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Comparing Amtrak coach and business class on the Ethan Allen Express from New York to Vermont. I wouldn't pay for the upgrade again.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

  • I took the Ethan Allen Express to Vermont, riding in business class there and coach back.
  • This was my first time upgrading to Amtrak business, and I found it underwhelming.
  • The few perks, a non-alcoholic drink and slightly better seats, weren't worth the extra $80.

I've taken Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor for years, exclusively in coach. Business class never seemed worth the upgrade for a few-hour ride.

But on a recent 6-hour train trip from New York to Vermont on Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express, I paid about $80 extra for a premium seat; my round-trip ticket was about $180.

I chose the train over a slightly shorter five-hour drive from my home in Connecticut so I could work both ways. The business class splurge came with a few upgrades: a free non-alcoholic drink, a seat next to the café car, and half a dozen single "throne" seats without a neighbor.

After the full journey, I found the only notable perk of business class was the seating layout. Coach class was just as comfortable and quiet for less.

Here's what the experience felt like.

Business class has its own private car.
Amtrak business class with maroon seats.
The business class car had forward and backward-facing seats.

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The Ethan Allen Express runs once a day to Burlington, Vermont, and business class is separated from coach via the connected café and lounge. The lounge is open to all passengers.

Business has large red recliners similar to the gray ones in coach, but in a 2x1 layout instead of 2x2 — giving some passengers extra space and the option of a solo seat.

There is no assigned seating, and the throne seats were all taken by the time I boarded a few stops down the line in Poughkeepsie.

I took the last available seat, an aisle seat in the middle. As we got closer to Burlington and people got off, I moved to a solo window seat.

I didn't find business noticeably more comfortable than coach.
View of my laptop on amtrak tray table
My coach setup was just as comfortable as business class.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

In my years of riding many Amtrak routes, I've found that coach seats are surprisingly comfortable, with a deep recline, good cushioning, and working power ports — even on the Vermont route, where older-generation cars are still in service.

Business class mirrors much of that but adds a leg rest, cupholder, and curtains, which I appreciated. Though I doubt I'd use the curtains, especially on a scenic route to Vermont.

The bulkhead seating doesn't have tray tables, which could be a drawback for those hoping to work. Amtrak has begun rolling out new trainsets across parts of its network, though this route still uses equipment from the company's legacy fleet.

These cars will eventually be replaced by brand-new "Airo" trainsets from the California-based manufacturer Siemens Mobility as part of Amtrak's broader modernization effort across the Northeast.

No meal was included, but the food was good.
My Amtrak mac and cheese and gingerale.
The mac and cheese and ginger ale cost about $12.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The business-class freebie was a soda, water, coffee, or other non-alcoholic beverage from the café car, which felt underwhelming for the upgrade price. Passengers can otherwise buy food.

Amtrak's lunch and dinner meals start at about $6; the cheapest was a hot dog. There were also burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and salads.

I brought dinner with me, but got $8.50 mac and cheese on the coach ride home. It was surprisingly tasty.

Business class doesn't get lounge access.
Amtrak lounge car.
Business class has easy access to the lounge car, though it's shared with other passengers and the crew.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Business-class passengers departing from New York Penn Station don't automatically get access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge there, which has free food and non-alcoholic drinks and is largely reserved for first-class passengers, private-car travelers, and elite status holders. A day pass costs $50.

There are no other lounges on this route, so it wasn't a factor for me. It's worth noting, though, for passengers departing from New York City who expect business class to include a pre-departure lounge experience.

I'm sticking to coach.
The author's beige purse and green waterbottle on the gray Amtrak coach seat.
I'm looking forward to the upgrades Amtrak is making across its network.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

My Amtrak rides are usually comfortable and on time, including this one — though I know that's probably just me getting lucky, aside from one six-hour Acela delay earlier this year.

I'll keep booking Amtrak when it's more convenient than driving or flying, and I'll stick to the cheaper seats. Business class doesn't add many meaningful perks beyond a slightly different car layout and a small freebie.

Most Amtrak coach seats are more comfortable than many airline economy cabins, and there's no risk of getting stuck in the middle seat.

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I rode for 6 hours on Amtrak's coach and business class. Here's how they compar…