Train, Boston to NYC, questions
 

We (4 adults ) will be catching the train from Boston to New York City.

We are renting an apartment in the North End and will leave Boston on a sunday for NYC.

Which is the best station to catch the Amtrak train from? We will catch the regular train.
I was thinking Boston South station as the train starts from there and it may be best for us to load our suitcases and locate seats.

Also would it be best to catch a taxi from our apartment to the station, there all be 4 of us with suitcases after a 6 week USA trip. Maybe 2 taxis or a maxi cab? (Do they have them in Boston)

South Station is where you want to leave from if you're staying in the North End -- it's not at all a long distance. If you weren't hauling suitcases, it would in fact be a very nice walk, just following the Rose Kennedy Greenway from the North End to South Station.

Because the distance is so relatively short, a taxi will be inexpensive: with 4 people and lots of luggage, it makes sense to use 2 cabs.

Thanks Don for your reply.

The sunday of our departure is the weekend of the Head of the Charles regatta.
I hope that won't be a problem getting to the station.

In case you don't know, Amtrak ticket prices are lower if bought well ahead.

I have found NE corridor trains to be very full, especially on Sundays--don't dawdle getting to the station. Best way to travel between those cities, though.

Thanks elberko

I have been looking at the tickets on Amtrak.
I will try to purchase them soon they are a very good price, I think. $52.

Hoping to see a little of the countywide along the way.

Those SAVER prices go fast--especially as you need 4.

There isn't much "countryside" along the route--it's a pretty congested part of the country, but you'll see some.

Actually, the coastline through Connecticut is quite pretty. Sit on the left side of the train for nicest views.

I don't think the regatta will cause you any issue getting to/on the train.

Thanks china_cat,
I will book on the left side for the views.

Getting excited as our trip planning is coming together

Unfortunately, you can't book exact seats on Amtrak--even in business class.

If you are flexible with the date you want to travel on Amtrak, this website will help find the lowest price:
http://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php

You can hire a red cap to help with your luggage at South Station and they will board first and find for you the seats you want. Don't forget to tip them.

As for views from the train, the views from the right side can be just as impressive. You do get ocean views on the left side, but the right side gives some excellent takes of the towns and rivers below. And the view of the Manhattan skyline when the train makes the left turn to Queens pretty much trumps all the other views ... YMMV, of course.

Thanks for the great suggestions.

So South station sounds like the best place to board the train.
Can you pick any carriage? Just not business?

How do you hire a red cap? Do they get to go on first? Do we follow them on? How much does it cost and how much should we tip them?

I guess with whatever side we sit on the train trip will be relaxing, hopefully!

A red cap will help you get your baggage on board. There is no charge for this service but they do like a tip of $2-4 per bag when they have helped you.
A uniformed Amtrak employee will assign your seat in whichever coach car they want you in. Buy your tickets 14 days in advance for the best price. http://www.amtrak.com/northeast-trav...rain-discounts
The low bucket price for advance purchase seems to be $52PP from Boston South (BOS) to New York Penn (NYP).

If you have a lot of luggage you may also want to get a red cap when you arrive at Penn Station - since the Amtrak platforms are a long climb (stairs or escalator if the latter is working) up to the first concourse (then another long escalator up to street level).

On most trains, in addition to a business car, there will be a cafe car, a "quiet" car, and the rest will be regular cars. Business class is the only extra price car.

Thank you all for the great wealth of information.

I now understand the "process" much better and am looking forward to our train trip.

I think the red caps sound like an excellent idea.

When do the uniformed Amtrak employees assign us to our seats. On the platform?

Traveling many times on the route in question between Boston and New York handling my own luggage, one boards the train and picks an empty seat. The seats are never assigned. A group traveling together might not find seats near one another if the train is crowded.

"A uniformed Amtrak employee will assign your seat in whichever coach car they want you in." Not sure what tomfuller means by this, unless this is a particular part of red cap service.

For other routes out of New York, an Amtrak employee on the platform sometimes suggests one sit in a particular train carriage depending on the destination (true for the train to Montreal), but a particular seat is never assigned.

I've never used a red cap either...ellenem describes what I've done/seen.

Just to be clear, while someone may tell you to "walk forward ... plenty of seats there", no one will assign your Amtrak seat for you. It's all up for grabs.

Certain cars may be blocked off so there will still be seats at Back Bay station.

The reason why a lot of people use red caps is because that will often get you on the train earlier and give you a better choice of seats. It's a particular issue in NYC because of the mob scene trying to board the trains (gates are called only about 5 minutes before departure, and then there's a mad scramble); red caps help you down to the platform early.

In Boston, you'll likely know the gate when you arrive.

Agree with Doug about the process.

While I think Red Caps are money well-spent in NYC, South Station is the first station and you know which platform it is, so I think showing up a bit early should ensure you get a seat. Even getting on at Back Bay, there are usually plenty of seats. Things start getting dicey only after Back Bay.

FWIW, I would readily spend the extra money on the Acela. No, it isn't much faster, but it is more comfortable IMO.

<i>Also would it be best to catch a taxi from our apartment to the station, there all be 4 of us with suitcases after a 6 week USA trip. Maybe 2 taxis or a maxi cab? (Do they have them in Boston)</i>

If you are staying at an apartment, your best bet is to download Uber or Lyft to your smartphone. They are cheaper than taxis and work better when you need to call for the car. If you don't mind squeezing a bit in the backseat (3 across) one UberXL car should work.

In general, taxis in Boston suck and they are notoriously dishonest. I'd stick with Uber and Lyft for everything except leaving the airport.

Are the Acela different trains?

Uber is new here in Australia. I don't really know a lot about it. Its a good service?

The Acela is a FASTER service between Boston and New York than the regionals. But the Acela costs considerably more. You can easily compare prices by using the amtrak.com website.

Acela is the "faster" train, still part of Amtrak, and rarely much faster. Not worth the large price difference to me, but you can decide yourself--they are on the list when you look for trains on the Amtrak site.

Acela trains have more spacious seating and are a bit faster than regular Amtrak NE Regional trains, and of course they are more expensive. Otherwise, there's no difference. You still don't have a seat assignment. Ironically, because Acela trains have fewer seats, I've often found it harder to find seating together than on regular trains. But in general, Boston is easier than DC in boarding since about half the people get on at South Station and half at Back Bay.

<i>Are the Acela different trains?</i>

Yes. The closest the US comes to high-speed rail, but nowhere near Japanese standards. The big benefit to me is that the seats are more comfortable and have more legroom.

<i>Uber is new here in Australia. I don't really know a lot about it. Its a good service?</i>

Yes. It is very good. Very convenient. Much better than a Boston taxi. Especially useful when you are staying in an apartment as their is no taxi line outside your door.

Oh yes, all my friends in Boston use only Uber now. Otherwise, they don't take taxis anymore.

The difference in price is $52 compared to $191 on the Acela (no cheap fares for our date).
That is some shopping money for New York City!

I will investigate Uber.

<i>The difference in price is $52 compared to $191 on the Acela (no cheap fares for our date).
That is some shopping money for New York City!</i>

At that difference, I wouldn't spend extra on the Acela. It is normally more like $30-$50 when I buy tickets.

Acela is essentially worthless - since although the train can go a lot faster for much of the trips the tracks don;t allow for that speed. Hardly worth it to save 20 minutes.

<i>Acela is essentially worthless - since although the train can go a lot faster for much of the trips the tracks don;t allow for that speed. Hardly worth it to save 20 minutes.</i>

I don't use Acela for the time savings, but because it is more comfortable.

Well we have now booked 4 tickets on the train, Boston to New York City.

On the regular train $52 per ticket. We will probably try and use the red cap service.

Thank you to everyone for all your help and suggestions. We are very happy and looking forward to our train trip.