Amtrak Business Class Offers Perks Worth the $120 Upgrade

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Talia Lakritz, a writer for Business Insider, compared her experiences traveling in coach versus business class on a 4-hour Amtrak Northeast Regional train trip from New York City to Providence. While the coach experience had some challenges, such as nausea from facing backward and difficulty accessing power outlets, the business class trip provided more comfortable seating, larger bathrooms, and the ability to pre-select a forward-facing window seat, making the $120 upgrade worth it for longer train rides.

Why it matters

As more travelers return to trains, Amtrak's business class offerings provide an enhanced experience for those willing to pay a premium, with perks like advance seat selection and more spacious accommodations that can make longer journeys more enjoyable, especially for those prone to motion sickness.

The details

Lakritz's coach experience on the Northeast Regional train included an unassigned seat, which led to her sitting backward and feeling nauseous, as well as difficulty accessing power outlets. In contrast, her business class trip on the Acela train allowed her to pre-select a forward-facing window seat, which provided more legroom and easier access to outlets. The business class bathrooms were also larger and featured a frosted window for privacy. While some food and drink options were more expensive in business class, Lakritz felt the overall upgrade was worth it for the 4-hour journey.

• Moynihan Train Hall in New York City's Pennsylvania Station opened in 2021 after a $1.6 billion renovation.
• Lakritz's journey in coach began at Moynihan Train Hall on January 29, 2026.
• Lakritz's return trip in business class was the following day, January 30, 2026.

What’s next

Lakritz plans to continue taking Amtrak's business class for longer train rides in the future, as the added perks made the $120 upgrade worth it for her 4-hour trip.