Understand the Acela train route. The Acela train travels the Northeast Corridor's route from Boston's South Station to Washington's Union Station. Major stops include New York City, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and more. Yet, the route is shared with other commuter lines along the same path. While the Acela makes major stops, it does make additional stops in Southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York (New Rochelle being a significant stop). But keep it in mind that if it stops at one less major station, it might skip other minor stops in the state along the way like Newark and Metropark in New Jersey.
Obtain a schedule of train departures and arrivals to see when and exactly where the Acela train will stop at the designated station. Amtrak no longer publishes paper schedules, but schedules can be viewed through the Amtrak website. The Acela generally runs hourly, but seasonal changes/maintenance can affect this. This train may have extended stops at New York's Penn Station so passengers can deboard and new ones can board, while waiting for the tracks ahead to clear, crossing the Hudson River inside a tunnel.
Purchase a ticket. Tickets can be purchased through the Amtrak website, self-service kiosks, or via other official methods. Lower fares are easier to pay for the earlier out you are, but a one-way trip may be expected to cost $200-300, with some First Class or Business Class being relatively more money.
Pick up your tickets. Tickets must be picked up in advance if you haven't purchased them electronically through mobile apps. But you must print your Amtrak receipt to present to a kiosk or save the ticket to your phone's virtual wallet. Station staff will also be happy to assist with printing if necessary.
Arrive early. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. This allows for security checks and finding the platform, especially at the large, busy Penn Station in New York.
Board your train when the station board says that your train is "Now Boarding" for that train number. Have your ticket ready to be scanned. If using a digital wallet pass/ticket, ensure it's accessible for smooth scanning. Watch for the car/seat assignment. Some sections are on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to choose your seat. (This is critical for First and Business Classes.)
Store your luggage. Storage areas are found at the end of each car, while smaller items can be stored - much like airplanes - in overhead compartments or under your seats.
Enjoy the amenities—Acela's come with cafe cars for refreshments, some free WiFi, and power outlets at all seats. There's a quiet car for those wanting absolute quiet, for an undisturbed ride.
Be prepared to hand your Acela ticket to the Amtrak staff, who will come around to collect them. If you purchased a digital ticket that can be displayed on the phone, make sure the pass is open in the virtual wallet on your phone so that the scanning experience for the train engineer is seamless.
Comments
0 comment