News Summary
A recent Amtrak journey from New York City to Rochester unveiled contrasting experiences between coach and business class. While coach offered more space and a quiet atmosphere, the business class provided larger seats and complimentary drinks, but with compromises in comfort and noise levels. This journey emphasized the importance of choosing travel class based on personal preferences for comfort and amenities.
New York City – A recent journey from New York City to Rochester, New York, using Amtrak has highlighted notable differences between coach and business-class experiences on the train. The trip, expected to take approximately seven hours, began with an early morning departure and resulted in valuable insights regarding the quality of service and comfort in different classes.
The author purchased a coach ticket priced at $69 for the 7:15 a.m. train from Penn Station, leaving their Brooklyn apartment before 6 a.m. to ensure timely arrival. However, the journey faced multiple delays, with the author boarding the train at 8:10 a.m. instead, pushing back the expected schedule significantly.
Upon experiencing the coach class, which was reported to be about 60% full, the author noted the advantage of having space to themselves. With the carriage allowing solo travelers to occupy two seats, this setup facilitated better relaxation and work environments. The overall atmosphere was described as quiet, which aided in the ability to focus or unwind during the journey.
The author was positioned in a window seat but expressed disappointment regarding the view from the right side of the train. During the trip, a visit to the café car resulted in a bill of $9.50 for a Caesar salad and an additional $2.50 for a bag of chips, underscoring the relatively high prices for on-board dining options.
The ride itself was described as relaxed with ample seating availability, making for a comfortable experience despite the initial delays. Upon returning to New York City, the author decided to try business class for a price of $180. However, this return journey was marked by a stark contrast to the earlier experience.
Business class did offer larger, reclined seats with footrests and included a complimentary non-alcoholic drink. However, the cramped conditions and greater noise levels in the smaller business-class section detracted from enjoying the amenities. Additionally, the ride proved bumpier than the smoother experience found in coach.
After some passengers disembarked, the author was able to relocate to a quieter seat, but the overall discomfort of the business class remained. Further complicating matters, the train experienced a long stop in Albany, contributing to dissatisfaction with the business-class experience.
On the positive side, the return trip offered better scenery, showcasing picturesque views of the Hudson River, which enhanced the visual experience of the journey. This aspect was seen as a redeeming quality, contrasting the earlier uneventful coach scenery.
In conclusion, the author determined that the coach class experience was more pleasureable for this specific trip. Despite noting the potential benefits of business class, particularly for longer journeys when better food might be available, the overall comfort and quietude of the coach outweighed the advantages of upgrades on this occasion. This journey underscores the importance of class selection based on personal preferences for comfort and amenities when traveling on Amtrak.
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Additional Resources
- Business Insider: Amtrak Business Class vs. Coach
- WHEC: Top News
- Democrat and Chronicle: Train Incident in East Rochester
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amtrak
- Google News: Amtrak Travel
