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

[Anonymous]

I was checking prices for both Acela Express and flights, same days, roundtrip, etc. Acela was $336/person, flight was $200/person. I keep hearing how much easier it is to take the train up there, but getting to Union Station from where we live (a suburb) is a huge pain; Dulles is far easier and closer. And now, seeing that Acela is more expensive, what would be the advantage of taking it?

[Anonymous]

Arrival into NYC, wait time at the station is less than an airport, no airport hassle.

[Anonymous]

Lack of security lines, not needing to board half an hour before your departure time. There's a lot less time spent at the train station than at the airport.

[Anonymous]

Vamoose bus is $30 - $50 each way, takes 4 - 4 1/2 hours. Has suburban departures in NOVA and Bethesda. It is our family's preferred method to/from NYC when we don't drive up. Check it out! http://vamoosebus.com

[Anonymous]

If you live near Dulles it makes more sense to fly

[Anonymous]

I just flew this week because it was half the price of the train. The only real downside is getting to/from LGA but I was dong it in off hours so it was pretty quick. Door to door flying is faster for me.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth, if you book in advance you can get good deals on Amtrak (say, $49 or $69), especially if you don't bother with Acela (which only shaves about a 1/2 hour off the trip, given that what the US calls "high speed rail" would make the rest of the world laugh).

[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.

Depending on where you are going in NYC, it takes more time to get from the NY airport to NYC than it takes to get from the outer DC suburbs to Union Station. I guess you just have to choose where you want to spend your time commuting.

[Anonymous]

I go to NYC a few times a year and always take the train.

I never take Acela, the half hour time difference isn't worth the price.

I live in the suburbs, but usually I don't park at Union station. I live near a VRE station so I take the VRE in.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Definitely skip Acela..only if someone else is paying.

[Anonymous]

Book well in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vamoose bus is $30 - $50 each way, takes 4 - 4 1/2 hours. Has suburban departures in NOVA and Bethesda. It is our family's preferred method to/from NYC when we don't drive up. Check it out! http://vamoosebus.com

Yeah, if you're trying to save money a bus is the way to go. It's as comfortable as the train, just takes a little longer.

[Anonymous]

Acela is a ripoff because you save less than an hour and the trains aren't even nicer. I used to take it for work, but I take the regular Amtrak for personal stuff. Regular Amtrak is great, since you end up in Manhattan rather than outside of the city.