Train vs. Plane RACE Between DC and NYC
654,503
Published 2021-03-20
There’s one place in the United States where trains and planes can compete. It’s the Northeastern Corridor of the country.
There, North America’s fastest train, the Acela, connects Washington, DC and Boston along with the urban centers along the route. The high-speed train reaches speeds up to 150 miles per hour, a remarkable pace in a country where every other train operates at relatively low speeds.
To compete, airlines offer regular flights among these cities with upgraded amenities.
But, can the speed of an airline overcome the comfort and pace of high-speed rail?
Join me in this video as we pit Acela against an Airplane in order to determine which mode of transportation is faster.
I’ll also share more comparisons between the two, including the price.
0:00 Introduction
1:55 Boarding Acela
5:26 Arriving at Penn Station
6:51 Leaving for LaGuardia
9:53 Boarding the Airplane
12:07 Arriving into DCA
12:31 Train v. Plane Comparisons
15:43 Bloopers
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MUSIC:
Thrilling Chase - Bonnie Grace
Dream On - Chasing Madison
Chasing That Rainbow - River Run Dry
Carbon (Indie Pop Version) - Andreas Ericson
Chasing That Feeling - Marc Torch
Chasing the Truth - Dream Cave
Drum Circle - Sage Oursler
Energized Morning - Airae
Hold Your Head High - Marc Torch
Diamonds in the Sky - Yi Nantiro
Chasing New Sparks - Plain Strolls
A Country Sunset - Constellate
Beach Days - Brett Gregory
All Comments (21)
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In a subconscious effort to put 2020 behind us, at the 8:03 mark, I accidentally said LaGuardia’s Terminal B opened in June 2021. That should have read 2020. Sorry for my mistake and thanks for watching!
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Time is not the only issue. There is also stress. Being able to get on a train, get off, not go through the anxieties of connections, security and lines makes the train so worth it. Also, it is easy to walk around the train, have a comfortable seat, bring a tasty treat.
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30 minutes before departure? For a train? That's odd. I just turn up 5 minutes before and hop on. Also. Speedmaster. Well played.
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14:21 "That was more fun than a person should be allowed to have." Literally spent the whole day commuting, lol
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As a dc resident who frequently uses the Acela I went to Japan in 2019 and I was blown away by the Shinkansen. America could benefit so much from having real bullet trains. I like Acela but it’s hard to call it high speed rail in my opinion. That being said I love Long distance train travel and think we need more of it.
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As an airline pilot, you got lucky with both LGA and DCA given the low traffic volumes right now. The number of times I’ve sat number 27 for takeoff in LaGarbage, or waited 38 minutes just to push from the gate, or been held for takeoff at an out station going to LGA... and then throw in any inclement weather to tack on a few hours minimum of delays, and then your gate isn’t available when you land. So glad I don’t do much flying there any more!
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If you showed up two hours before your flight like the airlines recommend, just as you showed up for the recommended for Amtrak, the train would’ve won
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I don't love trains because they are faster. I love them for the experience.
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For me, I arrive maybe 10-15 minutes before my train, and for flights, probably around 1-1.5 hrs or so before boarding. Trains typically leave on time while flights typically depart around 15-30 min after the printed departure time. With all that, I think the trip would actually be much closer in time for me. And with all the comforts of the train, it wins every time for this route.
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Pre-COVID this was my commute at least 3 times per week, the train was always faster (and not always using Acela) by at least an hour just due to the NYC traffic from and to LGA.
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I'd love to see you and another person start at the exact same place to arrive at a destination - one by train and the other by plane. That'd be a truer comparison because the time of day, traffic, weather, etc. makes a difference.
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30-40 minutes before the train departs? Wow! Here in Japan, I get in the station 3-4 minutes before departure, after that I buy ticket and get in the train! Cheers! Great video, it was really interesting to watch! And by the way, here from Tokyo to Osaka, it takes almost the same time with train and airplane!
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Some years ago, my wife and I were booked to fly from DC to NYC, but a Nor'Easter meant all flights were canceled, so we took the Acela instead. The weather was terrible, but the train was fast and comfortable.
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Once the pandemic is over, do a London - Paris - London challenge: BA vs Eurostar
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One more advantage of rail travel: the environmental impact is less damaging
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You travelled light. If you have a couple of suitcases, you have to check in at the counter then wait at the conveyer belt look out for your bags. With the train ride, the suitcases are always with you. 30 minutes difference.
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In the age of Covid, air traffic is down a bit..would be interesting to see how the tarmac congestion would play into it later.
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Sometime later this year or maybe next year when international restrictions ease up you could try this again in Europe, soemthing like start on Westminster Bridge 1) take the underground to London City Airport, fly to Amsterdam, take the train to Amsterdam central station and then walk or take a taxi to the Royal Palace in the city center 2) Starting at the Palace take the train Amsterdam Central, then take the Eurostar from Amsterdam to St Pancras International and then the underground to Westminster
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Feel like this would make way more sense as a direct comparison to do this trip as a race. Have it happen simultaneously.
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I suggest doing this again in the summer starting in NY with the train, and a afternoon flight back to NY. Weather delays for the airlines are terrible to NY in the summer afternoon early topping 1-2 hours. The results would be drastically different.
