Amtrak Acela Boston-NYC Any recent experience
 

Husband is starting a new job and will be making regular trips between Boston and NYC. In past, he has flown. Seems that the expectation of new employer is that he will take Amtrak. Anyone have recent comments, suggestions, regarding Amtrak including what kind of delays can be expected. Since Boston office is near South Station and NY office is mid-town, Amtrak seems like a reasonable possibility - but cost for Acela seems not much less than flying.

One should expect very reliable service on Washington-NY-Boston on the Acela Express.

They are quite competitive in terms of time from city center to city center, and is more comfortable than flying. That's why they can charge the same as flying.

I haven't taken the Acela in years, but it's a very good service.

Any of the options for traveling from city center to city center between NYC and Boston will be a relief and a revelation in contrast to flying with all the associated hassles and transfers. Not just Acela, but also regular Amtrak, which runs more frequently and doesn't take significantly longer, or even the various upscale bus options, which now include luxuries like spacious seats and free WiFi. When comparing costs, don't forget to include ground transfers at both ends when flying.

Very reliable and very easy. I live near Back Bay station and my office is near Penn Station so I'm familiar with the route. So much easier than flying.

Years and years ago, before Acela service existed at all, my father made a fetish out of riding Amtrak and being at meetings in Boston or Washington before airborne colleagues. He almost always beat them, and this was on the regular service. Amtrak is definitely more efficient in the corridor, because it really does take you out of the traffic equation.

I've taken both the Acela, and the regular regional service in the last couple of years and been very pleased by both. The Acela can be quite inexpensive when taken off hours. I'm guessing he looked a rush hour times when saying it was a similar price to flying. but so much less hassle! I really like taking the train.

The problem with the Acela between Bsoton and NYC, is Metro North. They own the tracks from NYC to New Haven, thus the train cannot go faster as it does NYC-DC. The overall service is relaible but the extra expense is not.

I have not taken the air shuttle in a year and do not know if they cut back on service. Otherwise it is bascially business and governmental people who know the drill and hasten the process.

From city center to city center the train is just as fast as flying, a lot more comfortable, and much less subject to the vagaries of the weather.

Acela is definitely the way to go. You can get work done, more room, and you arrive right in the city, not the airport. And you can arrive 5 minutes before the train leaves and still get on. No security hassles.

I just took Amtrak from Baltimore to Rhode Island yesterday because all of my flights were cancelled due to the weather. Great experience...got a lot of work done!

The Acela doesn't really save much time though!

I have taken the Acela from Providence to NYC many times as it is my employers preference as well.

I find it comfortable and easy to work and a lot less hassle. For the longest time it was very reliable time wise.

Unfortunately I seem to be having a bad run with them. The last time the train broke down and we had to switch trains and I would have missed my meeting so thankfully jumped off and took the Metro North in, the ride home was over an hour late, and the trip before someone was hit on the tracks.

Hopefully these are all anomolies and my luck will change as I have a trip next week. As long as your husband isn't on the same train as me he should be fine. :)

Seriously, even with my current string of luck I still would choose the Amtrak to get to NYC.

It is much more convenient as you are not faced with the airport to city drive. The trains I have taken have been comfortable and for the most part on time. The only glitches have been when there are major problems (affecting the better part of the region type things).
The cost is not that different but when you factor in the airport "nonsense" (security delays and whatnot) it really is a better deal to take the train.

Ditto me with the group that much prefers train to shuttle.

Thanks all. Husband remains unconvinced, but will be on Amtrak Monday AM - I will let you know his reaction.

There's a storm expected on Monday or Tuesday, so air travel may be disrupted. Be sure to track the actual departure and arrival times for the flights that he might have taken instead.