What does it feel like to ride on the fast (100mph+) Acela train? Can you get carsick?

Question

I'm looking to take the Acela train from Boston to D.C., but wonder what it feels like at high speeds (75-150mph). Can a person get "carsick" from the motion at high speed? Is it comfortable and safe enough to walk around while riding on the train?

Answer 1

I haven't done Acela, but I've done faster trains in Italy and Germany.

They are very fast and comfortable; the Italian trains I was on went in and out of a lot of mountain tunnels at incredible speeds and the pressure changes annoyed my ear, but that would not be a problem in the eastern US.

I've never heard of carsickness on any high-speed train, but I suppose its possible, if you're already prone to it. I myself only get carsick when trying to read extensively in autos, especially on an empty stomach. I can read on any train just fine, so it's never been an issue for me.

Answer 2

The Acela is very comfortable and smooth.

I've riden it from Wilmington DE to DC and clocked it doing 124 mph in spots.

Answer 3

Indeed, the ride is virtually smooth as silk as the above poster stated, very quiet, and the line is free of any sharp curves (meaning, for railroading) to achieve such speeds, so it will not even feel like you are moving at 75+ mph.  The Acela is quite enjoyable to ride which I would recommend taking.

Answer 4

THE TRAIN ON THAT ROUTE RUNS NO MORE THAN 80--ITS SMOOTH AS SILK AND EASY TO WALK AROUND....IT IS A SAFE,COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE.

Answer 5

I took Acela one time from Baltimore to DC and I felt that I was tilting with the train around some of the curves.  Otherwise, the ride was extremely smooth although I still had to balance my coffee cup delicately to avoid spillage due to the tilting phenomenon as I walked down the aisle.

Answer 6

Never been on Acela but have been on TGV and Eurostar at those speeds.

I dont know about car sick, i have never seen anyone getting motion sickness on trains but if you are very very susceptible it is possible I guess.

My daughter is prone to car sickness and never felt a tiny bit squeemish.

It was very comfortable and yes, you could walk around quite well. There are handholds to grab onto, there will be a bit of motion but if you want to walk around, it is fine, people do it all the time.

that is one of the joys of train travel, you are not confined to your seat, you may move about and stretch, go to the "Loo" or have a snack or cocktail.

Answer 7

Carsick?  No.  Train-sick?  Yes.

Answer 8

I ride acela all the time. The cabin is stabilized through either a pneumatic or hydraulic system. You don't feel any of the back and for sway common to most trains while seated. When walking about you occasionally get tipped a little off balance by slight shifts in the cabin but nothing major.

Oh due to the tracks being 4 inches too close to one another the trains can't go full speed anywhere but central NJ. Otherwise it's more like 80-90 mph. I just take it for the smooth ride and the fact it skips some local stations.