Train services: Amtrak Acela (Next Generation) vs. Rocky Mountaineer

Quick Verdict

The Amtrak Acela is a high-speed train designed for efficient travel between major cities in the Northeast Corridor, while the Rocky Mountaineer provides a luxury, slow-paced scenic rail tour through the Rockies and the American Southwest. Acela prioritizes speed and connectivity, whereas the Rocky Mountaineer focuses on the scenery, gourmet dining, and a premium experience.

Acela offers high-speed rail travel along the Northeast Corridor, focusing on business travelers and shorter travel times between major cities.
Rocky Mountaineer offers a luxury scenic rail experience through the Canadian Rockies and the American Southwest, emphasizing sightseeing and relaxation.
Acela is more suitable for travelers prioritizing speed and connectivity for business purposes, while Rocky Mountaineer is better for those seeking a leisurely, scenic journey with high-end service.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Amtrak Acela (Next Generation)	Rocky Mountaineer
Average Speed	Average speed of 70.3 mph (Top speeds of 160 mph)	30 mph
Seat Comfort	Wide, ergonomic seats with ample legroom and winged privacy headrests. First-class seats have adjustable headrests, lumbar support, and footrests.	GoldLeaf Service: Reclining leather seats with extra legroom, adjustable heat, lumbar support, and footrests. Seats can turn to face each other. SilverLeaf Service: Spacious and comfortable seats with ample legroom in a fixed position.
Onboard Amenities	Free high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, individual USB ports and power outlets at every seat, adjustable reading lights, real-time information systems.	WiFi: Not available. Power Outlets: Information not explicitly mentioned.
Scenery Quality	Brighter lighting and large windows for better views of cityscapes. Scenic sections along the Northeast Corridor, including views of Long Island Sound.	Spectacular scenery including the Canadian Rockies and the American Southwest. Routes pass through glaciers, waterfalls, canyons, and diverse landscapes.
Ticket Pricing	Acela tickets can be more expensive than Northeast Regional trains. Prices for new Cafe Acela menu items range from $12 for sandwiches up to $13.50 for an antipasto tray.	Premium, luxury rail experience with a higher price tag. A two-day trip can cost around $4300 for two people in GoldLeaf service.
Route Variety	Operates along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in major cities.	Four main rail routes: First Passage to the West, Journey through the Clouds, Rainforest to Gold Rush, Rockies to the Red Rocks.
Food and Beverage Options	Upgraded Caf 4.	—

Overall Comparison

Amtrak Acela: Average speed of 70.3 mph, with top speeds of 160 mph. Rocky Mountaineer: Average speed of 30 mph, with prices starting at $4300 for a two-day trip (GoldLeaf service).

Pros and Cons

Amtrak Acela (Next Generation)

Pros:

High-speed travel
Comfortable seating with ample legroom
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Power outlets and USB ports at every seat
Enhanced onboard dining experience
Good on-time performance
Accessibility features
Environmentally conscious design

Cons:

Tickets can be more expensive than Northeast Regional trains
Checked bag fees for more than 2 bags

Rocky Mountaineer

Pros:

Comfortable seats designed for long journeys with spacious layouts and ample legroom
Spectacular scenery with glass-domed coaches to maximize views
Regionally-inspired cuisine with multi-course meals and complimentary beverages and snacks
Accessibility features for guests with mobility issues
Environmentally conscious practices

Cons:

WiFi not available onboard
Punctuality can be affected due to low priority on the rails
Higher price tag
Checked luggage not accessible during the journey

User Experiences and Feedback

Amtrak Acela (Next Generation)

What Users Love

Seats are designed to offer superior comfort with plenty of legroom and a winged privacy headrest.
The new NextGen Acela trains offer free, high-speed, 5G-enabled Wi-Fi.
The new Cafe Acela menu focuses on more gourmet and artisan options that are sustainably sourced from local brands.
The interiors have brighter lighting and large windows for better views of the surrounding cityscapes.
On-time performance in the Northeast Corridor is generally good, and Acela trains get higher priority than other routes.
Spacious, fully accessible restrooms with touchless features and automatic door access.
The Acela offers a faster journey, assigned seating, and more comfortable seats.
The NextGen Acela trains are designed to reduce energy consumption by at least 20% compared to previous models.

Common Complaints

Acela tickets can be more expensive than Northeast Regional trains.
Each traveler can check up to 4 bags (2 free and 2 at $20 per bag).

Value Perception

Acela offers a faster journey, assigned seating, and more comfortable seats, but tickets can be more expensive than Northeast Regional trains.

Rocky Mountaineer

What Users Love

Comfortable seats
Spectacular scenery
High-quality food and beverage options
Good accessibility features
Environmentally conscious

Common Complaints

Lack of WiFi
Potential for delays
High price
Inconvenience of checked luggage not being accessible during the journey

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Seats are designed for comfort with spacious layouts, reclining options, and ample legroom.
The Rocky Mountaineer is known for its spectacular scenery, and the glass-domed coaches are designed to maximize views of the landscapes.
The Rocky Mountaineer offers regionally-inspired cuisine with multi-course meals.
The company can accommodate guests transferring from a wheelchair to a regular seat in all service levels.