How fast does acela travel

Amtrak is waiving all change fees for reservations made by December 31, Also of Interest Don't want to fly? Splurge on a multiday train trip Coronavirus and travel: What you should know Hit the open road with these scenic car trips. Search Flights. Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: In lap.

In seat. Search Hotels. Search Packages. Search Cars. Search Cruises. Search Things to Do. FROM Enter a valid date. TO Enter a valid date. Let's Go Reset. Car Rentals. Leaving AARP. Got it! Please don't show me this again for 90 days. Cancel Continue. Thank You. Your email address is now confirmed. Continue to AARP. Offer Details. Once the pandemic ends and Acela's riders return to the rails, the time may come to not only bring back Acela Nonstop but increase its offering to include trains to Boston or even offer a hybrid that cuts out smaller stops like Metropark in New Jersey or New Carrollton, Maryland.

And with the new Alstom trainsets, maybe New York to Washington, and vice versa, can be done in under two and a half hours. I was impressed after stepping on Amtrak to see the amenities it offered including two v AC power outlets at every seat, complimentary WiFi, a tray table and footrest, and overhead lighting.

The WiFi was strong enough to facilitate a Zoom meeting in which I participated during the ride with no interruptions or lack of quality. There were more amenities on Acela than on the Spirit Airlines aircraft on which I'd flown to Boston. Amtrak is promising more amenities on the Avelia Liberty trainsets including USB charging ports, stronger WiFi, and adjustable reading lights. Digital signage will also give the train a "futuristic look," as Business Insider's Graham Rapier reported, while seats will have winged headrests and handles on which to grab to maintain balance when the train tilts.

And in the cafe car, Amtrak says the new trains will have a greater selection from which to choose. Renderings show a new bar-like dining area with countertops, much like what current trains have instead of the tables found on the Northeast Regional. New York has always been an outlier in the Northeast Corridor as featuring perhaps the least endearing station in the system.

Most stations along the route in major cities — whether it be Union Station in Washington, DC, Pennsylvania Station in Baltimore, or South Station in Boston, and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia — feature the classical architecture befitting a train hall. But the days of a subpar Pennsylvania Station days are thankfully over. The long-awaited Moynihan Train Hall in New York City opened on January 1, , bringing back the glory of the original Pennsylvania Station before its demolition in the s.

Amtrak has a new home in New York and Acela passengers have a new lounge to enjoy. The new Metropolitan Lounge replaced ClubAcela and is accessible to Acela's first class passengers, riders with elite frequent rider status, and riders in sleeper cars. Lounge patrons will be greeted with complimentary food and beverages, power outlets, USB charging ports, and a business center. Visitors may once again arrive like gods, especially if just disembarking from the new Acela trains. For you.

World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. The rolling stock has been undergoing testing in Pueblo, Colorado since February , and recently hit a higher speed benchmark. Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel news.

The new Acelas remain on track despite the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected Amtrak service nationally. The higher-speed service itself was suspended for a time this spring, though Amtrak recently brought it back on a reduced schedule. Planned updates include touchless restrooms — sure to be a welcome advancement post-pandemic — and a new reservation system that will allow passengers to select a seat in advance.

The next generation is sure to be a welcome upgrade for passengers. Terms Apply. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser.