I rode in business and first class on Amtrak's NextGen Acela, the fastest train in the US. Here's how they compared.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
People board a train on the right in an underground platform
The author traveled in first and business class on the Amtrak NextGen train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Amtrak is booming: Why more Americans are taking its trains than ever before

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Environment
People with suitcases approaching an Amtrak train.
Amtrak has reported a record number of riders on its trains as well as record revenue.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

I spent 77 hours traveling from California to DC by train. It was worth it, but there are things everyone should know before any long ride.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
diana riding an amtrak train and an interior shot of an antrak observation car
I spend days riding two Amtrak trains to get from California to Washington, DC.

Diana Kruzman

I took a 5-hour Amtrak ride with a backpack and carry-on. Here are 5 things I'm glad I brought and 3 I wish I'd packed.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A backpack and suitcase on an Amtrak train track.
I brought some of my favorite things on my long Amtrak train ride.

Amanda Shammas

Before Air Force One, US presidents traveled aboard a luxury train car. Look inside the 'White House on wheels.'

Tech Insider : Politics, Travel, Politics
presidential train car
The Ferdinand Magellan was in presidential use from 1943 to 1954.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

I chose a 9-hour Amtrak over a 2-hour flight home. It's not perfect, but I'll always choose the train over flying if I can.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Inside of Amtrak train car
Inside of coach car on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak train.

Agnes Applegate/BI

I booked the nicest room on the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland for $587. The overnight ride was luxurious but not perfect.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
View of room on Caledonian sleeper train from doorway
1.7

Emily Garnham

I paid $320 for a round trip on one of the most scenic trains in the world. It was worth the ride — once.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author Ashley Probst smiling on TranzAlpine train in New Zealand
I'm glad I took the TranzAlpine in New Zealand, but I wish I'd booked parts of my trip differently.

Ashley Probst

I've been happily riding trains across Europe for 15 years. I often watch people make the same 4 mistakes.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A train riding through green hills in Austria.
I think that trains are a great way to get around Europe if you follow the right travel tips.

Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock

I've traveled over 4,500 miles on Amtrak trains. My rides have been better than expected and filled with surprises.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Malia stands in front of the Amtrak logo on a train.
After traveling over 4,500 miles on Amtrak, I've learned some surprising things about train travel.

Malia Yoshioka

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