Why is Amtrak DC to NYC so much more expensive than flying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it subsidizes the Amtrak rail system in parts of the country that aren't as heavily traveled.

No, the tax payers subsidized the lesser used lines.

Tue but the only part that f Amtrak that makes a good chunk of money is Acela.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you live near Dulles it makes more sense to fly

OP here. This is what I'm thinking. It's so easy for someone to just drop us at the airport, vs. getting down to Union Station. Even though we'd have to get to the airport early, it would take about the same amount of time just to drive down to Union Station, with traffic, etc. I'm thinking we'll just fly and uber in to the city from the airport.

Makes sense.

For us it takes at least an hour to get to Dulles, plus you need to be there well before the flight, etc. Whereas, it takes us 15 minutes to get to Union Station, half an hour if we metro and save the cost of parking; and last time, our family arrived, parked, and walked right onto the train 7 minutes before it pulled out of the station. Plus, the kids are half price on the train, which the airlines do not offer. Huge difference for us in time and money.

[Anonymous]

I would pay a lot of money to not go through security/arrive an hour early/get crammed into a middle seat/gate check a stroller etc etc etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently flew to NYC for business (overnight trip). Far easier for me than the train since I don't live near union station.

On my return flight, most of the people had been there on business and were commenting that they stopped taking the train since flying was cheaper, easier, and a way to accumulate miles. I flew in/out of Laguardia.

You need a lot of flights between DC to Laguardia if you're trying to rack up miles. I'm close to BWI, so the train station there's convenient.

+1 on departing from BWI
Easier from where I live, cheaper than departing Union Station, and cost less than 300 for two kids and two adults.
Just Book far enough in advance.

[Anonymous]

We are in an origination spot for Vamoose/Tripper so that’s by far the easiest adn most economical for us. Buses are full of suburbanites so we’ve always found it quiet and clean and we don’t mess with getting into Union Station. Travel time is the same as the train and ona trip that short I don’t need to get up and walk around anyway.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’ve never paid more than $80 each way on the NE Regional. You just need to book a few weeks ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 336 Acela rate is typically a first class seat or last 10 seats available in business. If the train is that full you don’t want to take it. Spent a few trips standing in cafe car on acrela. I typically pay 215-250 for accelerated ticket.

Honestly the best thing to do is take non Acela train and upgrade to business class. The business class car is typically empty and you get free non alcoholic beverages with business class ticket.

$336 is a good deal on Acela. My last Acela RT (3 weeks ago) was $454 and that was regular business. I booked a week in advance. I was also there last week and booked a month in advance and Acela was the same $454 so I flew for $231. I’d rather fly than take the NE regional. The extra 30 mins, plus allowance for being late, which they often are, makes flying much more appealing. A lot of my trips to NY are day trips so an extra hour+ on the train is not a plus.

[Anonymous]

We pay $49/each way from Baltimore. Park by the startion and we don't take Acela. We live in Montgomery's Cty and it's an easy drive. Doesn't make any sense to go from Union Station for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We pay $49/each way from Baltimore. Park by the startion and we don't take Acela. We live in Montgomery's Cty and it's an easy drive. Doesn't make any sense to go from Union Station for us.

Wouldnt BWI make more sense for you?

[Anonymous]

Skip Acela. We like the train because it's more comfortable than flying and it goes city center to city center. But we live in the city, so getting to Union Station is much easier than getting to the airport.

[Anonymous]

Penn Station is disgusting. Other than that, the train's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Penn Station is disgusting. Other than that, the train's fine.

Penn Station's disgusting and flying is luxurious

[Anonymous]

Why do you need to take the acela? Isn't it only like 20min faster than the cheaper train?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does it have to be Acela? Take the regular train. Are you a snob?

That wasn't an overreaction. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently flew to NYC for business (overnight trip). Far easier for me than the train since I don't live near union station.

On my return flight, most of the people had been there on business and were commenting that they stopped taking the train since flying was cheaper, easier, and a way to accumulate miles. I flew in/out of Laguardia.

+1