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.
I started my journey to Rochester bright and early at Penn Station.
I booked a coach seat on a 7:15 a.m. train from New York City to Rochester for $69.
I left my apartment in Brooklyn just before 6 a.m. on the Thursday morning my train was scheduled to leave, ensuring I would arrive at Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station with time to spare.
I sleepily got off the subway and made my way into Penn around 6:40, thrilled I had time to grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich before I had to board.
As I sipped on my iced latte, that excitement faded. Amtrak delayed the Maple Leaf train I was set to board in ten-minute increments for the next hour. I ended up idling in the hall and checking the boards continually while I waited because I was afraid of missing an update.
I finally boarded the train at 8:10, my coffee dripping condensation on my hand as I lined up with the other coach passengers to get our tickets scanned.
Once I got on the train, I settled myself into a two-seater.
I easily found open rows of seats in the car at the front of the train, so I didn't have to sit with a stranger for the long journey.
I popped my roller bag on the shelf atop my seat, dropped my backpack into the chair closest to the aisle, and settled into a window seat.
Looking around the car, I estimated it was about 60% full. I saw other solo travelers, like me, taking two seats for themselves, and pairs of passengers sitting together. The car was mostly quiet, as people snoozed and shared hushed conversations.
The two seats had everything I needed, but the views weren't the best.
I loved having plenty of leg room since the bag was in the seat next to me. I even rested my legs on the empty seat for some of the ride.
The tray table was convenient, as I could use it to rest my Kindle or laptop, and I was grateful for the outlet right under the window.
I was excited to have a window seat to check out the New York landscape during the ride, but the views were a bit of a letdown because I was sitting on the right side of the train. I only caught glimpses of the Hudson River if I craned my neck to look at the window across from me.
I was far from the café car but didn't mind stretching my legs.
I spent my first few hours on the train catching up on some work on my laptop and listening to music in my seat.
I got up a few times to go to the restroom and fill up my water bottle, but I didn't venture out of my car until a little after noon when my grumbling stomach got too loud to ignore.
The café car was at the back of the train, so I walked through several cars to find it. It was nice to have a reason to move my legs after four hours of sitting in the same position, and I liked peeking at the other cars, walking past groups of people dining at the handful of tables in the café car.
I quickly ordered a $9.50 Caesar salad and a $2.50 bag of chips. Because the café was in the caboose, it was bumpier than the rest of the train, so I held onto a railing in the car while I waited for my food.
Little did I know, those bumps would be a harbinger of what was to come on my return journey.
I had a row to myself for the entirety of the ride.
The rest of my trip was uneventful and peaceful. My car stayed pretty quiet throughout the journey, and even as people got on and off, it never got too crowded, so I was able to keep my row to myself.
I spent the afternoon binge-watching "Sirens" on Netflix, and before I knew it, I was arriving in Rochester.
I upgraded to business class for my return trip to New York City.
A ticket on the Maple Leaf from Rochester to New York in business class cost me $180.
My business-class ticket included a larger reclined seat with a footrest, extra leg room, and a free non-alcoholic drink. An Amtrak representative also noted to Business Insider that business-class tickets are refundable, and purchases are eligible for a 25% point bonus for Amtrak Guest Rewards.
I arrived at the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station on Friday at 1 p.m. for my 1:30 p.m. train. When it was time to board, I found the business-class car at the back of the train, connected to the café.
There was only one seat left when I boarded the train.
The Maple Leaf starts its journey to New York from Toronto and makes stops in Niagara Falls and Buffalo before arriving in Rochester. The train's singular business-class car also only has six rows of seats, with one side featuring single seats rather than two next to each other. It wasn't a huge surprise that only one seat was open by the time I boarded.
The lone remaining seat at the front of the car was the accessible seat, so it didn't have a footrest or a traditional tray table. A conductor told me no one had reserved the seat for this trip, but I still felt ill at ease.
As I settled into the comfortable, singular seat, I noticed the car seemed louder than the coach car I had been sitting in during the journey there, likely because of its smaller size.
The location of the business-class car wasn't my favorite aspect of the ride.
Because the business-class car was in the caboose, it offered a noticeably bumpier ride than the coach car at the front of the train. My seat jostled more easily, and I felt a little nauseated when I looked at my phone screen for too long.
My seat was also right in front of the archway leading to the café, so I could hear everything happening there and in the smaller business-class area.
I was glad I had charged my AirPods ahead of the journey — and that Taylor Swift gave me an excuse to listen to "Speak Now" from start to finish the afternoon of my ride.
Things got a little quieter — and bumpier — when a free seat opened up at the back of the car.
After about an hour and a half, another single seat opened up at the very back of the car, so I gathered my belongings and relocated there.
The train was quieter when I moved because some passengers had gotten off and I wasn't as close to the café. I was happy for the lower volume, swapping my headphones for my Kindle so I could read.
I was also glad to have a back-of-seat tray table again and to use the footrest attached to the chair in front of me, which was particularly comfortable when I leaned my chair back a bit.
However, my new seat was even bumpier than the first chair. I don't usually sleep on transportation anyway, but I definitely wouldn't have been able to snooze with the jolts from the tracks.
The train had an extended stop in Albany, which made me miss my coach seat even more.
Around 6 p.m., the train rolled into the Amtrak station in Albany, and the conductor announced we would be stopping there until 7:40 so a train from Ontario could connect to ours. The café car closed a few minutes before the stop, and it wouldn't reopen until we were running again.
The extended stop was frustrating, as I was eager to get back to Manhattan. Plus, the lights and AC weren't on most of the stop, so it got hot and stuffy on board.
While we were stopped, most passengers got out to wander around the platform. I used the time to grab some food from a restaurant at the station.
After I ate a subpar chicken wrap, a bag of Skinny Pop, and a granola bar, I spent the rest of the hour walking back and forth across the platform.
I was happy to walk around after sitting for so long, but I would have liked to have the option to nap on a row of seats like I did on my journey to Rochester.
I had my free drink when the train resumed its journey.
Once the café car opened for the final leg of my journey back to New York, I popped over to grab a ginger ale as my complimentary beverage.
It was my only visit to the café during the ride, and I thought the beverage was a nice perk. I had to hold it still because the car was so bumpy, so I downed it quickly to free up my hands.
I also heard an announcement that the train was full after we departed Albany, which made me grateful for my solo business-class seat.
The views were my favorite part of the return journey.
I could see more of the New York scenery on my way back to Manhattan than I could on the journey to Rochester.
I saw quaint towns, stunning views of the Hudson River, and purple wildflowers lining the tracks. My eyes tracked a man kayaking across the river before the sun set, and I even spotted a deer and her fawn grazing in a field, seemingly oblivious to the train just a few hundred yards away from them.
I finally made it back to Penn Station around 10:40 p.m., smiling as I thought about the sights I had seen on my journey home.
I liked both train rides, but I wouldn't splurge on business class for a trip upstate again.
I had a pleasant experience on my round-trip ride from Rochester to New York, but I think a coach ticket is the way to go for a trip upstate.
The business-class ticket didn't have enough perks to make the additional cost feel worth it, and sitting in the caboose for nine hours wasn't fun.
It also seemed like the Maple Leaf only gets crowded in coach between Albany and Manhattan, so even if you have to share a row of seats for some of the ride, you'd still have a good chance of sitting alone for part of the journey.
I'll save my business-class tickets for even longer rides or Amtraks that offer full meals. Until then, you can find me in coach.
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Families can ride discounted trains to notable site for Black history in Valley
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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.
I started my journey to Rochester bright and early at Penn Station. I booked a coach seat on a 7:15 a.m. train from New York City to Rochester for $69. I left my apartment in Brooklyn just before 6 a.m. on the Thursday morning my train was scheduled to leave, ensuring I would arrive at Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station with time to spare. I sleepily got off the subway and made my way into Penn around 6:40, thrilled I had time to grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich before I had to board. As I sipped on my iced latte, that excitement faded. Amtrak delayed the Maple Leaf train I was set to board in ten-minute increments for the next hour. I ended up idling in the hall and checking the boards continually while I waited because I was afraid of missing an update. I finally boarded the train at 8:10, my coffee dripping condensation on my hand as I lined up with the other coach passengers to get our tickets scanned. Once I got on the train, I settled myself into a two-seater. I easily found open rows of seats in the car at the front of the train, so I didn't have to sit with a stranger for the long journey. I popped my roller bag on the shelf atop my seat, dropped my backpack into the chair closest to the aisle, and settled into a window seat. Looking around the car, I estimated it was about 60% full. I saw other solo travelers, like me, taking two seats for themselves, and pairs of passengers sitting together. The car was mostly quiet, as people snoozed and shared hushed conversations. The two seats had everything I needed, but the views weren't the best. I loved having plenty of leg room since the bag was in the seat next to me. I even rested my legs on the empty seat for some of the ride. The tray table was convenient, as I could use it to rest my Kindle or laptop, and I was grateful for the outlet right under the window. I was excited to have a window seat to check out the New York landscape during the ride, but the views were a bit of a letdown because I was sitting on the right side of the train. I only caught glimpses of the Hudson River if I craned my neck to look at the window across from me. I was far from the café car but didn't mind stretching my legs. I spent my first few hours on the train catching up on some work on my laptop and listening to music in my seat. I got up a few times to go to the restroom and fill up my water bottle, but I didn't venture out of my car until a little after noon when my grumbling stomach got too loud to ignore. The café car was at the back of the train, so I walked through several cars to find it. It was nice to have a reason to move my legs after four hours of sitting in the same position, and I liked peeking at the other cars, walking past groups of people dining at the handful of tables in the café car. I quickly ordered a $9.50 Caesar salad and a $2.50 bag of chips. Because the café was in the caboose, it was bumpier than the rest of the train, so I held onto a railing in the car while I waited for my food. Little did I know, those bumps would be a harbinger of what was to come on my return journey. I had a row to myself for the entirety of the ride. The rest of my trip was uneventful and peaceful. My car stayed pretty quiet throughout the journey, and even as people got on and off, it never got too crowded, so I was able to keep my row to myself. I spent the afternoon binge-watching "Sirens" on Netflix, and before I knew it, I was arriving in Rochester. I upgraded to business class for my return trip to New York City. A ticket on the Maple Leaf from Rochester to New York in business class cost me $180. My business-class ticket included a larger reclined seat with a footrest, extra leg room, and a free non-alcoholic drink. An Amtrak representative also noted to Business Insider that business-class tickets are refundable, and purchases are eligible for a 25% point bonus for Amtrak Guest Rewards. I arrived at the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station on Friday at 1 p.m. for my 1:30 p.m. train. When it was time to board, I found the business-class car at the back of the train, connected to the café. There was only one seat left when I boarded the train. The Maple Leaf starts its journey to New York from Toronto and makes stops in Niagara Falls and Buffalo before arriving in Rochester. The train's singular business-class car also only has six rows of seats, with one side featuring single seats rather than two next to each other. It wasn't a huge surprise that only one seat was open by the time I boarded. The lone remaining seat at the front of the car was the accessible seat, so it didn't have a footrest or a traditional tray table. A conductor told me no one had reserved the seat for this trip, but I still felt ill at ease. As I settled into the comfortable, singular seat, I noticed the car seemed louder than the coach car I had been sitting in during the journey there, likely because of its smaller size. The location of the business-class car wasn't my favorite aspect of the ride. Because the business-class car was in the caboose, it offered a noticeably bumpier ride than the coach car at the front of the train. My seat jostled more easily, and I felt a little nauseated when I looked at my phone screen for too long. My seat was also right in front of the archway leading to the café, so I could hear everything happening there and in the smaller business-class area. I was glad I had charged my AirPods ahead of the journey — and that Taylor Swift gave me an excuse to listen to "Speak Now" from start to finish the afternoon of my ride. Things got a little quieter — and bumpier — when a free seat opened up at the back of the car. After about an hour and a half, another single seat opened up at the very back of the car, so I gathered my belongings and relocated there. The train was quieter when I moved because some passengers had gotten off and I wasn't as close to the café. I was happy for the lower volume, swapping my headphones for my Kindle so I could read. I was also glad to have a back-of-seat tray table again and to use the footrest attached to the chair in front of me, which was particularly comfortable when I leaned my chair back a bit. However, my new seat was even bumpier than the first chair. I don't usually sleep on transportation anyway, but I definitely wouldn't have been able to snooze with the jolts from the tracks. The train had an extended stop in Albany, which made me miss my coach seat even more. Around 6 p.m., the train rolled into the Amtrak station in Albany, and the conductor announced we would be stopping there until 7:40 so a train from Ontario could connect to ours. The café car closed a few minutes before the stop, and it wouldn't reopen until we were running again. The extended stop was frustrating, as I was eager to get back to Manhattan. Plus, the lights and AC weren't on most of the stop, so it got hot and stuffy on board. While we were stopped, most passengers got out to wander around the platform. I used the time to grab some food from a restaurant at the station. After I ate a subpar chicken wrap, a bag of Skinny Pop, and a granola bar, I spent the rest of the hour walking back and forth across the platform. I was happy to walk around after sitting for so long, but I would have liked to have the option to nap on a row of seats like I did on my journey to Rochester. I had my free drink when the train resumed its journey. Once the café car opened for the final leg of my journey back to New York, I popped over to grab a ginger ale as my complimentary beverage. It was my only visit to the café during the ride, and I thought the beverage was a nice perk. I had to hold it still because the car was so bumpy, so I downed it quickly to free up my hands. I also heard an announcement that the train was full after we departed Albany, which made me grateful for my solo business-class seat. The views were my favorite part of the return journey. I could see more of the New York scenery on my way back to Manhattan than I could on the journey to Rochester. I saw quaint towns, stunning views of the Hudson River, and purple wildflowers lining the tracks. My eyes tracked a man kayaking across the river before the sun set, and I even spotted a deer and her fawn grazing in a field, seemingly oblivious to the train just a few hundred yards away from them. 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