Miami to Boston via NYC

[Rickster9]

I am taking my first train trip from Miami to NY with a final destination of Boston (via Acela). One of the long leg trips on the Silver will be in a Roomette (North or South). I'm close to booking and would appreciate any good information on both trains, as well as details such as Star vs Meteor, which side to reserve on, dining and any other travel trips you train pros have. Thanks in advance.

 

[pennyk]

My preference would be to book the Meteor because it will be easier to connect to the Acela in NY (unless you plan to overnight in NYC). My preference for roomette location is odd numbered roomettes, which will likely be on the east side of the train.

There is an entire forum here with great information for first time riders:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/forums/amtrak-faqs-first-time-rider-info.78/

 

[Bonser]

I am taking my first train trip from Miami to NY with a final destination of Boston (via Acela). One of the long leg trips on the Silver will be in a Roomette (North or South). I'm close to booking and would appreciate any good information on both trains, as well as details such as Star vs Meteor, which side to reserve on, dining and any other travel trips you train pros have. Thanks in advance.

The Meteor is considerably faster than the Star.

 

[PVD]

Be aware that as a same day sleeper passenger you should be able to use the lounge in NYC which is very good.

 

[MARC Rider]

My preference would be to book the Meteor because it will be easier to connect to the Acela in NY (unless you plan to overnight in NYC). My preference for roomette location is odd numbered roomettes, which will likely be on the east side of the train.

There is an entire forum here with great information for first time riders:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/forums/amtrak-faqs-first-time-rider-info.78/

In general, when traveling, I have found that it's always better to schedule connections as early as possible, which gives you later alternatives in the event of delays. At least on the Miami NYP run there's a choice of trains. So yes, I would also go with the Meteor.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Be aware that as a same day sleeper passenger you should be able to use the lounge in NYC which is very good.

Absolutely. Well worth the effort to locate in the NYP Moynihan hall. Once you're past the gate dragons, they have extensive free food and a decent pay bar. And unless things have changed, they encourage you to take packaged food, including sandwiches, salads, snacks, desserts and drinks, with you for the next leg of your journey.

 

[John Santos]

On the NTP->BOS leg, you definitely want to sit on the right (east) side of the train for the ocean views through CT and RI. The left side gives you better views of Manhattan across the East River, but that only lasts for 10-15 minutes. Since Acela has reserved seating, you can't just switch if there is a vacant seat on the other side (or be prepared to move and/or get yelled at by the conductor if someone has reserved your seat!)

 

[Rick F]

My preference would be to book the Meteor because it will be easier to connect to the Acela in NY (unless you plan to overnight in NYC). My preference for roomette location is odd numbered roomettes, which will likely be on the east side of the train.

There is an entire forum here with great information for first time riders:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/forums/amtrak-faqs-first-time-rider-info.78/

Thanks for the reply. I'm assuming you meant east/right side for the Miami to NYC leg? Why is the meteor easier to board in NYC?

 

[pennyk]

Thanks for the reply. I'm assuming you meant east/right side for the Miami to NYC leg? Why is the meteor easier to board in NYC?

Yes, my preference is an odd roomette on the Meteor. The Meteor arrives in NYP much earlier than the Star, which provides more opportunities to connect to an Acela. Based on your original question, I assume you would be boarding a Silver in Miami and an Acela in NYP.

 

[Rick F]

Yes, my preference is an odd roomette on the Meteor. The Meteor arrives in NYP much earlier than the Star, which provides more opportunities to connect to an Acela. Based on your original question, I assume you would be boarding a Silver in Miami and an Acela in NYP.

Thank you, then the even cabin choice on the Meteor would apply on the reverse route from New York to Miami I suppose. There isn't much scenery on this trip anyways so I guess I should be focusing where I'm sitting on the Acela for the NYC to Boston leg.
By the way I believe the Viewliner 2 is car #11 on both the Meteor and the Star.

 

[joelkfla]

By the way I believe the Viewliner 2 is car #11 on both the Meteor and the Star.

Yes, usually, but it's always subject to change due to equipment availability.

 

[pennyk]

Thank you, then the even cabin choice on the Meteor would apply on the reverse route from New York to Miami I suppose.

I always prefer odd roomettes on both Silvers regardless of the direction. If the car is a V1, the larger seat likely will be facing forward.

 

[user 14106]

It’s easy to avoid the so called gate dragons from the lounge too. Once you know the track, just proceed to the elevators on the far end of the train hall near the ticketed waiting area - this is what the red caps do. Works every time and I often get down to the platform before it even gets on the board for the masses

 

[PVD]

Of course, going to the roomette, there really is no hurry. And since they are Acela, they should have assigned seats as well. Not as important as it would be on NEC or Empire coach.

 

[MARC Rider]

It’s easy to avoid the so called gate dragons from the lounge too. Once you know the track, just proceed to the elevators on the far end of the train hall near the ticketed waiting area - this is what the red caps do. Works every time and I often get down to the platform before it even gets on the board for the masses

But it's not really necessary if you're riding an Acela or NE Regional business class, as the seats are assigned. So you can wait until the line dissipates, then saunter on down to your where seat is waiting for you.

Now, coach or Empire Service/Ethan Allen/Maple Leaf business class is another matter,

 

[PVD]

I always gave a tip to a Red Cap, and they would pre board me while they were bringing down someone else with a pile of luggage. It was easy, since as soon as they had the track, they would come to the waiting area to meet passengers for that train.

 

[Joe from PA]

I have traveled the NYC to Boston round-trip about 20 times. By all means, sit in the left side going to Boston. You will see MUCH more of the city skyline, Sunnyside Yard, Queens neighborhoods, approach curve to the Hell Gate Bridge, and towns along the way. OR, you could sit on the other side and view mostly water for a few hours. I have only taken the Acela twice. Both times I had seats with partial windows. I also think the extra cost is not worth saving half an hour. When leaving NYC, give a red cap $5. to take you down to the platform to avoid the mobs. Since 80% of the seats will have been vacated, just pick the seat you want.

 

[BlackDiamond]

I have traveled the NYC to Boston round-trip about 20 times. By all means, sit in the left side going to Boston. You will see MUCH more of the city skyline, Sunnyside Yard, Queens neighborhoods, approach curve to the Hell Gate Bridge, and towns along the way. OR, you could sit on the other side and view mostly water for a few hours. I have only taken the Acela twice. Both times I had seats with partial windows. I also think the extra cost is not worth saving half an hour. When leaving NYC, give a red cap $5. to take you down to the platform to avoid the mobs. Since 80% of the seats will have been vacated, just pick the seat you want.

Another advantage to sitting on the left side if this is a morning train in the winter, the sun on the right side can be quite a deterrent to viewing, especially if the windows are not sparkling clean which unfortunately is more often the case these days.