 10 hours in a train car without a clean bathroom, I thought the business-class experience was not worth the extra $100.

Amtrak issued the following statement in response to my experience. "We are constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience, including further differentiating the classes of service across the network. Customers will begin to see some of the changes this year."

Aside from bigger seats and a free drink, business class didn't feel very different from coach to me. Next time, I'll save my money and ride economy.