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I rode in business and first class on Amtrak’s NextGen Acela, the fastest train in the US. Here’s how they compared.

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  • The Amtrak NextGen Acela is the fastest train in the US.
  • I booked a business-class ticket from New York City to Washington, DC, for $180.
  • Then, I traveled from Washington, DC, to NYC in first class for $450.

I spent six hours and $630 on the fastest train in America.

The Amtrak Acela is the express option for travelers in the Northeast with only business and first-class seating. In August 2025, the route got a fresh new fleet called the NextGen Acela. In addition to a futuristic look and modern amenities, the train has a top speed of 160 miles per hour, making it the fastest train in the US.

In September 2025, I booked round-trip tickets between my home in New York City and Washington, DC, on the NextGen Acela. I got a taste of both classes.

First, I spent $180 for a three-hour business-class ride from New York City to Washington, DC.

A business-class car on the NextGen Acela train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since the Acela doesn’t have coach seating, business class is the standard ticket.

Then, I rode home to New York in first class for $450.


Passengers on the left board a first-class train car on the Amtrak Acela NextGen

Passengers board a first-class car on the NextGen Acela train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My first-class ticket included a meal, priority boarding, attendant service, and lounge access at the train station.

The differences between these two bookings began when I arrived at each station.


A composite image of passengers standing with luggage in a train station and a wide view of an Amtrak lounge with two tiers of seating

Inside NYC’s Penn Station (left) and inside the Metropolitan Lounge at DC’s Union Station.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I waited for my business-class train to Washington, DC, on the floor of NYC’s Penn Station. The waiting room was full, and it would have cost me $50 to access the Metropolitan Lounge, which is complimentary for first-class passengers.

Since I held a first-class ticket for my ride home from Washington, DC, I had access to the Metropolitan Lounge at Union Station. Other passengers can pay $35 to enter the space.

The lounge was quiet and calm. There were couches, comfy chairs, tables, and colorful works of art on the walls. I especially appreciated the espresso and beverage station, snack bins stocked with a variety of treats — all of which were complimentary — and the clean bathroom.

I boarded earlier for the first-class ride.


Passengers walk into the priority boarding line inside a train station

The priority boarding line at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After relaxing in the lounge, I waltzed into the priority boarding lane for my first-class ride to New York. There were fewer than a dozen people in front of me.

Unlike when I rode in business class, where I was toward the back of a long line, I had several minutes to get situated on board before the train departed.

Inside the train, the cars were color-coded.


A composite image of the inside of a blue business-class train car and a red first-class train car

Inside a business-class car (left) and a first-class car (right) on the NextGen Acela train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Aboard the Acela train, I quickly caught on that blue meant business class and red meant first class. From the headrests to the bathroom doors, the matching colors made it easy to tell which car I was in.

Another key difference was the layout. There were two rows of seats on either side of the aisle in business class, while first class had a single row of seats on one side of the aisle.

The seats had all the same amenities, but my first-class one was slightly more spacious.


A composite image of a business-class seat and two first-class seats on an Amtrak NextGen Acela train

A business-class seat (left) and a first-class seat (right).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The NextGen Acela seats had smooth lining, soft cushions, and supportive, winged headrests. They also had reading lights, USB ports between seats, and a reclining function.

The only significant difference I noticed was that the first-class seats were larger and had more legroom. I found both to be more comfortable than any other Amtrak seat I’ve booked.

Only the first-class ticket included a meal.


An aerial view of an Amtrak chicken dinner on a tray table

The author’s complimentary lunch on the NextGen Acela.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

During my business-class ride, I grabbed a bite in the café car, where passengers can purchase grab-and-go meals from a self-service station, as well as snacks, drinks, and quick hot meals prepared by an attendant. I ordered a breakfast sandwich, which I thought tasted pretty decent for a microwaved meal, and brought it back to my seat.

In first class, I received attendant service and had a menu of complimentary meals to choose from.

I selected the chicken dish, which consisted of a charred thigh paired with roasted squash, verde sauce, a hard roll, and a Key-lime pie in a jar.

It was the most delicious and satisfying meal I’d ever had on an Amtrak train.

The bathrooms were identical.


The author stands in front of a mirror in an Amtrak NextGen Acela train with a red shelf on the left

Inside a bathroom on the NextGen Acela train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Save for the color of the door, the bathrooms in each class are the same, an Amtrak representative told Business Insider. I was impressed by how clean, spacious, and high-tech they were.

These bathrooms featured automatic doors, lights to indicate when the space was in use, and ample room to stretch. I also appreciated the touch-free faucets, soap dispensers, and hand dryers.

Ultimately, I discovered that the fastest train in America was also the most comfortable.


A composite image of the author sitting in a first-class Amtrak NextGen Acela seat and the exterior of the front of the train

The author enjoys her ride on the NextGen Acela.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After my back-to-back three-hour journeys on the Amtrak NextGen Acela train, I expected to be thrilled to get off the rails. But my experiences were so comfortable that I was in no rush to exit. When we pulled into NYC’s Penn Station, I let other passengers get off first while I soaked up a few more minutes in my first-class seat.




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I booked a business-class ticket on the new Amtrak Acela train. It wasn’t worth the $180 price tag.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • I paid $180 to ride in business class from NYC to Washington, DC, on the new Amtrak Acela train.
  • The train had modern amenities, like 5G WiFi, high-tech bathrooms, and ergonomic seating.
  • Despite upgrades, the high price outweighed the benefits of traveling in business class.

I’ve spent 26 hours riding the rails in business class around the world. My most recent Amtrak trip was the best business-class experience I’ve ever had in the US — but it still wasn’t worth the price tag.

In September 2025, I booked a business-class ticket from New York City to Washington, DC, on the Amtrak NextGen Acela train for $180.

The three-hour ride felt extremely comfortable and a tad luxurious. In the end, though, I couldn’t see myself splurging for it again.

I rode from New York City to Washington, DC, on the Amtrak NextGen Acela train.

The exterior of the Amtrak NextGen Acela train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Amtrak Acela is an express service between Boston and Washington, DC. The train line introduced a new fleet on the route in August 2025, known as NextGen Acela.

In addition to being the fastest Amtrak train with a top speed of 160 miles per hour, the NextGen Acela has modern interiors and high-tech amenities.

I booked a business-class ticket for $180.


An aerial view of an Amtrak NextGen Acela pamphlet opened on a tray table

A brochure on the train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Amtrak Acela trains only have two classes — business and first. I booked my business-class ticket for $180.

Out of curiosity, I looked at the pricing for coach seating on the regional Amtrak train, which is 30 minutes slower than the Acela. It was $40.

When I arrived at Penn Station in NYC, I sat on the floor to wait for my train.


Passengers stand in line to board trains inside Penn Station in NYC.

The line to board the author’s train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My train was scheduled to leave at 10 a.m., but there was a 90-minute delay. Since I was stuck at the station for longer than anticipated, I briefly considered going to the Metropolitan Lounge, an elevated space overlooking the train hall with cozy seating and complimentary refreshments.

First-class passengers and those traveling in sleeper accommodations can get into the lounge for free, but other Amtrak riders have to pay $50 to access it.

Since I’d already splurged on the business-class ticket, I decided to skip the lounge and head to the standard waiting room instead, but it was full. I finally settled for a seat on the floor against the wall until it was time to board.

Since I wasn’t in first class, I didn’t get priority boarding.


A composite image of people going down an escalator and boarding a train on an underground platform

Passengers board the train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got in line to board, I was reminded that business class is just a standard ticket on the Amtrak Acela. Unlike business-class rides I’ve taken that also had coach seating, this trip didn’t include the perk of priority boarding.

The business-class car had a sleek, modern look.


Inside a business class Amtrak car with two passengers on the right

Inside the business-class car.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Retractable window shades, exposed overhead bin space, informative screens, and ergonomic seats made the car feel like a step up compared to business-class Amtrak trains I’ve booked in the past.

The seat was much more comfortable than most I’ve booked on Amtrak trains.


A composite image of an empty window seat on a train and the back of the seat in front of it

The author’s business-class seat.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Soft, cushy, spacious, supportive — these are the words that popped into my head when I settled into my business-class seat. A reclining function and footrest made the ride even more comfortable.

Power outlets, USB ports, and a reading light were all conveniently located on the side of the seat. In front of me was a tray table and a fold-out cupholder.

I spent most of the ride streaming YouTube videos.


A hand holds a phone playing a music video in front of a train seat back

The author watches music videos.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Most Amtrak trains I’ve been on have had WiFi, but in my experience, the connection has typically been too weak for much more than a Google search.

I was stoked when the NextGen Acela’s 5G WiFi was fast enough to stream YouTube videos without any issues. I passed the time by watching live sessions of my favorite bands.

The bathroom was spacious and clean with modern touches.


A composite image of a blue door leading to a business-class train bathroom and inside the bathroom with red accents, the author takes a mirror selfie

Inside the business-class bathroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I’ve learned to set the bar low for train bathrooms. Stocked toilet paper, soap, and paper towels are not a given. Cleanliness and extra space aren’t either. In my experience, some business-class bathrooms are no different from those in coach.

So I was ecstatic when I stepped inside the lavatory on the NextGen Acela. The automatic door opened into a spotless space that felt big enough for two people to do jumping jacks simultaneously.

I found it aesthetically pleasing too, with bold red accents and trendy touches, from the shelf to the mirror.

I also appreciated the touchless water, soap, and dryer functions on the sink.

Although it was much more comfortable than sitting in coach, I didn’t think a business-class ticket was worth the high price point.


Inside an empty coach cabin on an Amtrak train

A coach car on another Amtrak train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

“Amtrak travelers always have their preference,” an Amtrak representative wrote in an email to Business Insider. “If they want to experience these premium trains with enhanced amenities, they can. Or, if they prefer convenient and affordable downtown-to-downtown service up and down the Northeast Corridor, Northeast Regional trains offer a comfortable and enjoyable way to travel throughout the Northeast Corridor and points beyond.”

The next time I take an Amtrak train, I’ll miss the cozy seat, elevated bathroom, high-speed WiFi, and shorter travel time. Still, these perks weren’t enough for me to consider Acela’s business class to be worth more than quadruple the price of a coach ticket.




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