There will be 4 of us travelling DC to NYC in June. I have checked out the Amtrak site, and there are two Regional Service trains - one that would be $270 for all four of us and one that would be $201 for all four of us. The $201 train takes only 4 minutes longer than the other train. I like the time on the $270 train better, but it is really only an hour difference, so no big deal. Is there any reason you know of why one is cheaper than the other? One leaves at 10:25am the other at 11:30am.

Thanks for your help!

jgg, in my experience, rarely do those trains run on time.

One train is more expensive for precisely the reason you like it: many travelers prefer that particular departure time.

Amtrak uses this pricing incentive on many of its popular routes in the northeast corridor.

On a recent trip from NYC to Boston, I saved about $20 by departing at 7AM instead of 8AM for the same type of train. Less people want to get to the station before 7AM.

In checking the schedule the stops are the same for both, though it appears that the 11:25 which runs only SA and SU also stops at Newark airport. These nal trains are all basically thesame, coach class and business class, with a cafe car on board.
These regional trains generally have an on time performance around 85% most of the time, but on any given day anything can happen.
Relax, enjoy the trip.

Thanks all. I figured it had to do with the time, although I wouldn't think 10:30am and 11:30am would be that much difference. Just wanted to know if the trains themselves were the same and joethekay answered that. How soon before a train do you need to get there? Is half an hour okay?

We recently took an Amtrak train from the Baltimore Airport stop (the first one after Washington DC) to New York city. This arrived on time and got to New York at the correct time. No delays at all.

Before you book your tickets check for promotions. I googled for Amtrak discounts and got a code for 2nd person travels for 1/2 price, so for two people our fare was a total of
$ 98.00 compared to $ 135.00.

If you book online you will need to exchange your e-mail voucher for tickets and there are self-ticketing booths at the station. I stood in line to get ours and there was quite a queue but it was 8.00am, so a busy time.

1/2 an hour should be fine.

If you are a AAA member you can get a discount on Amtrak.

And on Amtrak, IIRC kids up to age 15 go for half price, up to 2 per fare-paying adult.

I've taken the train (non-acela version) and not only was it late but we were "delayed" at one of the intermediate stops - I think Phillie. Since then I've started making the NY-DC trip on the "chinatown" buses. THe roundtrip fare is $20. It takes about 4 to 4.5 hours which can drag a little. Bring your own snacks - they do stop once for a pit stop. They let you off in Chinatown in NY and it's easy access to subway. You didn't ask for alternates, but I thought I'd advise you of it anyway.

I wanted to add to this, that YES, the Regional trains CAN be late; on a rare occasion even hours late. It does happen. Few hours late even happened to me twice. However, I've taken them many many times and, truly, most of the time, Amtrak got me there close to on-time (within 10 minutes of stated arrival time) or on-time.

Have done Amtrak NYC to DC many times. Have haad only one experience with it being late - but it was like 2.5 hours late - due to an accident on the tracks . All the trains were late. Barring that it is usually on time within the meaning of the act (10 minutes or so).

And yes, the prices do vary. Just like airlines the most popular times cost more and the less popular less.

1/2 hour is plenty of time. There is a food hall, shopping mall and some restaurants, bars, etc. if you happen to get there TOO early.

Be sure you are not looking at the Metroliner or Acela trains, which are higher speed and more expensive. Neither, in my opinion, is worth the money, unless someone else is paying.

I always take the regular train myself as the faster time on the other trains is not enough to make it worth the higher price.

Train fares are irrational just like plane fares. For example, on Thanksgiving weekend (surprise, surprise) there are no special fares. It is all based on supply and demand.