IMHO Acela is not worth the difference in cost. For most of the distance the tracks don;t allow for speeds faster than the regular Amtrak so there is little time saved. As for swaying - the only time I have noticed it is when walking down the aisle.

Many people are more comfortable if they sit facing forward, rather than backward - so be sure to get on the train early to get a seat facing the correct direction. (And I have serious motion sickness and never felt ill on the train.)

I agree with nytraveler.

~Liz

The removed comment was not mine!
I never rode the Acella. I would not pay over $70 more to arrive 37 minutes earlier.
With 37 trains between 3AM and 10:05PM, you can take a train anywhere from $80 to $200.
Megabus and Bolt are cheaper if your trip is not time critical and you can schedule more than 2 weeks in advance.

Some people do like the assigned seating in Acea. A "reserved seat" om a regular Amtrak train does not reserve a particular spot, and there is a mad rush at Penn Station to find seats, articuarly 2 together. In DC for some reason, they tend to line up an hour or so ahead of time, so there can be a huge line when you arrive, though it moves quickly.

I agree with NYTraveler and elberko.

The Acela is not worth the difference in price. Regular Amtrak trains are quite comfortable and you are guaranteed a seat, if not a particular seat.

DOug, I'm not sure Acela has reserved seats in regular business class either...last time I took it (NY - Boston) it was the same rush for seating as the regular train.

Its hard to argue that Acela is worth the extra cost. I find it more so when going Boston-WashingtonDC because the time saved is greater. And I find the seats more comfortable, and I like having a power outlet.

I can't say I've ever noticed the swaying on either train, but I'm not all that sensitive. I find the Acela very smooth and a bit quieter than the regular train.

You can get Amtrak, NYC to DC, for as low as $49. Amtrak regular trains also have power outlets. I don't think th Acela is worth the extra money.

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I will save the money and take the regular train.

nytraveler I would never sit backwards in any mode of transport. I learnt that at a very young age.

My only concern now is the rush for seats that was expressed in some posts. Would that be common on most departures or during certain times of the day? I would prefer to have a seat together but I wont be upset if we cant. Its good to know in advance so we arent caught flat footed when the rush starts.

Thanks

Try to take a train mid day (between 10 & 2) and it should be less crowded. Since there are a lot of business commuters who leave NYC in the am for meetings in DC it tends to be more crowded between 7 am and about 10.. Later in the day you have the reverse. Tuesday-Thursday can be less crowded sometimes. Friday afternoons tend to be very crowded. Also if you take a train that starts in NYC instead of further North it is often less crowded. I have never had trouble getting a seat with an empty seat beside me for most if not all of the journey. Penn Station is crowded, but its not impossible to deal with. Familiarize yourself with where the different tracks are as you wait for the track announcement. Before the track is announced over the loudspeaker it will be posted on the board. Watch the boards for when the train is posted. This is usually about 10minutes before departure time. At Union Station the tracks are posted well in advance and there is a small sitting area at each track. Therefore people will be in the area well in advance of departure and when the sitting area fills a line will begin to form so it is less chaotic in DC.

Most trains to DC are crowded, and there is almost always a rush. The one way you can avoid this is to pay a red cap (handsomely with a tip) to carry your bag. They get the track assignments at Penn Station earlier than the announcement, and they will get you down to the platform early so you can grab a seat ahead of everyone else.

Last year taking Amtrak from Windsor, CT to DC, I was surprised how many people were on it when I got on the train, let alone by the time we got to Penn Station. I asked the Conductor and he said that it was normal for a Monday morning. Im heading down on a Thursday so it may be less crowded. Windsor is a tiny station that the train barely stops at so its a nice getting-on point.