Amtrak Coach Class VS. Business Class Seat

Today we review the Amtrak coach class vs business class seat. We will discuss the Amtrak coach class seat and the Amtrak business class seat. We will also review what is included with a business class seat and what is included with a coach class seat. Coach class seating and business class seating are different.

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[jdog]

Cannot appreciate this video enough. I spent 4 times the amount to try business class on the northeast regional. After watching this, cancelled my ticket & bought coach! Now i have some extra spending money to further enjoy my vacation. Appreciate you both from Canada!

[mrhymer]

I prefer business class any day on the Carolinian from NYC/Penn Station to Charlotte NC. It quieter (no screaming kids), you can choose your own seats, car is cleaner, and the bathrooms are bigger. The beverages I chose were unlimited bottles of orange and apple juice. I had enough to take back to the hotel, I couldn't drink all of the them on the train. I don't remembered drinks as in alcohol that you mentioned, but they offered coffee and tea too, gave free NY TIMES, and small white pillow to rest your head. The attendants was very attentive, and always checked on you in business class. This was 7 years ago though.

[chinaberg]

I like business because of the assigned seating. You can show up last minute without having to fight everybody in economy for the seat. That's when business is worth it.

[julienew]

I recently did a short trip, 3 hours, and I was in Coach. The seats were comfortable. I had a favorable experience.

[marcbramhall]

I did business class going from Connecticut to Philly and back last year. I liked the assigned seating. Not having to awkwardly ask a stranger if i can sit next to them was awesome.

[lakb]

The big advantage I noticed with business class is that it is much quieter—usually no children or families. I had some serious thinking to do on one of the Illinois trains, so I upgraded to business class.For what I needed, it was really worth the upgrade.

[babysisdolls]

i want to thank you for your videos! i took my first train trip from Richmond, Va to Savannah, Ga ..because of you guys i had a stress-free coach trip and was able to offer snacks to other hungry travelers...lol

[catreader]

As I saw in another comment or two, there is still a significant benefit of business class on the Northeast Regional: assigned seating. Boarding at a terminus (such as Roanoke) gave a large choice of seats. Boarding at Philadelphia in early afternoon required several minutes (while train is bouncing over all the switch points in Philadelphia area) just to find a single seat. It took significantly longer to locate two seats (travelling with spouse) in one car and any place to store two carryon bags in the same car. After several stops heading south, we were able to sit together for the remainder of the run back to Roanoke. So, if I ride the Northeast Regional again, I am likely to book Business class if I am boarding more than a couple stops from a terminus. In fairness, I should note that Coach class had very comfortable seating on both Northeast Regionals we rode in September.

[VeVeJT]

Thanks for this. I’ve only take the Carolinian once when I took business class, but it had free drinks, free headphones and if I remember correctly, outlets and TVs. However, the second time I took it, it was the same as the coach and none of the outlets were working, even one of the bathrooms was broken. Luckily, it was uncrowded and I met this cool older man who was a musician and willing to play dominoes with me. lol Sometimes it’s all in the company.

The Acela is my favorite train, overall. I’d say if you’re traveling with someone with sensory issues, because class is almost always quieter.

[TrainMike]

On the Lakeshore Limited and Empire Service, business class is golden. It is super quiet vs coach class. I find on those two routes, the on board staff rarely enforce the quiet hours in coach (talking, loud phones, etc) so we always take business or get a roomette if we are going overnight.

You pay for the peace and quiet in business because there's rarely kids or loud college students.

[ellenem]

Another benefit of Amtrak business class: On some routes, business class tickets come with reserved seats, while coach seats do not. Having a reserved seat can be of value, especially if you are joining a train in mid-route--no searching for open seats.

[K.McMillan-YINpreneur]

Thank you for this review. I recently travelled Amtrak Vermonter and like that biz offers single seats vs 2-seats together. During COVID especially attractive.

[MattCook]

Great tips ! Just did the coast starlight in business. Was only an extra $30 to do business class. Thanks for the video.

[amandaregis]

We booked coach on the Maple Leaf from Niagara Falls Ontario to New York, a whopping $118 less per person one way than business class in January. Hubby will be thrilled with the leg room.

[Specialcot]

I Appreciate all your Videos from CT to Charlotte took Coach, Roommate and taking Business Classes on way back

[uknomei]

I excitedly jumped on the business class as it was only about $31 each…can’t wait to get on board in 10 weeks.

[CarolynsReadingRamblings]

I found y'all's channel a few months ago and started watching your videos because during COVID i found that travel vlogs were an anxiety-reliever and I really like your content! Pre-COVID I took the train all the time to go see friends and I am getting ready to go on my first train trip since COVID began. I am so glad that I searched your channel and found this video because in a few months I am going on a longer train trip so I was thinking about buying a Business Class ticket for the first time in order to be more comfortable but y'all convinced me that it is worth the savings to stay in Coach so thank you for this comparison video and all of your content :D.

[oceanlover]

Thank you for your informative post! I frequently take the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Santa Barbara. I prefer business class as it’s only $20 more and, as you mentioned, you get some food with the BC ticket. In the morning they offer pastries, coffee, juice, bottled water and a newspaper. In the afternoons, they offer a decent snack box and soft drink or, a small bottle of red or white wine if you prefer. Seems a bit more quiet as well because their aren’t usually as many kids in BC. Stay safe! ✌🏻🙂✌🏻

[robertlubel]

Hello. When I traveled Amtrak back in the 80's I took the San Diegan from Los Angeles to San Diego and back . I did Coach then I discovered Custom Class and that was very nice. The seats had 3 inches more width than the regular coach seats and the car attendant was friendly too. So i took Custom class when I did not feel like driving.

[alexandermarohnic]

Awesome video guys, I appreciate that someone is doing reviews of such an overlooked method of travel! Cheers from Miami!