Whether or not you’re a frequent prepare passenger, a prepare fanatic or a beginner to the tracks, you’ll shortly uncover that Amtrak’s community across the northeast United States (which the model dubs the “BosWash Megalopolis”) is sort of intensive.
If you wish to journey anyplace between Boston and Washington D.C., Amtrak has two routes to get you there, known as the Acela and the Northeast Regional. These routes differ from one another in vital methods.
What’s Amtrak?
Amtrak is the USA’ nationwide rail service, and it brings vacationers to over 500 locations in 46 completely different states.
Some Amtrak routes are utilized by leisure vacationers to see the nation. For instance, the Empire Builder line brings passengers from Chicago to Seattle, passing over the Mississippi River and thru Glacier Nationwide Park on a multi-day journey.
Different routes — just like the Acela and Northeast Regional — are incessantly utilized by commuters and carry passengers between Boston, New York Metropolis and different main East Coast cities.
Amtrak’s Acela line
Acela is Amtrak’s high-speed rail choice within the Northeastern hall, reaching speeds of as much as 150 miles per hour throughout its journey. Acela has a number of courses of service to select from, together with luxurious choices, and provides perks like seat choice, at-seat meal service and entry to station lounges.
Let’s check out the fundamentals of this in style Amtrak route.
Variety of stops
Touring between Boston and Washington D.C., the Acela line makes 13 stops throughout the next states:
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Massachusetts: Boston (South Station and Again Bay Station), Route 128.
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Rhode Island: Windfall.
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Connecticut: New Haven, Stamford.
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New Jersey: Newark, Metropark.
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Pennsylvania: Philadelphia.
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Maryland: Baltimore (Penn Station and Thurgood Marshall Airport).
Price
Since Acela is quicker and makes fewer stops than Northeastern Regional, it tends to be costlier — twice as a lot on some companies, however quadruple the value at busier instances.
If your organization is paying for it otherwise you need to journey in a premium class of service, the Acela may ship.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Amtrak’s new, next-generation Acela fleet is scheduled to enter service within the Northeast hall in 2024.
Courses of service
In step with its upscale popularity, Acela trains provide seats solely in first and enterprise class — there are not any coach seating choices obtainable.
All seats include complimentary seat assignments.
Passenger facilities
Complimentary Wi-Fi is on the market for all vacationers, and for many who need to get some work performed or dislike distractions, a quiet automobile is on the market with advance reservation. An onboard cafe additionally supplies meals choices to all passengers.
Acela’s firstclass cabin comes with bigger seats, together with adjustable headrests, lumbar help, footrests and energy retailers. First-class passengers additionally take pleasure in precedence boarding, complimentary meal and beverage service and lounge entry within the terminal.
Meals are served at your seat with menus designed by restaurateur Stephen Starr.
In enterprise class, meals and drinks can be found at any time within the cafe. Cart service and ordering at your seat can also be obtainable on choose departures.
Loyalty program earnings
Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line
The Northeast Regional line is a handy solution to journey the roughly 700 miles between Virginia Seaside and Boston, and it has tickets at numerous worth factors. Whereas the Acela hits primarily giant cities, this line makes stops at cities and cities all through the area, making it extra accessible for a lot of passengers. That mentioned, all these stops contribute to a slower service.
Let’s check out the fundamentals of this reasonably priced Northeast hall route.
Variety of stops
The Northeast Regional makes 55 stops alongside its route, over 4 instances as many in comparison with Acela. The states served by the Northeast Regional prepare line are the identical as Acela, with the addition of Virginia. That mentioned, the placement of stops in every state might differ primarily based on which line you’re touring.
These are the states served and variety of stops on the Northeast Regional:
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Washington, D.C.: 1 cease.
Price
Touring on the Northeast Regional tends to be a less expensive choice than Acela because it provides a coach class.
Courses of service
The Northeast Regional line provides two courses of service to its passengers: enterprise class and coach.
Sure in a single day routes between Washington, D.C., New York Metropolis and Boston additionally provide personal rooms.
Passenger facilities
There’s free Wi-Fi for passengers, in addition to house to stow baggage. Every seat provides a fold-down tray, a studying gentle and an electrical outlet.
There’s additionally an onboard cafe automobile providing meals and drinks for buy, and a quiet automobile.
The Northeast Regional line enterprise class expertise contains additional legroom, bigger seats and complimentary non-alcoholic drinks. On many routes, enterprise class passengers obtain a complimentary seat project.
Coach seats are first-come, first-serve, so that you’ll need to board early if you wish to have your decide of seats.
Loyalty program earnings
Enterprise vacationers on the Northeast Regional earn a 25% bonus on Amtrak Visitor Rewards factors.
Journey time: Northeast Regional versus Acela
Along with the various variety of stops every prepare makes, the 2 traces additionally differ of their most touring speeds — the Acela reaches speeds of 150 mph whereas the Northeast Regional tops out at 125 mph.
Right here is the time it takes to journey between a number of locations on each routes, together with the distinction between the 2.
Washington, D.C. – Philadelphia |
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Washington, D.C. – New York Metropolis |
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Washington, D.C. – Boston |
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New York Metropolis – Philadelphia |
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Amtrak Acela vs. Northeast Regional recapped
Amtrak’s Acela and Northeastern Regional are two prepare traces with completely different onboard service choices, speeds and route networks within the Northeast hall.
The Acela is often a bit quicker as a result of it makes fewer stops. It additionally provides a first-class service choice. In the meantime, the Northeast Regional prepare provides entry to extra communities at cheaper costs on account of its wider route community and coach class choice.
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