Business vs. Coach on Amtrak: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

26.12.2024 - 17:39 / cntraveler.com

What is the difference between business vs. coach on Amtrak? The benefits and cost-effectiveness of the two fare classes can be confusing to sort out.

In general, riding Amtrak can feel less stressful than flying—the train company’s coach seats are more spacious than those in a similar cabin on a plane, which feels like a perk in itself. But what about Amtrak business class? Is it significantly swankier or more comfortable than the typical coach train seat? What other perks does it bestow, and are they worth the increased fare?

Here, we offer a primer on business vs. coach on Amtrak. It spells out everything you need to know about the two fare classes, including the extra benefits of the more premium train car and how to calculate the decision to upgrade—or simply opt for the cheaper ticket.

Coach class on Amtrak is a roomy and comfortable option for most travelers. Seats are configured in a two-by-two layout, meaning there are no dreaded middle spots. Each seat also offers generous dimensions. The exact seat measurements vary by route, but you can expect seats that are 23 inches wide on average with about 39 inches of legroom. Coach seats on all Amtrak trains recline, and those on long-distance routes also come with a little more space and legrests.

Every spot across Amtrak’s fleet comes with outlets, large picture windows, and plenty of overhead space for luggage. Passengers can also connect to the train’s free Wi-Fi, which is usually pretty reliable. Coach fares earn two Amtrak Guest Rewards points per dollar spent.

The coach seats onboard Amtrak's long-distance Superliner cars, which were recently refreshed in 2023.

Coach class is available on all Amtrak routes except the Acela. (The lowest fare available on the Acela is business class.)

The price of Amtrak’s coach fares depend on a few factors, including when you book, the time of day or year you want to travel, and the length of your route. If you’re willing to travel overnight on a short hop, you could spend as little as $10; prices on longer routes during peak seasons in the summer or December holidays could easily balloon to more than $100. The typical range for coach tickets is usually between $25 and $50.

First off, business class seats are more spacious. Each business class spot comes with extra legroom compared to coach class. (Amtrak doesn’t publish the exact dimensions of its business class seats, but it’s significantly more than the 39 inches in coach.) In business class, there’s a lot of room between rows—enough for an average adult to stretch out or comfortably store a weekender bag between their feet and the seat in front of them—and each passenger gets their own fold-down footrest on every route, which can significantly increase