Amtrak Coach Class VS. Business Class Seat 

I like business because of the assigned seating. You can show up last minute without having to fight everybody in economy for the seat. That's when business is worth it.

Cannot appreciate this video enough. I spent 4 times the amount to try business class on the northeast regional. After watching this, cancelled my ticket & bought coach! Now i have some extra spending money to further enjoy my vacation. Appreciate you both from Canada!

I prefer business class any day on the Carolinian from NYC/Penn Station to Charlotte NC. It quieter (no screaming kids), you can choose your own seats, car is cleaner, and the bathrooms are bigger. The beverages I chose were unlimited bottles of orange and apple juice. I had enough to take back to the hotel, I couldn't drink all of the them on the train. I don't remembered drinks as in alcohol that you mentioned, but they offered coffee and tea too, gave free NY TIMES, and small white pillow to rest your head. The attendants was very attentive, and always checked on you in business class. This was 7 years ago though.

I recently did a short trip, 3 hours, and I was in Coach. The seats were comfortable. I had a favorable experience.

The big advantage I noticed with business class is that it is much quieter-usually no children or families. I had some serious thinking to do on one of the Illinois trains, so I upgraded to business class.For what I needed, it was really worth the upgrade.

I did business class going from Connecticut to Philly and back last year. I liked the assigned seating. Not having to awkwardly ask a stranger if i can sit next to them was awesome.

Great tips ! Just did the coast starlight in business. Was only an extra $30 to do business class. Thanks for the video.

i want to thank you for your videos! i took my first train trip from Richmond,Va to Savannah, Ga ..because of you guys i had a stress-free coach trip and was able to offer snacks to other hungry travelers...lol

I Appreciate all your Videos from CT to Charlotte took Coach, Roommate and taking Business Classes on way back

Awesome video guys, I appreciate that someone is doing reviews of such an overlooked method of travel! Cheers from Miami!

Hello. When I traveled Amtrak back in the 80's I took the San Diegan from Los Angeles to San Diego and back . I did Coach then I discovered Custom Class and that was very nice. The seats had 3 inches more width than the regular coach seats and the car attendant was friendly too. So i took Custom class when I did not feel like driving.

Finding this when Google searching "trains from Indianapolis to Grand Rapids". Great video. Realistic view of inside train cars. Business vs. Coach.

I just enjoy your candid info you give to us. Continue your great work.

Super helpful video. Thank you guys for making it. You just saved me almost 200 bucks in the Vermonter. Kudos and I owe both a drink! Cheers! ❤

I found y'all's channel a few months ago and started watching your videos because during COVID i found that travel vlogs were an anxiety-reliever and I really like your content! Pre-COVID I took the train all the time to go see friends and I am getting ready to go on my first train trip since COVID began. I am so glad that I searched your channel and found this video because in a few months I am going on a longer train trip so I was thinking about buying a Business Class ticket for the first time in order to be more comfortable but y'all convinced me that it is worth the savings to stay in Coach so thank you for this comparison video and all of your content :D.

@Grounded Life Travel I was fortunate to catch your Live today. I’m new to your channel. I’ll be watching a lot of your videos and checking out your website. Thank you for sharing your travel experiences.

Perfect timing. I needed this vid and I'm looking into amtrak tickets now from DC to GA. was thinking about business class this time bcus i did coach last time and it was soooo loud and annoying with all the kids and ppl with loud ring tones ,, smh ,, your right , there are some price gaps between coach and business but i dont mind i think bcus i need my peace. thx

Love your videos. I’ve been watching for a couple of months and just booked my first long distance trip from DC to San Francisco this spring in sleeper cars. After spending a few days in San Francisco I’ll head to Seattle on Amtrak and will fly back from there after some time in Seattle. Prior to this upcoming trip, I’ve only ever taken the Acela. I’m really excited for this adventure.

As I saw in another comment or two, there is still a significant benefit of business class on the Northeast Regional: assigned seating. Boarding at a terminus (such as Roanoke) gave a large choice of seats. Boarding at Philadelphia in early afternoon required several minutes (while train is bouncing over all the switch points in Philadelphia area) just to find a single seat. It took significantly longer to locate two seats (travelling with spouse) in one car and any place to store two carryon bags in the same car. After several stops heading south, we were able to sit together for the remainder of the run back to Roanoke. So, if I ride the Northeast Regional again, I am likely to book Business class if I am boarding more than a couple stops from a terminus. In fairness, I should note that Coach class had very comfortable seating on both Northeast Regionals we rode in September.

Thank you for this review. I recently travelled Amtrak Vermonter and like that biz offers single seats vs 2-seats together. During COVID especially attractive.

I excitedly jumped on the business class as it was only about $31 each…can’t wait to get on board in 10 weeks.

Another benefit of Amtrak business class: On some routes, business class tickets come with reserved seats, while coach seats do not. Having a reserved seat can be of value, especially if you are joining a train in mid-route--no searching for open seats.

This my 8th time following you. Wonderful and complete details. So very helpful! I am joining you!

Thanks for this. I’ve only take the Carolinian once when I took business class, but it had free drinks, free headphones and if I remember correctly, outlets and TVs. However, the second time I took it, it was the same as the coach and none of the outlets were working, even one of the bathrooms was broken. Luckily, it was uncrowded and I met this cool older man who was a musician and willing to play dominoes with me. lol Sometimes it’s all in the company. The Acela is my favorite train, overall. I’d say if you’re traveling with someone with sensory issues, because class is almost always quieter.

Well I met y’all in Albany early yesterday morning, had no idea y’all were in the travel business. Enjoy your trip to Toronto! I enjoyed your video on comparing the coach to the business class.

Thank you for this advice. I am looking forward to a trip.

On the Lakeshore Limited and Empire Service, business class is golden. It is super quiet vs coach class. I find on those two routes, the on board staff rarely enforce the quiet hours in coach (talking, loud phones, etc) so we always take business or get a roomette if we are going overnight. You pay for the peace and quiet in business because there's rarely kids or loud college students.

Thanks for all the good information! Safe travels!

Since I am planning to travel, this video was very helpful. Thank you so much!

Love the videos. I’m literally trying to decide between the two with this trip I have coming up. CT/FLA

Exactly what I needed. Thanks for the video!

This was super helpful, and you guys are delightful 😄 Thank you!

Thanks guys so much for this review. I am lkg at going Chicago to LA, then San Luis Obispo to Seattle (w 10 days in California to visit relatives). I'm on a budget so, coach on 1st (wish I could afford a roomette) and bus class to Seattle and the cost was on $351 US. Phenomenal! Being Canadian, I can't get over the fact I can travel Chicago to LA for $150+ US. 🤣 I know coach is rough for sleeping but, budget travel and covering half the the US is worth the stiff joints!

So thanks to your channel, I am seriously contemplating booking a train trip this year. 😁

Thank you for your informative post! I frequently take the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Santa Barbara. I prefer business class as it’s only $20 more and, as you mentioned, you get some food with the BC ticket. In the morning they offer pastries, coffee, juice, bottled water and a newspaper. In the afternoons, they offer a decent snack box and soft drink or, a small bottle of red or white wine if you prefer. Seems a bit more quiet as well because their aren’t usually as many kids in BC. Stay safe! ✌🏻🙂✌🏻

Thank you for a direct and to-the-point video, long on useful information, short on B.S. and frou·frou.

Back in 2016 I rode the Cardinal for 7 hrs to DC. I decided to pay extra for business class as the coach seats on this train are usually filled close to capacity. It was worth the extra money for the peace and quiet. IMO. I’m not even sure Amtrak offers business class on the Cardinal anymore, but I thought it was worth the extra $$$ in this situation.

Thanks for your review, I was confused about a seat 💺 choice, now it’s clear which one to choose

Thanks so much for this and your blog. Needed info and it will save me money.

I always take Business Class on the Pere Marqutte because you get to use the lounge in Chicago with it.

Business class ticket holders also get access to lounges at stations where they exist... like Chicago Union Station. You also get priority boarding. One of the downsides to biz class... I've found the biz cars don't have ample large luggage stowage... coach cars seem to have better large luggage stowage at the ends of the cars. Found this especially true on the Cascades service in the pacific northwest.

A lot of business class has assigned seating, that's the biggest draw for some. Especially on the Northeast Regional. Getting on a train in Philly can be tough for example, being midway between DC and NYC, it's usually full and hunting for a seat can be a pain. Also you can guarantee yourself a window or aisle seat. Some business class has 2 × 1 seating configuration, so potentially getting that window seat by yourself is a perk too.

I almost always take business class on the Midwestern trains out of Chicago, because the ticket includes access to the Metropolitan Lounge. I'll often store my bag in the lounge during the day and then leave in business class at night. I've also used the lounge when taking business class out of Los Angeles.

What a fun channel.. I'm happy to be a new subscriber 😁

Just got into Portland from LA. First time doing Amtrak long distance. I called today to upgrade to Business Class for the ride back home. I move my day back to Monday instead of Sunday and it cost an additional $81. I had 2 babies cry in my car that night I was to sleep and a loud older gentleman on the border of mental illness in my car. Call me a snob, but I will never ride coach again.

Thank you for this video on the breakdown of the business class on Amtrak's trains in different areas of the country. I'm in Los Angeles so it was great to hear the Coast Starlight has a business class along with a second observation car, for any future rides I may take from L.A. up the coast to Washington. With all the various seating classes on trains - Executive, Business, Premium, Standard and/or Coach, I'm mildly curious as to why there isn't a seating car for people who wish to purchase a ticket with No Class ?

Very nice video. Thanks!! Calif to Atlanta...what's your suggestion for sleeper class.

Thanks for the heads up. I was curious if maybe considering getting a business ticket but if the only perk is free non-alcoholic🥤, it's definitely not worth it. I mean, how much soda would I need to drink during the 6hrs between Pittsburgh & Lancaster on the Pennsylvanian to recover the extra $30. Rather just either save the money, or spend it on some lunch onboard

Thank you very much! Very helpful information.

The Maple Leaf has the nice business car with the 2 and 1 seating and the café concession in the center. (No need to walk up 3 cars like on the Northeast Regionals). Also, at Buffalo, the entire train is (I guess leased to and) operated from there to Toronto by a VIA crew. They will often give the snacks complimentary in Business class

Unfortunately I watched this after buying my tickets. I'm going clear across country on the train, all alone for my first time! I was able to score business class on 2 of the trains but the main one going from Vancouver WA (I think? Can't remember. On second thought, might be portland OR) to Chicago for some reason it wouldn't let me select business even though it said they were available, so I got stuck with coach for the main stretch. But anyways I was just more so looking for a video to show me what to expect and this did just that! Thank you

I'm thinking about taking a train from New Orleans to Detroit Michigan. But I was debating if I want to get a room at or go business or go coach. Shoot me some ideas if you like please

The principal advantage of business on NE Regional is a specified seat. My preference, though, is the quiet car!

Hello! I traveled from Kansas City to Los Angeles with a roommate, and my husband didn't like to sleep on the top bed. The bedroom should be better. But we love to travel more. Do you think one night or two in a business class can be minimally comfortable? I think the business class has fewer complicated situations with children or troubled people at night.

Would you recommend someone working remotely from the business class? Which one has the most room for a computer set up?

If the trip is scheduled to take more than eight hours we book roomettes if it is available. We ride both coach and business depending on the points/cash price difference from L.A. to San Diego and back.

If you are in coach are the trains generally FULL or would/could you find yourself in a coach seat with an empty seat by you? Big Tall guy, love a roomette but the cost is 4x the coach for zephyr 19 hr trip chicago to denver for me.

For a post lung transplant patient traveling from NYC to Atlanta/Mapletree, would you recommend business, coach or roomette?

Very yuseful video! Thanks!

Howdy! Love your videos! Unfortunately, Amtrak has sold off the old Santa Fe High Level Lounge Cars they used as the First Class Lounge Car. Those were absolutely wonderful cars and I think it’s one of many shortsighted decisions Amtrak has made as they downgrade the services. I started as a Train Attendant in 1996-1997 when the Coast Starlight was THE BEST long distance train. My last trip trip on it earlier this year (as a regular passenger) was really disappointing as there was nothing more than basic transportation.

Disagree with you on northeast corridor having done the ny/wash run 200 times to visit family. The distance to the seat in front of you is substantial in business class. And as usually being a solo traveler almost v always got my own double seat...never happened in coach.

Hi, Gonna travel for the first time, does the train have extra space for Big baggage? Thanks!

Perfect. I was wondering what the difference is on the northeast regional

Thanks, that was very helpful

Helpful video, thank you.

Hi. Can you speak to costs? I’m thinking about a bedroom from Boston to San Diego. I’ve seen your comparison of the roomette, family, and bedroom but I haven’t found general prices. I know that the trip is 3-4 days and that’s fine for me

For the Zephyr I will be almost 19 hours and roomette is 4x the price of coach so I am considering coach due to cost. Any tips to get a better rate on a roomette I was shocked at the price 1000+ vs coach at $250ish.

What kind of free drinks do you get in Business class? Does it make sense for long trips or as said in the video the coach class has no big advantages?

I am wondering which to do on Empire Builder.

At 6’4 350 what seat would you all recommend from nc to nyc?

Going from Boston to Chicago , ok for couch ? I don’t want spend the money on a room tks

Hi guys, my husband and I will attend a family wedding in Missouri. We research by train sleeper cars, which cost around $660 per person. If we go by business class, you can get some sleep a little more comfortably. Can we pay an extra for a shower? We could go to Chicago first to spend two or three days.

I have taken the Pennsylvanian in the business/cafe car because it held only 18 people. It was quiet, I was able to get work done and it was nice. I believe they have a full business class car now.

hey you 2... missed ya!!!

How do i find what train dearborn michigan has?

I've heard good things about business on the Cascades.

HI THIS IS AWESOME INFORMATION MY HUSBAND AND I WILL BE LEAVING ON AUGUST 31, 2022 WE GOT COACH WE GOING TO NIGARA FALLS, NY

Great content 👌🏾

California Zephyr is the one that I have taken from Nebraska to Denver, Colorado and I took coach and had the red seats

Thanks for the great information. Really enjoy your videos.

I’m 6 ft and 300 pounds will I have a problem in the upper bunk

very helpful, thanks

There is one other advantage that is not on the trains themselves; the lounges. Correct me though if I am wrong about part of it in the sense of when the lounge is available to passengers, but the lounge is very important to people like my husband and I... very high levels of stress and anxiety for us, so we need the quiet of the lounges if and when we travel by train, so for us at least the upgrade IS desireable.

next time I take the Lincoln service up to Chicago I'll be riding business just for the single seating.

There is a big advantage in business class when that business class car is separate from coach as it is from Chicago to St Louis. It is much quieter w no families, or young people who pay no attention to the instruction to use ear pieces when gaming, watching videos, or phonecalls. And it is connected to the club car so none of those long shaky walks to get food and drink. Definitely worth it.

Never traveled on Amtrak, & visioning on a business coach

This video helped me thank you

My trip is very long Hartford CT to Rochrster NY I’ve been thinking of try the business class but I can’t find myself paying so much extra 🤔😄

When I take the train, I always do business class. Much more room, snack/drink. It is so worth it.

I’d like to know what type of seat I would need to request, business, coach or whatever, to be able to sit on the lower area rather than climbing those steps with luggage above the births when I do coach. I am 80 and pull my luggage up there is a killer and I do not like to leave it down in that luggage area by the doors. I’m assuming if I do business I will be on the first main floor I call it, where we enter the train. you Suggestions please from anybody. It’s between Pittsburgh and Cleveland that I have to climb up all those skinny stairs to the top level and I want to avoid that the next time I go. I’m almost tempted to get a room at for that short trip so I don’t have to climb the stairs.

Amtrak's Coast Starlight once had an additional lounge car (Pacific Parlour Car) exclusively for Sleeper Car passengers until 2016 when they decided to eliminate them from their consists altogether. Unlike Sightseer Lounge Cars, they were 1950's lounge cars from ATSF's all coach bi-level El Capitan trains which ran between L.A. & Chicago. They were refurbished & offered a pleasant experience with wine tasting & complimentary snacks & an exclusive dinner menu. I was disappointed when they took them off. Someone posted a short video on RU-vid on these cars as they were taken out of service & it was a sad day.

Re: Downeaster: Amtrak used to run some coach cars with fewer seats that would lie almost flat. Did the Downeaster business seats do that?

New subscriber here. I found this video to be very useful. Especially the way you not only broke down the differences between the two classes, but also by the trains themselves. I have been trying to decide whether to book with coach or business. I'm going to be riding on the Coast Starlight heading up to Seattle from San Luis Obispo. In the past I've always gone with coach. Being that it is a long ride, I thought it might be worth it to go business class. I think I'm gonna try business this time. Ground Life Travel your videos are absolutely fascinating. That is because YOU are fascinating people.

Does the Amtrak Pacofic Surfliner Business class have a nicer amd quieter vibe? Is there staff on the train in that section? Love your videos! Thank you for sharing your tips and experiences!🌸

Which train(s) have the 2-across/1 across configuration in business, or does it vary? Having that single seat would be worth extra to me.

I was not impressed with Business Class on the Coast Starlight. Very uncomfortable seats!

What about the Cascades?

Will be riding on the Wolverine in June. Interested if business class is better for the 5 hour trip to Detriot

In defense of Northeast Regional business class, the legroom is actually noticeably better. The seats are slightly nicer, and there are curtains. Also, Northeast Regional business class isn’t usually crowded (compared to all Acela accommodations), so that’s nice in plague times.

Hi, I'm planning a trip on the Maple Leaf to Niagra Falls, NY and thinking of buying business class seats. Is it worth it or is business class on the Maple Leaf coach with free drinks?? Thanks!