Acela high speed train - is it worth it?
 

Traveling from Phila. to Providence, RI for 3 days. Have any Fodorites taken the high speed train (and is Business class worth the upgrade)? Appreciate all replies pro/con. <BR>Thanks.

I live outside of Boston, my company is HQ'd in West Chester, and I'm expected to put in an appearance every few weeks. I used to fly, but have switched over to the train for the last few trips because the door-to-door time is virtually the same. <BR> <BR>The actual new Acela equipment is not operating yet, though they are using the name for the two "high speed" runs that operate each day in each direction. The cars have all been renovated and refurbished, however. Most of the decrease in the time of the trip is due to no longer having to switch from electric to diesel engines in New Haven now that the entire line is electrified. From what I understand, when the real Acela trains start running the times will drop again. <BR> <BR>I find the train to be pleasant and relaxing compared to the ghastly degrading experience the airlines have become in the last few years. The schedule is more reliable, the seat bigger, and you can use your cell phone virtually the whole way. You can also get up and go for a real walk anytime and buy your own refreshments and snacks, if you're so inclined. <BR> <BR>I have always upgraded to Business and feel that the extra $20 (probably a little less for you?) is worth it. You're really only paying for a little more space between rows but a little can make a big difference. I also like the few "conference" tables in each Business class car - they disappear quickly but if you get one it's a great place to use a laptop. <BR> <BR>My opinions are pretty much shared by the several of us who make this trip routinely.

Elaine, Acela is still more promise than reality, especially in the New York to Boston segment. The track is finished, but the trains are having wheel wear problems. As such, there are just two or three Acela trains per day in each direction, and they're not much of an improvement over the standard service (they eliminate an infuriating, 45-minute wait in New Haven while diesels are exchanged for electric locomotives, but the trip is still over four hours). <BR> <BR>Until Amtrak gets their act together, you're better off flying (one hour) than taking the train (five hours+). <BR> <BR>

Hi Elaine <BR> <BR>I took Acela from Baltimore to Boston a little while ago and due to seating shortages at travel time/last-minute booking, ended up going business class. <BR> <BR>At this time, the trip to Boston is long (7hrs. Balto-Bos, 5 1/2 from Phila. to Providence), which is longer than flying door-to-door. If you can book your flight 2 weeks in advance, flying is probably cheaper/certainly faster (4 hrs. door-to-door, depending how close to the airport you are). However, if you decide last-minute that you want to go to Boston/Providence, you might save money by taking Acela (my situation). I was glad I went this way at least once since some of the New England seashore scenery, particularly btwn. New Haven and Providence, is absolutely breathtaking. I got a lot of necessary reading done and was only fed-up of travelling as I neared Boston. I would do it again...As luck turned out, there were major plane delays due to inclement weather in Baltimore, so I MAY have actually gotten to Boston FASTER by going Acela. <BR> <BR>The business class gives you complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and additional leg room; an additional $28, but I was willing to pay that to get to Boston a little faster (economy class was booked and the thought of taking the milk train seemed unbearable). The perks were fine but honestly I would have gone economy class had it been available however. <BR> <BR>Good luck deciding and have a great time <BR>in Providence. <BR> <BR>Daniel

Neal, it's silly to compare time-in-your-seat, since -- of course -- time in the air at 400-500 MPH will be faster than time on rails at 60-75 (even 100) MPH with station stops. I think times door-to-door are much more significant -- I challenge you to get from a suburban Boston address to a Manhattan address by plane in less than 4 hrs. <BR> <BR>The train in this corridor is the way to go -- pleasant, comfortable, reliable, and inexpensive. Wish it were so south and west of Wash DC. Looking forward to the "real" Acela, but happy to have the current "high-speed" for now. <BR> <BR>

PS: "Custom class"/business class often puts you in a car behind the cafe car so that you aren't subject to through-traffic of passengers from other cars on their way to the cafe. Worth the price for that, the wide seat and drinks.

Not wanting to take issue with Daniel's travel times, which may very well have been correct when he made his trip, but the current Amtrak schedule shows the Acela time from Philly to Providence (or reverse) as either 4h 53m or 5h 6m, depending on which of the two daily trains you take. My experience has been that they're usually pretty close to the schedule posted - not close by Swiss standards, but not bad. And a good bit better than the airlines. <BR> <BR>One other minor point - it's somehow refreshing, to me at least, that the price of a train ticket actually seems to be correlated with the distance traveled and a round-trip is exactly double the price of one-way. What a novel concept.

Thanks to all who replied with excellent commentary. <BR>Airfare (direct) is currently $260 p/p. <BR>Driving to Providence on a Friday afternoon does not sound appealing. <BR>Which leaves the train. <BR>We currently are holding reservations (business class). <BR>Respondents seem to favor business class and since my husband is very tall and can do paperwork and use phone think this may be best for us. If not taking 'Acela' it appears from Amtrak website trip would be one hour longer (one way). Time is a factor and the schedule does work in our favor. <BR>Dick's comment is very accurate: One way is same price, regardless of return. What's even more refreshing is passengers have option to make a reservation and wait a full 7 days to decide. Price doesn't change nor does the schedule. Living in/around Northeast Corridor I look forward to the 'true Acela'. <BR> <BR>

Hi <BR> <BR>Have a great time Elaine on the Acela. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery between New Haven and Providence. Far better than driving there... <BR> <BR>Thank you Dick for correcting my estimated travel times; I guessed based on the travel time from Balto. to Boston that it would be 5 1/2 hrs. from Philly to Providence; indeed it's much closer to 5 hrs. Not a bad travel time at all. Although it is not always so, in my experience, Dick is again correct about their punctuality...the Northeast Corridor trains are mostly on time. (I'm always taking the train Balto-DC, Balto-Wilmington/Philly, Balto-NY...and have rarely been delayed.) <BR> <BR>Again, enjoy your trip. <BR> <BR>

Hi <BR> <BR>Have a great time Elaine on the Acela. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery between New Haven and Providence. Far better than driving there... <BR> <BR>Thank you Dick for correcting my estimated travel times; I guessed based on the travel time from Balto. to Boston that it would be 5 1/2 hrs. from Philly to Providence; indeed it's much closer to 5 hrs. Not a bad travel time at all. Although it is not always so, in my experience, Dick is again correct about their punctuality...the Northeast Corridor trains are mostly on time. (I'm always taking the train Balto-DC, Balto-Wilmington/Philly, Balto-NY...and have rarely been delayed.) <BR> <BR>Again, enjoy your trip. <BR> <BR>