Amtrak vs flying from pgh to nyc?

Question

We're goin on a trip to nyc in May.. I was thinking of taking the Amtrak instead of flying this time... Its a 9 hour train ride...

What are the pros and cons of going by train? I've never taken the train, I think It would be kinda cool :) Plus, Its almost half the price!

Also, whats the difference between Coach, and Buisness class.. by the website, it seems to be only electrical outlets... and bigger seats?

thanks in advance!

Answer 1

If you make the train ride 'part of the trip' instead of just the means of travel then you'll enjoy the ride. Don't forget, on the train you are free to bring your own food/snacks. The 'extras' in business class aren't worth the extra money but there are usually less people in the business coach so that may be a factor thats worth it for you.

Answer 2

Personally, if I were making that trip, I would fly into NY and take the train home. I would rather spend the time on the train doing something better in NY.

....and on the train for 8 hours, all you need is a light and a book, you don't really need anything else.

Answer 3

How long is the flight?  Include the time to get to the airport (as compared to getting to the train station), dealing with TSA security, walking a mile long concourse, the flight itself, then at the other end more concourses and actually getting *to* NYC from the airport.  

Coach seats are MUCH bigger than airline seats.  There's also a lounge/cafe car which you can visit, so you have a reason to stretch your legs and walk the train.

There are outlets around coach or the cafe car, just fewer of them. Yes business class seats are bigger still.

Answer 4

Go by train!!  It is a very historic route--the Pennsylvania Railroad inaugurated their cross-state service in 1854 when the line was completed.  You will see beautiful scenery, lovely small towns, Amish farms, scenic rivers... and if you are a rail fan, you will see the Horseshoe Curve and the Rockville Bridge, the longest stone arch railroad bridge in the world.  Plus, in Philadelphia you get to see 30th Street Station, the finest railroad station on the East Coast.

Answer 5

My friend, if I were you, I would take the train instead of the plane, you'll see the PA countryside as the train travels at 75 mph. It a 9 hour trip, so you have plenty of time to take a nap, read a book or do whatever you want. Heck, you can even walk from car to car, if need a snack the snack car is in the mid-section of the train.

Now, the difference between Coach and Business, is that Coach class is less expensive and has fewer amenities than Business Class.

I hope this information is very helpful. Good luck and happy travels.

Answer 6

kfc mmm

Answer 7

The best way to answer your question is by asking you a question... are you in a hurry? Do you have to be in NYC at a certain time?

One of the big problems with AMTRAK is it is very difficult for them to keep to a schedule -- but it's really not their fault. When AMTRAK was being formed, one of the railroad lines in the Northeast went bankrupt. The government bought the railroad and turned the equipment and track rights over to AMTRAK. So in the northeast, they can keep a schedule pretty good.

For the rest of the country, they had to make a choice: 1) build their own track; or 2) rent track rights from other railroads. If they built their own track it would be a long time before AMTRAK became a national railroad and ticket prices would be much higher (to pay for the construction). They could rent track rights fairly easily, but part of the deal would be the track owners have the right of way. If AMTRAK and the host railroad want to use the track at the same time, the host ALWAYS goes first. This explains why an AMTRAK train will be rolling along and then just suddenly slow down and stop, and sit for 10-20 minutes. Then the train will start moving again. These little delays add up, and the longer the train travels, the longer the delay. I usually travel 200 miles on the train, but the train starts its journey in NYC (Or Miami, if I'm going the other way) and it can get several hours behind schedule.

So if you are taking your time and don't have a schedule to meet, the train is a cool way to go. But if you have to be there at a certain time, it might pay to fly.

Answer 8

Well, one thing about train travel is that the trip is half of the vacation. :o)  Unlike flying, which can be hectic and hassling, traveling by train is almost always quite relaxing.  As Rango said, you can get up, move around, enjoy a meal or two and then sit down and watch the world go by.  Yes, you may not get there in an hour or two but you really can't beat the comfort and relaxation passenger trains offer, either.

Anyway, the below link should answer your question about business versus coach.  Have a great trip!

Answer 9

traveling by train is a great way to see the country, you can get up and move about, go the lounge car, have a snack, even wash up.

By the time you figure in the time going thru security, for short and intermediate trips train travel is a great way to go.

You can actually enjoy the trip instead of just enduring it.

Enjoy your trip !

Answer 10

If I was going to NY, I'd rather spend the 7 1/2 hour difference in NY rather than being on a train.