Additional Coverage:
- I paid $180 to sit in business class on a 9-hour Amtrak ride from Rochester to NYC. Next time, I’ll stick to coach. (businessinsider.com)
Coach vs. Business Class on Amtrak: Was the Upgrade Worth It?
I recently took a round-trip Amtrak journey between Manhattan and Rochester, NY, opting for coach on the way there and business class for the return. My goal?
To determine if the business class hype is real and justifies the extra cost. Spoiler alert: I’ll be sticking with coach next time.
My Upstate Adventure Begins (in Coach)
My $69 coach ticket on the 7:15 a.m. Maple Leaf train got off to a rocky start with an hour of delays at Penn Station.
Thankfully, I’d arrived early enough to grab coffee and breakfast. Finally aboard, I easily snagged a whole row of seats to myself.
Score! The legroom was fantastic, and the tray table and outlet proved essential.
The views, however, were a bit disappointing from the right side of the train. A midday hunger pang led me to the café car, where I enjoyed a Caesar salad and chips.
The return trip in business class was a different story.
Business Class: A Bumpy Ride
My $180 business class ticket promised a larger, reclined seat with a footrest and a free drink. However, the business class car, located in the caboose, was significantly bumpier than coach.
I initially landed in the accessible seat (no footrest, awkward tray table), which was right by the café car – cue the noise. A later move to a rear seat offered a bit more peace and the coveted footrest, but the bumpy ride continued.
An extended stop in Albany (necessary for connecting another train) meant no café access and limited climate control – not ideal. While I appreciated the complimentary ginger ale and the stunning views of the Hudson River on the final leg of the trip, the overall experience wasn’t worth the extra $111.
The Verdict
While both journeys were pleasant overall, the coach experience offered far better value. Unless you’re traveling a much longer distance or on a route with full meal service, I recommend saving your money and enjoying the extra space and quiet of coach. You might even snag a row to yourself, just like I did!