This was published 1 year ago
Train review: Amtrak, Coach Class, from Boston to New York City
The train from Boston to New York takes 4 hours and 21 minutes.Credit: iStock
THE JOURNEY
Boston to New York City on the Amtrak line, with a scheduled time of 4 hours and 21 minutes, aboard the Northeast Regional train 135, an eight-car locomotive train.
THE CLASS
I'm in Coach Class (Australians would call it economy), where passengers select their own seats, first-come first-served. In Business Class, passengers pay more to enjoy extra legroom, a complimentary soft drink and advance seat selection.
CARBON EMISSIONS
My ticket includes a note congratulating me on reducing my carbon footprint. This train trip will produce 83 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than if I drove and 72 per cent less than if I had flown.
BOARDING
I arrive on foot to Boston's South Station 15 minutes before the 1.30pm departure. It's Boston's busiest train hub, with millions of passengers each year boarding and alighting Amtrak trains and local commuter lines. There are several spots to pick up food and drinks for the journey, including Au Bon Pain, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's and Starbucks.
Hundreds of Amtrak passengers mill about in front of the display screens waiting for the track number to tick over from "TBD" to one of 13 tracks. The second it displays the track number, the assembled passengers take off like a herd of gazelles startled by a lion.
Tickets are scanned at the track entrance, then it's a rush to board and find economy class gold - two empty seats together.
THE SEAT
Coach Class seats are in a 2-2 formation (hooray for no middle seats) with comfortable width, good recline and ample legroom. Every seat has a tray table attached to the seat in front, reading lights and power sockets (US-style). Basic Wi-Fi is available, but it's patchy and quite slow along the route.
BAGGAGE
Northeast Regional carry-on baggage is limited to two personal items of up to 11.3 kgs per item, and two bags up to 22.6 kgs per bag. Items exceeding these limits may be charged a fee or denied boarding. I'm well under the limits, with one carry-on case and a handbag. With an empty seat beside me, there's no need to store my case at the end of the carriage.
FOOD + DRINK
The prices are reasonable and portions large in the Cafe Car, which is open to Coach and Business class travellers. Choices include snacks (cookies, gummy bears), fresh sandwiches and wraps, hot meals, wine, beer, hard seltzer and soft drinks. There's seating, though most people take their selections back to their seats.
I eat a phenomenal lunch at Neptune Oyster Bar just before boarding, so there's no room for white cheddar mac & cheese ($US7.50/$11), an Asian noodle bowl ($US8.50) or barbecue chicken sandwich ($US7.50). I enjoy a Surfside Vodka & Iced Tea ($US7.50).
ONE MORE THING…
I ride the train at the end of October, when New England autumn colours are peaking in a glorious show of orange, red, brown and yellow leaves. The landscape between Boston and New York City is one of the loveliest areas in the US to enjoy the annual tradition of "leaf-peeping".
THE VERDICT
Although I normally choose to fly between the US eastern seaboard hubs of New York, Boston and Washington DC, this train journey is a relaxing and enjoyable slice of slow travel. No delays and no risk of lost luggage sweeten the deal.
Our rating out of five...
Four out of five stars
Kristie Kellahan travelled as a guest of Meet Boston. See meetboston.com
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