I agree with most of your post, but just out of curiosity: how far in advance were you making your NYC<->BOS bookings? I've done the NYC<->WAS Acela dozens of times in the last decade and NYC<->BOS maybe a dozen times, and my roundtrips are typically $250 if I book around a month out.
Re:Amtrak Explorer
by saalweachter on Thursday September 28, 2023 @09:48PM
(#37698357)
I was looking at NYC<->BOS for the beginning of November, and was shocked to see $20 each way available if you're willing to get to the station at 6am.
To be honest my job changed during the pandemic so I have not made the trip in several years. Before making my post I went on the Amtrak website and priced out a trip in mid October. It was about $225 each way before tax etc. If you were willing to get on the 6am train it was a few bucks cheaper. I'm happy to concede that you could get better deals booking further out etc, I didn't spend time checking.
Hell, I'd love to be wrong. Because again, I enjoy traveling by rail. If I somehow accidentally priced the literal worst case, that's good to know.
Re:Amtrak Explorer
by wahnfrieden on Thursday September 28, 2023 @05:24PM
(#37696098)
500 insane when bus is 30
I’ve been on a few busses where $500 to get off would have been a discount.
Re:Amtrak Explorer
by wahnfrieden on Friday September 29, 2023 @10:13AM
(#37704577)
top front of megabus has been good to me. but now i have an airport in short walking distance so i take that
That said it would be much tougher to justify if work wasn't footing the bill. A single round trip is up around $500 per person unless you are willing to leave at the crack of dawn. Doing this regularly, or with a family, would get prohibitively expensive for most people. I definitely wish rail travel was more viable and accessible in the US, it's got so much going for it.