For many years I’ve flown between New York and Washington, but recently decided to take Amtrak instead and splurged for Acela First Class. I’m glad that I did.
Amtrak Acela First Class Review
The door-to-door journey time might not beat an airplane (depends on where you are and where you need to go), but it was a highly productive and enjoyable three-hour journey from New York to Washington onboard Amtrak.
Booking
I booked my ticket for $121 in business class two days prior to departure. I had booked the same train for $203 the night before but was able to take advantage of Amtrak’s 24-hour courtesy cancellation period to cancel and rebook. Pricing on Amtrak trains is dynamic and changes by the minute, it seems. In the past, Amtrak trains seemed to get progressively more expensive as the travel date approached and inventory was sold. That is not the case any longer – I find pricing is much more like an airline (and of course, former Delta CEO Richard Anderson, who ran Amtrak from 2017-2020, helped to implement this change).
Once confirmed, I placed a $111 bid for an upgrade to first class, which was just above the $99 minimum bid amount. I was cleared into first class about 2.5 hours prior to departure. I’ll outline the Amtrak upgrade bidding system in a separate post.
Is Acela Worthwhile?
Taking the “high-speed” Acela train from New York to Washington is more of a novelty than a time-saver. Yes, it saves about 25-35 minutes versus a regional train, but calling it a high-speed train is a bit of a misnomer because the tracks and infrastructure prohibit Amtrak from reaching peak speeds for much of the journey.
For first class passengers, I do think the Acela splurge is worthwhile. However, if I was just traveling in business class (called coach on the regional trains), I likely would just stick to a regional train, where tickets can be half the price of Acela.
Moynihan Train Hall
Amtrak and the City of New York did a beautiful job on the Moynihan Train Hall, which sits adjacent to New York Penn Station. It is a train station worthy of Western Europe and a great testament to the promise of rail in the Northeast Corridor, where it actually makes sense versus driving and flying.
Boarding
After spending an hour in the Metropolitan Lounge (access was included with my first class ticket), I got a bit lost boarding the train. It is my understanding you can take an elevator directly down to the tracks, but I ended up on the escalator outside the upper-floor entrance and found myself wandering around looking for the tracks. I finally found them…rookie error.
While I usually line up early to board airplanes in order to get unobstructed cabin photos, my Acela train originated in Boston and so I figured there would already be people onboard and I’d just want to get some pictures when I arrived into Washington Union Station.
Amtrak 2155
New York (NYP) – Washington (WAS)
Saturday, August 27
Depart: 11:00 AM
Arrive: 1:56 PM
Duration: 02 hr, 56 min
Distance: 233 miles
Seat: 15F (First Class)
The seven-car train includes five business class cars, a cafe car, and a first class car. I entered through the “back door” (via the cafe car) and was admonished to go around since, “You cannot walk through the galley.” The first class car has a dedicated galley on the end closest to the cafe car.
Seats
First Class seating on the Amtrak Acela is in a 1-2 configuration, with many seats facing each other with a table in between. Seats can be pre-assigned on the Amtrak app and can be changed at any time, even once onboard.
Each first class car (and my train only had one such car) has 45 seats and includes:
- adjustable headrests
- lumbar support
- footrests
- individual outlets
Over the next few years, Amtrak will acquire a next-generation Acela train, but seating will be similar.
I chose 10A, a rear-facing seat, but moved to 15F onboard which gave me more room to stretch out.
My three-hour journey was very productive and I found the seats perfectly comfortable for getting work done. Power outlets are easily within reach wherever you are seated.
Views out the window are not bad either:
Food + Drink
Moments after boarding, I was offered a menu, mixed nuts, and a choice of beverage. My train, departing at 11:00 am, featured a lunch service. All drinks, including alcohol, are complimentary.
Looking over the menu, I chose the Korean-inspired “Chicken Bulgogi” dish. This was a mistake.
Lunch was served promptly (within five minutes) and regrettably, the chicken was gristly, the rice hard, and the bulgogi sauce far too sweet.
I gingerly asked if it might be possible to switch to the pasta dish (baked spinach ricotta rotolo) and was obliged. This dish was far better and quite delicious. I love the artichokes and the fresh basil.
Throughout the journey, the conductors offered beverage refills and more mixed nuts.
Prior to our arrival in Washington, a hot towel was offered.
Service
I found the two conductors working the first class cabin a bit gruff (“You want lunch?”), but not in a bad way. They were efficient and quite proactive in providing service. In-seat service differentiates business class from first class on Acela and I liked not having to get up and walk to the café car in order to eat.
Note, it is customary to tip these train attendants.
Lavatory
My only complaint about the journey was the lavatory, which was quite messy when I used it just past Wilmington, Delaware. I don’t know if the Amtrak employees are supposed to keep it clean, but the passengers certainly did not.
CONCLUSION
We arrived at Washington Union Station on time and I retreated to the lounge for a bit before heading out to Virginia to visit my friends. I would not hesitate to take Amtrak again, though I am not sure the upgrade to first class is worthwhile if the train is not running full. That said, I enjoyed the splurge and note that Amtrak offers a compelling alternative to flying between New York and Washington, particularly if you are starting and ending in the city center.
Just want to say, if there is an option of “chicken bulgogi” that’s not in Korea, I would avoid it 100%. Bulgogi needs to be done with beef only or else you need to overcompensate with rice and other meats don’t marinate well in the sauce. My best bud’s Korean and if he sees this, he would have a fit about how someone could do something to a dish that represents his country.
Actually you can find variations of bulgogi made with pork, squid, and chicken. The chicken variation is called Dak Bulgogi.
Bulgogi with other meats is possible, but it’s not often done outside of Korea because you add gochujang and other spices that make it spicier to compensate the smell of chicken, pork, or squid. It’s often a bit harder to do this outside Korea because the gochujang, ganjang, and other spices exported to other countries are usually a bit diluted in flavor, at least according to my best bud and Korean colleagues. Guess I should’ve added this explanation and thanks for helping me clarify, @Aaron.
I’ve been lucky enough to try it both in and out of Korea. Some were better than others. Definitely preferred the pork over the chicken, and maybe even over the beef…
I know people and establishments that order their sauces and spices directly from Korea, so that probably made it as authentic as possible.
Bruh you’re the racist troll who said that Malik wasn’t black just a few months ago (https://liveandletsfly.com/delta-flight-attendant-trump-kkk/#comments). Think it’s a little sus that you’re tryna correct him on any comment you can the past few days.
Prove me wrong, though.
@Mark, you’re just causing trouble. Please stop.
Neither a troll nor a racist but thanks for playing. And I respond to lots of comments on here.
Woof! The selfie pic is looking good. :p
Used to take this same route semi-monthly. For about a year. Fly into JFK to see friends in Chelsea, take the train to DC for work, home out of DCA later that week. This was about three years ago (pre-Covid) and Business Class was consistently full, usually filled up in New Jersey. I can count on no hands/fingers the number of times I had a free seat available next to me in Business. Also, the wifi was ungodly slow – if it was working at all. At the time I didn’t have the option for free hotspot capability on my phone so I was SOL on getting any online work done. But gave me lots of time to put together snazzy PowerPoints. I didn’t like it a whole bunch more, but it was unique and I felt like I was doing my part to push the HSR agenda while doing something for the environment. Plus, it beats the hell out of schlepping out to JFK on the various rail lines if you don’t want to cab/Uber it.
The Acela schedule has been reduced to just a handful of trains and the service and 20-25 minute time savings aren’t usually worth the extra bucks, and paying for First Class on the Acela is lunacy. The Regionals are just fine, and often have cheap fares when booking well in advance. The new train sets will start replacing the Acela in, I think 2024, and that will be a welcome change.
I take the Acela to NYC from DC fairly regularly, and the NE Regional as well. I don’t think getting a free meal is worth the extra cost over business class. I have never seen the bathrooms that bad on either the Acela or NE Regional. In fact I know business class (and I would assume first as well) has a dedicated attendant on the train for the bathrooms and trash cans. It might not be much faster then an airplane, but a hell of a lot better for the environment, and just has pretty nice scenery on a lot of the route.
Agree on all points. I take amtrak from NYC to Boston often. First on acela is a complete waste, in my view. The trip isn’t that long and food unspectacular. Review completely overlooks primary benefit of acela business class over regional: assigned seats. Knowing where you’ll be seated without mad rush for first come first served seating makes a huge difference. I actually like amtrak but at its core, amtrak in NE is a commuter rail. Delivering premium services just isn’t part of the culture.
Acela may get you there a few minutes faster but not always. And it’s always crowded which made boarding a competitive sport. So the local may have a couple more stops but a bit more breathing room. As much as I still like Amtrak, warts and all, the NE corridor food is terrible. Yes changes have been made over the years, but improvement hasn’t happened yet . But they do really try and I respect that.
Oh hell yea! Trump LOVE can now travel from NYC to DC in F. MAGA MAGA! love it man! White House 2024, KLINT for VP
Heh?
I took this a few weeks ago. I’m not sure about tipping being customary. I didn’t tip. The staff get a wage. They aren’t on the lower restaurant tipped minimum wage.
Tipping has gotten out of control.
I tend to agree. But it seems Amtrak employees always are tipped and have come to expect tips…
I tip everyone who serves me. Usually at the end. Reason being over the years they know me & I know them. I have been afforded accommodations certainly unavailable generally to most. And whilst I won’t be specific , the latitude of service as opposed to most airlines differs. I have been traveling on Amtrak all over & now what seems like forever. And yes it is appropriate to tip on Amtrak. When getting a room it should be quite a bit but I guarantee it’s worth every dollar. The peace, private bath & shower and and an ever changing landscape. That’s my Amtrak
It’s been customary to tip cabin attendants and dining car servers since the days of the Super Chief.
Matthew, I enjoy your reviews.
Please reach out as I make wonderful American Made luggage.
I’d like you to test pilot the gear.
The Amtrak regional left a bad taste in my mouth when I had colleagues who chose to drive from DC to Philadelphia but I instead chose to take Amtrak. There was a stuck train on the line and I was stuck an extra 4 hours (maybe more, this was some time ago.) It was like those stories of being stuck on a plane on the tarmac and not being able to get off. In theory, and perhaps on average, it is a good deal in that you get direct from DC to NYC Penn station more quickly than flying and with regional, usually can get it competitively on sale and with discounts.
Amtrak uses CSX track from DC. Freight trains have the right if way over passenger trains. Any train can be side tracked for however long. In Jacksonville Florida i fell asleep while side tracked. Eight hours later I woke up and we still had not moved. It is one of my most enduring Amtrak memories. Amtrak requires a different mindset. And that was unusual & amazingly made up most of the time to DC. And traveling Amtrak is more a lifestyle choice! Money & time be damned
Legally your assertion is somewhat incorrect. Per the laws that established Amtrak, Amtrak trains are legally supposed to have priority of movement on non-Amtrak owned tracks. Unfortunately, due to many decades of bribing members of the USA Congress, State Legislatures, State Governors, and other various government officials the freight railroads know they can ignore the requirements without any significant penalties. The finest governments bribery can influence or buy.
The Northeast Corridor right of way from DC to NYC is completely owned by Amtrak and their trains have priority. It is certainly true that many Amtrak routes are run on lines owned by freight companies, and the Amtrak trains are often lower priority. But not on the Northeast Corridor.
https://nec-commission.com/corridor/
Pre-pandemic, I was usually traveling DC to NYC for work, so would take the Acela. When you need to be there, it is worth it, because as noted, the regionals are sometimes delayed, while the Acela rarely is. Up until a few years ago, too, you could transfer miles to Amtrak, and then get first class upgrade certificates, like 5 for 10,000 miles or something like that. It was a terrific deal, until they stopped it. Also, pre-pandemic I often found the first class Acela meals to be pretty good. I would rate it as slightly better than most US airline F meals. And better than a UA Polaris meal. It sounds like they have gone downhill.
This train seems like a perfect example of why tipping should end in the United States. They carried food out to you, but left the bathroom a complete mess. They’re also salaried (or at least well-compensated) employees of a state-owned enterprise, who are also members of a union, probably with a pension and better retirement benefits than a majority of the passengers they serve. Yet, somehow, we’re supposed to toss them a few bucks because it’s “customary.” I admire your generosity if you did tip, but I’d be happy to be the A-Hole in this situation.
It’s interesting to me that tipping a government employee is a crime, but somehow that doesn’t apply when the business is run “for a profit.”
All good points and I did tip $5. I hate the tipping system and wish it would end.
Pre-COVID, I usually found the first class attendants to be more helpful and cheerful than most, happy to keep your Prosecco glass filled. For that reason alone, I was happy to give them a nice tip.
Tipping cabin attendants and dining room servers on trains has been customary since long before the Super Chiefs ran across the USA. Same as having railroad French Toast and steak&eggs meals available for riders.
From what I understand staffing is still being impacted by COVID related issues. Amtrak is now competing with every restaurant, catering service, cruise ship, ferry, airline, etcetera for employees. Heck, my local McDonald’s can’t get people to work the morning shift. It’s a messy economy. Hopefully over the next half of a dozen years things will improve.
Just to clarify, Conductors do not serve your food on Amtrak, they are train attendants The conductor is the “manager” of the train and is in charge of all operations from boarding to disembarking. My Father was a conductor for 42 years, and I was very fortunate to travel with him sometimes during the summer.
Just to clarify, Conductors do not serve your food on Amtrak, they are train attendants The conductor is the “manager” of the train and is in charge of all operations from boarding to disembarking. My Father was a conductor for 42 years, and I was very fortunate to travel with him sometimes during the summer.
I have done leisure out-of-packet cash travel DC-NY for three decades, by private car (MX-5 Miata, BMW X5), rental car (Lexis 250), Delta First Class and Coach, JetBlue Coach, Chinatown bus, Tripper bus, Greyhound bus, Amtrak regional coach, and Amtrak Acela First Class.
1. Every transport is expensive by different factors (gas, tolls, tipping, food, airfare, taxi/bus/subway between NY station and final Manhattan destination, etc.)
3. Every transport has more than its fair share of surly staff and obnoxious co-passengers.
4. First Class has many advantageous to be weighed: (1) exclusive closet-like waiting lounge in DC away from the hoi polloi guarded by ex-prision matrons, (2) exclusive reserved seat on train, (3) no crazy drivers, truckers, construction, congestion, etc. on i-95, (4) complimentary food and beverage served at your seat by staff less surly than staff at DCA, IAD, BWI, EWR, LGA, and JFK, and less surly than staff at I-95 rest stops, and no getting lost looking for the cafe car and no co-mingling with other travelers looking for food in Chinatown or on I-5 rest stops. (5) the seat is spacious and comfortable for my six foot three height (6) no bothersome restrictions on luggage, food, drink, electronics with you.
5. First Class Acela food is on par with KL coach food. If you’re fussy about food, bring your own. Otherwise, it helps to eat a meal on the train, because that way when you arrive in NY you aren’t hungry and ending up wasting time and money finding and eating in an overpriced NY restaurant.
6. First Class Acela is notcompeting with EK, QR, or AF; so it doesn’t have to try too hard to be one of the better transports bewteen DC and NY.
7. I tell my friends and family to take First Class Acela, because many of them are sensitve and nervous travelers, for whom First Class Acela is comfortable.
8. I still travel DC-NY any way I feel like it. I only have sworn off Chinatown bus, after one particularly bad trip.
9. Yeah, First Class Acela is quasi-government, and it shows. Not quite Nepal Airlines. Not really DL either.
I’ve been wanting to do this trip. One thing that stops me is the Union Station environment. A beautiful station with significant crime. Pre-COVID, I was in a year-long GWU program that was located about two blocks away. The group was warned to not walk alone during dark hours – morning and evening. I understand it is worse now. It’s really too bad.
I was there during the afternoon, but the station was peaceful and beautiful as ever. I used to live a few blocks away and I do understand it can feel rough, but I like the area and would not let that hold you back.
Matt at some point during the epidemic there was sort of an unhoused encampment in front of the station. Sadly a few violent incidents occurred. However police have made greater show and it’s improved. It is my wish that the vendors will soon return. And no worse than around GW. It’s DC safe there.
KT. Certainly what you say is correct. In fact, the conductor overrides the engineer (who drives the train)! You are so lucky to have your experience! Kudos to your father!
Matthew Klint, please reach out next time you’re traveling this route as Od love to get you onboard The Jet, a new luxury travel service that combines the comfort of a private jet with the convenience and affordability of a motorcoach. The service features the world’s first motion-canceling passenger seat, onboard attendant service, upscale bathroom, and lightning-quick WiFi. (Www.thejet.coach).
City centre to city centre is a big plus in any train journey. As for Acela, I would wait for the new trains (these ones are over 20yrs old now) and there is some small upgrades to the line happening to upgrade the overall speed. In any other developed country, this line would be upgraded to the best possible speed. Hopefully WIFI will improve but it also depends on local cover and most providers aim to insure good road cover not the trains. We might see 5G offer more robust cover considering Amtrak own the line and telcos need more mast space which Amtrak has to spare. Who flys first class on the air corridors? Just take a high speed trip in China-Japan or the European continent and see what HSR should be.
I found the Acela sweet spot when I lived in Connecticut.
To fly to DC, best case, I needed to drive/shuttle/ride share an hour to Westchester airport. Add an hour for check-in and another 30 minutes or so as padding for traffic. Then an hour flight to DCA, and a 20 minute ride to my hotel. Total time: 4 (stressful) hours
To take Acela, it was 10 minutes to New Haven station, 10 minutes at the station, five hours on the train working, 10 minutes to my hotel. Total time: 5.5 (relaxed) hours.
So, the train was slower by 90 minutes, but faster if flights out of HPN were booked (or usuriously expensive, as was often the case) and I had to go to LGA or BDL.
A bit late to the conversation, but hope the following comments and observations help for those reading the review after this.
DC Union Station: Things had gotten worse during the pandemic, but Amtrak and the city have taken action to curb access to the passenger waiting area in an effort to improve safety. They have increased security and police staffing and now limit access to ticketed passengers only, at least in the early and late hours. One huge downside is retail and restaurants are basically nonexistent. I hope they can bring them back, perhaps after the planned station refresh that is slated to start sometime in 2024-2025. There’s plenty of parking available and the station is covered well by taxis, in addition to the Uber/Lyft options.
NY Moynahan: Kudos to Amtrak and NYC for this neoclassical gem. It’s a huge improvement to Penn Station. They’ve added a food hall with decent options and some retail as well. The Metropolitan Lounge is a great place to get a little rest and complementary refreshments while you wait. Travellers with certain Amtrak Rewards status get free access to the lounge, in addition to those travelling in first class or overnight sleepers, among others. You can also pay a fee ($50) to enter but I don’t think it’s worth that fee. The train hall is easily accessible by NY subway and the taxi line outside the station is well organized.
Train service on Acela has incrementally improved in the past year or so. They recently improved a section of the tracks that has allowed the train to go faster, with plans to continue to improve more sections. Hopefully this will result in a smoother and shorter ride between NY and DC.
I’ve been traveling for the past year between DC and NY on a weekly basis and for the most part, Amtrak has delivered on convenience and ease of travel versus flying and certainly driving (or bus). There had only been a few times where I was delayed but those had been beyond Amtrak’s control (one was a huge brush fire in NJ adjacent to the tracks) rather than mechanical or labor issues affecting service. My travel is for work so I’ve been lucky to have been able to count on Amtrak service to get me back and forth.
Acela vs NE Regional Train. Acela, if you can get it at their base fare, is worth it over the NE Regional trains. You do get there faster (30-45min), you have assigned seating (so no anxiety in scrambling for a seat), and the trains are newer with more comfortable seats. As mentioned by other commenters, Amtrak is bringing new Acela trains in the next few years. Having said that, I’ve often rode on the NE Regional trains due to the limited Acela schedule and they are just fine, especially in the quiet car (low whispers, no phone conversations). I ride coach (unassigned seat) but they do offer business class with assigned seats for a higher fare. Amtrak has also added additional service in the early mornings and late evenings at very low prices ($20-40 for coach, one way). So if you plan it early or regularly like me, you can get city center to city center service between DC to NY for $40 roundtrip, which makes Amtrak’s NE Regional trains very compelling over Acela.
But going back to the Acela first class review, I would agree that the quality of the food isn’t that great. I’ve only been in first class using the upgrade coupon awarded to me by my Amtrak Rewards status. I wouldn’t pay for the upgrade out of pocket. The meal and drink service is simply not worth it for me, especially if you’re leaving from NY as there are decent food options in the train hall and surrounding blocks, as well as the free drinks and food selection available in the lounge. Should Amtrak improve on their food and make other changes to make first class more compelling, I’ll be sure to return here with an update. As far as tipping, I usually tip if I’m being attended to in a personal way such as the way the attendant was serving me food and replenishing my drinks, so I did tip in first class. That’s a personal choice.
Until then, cheers and safe travels everyone.
Soo .. kill myself before buying Acela first class.
It wasn’t that bad…