scorecardI travelled business class on Amtrak's high-speed Acela train and thought it was worth paying extra for a quicker journey
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. I travelled business class on Amtrak's high-speed Acela train and thought it was worth paying extra for a quicker journey

I travelled business class on Amtrak's high-speed Acela train and thought it was worth paying extra for a quicker journey

Joey Hadden   

I travelled business class on Amtrak's high-speed Acela train and thought it was worth paying extra for a quicker journey
The author rode business class in an Amtrak Acela from Baltimore to New York City.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently booked a business-class ticket on an Amtrak Acela train from Baltimore to New York City.
  • For $121, I sat in a business-class window seat with a tray table, footrest, and nearby cafe car.

I recently spent three hours in business class on the Acela Amtrak train from Baltimore to New York City. I had a decent experience that left me thinking I'd do it again.

I recently spent three hours in business class on the Acela Amtrak train from Baltimore to New York City. I had a decent experience that left me thinking I
The author catches an Amtrak Acela at Baltimore's Penn Station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Acela is an Amtrak express train on the East Coast with only business and first-class seating. My trip from Baltimore to NYC took two hours and 25 minutes — about 20 minutes faster than a regular Amtrak train.

Acela is an Amtrak express train on the East Coast with only business and first-class seating. My trip from Baltimore to NYC took two hours and 25 minutes — about 20 minutes faster than a regular Amtrak train.
An Amtrak train at Baltimore's Penn Station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Previously, I've spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains between Miami and NYC, but this was my first trip on an Acela train. Between Miami and NYC, I travelled in Bedroom and Roomette accommodations, which cost hundreds more than my Acela ticket.

Previously, I
The author works on a train travelling from Miami to NYC.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Two weeks before my trip, I booked a standard, business-class Amtrak Acela ticket for $121. A coach ticket on a regular Amtrak train costs around $62, according to a search on Amtrak's website for February — the same month I traveled — next year.

Two weeks before my trip, I booked a standard, business-class Amtrak Acela ticket for $121. A coach ticket on a regular Amtrak train costs around $62, according to a search on Amtrak
The author looks out the train window.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Amtrak

Insider paid for the trip in accordance with our reporting standards.

I got to Baltimore's Penn Station at around 3 p.m. for my 4:29 p.m. train on a Tuesday afternoon.

I got to Baltimore
Baltimore's Penn Station on a cloudy day.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It was my first time leaving from Baltimore's Penn Station, and I couldn't find any outlets to charge my phone, so I picked up a puzzle book from the newsstand inside to pass the time.

It was my first time leaving from Baltimore
The author does crossword puzzles while she waits.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At 4:15 p.m., I made my way down to the platform to wait for my train.

At 4:15 p.m., I made my way down to the platform to wait for my train.
A platform at Baltimore's Penn Station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The train arrived three minutes late at 4:32 p.m., and I boarded immediately, ensuring I was on the business-class car.

The train arrived three minutes late at 4:32 p.m., and I boarded immediately, ensuring I was on the business-class car.
The author snaps a selfie as the train arrives.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I boarded the train, I noticed that the seats looked larger than those on other trains I had been on in the past. They also seemed to me to be closer together than seats on other trains I'd been on.

As I boarded the train, I noticed that the seats looked larger than those on other trains I had been on in the past. They also seemed to me to be closer together than seats on other trains I
A business-class car on an Amtrak Acela.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Since the seats were big, I thought they'd be comfy but they were stiffer than I expected.

Since the seats were big, I thought they
A view from the author's seat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For the first couple of hours, I had plenty of room with an empty seat next to me. But when someone sat there towards the end of my ride, I felt crammed.

For the first couple of hours, I had plenty of room with an empty seat next to me. But when someone sat there towards the end of my ride, I felt crammed.
The author sits in an otherwise empty row.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But I had adequate legroom. Below me, a footrest pulled out from the seat-back chair.

But I had adequate legroom. Below me, a footrest pulled out from the seat-back chair.
The author tests the footrest.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Above me, as with every other Amtrak I'd been on, there was a reading light, although I didn't use it since my trip was during the day.

Above me, as with every other Amtrak I
Lighting in an Amtrak Acela.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next to my feet, there were two outlets to charge my devices, which I appreciated since I wasn't able to charge my phone at the station in Baltimore.

Next to my feet, there were two outlets to charge my devices, which I appreciated since I wasn
Outlets on the train.      Joey Hadden/Insider

A tray table pulled out from the back of the seat in front of me so I could work on my laptop.

A tray table pulled out from the back of the seat in front of me so I could work on my laptop.
The author uses her laptop on the train.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There was also a seat-back pocket, but it was only large enough to fit my puzzle book. It seemed to be around the same size as the seat-back pockets on other Amtrak trains I'd taken, though.

There was also a seat-back pocket, but it was only large enough to fit my puzzle book. It seemed to be around the same size as the seat-back pockets on other Amtrak trains I
The seat-back pouch.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The train ride felt bumpy to me the whole time, which I expected since I've traveled on Amtrak trains before.

The train ride felt bumpy to me the whole time, which I expected since I
The author takes a selfie during the trip.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I enjoyed looking out the window while catching up on podcast episodes.

I enjoyed looking out the window while catching up on podcast episodes.
A view out the window.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I got a little hungry, but there was no food service in business class, so I made my way to the cafe car. It was a bumpy walk.

I got a little hungry, but there was no food service in business class, so I made my way to the cafe car. It was a bumpy walk.
The way to the cafe car.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The cafe had tables and stools, or you could take your food back to your seat.

The cafe had tables and stools, or you could take your food back to your seat.
Inside the cafe car.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Similar to other Amtrak trains I've been on, the menu in the cafe car had a wide variety of options from salads and sandwiches to cheeseburgers and hot dogs, but I wasn't that hungry, so I got a cheese and cracker plate for $5.75.

Similar to other Amtrak trains I
The author's snack.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It was decent and filled me up for the price.

It was decent and filled me up for the price.
The author enjoys her snack.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Overall, my business-class experience on an Amtrak Acela was decent and affordable. I'll probably take an Amtrak Acela next time I'm traveling around the Northeast because I think it's worth paying a little extra to save time.

READ MORE ARTICLES ON

BI Home Icon

Next Story

A Swiss company is responsible for creating almost all of the airline food se…

Popular Right Now

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Advertisement