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There isn’t really anywhere to check luggage’s. You carry it on and store it in a luggage rack just like a train in the UK. There is also overhead storage for smaller carry-on sized bags. I think Amtrak asks about checked bags because they charge you if you try to take more than 2 each.

It’s totally fine to show up 5 minutes before as long as you have your tickets already. The train usually waits at South Station in Boston for 15-20 mins before it gets going though, so if you want better seats you might want to be there a bit earlier than 5 mins. Nothing like an hour or two though.

The carry on limits are very generous, are you sure you will need to check luggage?

If you don’t, you can roll up right before departure and walk on the train.

If you need to check a bag, I’d suggest arriving about an hour before.

Editing: doesn’t look like checked bag is available on those trains. Just an additional baggage fee if you have more than the allotted amount or luggage.

No one really cares or monitors what bags you bring onto the train, so I wouldn’t bother checking in bags or paying the extra bag fee. Just show up 15-20 mins before the train leaves (or 30 mins ahead of time if you’re the anxious kind) and walk on with your stuff when the train is open for boarding. For reference, I do the BOS - NYC - BOS trip on Amtrak every 6-8 weeks and have never seen anyone have an issue with luggage.

You can rock up 5 minutes before.

There’s no check in, it’s just how they tell you not to bring more than four bags.

Departing Boston is super easy, if you're coming back from NYC its smart to get to Penn Station a little earlier because their boarding process is more of a pain in the ass.

Just bring it with you. You can’t check but there is a lot of room on overhead racks. The Amtrak from Boston to NYC is great especially if you take the Acela, which is a nicer, faster and doesn’t make as many local stops. Try to sit on the left hand side facing front of train if you can for best views of the New England coastline on your way down to NYC.

Just show up 15-30 mins early as others have said. If you leave from South Station you have to wait in the big departure hall until they assign a track and say you can board.

Some Amtrak stations/trips do have airline style checked luggage(mostly overnight trains), which is why it's mentioned on Amtraks website. For your specific trip you can ignore it as others have said, since Boston doesn't do luggage check and its not needed.

The overheard racks(and racks at the end of each train car) can fit standard airline checked luggage without issue.

If you're leaving out of south station or New York, I'd suggest getting in more like 10-15 min early just to try and get first dibs on a seat since the train often opens up well before it leaves. For other stations getting there 5 min before is fine(and even in NYP and BOS you'll still get on the train, just less choice of seats).

You don't typically check luggage on trains unless you're on one of the overnight ones (which is NOT the train from Boston to NYC). Really the biggest concern actually is just getting a seat (unless you're on the Acela where you're assigned), which I've learned from making the trip several times a year for close to a decade at this point. Peak times on the NE Regional (holidays, weekends) are brutal.

You could consider taking a bus for about 20% the cost, and the trip is only like 30min longer.

Acela is assigned seating since the pandemic which makes it a little easier too.

Maybe. Depends on traffic. Also depends on whether OP gets Acela vs. Regional. The bus ride from Boston to NYC can take 5-6 hours if Connecticut is a mess. Trains can slow down too, but they are more reliable.

Plus, the Amtrak through Connecticut has some great views. On the bus, you just see highway and cars.

Train from Boston to NYC is basically the one decent train line in the whole country. Like others said you can just show up 5 min before in Boston.

Also I think if you book 3 weeks before, you can get a cheaper price. That’s my one issue with this trip. Sometime it’s under $100 round trip, sometime it’s $400. If it’s on the higher end, I’d look into flying or the bus.

I thought not for coach though? I may be confusing Acela with the Northeast Regional but the last few times I've gone, first and business have been assigned but coach was not.

Flights can often be cheaper or the same price. It’s 36 minutes runway to runway.

No coach on Acela, business and first, all assigned.

Regional is still open seating afaik.

Unless you have oversized/odd-shaped luggage or more than two "checked" sized luggage per person, Amtrak is very generous with its luggage policy. Just put your luggage in the racks. There is also carryon storage above the seats like an airplane too.

If you are doing Northeast regional, I strongly suggest booking business class. The free non-alcoholic drinks and assigned seats are worth the cost (left side is better for views going south). If doing Acela, it's a whatever there.

IMO, the Acela isn't worth it for Boston<->NYC. Time savings on the Acela is pretty negligible relative to the NER and cost. If you were doing Boston<->DC or Philly, the Acela is definitely worth it.

At least for South Station, I would arrive no later than 20 mins before departure. Gives you plenty of time to figure out where you need to go and get comfortable before the train departs.

For Moynihan Train Hall in NYC, I would say 45 mins before you leave. It's a much larger station and there are a lot more people hoping on/off, so boarding can take longer.

Acela does not have coach. It's the faster, more expensive train and the whole thing is considered business class, with assigned seating on the whole train.

Northeast Regional is the slower version of the same route, with more stops. The majority of that train is coach with unassigned seats and then 1 car of business class with assigned seats.

Yes, 5 minutes before is okay. But with how unreliable the T is I would definitely not cut it that close. I always add at least an extra half hour.

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No, it doesn't. You must have taken the Northeast Regional. Acela is business and first class only, no coach. I've ridden it and there is no coach car. If you go on Amtrak's website to buy Acela tickets, they all say "unavailable" in the coach column and only list prices for business and first.

"Coach Class seats are available on all trains except Acela." -Amtrak website

But then how many hours to get to one airport, go through security, board, taxi, fly, land, taxi, get off, get to ground transportation, take transportation into city?

Thanks for all the helpful responses. Much appreciated 🙂

Hey OP! If you have down time, let us know how the trip compares to the trains in UK. Have a great trip!

The boarding + taxi time at BOS and JFK/LGA is easily thrice the flight time.

I will do, I can already imagine it will be far superior as the trains in the UK are awful!

I ride the Acela about 5 times per year and it only seems to have issues 20% of the time (lol). Good luck and I’m excited to read your take and perspective!

Never seen a plane ticket for $29 but I have seen a Boston-NYC train ticket

The Fung Wah if it doesn’t catch fire is a good deal too

It's cheaper to fly unless you book months in advance.