News Summary
A traveler shares insights from a 16-hour Amtrak trip from New York City to Rochester. The journey faced delays, comfort issues, and connectivity problems. Important lessons included arriving earlier, being prepared with entertainment, and adjusting seat choices for better views. The experience highlighted the need for better planning and awareness during long-distance train travel.
New York City – A recent long-distance trip from New York City to Rochester via Amtrak has revealed several lessons about travel timeliness, comfort, and planning. The total journey lasted 16 hours, with a round-trip fare of $249.
The outbound trip to Rochester took approximately seven hours, while the return journey was longer, extending to nine hours. Passengers are advised to arrive at the station 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled departure, but unexpected delays can disrupt this plan.
The traveler began their journey on a scheduled 7:15 a.m. train from Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, arriving at the station by 6:37 a.m. However, maintenance issues led to over an hour delay, with the track listing not being released until just 10 minutes before the new departure time. This lack of information can be frustrating for travelers trying to adhere to the suggested arrival time.
For the return trip, the traveler arrived at the station by 1 p.m. for a train departing at 1:27 p.m. Unfortunately, they had to wait until just before departure to board the train. Compounding the issues, there was no assigned seating on the trip to Rochester, which resulted in boarding the train later and choosing a seat on the less scenic side.
During the return journey, the traveler took advantage of a different seat and enjoyed better views. However, there was a lingering disappointment about not being able to appreciate both routes fully due to seat selection constraints.
Connectivity issues were also notable—the WiFi service was unavailable for a portion of the trip to Rochester and proved sporadic afterwards, complicating attempts to work or stream entertainment. Passengers without advanced entertainment preparations may wish to download shows and materials before embarking on a long trip.
On the return trip, the passenger opted for business class, only to find that sitting in the last row resulted in a bumpier experience, hindering the ability to relax during the journey.
Meal services were available on both journeys, featuring a salad and chips available for purchase in the café car. However, the café car was closed for an hour during the trip, prompting the traveler to pack backup snacks, such as Cheez-Its.
Another point of interest was an extended stop in Albany during the return trip, lasting over an hour and a half for train transfers. During this time, the lights were turned off, and the air conditioning functioned intermittently, which was a source of discomfort and frustration.
Navigating the moving train also proved challenging; the author reported bumping their head on luggage shelves multiple times, highlighting the importance of awareness while moving through confined spaces on a train.
In summary, this extensive Amtrak journey provided valuable insights into travel preparation and expectations. The traveler has concluded that adjustments will be necessary for future trips, including arriving at the station earlier and being more cognizant of the overall journey length. By addressing these factors, future rail experiences may be significantly improved, making long-distance travel more enjoyable and efficient.
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Additional Resources
- MSN Travel Article
- Wikipedia: Amtrak
- Business Insider Article
- Google Search: Amtrak travel tips
- Rochester Beacon Article
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rail Travel
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
