WWYD - Acela??

mae0111

I have to take the Acela - a high speed train - on a business trip tomorrow, returning the next day.  3.5 hour trip each way.  I've booked a business class ticket, which is the cheapest option for these trains. 

I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant.  I'm taking the train so that I can work the whole way because there's WIFI in the cars.  A plane and a cab ride would take the same amount of time, if not more.  Cost is about $200 round trip.

For $80 more each way (so $160 total), I can upgrade to first class.  More leg room, more room to work, access to the lounge.  There's a chance my company won't pay for the upgrade.

For those that have taken the Acela, is the upgrade worth it?

 

KathrynMD

I think all the tickets on Acela are at least business class, right? It just means its a reserved ticket. I've taken it a handful of times, but never pregnant. The train is fine, room to stretch out and work; IMO you don't really need to do the upgrade.

QueSrah

The Acela is pretty comfortable in the regular business class seats - it's hardly the cramped, narrow seats on planes with no leg room.  I'd suggest looking for one of the rows with just seats (rather than the ones with the tables - like booths at a restaurant) so you don't end up playing footsie with the person across from you.  There's really no need to pay up for first class.

mae0111

KathrynMD:

I think all the tickets on Acela are at least business class, right? It just means its a reserved ticket. I've taken it a handful of times, but never pregnant. The train is fine, room to stretch out and work; IMO you don't really need to do the upgrade.

Yes - all tickets are business class.  It looked like there was some decent room.  I'm not huge, but I get uncomfortable so I wanted to be sure that I'd be able to stretch out a bit.  I can always walk around if needed.

Thank you!

EastCoastBride

I've taken the Acela many times and I see no need to upgrade.  The seats/legroom are pretty spacious as it is.  I compared it to a plane every time - MUCH roomier and more comfortable than a plane.

But I also never experienced first class on the Acela, so I can't compare that experience.

mae0111

QueSrah:

The Acela is pretty comfortable in the regular business class seats - it's hardly the cramped, narrow seats on planes with no leg room.  I'd suggest looking for one of the rows with just seats (rather than the ones with the tables - like booths at a restaurant) so you don't end up playing footsie with the person across from you.  There's really no need to pay up for first class.

Great - thanks!

LALASEPT05

I think that the business class on Acela is very roomie and comfortable and I think we would be just fine for you. The only drawback is that on the Acela it can be more challenging to find a seat even though it's a reserved train...some of the seats go backward or are part of a 4 seater that faces each other. Some times you have to sort of jockey for position to get choice seats. If you want to avoid that then probably the upgrade would be nice but the actual seats and facilities on an Acela are very nice in my opinion.

EastCoastBride

LALASEPT05:

The only drawback is that on the Acela it can be more challenging to find a seat even though it's a reserved train...some of the seats go backward or are part of a 4 seater that faces each other.

This is all true.  OP- where are you traveling from/to and what time of day?

When I took the Acela, it was from Baltimore to NYC and depending on the time of day depended on how easy it was to get a good seat. 

mae0111

EastCoastBride:

LALASEPT05:

The only drawback is that on the Acela it can be more challenging to find a seat even though it's a reserved train...some of the seats go backward or are part of a 4 seater that faces each other.

This is all true.  OP- where are you traveling from/to and what time of day?

When I took the Acela, it was from Baltimore to NYC and depending on the time of day depended on how easy it was to get a good seat. 

I'm going from Boston to NYC mid-morning - seems like an odd time to travel, so I'm thinking I might be OK. Coming back on an 8am train the next day - I'll plan to get there early for that one.  Thanks!!!

EastCoastBride

I don't know if I can explain this well or not.  There is a nice little "trick" to know when leaving from NYC.  There is the main floor where everyone waits for their train.  Then when the train is announced, there is a mad rush and you just have to hope you get a good seat.

However, there are sets of stairs (they are right in the middle - plain as day!) that take you down one level.  If you go down to that level and stand near the escalator where your train will be, when the announcment is made, you have a huge lead on the others.  They all come down a different (longer) escalator, but still - you're that much closer.

We always did this coming home and we always got good seats. 

mae0111

EastCoastBride:

I don't know if I can explain this well or not.  There is a nice little "trick" to know when leaving from NYC.  There is the main floor where everyone waits for their train.  Then when the train is announced, there is a mad rush and you just have to hope you get a good seat.

However, there are sets of stairs (they are right in the middle - plain as day!) that take you down one level.  If you go down to that level and stand near the escalator where your train will be, when the announcment is made, you have a huge lead on the others.  They all come down a different (longer) escalator, but still - you're that much closer.

We always did this coming home and we always got good seats. 

Excellent - thanks for the tip!

LALASEPT05

East coast bride is right...I think it's actually the NJ Transit concourse that's below the Amtrak in NY Penn. Also if you're concerned about cost taking business class on a NE Regional is also very nice and the time difference is often not that different from an Acela. I usually prefer business class on a NE Regional to Acela for the reasons I mentioned above. There are usually very few people. I usually go between Philly and NY though.

EastCoastBride

LALASEPT05:

I think it's actually the NJ Transit concourse that's below the Amtrak in NY Penn.

Yes, I think that's it!  It's easy access to get down there and most people don't seem to realize you can still access the Amtrak trains from that level. 

KathrynMD

EastCoastBride:

LALASEPT05:

I think it's actually the NJ Transit concourse that's below the Amtrak in NY Penn.

Yes, I think that's it!  It's easy access to get down there and most people don't seem to realize you can still access the Amtrak trains from that level. 

taking note of this for future reference!