- In 2022, I rode in business class on an Amtrak train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York.
- My $168 ticket included a business-class seat with a tray table, an outlet, and a complimentary drink.
- The experience was not much different from coach. I wouldn't pay extra for it again.
It's a long ride from New York City to Niagara Falls, New York, on an Amtrak train — 10 hours in one seat.
I made the trip in 2022 and thought it would be worth upgrading to business class.
Since I was spending so much time on the train, I assumed a bigger seat with more legroom would make the $168 ticket worth it. Even though it was $100 more than riding in coach, I booked the premium class confidently.
Then, I ended up regretting it.
My journey began at NYC's Penn Station.
I arrived at 6:45 a.m. for my 7:15 a.m. train to Niagara Falls, New York.
Penn Station's Moynihan Train Hall has an exclusive lounge for Amtrak riders, but it's only free for first-class passengers.
Other passengers may enter for a $50 fee.
I'd been in this lounge while traveling in first class and thought that while there was a variety of complimentary drinks and snacks, it wasn't worth $50.
So I went to the main waiting area for all passengers with a train ticket that day.
There were benches in front of screens with train schedules in the regular waiting area.
It was crowded on a Sunday morning, but after a few minutes of standing around, I grabbed a seat.
On the train, I noticed the business-class car configuration had two seats on one side of the aisle and one on the other.
As a business-class ticket holder, I didn't receive priority boarding, so I waited in line with business and coach passengers.
My seat was not assigned, but I snagged a spot in the single row.
Since the chairs looked larger than those in coach, I thought they'd be comfy and plush. However, once I sat down, they felt stiffer than expected.
But at least it reclined slightly, like on most trains I've taken.
Although the seat wasn't as comfortable as I expected for a premium class, I was impressed with the amount of legroom.
An Amtrak representative told Business Insider that the business-class seats are about 20 inches wide with 42 inches of legroom.
Like other Amtrak trains, my seat also came with a tray table.
I could rest my laptop and phone on it in front of me, which made it easier to pass the time. I also had an outlet for charging devices.
On the way, a drink was included in the price of my business-class ticket, but a meal was not.
I got a Diet Coke and brought my own snacks, but a café car was also available to all passengers to purchase meals, drinks, and snacks.
I didn't see attendants checking in with passengers or delivering meals or snacks during the trip.
I had to go to the café car to get my complimentary drink.
Business-class passengers had a private bathroom for the car.
I expected a nicer restroom in business class, but I didn't think it differed from the lavatories I've experienced in other train classes.
