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!
Jeb, your content this content is not out-of the world or unseen but you have an ability to make even a dull or average content interesting. Kudos Jeb! not every one is adept at that!
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.
Also, even though airplanes have slightly less incidents than trains, being in a vehicle that takes a mile to stop sure beats being in a vehicle several miles in the air that might not be able to land for several minutes.
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!
@@GreenerGrass - Thanks for your reply and making this video too! I think the terminal redesign will help with some alleyway congestion, but unfortunately outside of that it’ll just make the passengers more comfortable for the delays. The primary problems are still 1) the limited number of runways and the poor intersecting design, 2) limited taxiway infrastructure and 3) the significant airspace constraints. Frankly I wish they’d add two more runways to JFK and a high speed rail to downtown, and just bulldoze LGA.
@@skycaptain3344 Really interesting point. I'm not an aviation expert but even to me having two major airports in such close proximity seems wasteful and unnecessary. Interesting to read it's also technically complicating.
@@tomdarling-fernley3178 - Thanks for your reply. You’re absolutely right about inefficiencies with airports so close. On a “normal” day for JFK arrivals, you have to fly relatively high over NYC to avoid LGA’s traffic then dive down over the ocean with these long final approaches. With departures from JFK, you often takeoff toward the city from 31L, and then have to make a turn EAST over the ocean while climbing and then turn back west to your destination. LaGuardia has some wonky departures including one with an S turn to gain altitude to avoid JFK. It’s all a total mess! Makes me happy I’ve been based in DTW and ATL.
@@skycaptain3344 I've heard it said the best thing that could be done to fix congestion in NY airspace is closing LaGuardia....but I doubt that's going to happen...
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.
I love long distance trains too and hope to visit Japan to experience theirs. The high speed train I rode on in Germany was so smooth, it was hard to believe how fast we were actually going.
you should go to the Netherlands, we dont have speed trains but we have mid range speed(200kmh) and have literally everything connected that way and trains drive there every 20 min unless its international(germany/belgium) there they drive 3 times a day
"America could benefit so much from having real bullet trains. " Nah, you're just used to cities being close together on the NEC. Take California as a better example. You have the San Francisco Bay Area and then you have Los Angeles/San Diego. 380 miles apart (611 km). A plane takes about an hour. A wheel on rail HSR would take, at best, two hours. So no, it wouldn't benefit us that much outside of the NEC. (There's a project here to build HSR from SF to LA...due to lots of stupid decisions by management, if they ever complete it, it will be a four hour ride. But it's effectively cancelled because project management wants 100 billion for the SF to LA segment to be completed (they want to do a Phase 2 after that first phase is done).)
@@neutrino78x oh so there’s a geography challenge, that means that the technology is useless? What about Dallas to Houston? Las Vegas to LA? Miami -Tampa-Atlanta? Portland-Seattle-Vancouver? LA-San Diego? CHICAGO to New York? Your point is nonsense and your point of view is exactly why we lag behind the rest of the world. Lack of vision.
Yeah- but I would say that he was fairly conservative with his arrival times for both. So for the purposes of the comparison, I don't think it made a difference
It depends on the station. NY Penn and DC Union have you line up and board like a plane for no good reason. At other stations you can do as you described.
You actually can board a train up to a minute or so before hand. I've been on the North East corridor a lot, and rarely have they said 30 minutes prior.
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!
I think they tell people to arrive early because people will try to show up in their car at the prescribed time and then be upset when after a traffic delay they can't park, buy a ticket, and check luggage without missing the train. If you're arriving by foot or reliable public transit ( _cough_ not DC Metro _cough_ ), with a ticket and no intention of checking luggage, you can stroll up to the platform just before departure and still be fine. You could probably even arrive without a ticket, but with the always possible breakdown of a kiosk or something going wrong with their credit card verification service, it's always best to buy a ticket beforehand.
Actually in my home country you should also arrive early, because I believe 10 mins before departure they would not even sell you a ticket, so I used to arrive at station around 30 mins before!
I’ve taken the train to Philly from DC for many times and I will always take the train. It takes the stress out and by the time you look I’m at 30th street station and a few minutes away from my parents house. While the plane would by so stressful and getting through TSA, finding baggage and travel to and from would send me over the edge. For Northeast travel, the train is better.
@@JeanClaudeCOCO Saying that "flying is hard" is extremely dumb, whe flying from and to REAL airports its really easy, you walk to a counter, leave your bags, walk to security and go through the screening, then u go to ur gate, wait, board, fly, land, then you get off the airplane, you walk towards the assigned baggage claim area, and wait till your bag arrives on the band, its mostly walking lol
European rails are fast for example London to Paris is only 2hours and 20 minutes Or Trains in East Asia are really fast Hopefully American rails will improve
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.
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.
Actually, flight depart anywhere as early as 15 minutes before departure, and you usually have to be inside the plane ten minutes before departure time.
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
The difference in time starts at the cab ride from city center and gets worse at the line for TSA pat downs before you even get to the departure lounge.
Shuttle flights have shorter "recommended" times, because they're designed for business commuters with tighter schedules. Things may have changed, but years ago I remember seeing 1.5 hours/30 minutes/10 minutes for regular flights (Show time, boarding time, flight closing), and 45/20/5 for shuttle flights.
Airport are more strict plus it also depends on how long security check point lines are airport do get very busy maybe not so much now cuz of the pandemic
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.
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.
Yep! And do it at least 30 times, or better 50 times while switching those two between plane and train. And also have a third placebo person that thinks that they will be traveling to New York but are actually just blindfolded and driven around town in a cab for the same amount of time as the other two are traveling 😁😁😁
@@benfelps but the difference was soo enormous... I go to NYC for work alot, and have never had major delays because of Traffic maybe 10-25min but never over 1h
@@GreenerGrass try it again in a couple years when we're not in a pandemic tbh, seems you got through LGA and DCA uncharacteristically fast from everything I've ever heard of those.
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
The Amsterdam - London Eurostar journey is a little over 4 hours, whereas the plane is less than 1, so it wouldn't likely be close. Would still be interesting to see though! London - Paris might be a little closer.
@@deanwbrs Washington to NYC is an hour on a plane, and the train is about 3 hours, but having a central point made this a more even race ie, to the Empire State or Pennsylvania Ave , Thats why I said Westminster to the Amsterdam Palace, neither are close to where the train/plane arrives or departs and require other methods of public transport to get to, Schipol to Amsterdam Centraal, is 20 minutes, thats not counting navigating through the airport which itself is massive, likewise London City Airport will take about half an hour, There are alot of factors that go into it, he could fly from any of the London airports if he wanted to make the airport route longer in any way, Heathrow is a good hour on the tube from Westminster for example... London to Amsterdam is not as one sided as it may seem
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.
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.
I'm headed to NYC for work the week after next. Really looking forward to it instead of the old Penn Station. The old NYC office was near Grand Central and I lived close enough to the Metro North line in CT to use that, but I'm in Amtrak territory now and the new office is 1 block south of Penn. It's been so depressing any time I need to go there. To take the Acela only to end up at Penn...what a disappointment!
I've seen it - it's very nice. That said, a horse's rectum looks way better than the MSG Penn Station terminal, so being nicer than that is not challenging at all. ;-)
@@jblyon2 Truly. A friend once described life in NYC as Penn Station & Grand Central. He meant that things are either amazingly horrible or amazingly beautiful in NYC. Couldn't be more true!
@@teribasi if you're talking about the newer generations, like the 787, A350 and A220, they're definitely a step up from the older generations of aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency and thus greenhouse gas emissions. But high-altitude emissions remain a major contributor to global warming even with these newer aircraft, and the only real counter to that would be electric aircraft, which is at present still an immature technology. So for now, trains, especially if electric, would work well across shorter distances that do not involve crossing significant stretches of open water
@@spdfatomicstructure i think airplane manufactourers are making it right now,like Airbus for example,they're currently making better aircraft with better efficiency and more eco friendly
That was definitely a cool video. Being a New Yorker who has friends in Dc/Md/Va I travel there often and have used both the Shuttle and the Acela. I was quite surprised by the 1 hour difference in travel time, but like most people who travel on Acela I too enjoy just being able to get on the train and go without the hassle of TSA. Thanks for doing the video is was cool and informative.
I used to fly frequently through LGA before the pandemic. Even with pre screening the security clearance was vastly longer than what you experienced. Also, the traffic to the airport from Manhattan can be horrific, depending on the time of day. I think you are making the air travel portion seem simpler than it normally would be.
do you have CLEAR or TSA PreCheck? With CLEAR you bypass that snaking line to security and just do the screening itself, the whole experience is about five minutes. :)
@@neutrino78x Unless you fly often for work or something, why would you get Clear? Normal people, i.e. all of those people in that huge snaking line, don't have Clear or PreCheck. Plus, don't you do understand that PreCheck and Clear are faster precisely because few people have it, right? This by definition is not the default customer experience. It's a paid upgrade that few travelers actually take. Otherwise, again, that snaking line would be on the Clear side rather than on the regular security checkpoint side.
I live in NYC. Your mention of NY traffic as unpredictable is beyond true. From my place 8 mi to LGA can be anywhere from 25min to an 1:15 depending on day and time. My trip to Penn would be a consistent 30min via subway. Enjoy your videos.
This is a great video that gives a proper comparison of the two. But LaGuardia got super lucky as you also know some days you are backed up leaving LaGuardia but less traffic due to covid helps but same on the rails at times.
Great video. I've made the trip between NY and DC on a plane and train many times and I prefer the train for several reasons: * On the plane, its "sit down and do as we tell you" for the whole trip whereas on a train you can do mostly what you like including walking around for the duration * If you work/live in in the city in Manhattan/DC the train is much better because you avoid all of the nonsense getting to the airport and getting checked in which can be an adventure in itself and consume hours. * If there is a problem with the equipment while in transit your going to just be delayed on a train while the problem is resolved or they get you on another train. If there is a problem with the plane while in transit, you can use your imagination. * Weather rarely affects a train on this route. It can easily delay take offs and landings and you may find that there are 20 aircraft in front of yours waiting to take off and now that quick flight to DC stretches to hours - ask me how I know. * Cell coverage on this train route is pretty good. Having said that I've mentioned all of this to NY-DC plane commuters before and it doesn't matter, the plane has a weird attraction where maybe its more prestigious to them or they can't figure in the hours, $$ and hassle spent getting to and from the airport as being part of the trip.
Love your work and thank you for bringing Amtrak into the mix. Tremendous potential for train travel in the USA - just hope our decision makers can amp up their energy level for Amtrak.
Planes are better in most cases. NYC to DC is the best route for trains in the USA but even then the competition between planes and trains was fairly even. There are few high density population routes in the US where trains make sense.
I appreciate you saying that dc is better than New York, I live very close to dc in the suburbs in VA and we visit dc all the time. It is a great city and the museums are awesome
Saturday morning routine with my 4 yr old now includes your weekly airplane upload. He stops what he's doing to watch the planes. Keep up the great work!
In addition to raw travel time, I think an important factor to consider, especially for business travel like this, is stressfulness and restfulness. Even if the train is slower, because of the reduced security hassles and shorter journeys to and from the stations (you didn't even feel the need to get a car at either end of the train portion of this test), you arrive at your destination relaxed and ready to continue a productive day. By contrast, even if flying is faster, the combination of long journey time to/from the airport, long downtime at the airport, hassle of security, and physical effects of flying and cabin pressurization, can leave one exhausted and in no condition to hit peak productivity upon arrival. And these factors amplify the longer the journey is. I would be interested to see a repeat of this experiment on a larger scale focused more on physical and mental condition than time, say from New York to Chicago. Yes, the train may take roughly a day as opposed to a few hours by flying, but the advantage of time may be mooted somewhat if you arrive at your destination exhausted, cranky, hungry, and smelling of sweat, as opposed to taking the extra time on a train where you can book a roomette for a good night's sleep, be well fed (well, relatively well fed until Amtrak restores traditional dining network-wide), even get a shower on board, all to step off in the heart of your destination happy and ready for the day ahead.
For the plane side of NYC to-from Chicago, you should also count a hotel room and meal cost, so you can be at your business meeting or whatever clean and fresh. I haven't flown that route, but after any flight longer than a couple of hours, I don't feel good until after a nap, shower, and ground-based meal. I'd far rather spend a day traveling on a train than a day flying and recovery.
This was awesome Jeb!! Would love to see more challenges like this! Also love that you profiled how much better NYC's worst train station and worst airport have become!
I used to live in Alexandria and work in DC and used to visit my family back in Long Island. Either drove or took the Amtrak, never flew. You fly long distance but not really worth it between DC and NY as the train stations are right in the heart of the cities as opposed to plane where you are outside the cities. And with a train you don’t have to worry about security and you can bring on big bags and have the bags with you at all times. As someone who traveled between DC and LI either drive or take the train.
I would 100% spend an extra hour in order to have less hassle boarding, more space, the opportunity to see the places I'm traveling through, and food as well. A pity most people don't know about these perks. If they did, I'm sure waaaay more people would travel by train. Maybe your channel is the first step to changing that? :) Thank you for the video, please keep it up!
Great video. I really enjoyed this one. You should do a San Diego to LAX comparison too. No quick trains on the west coast, however some very nice views. Plus rolling the dice on flight delays and cancellations always makes even a slow Amtrak seem more appealing. Keep these comparisons coming!
Thanks for this video. I am a former Railroad employee. I love Trains. I have viewed your videos in the past and they have been very informative .THANKS !
I think it would be closer in a (hopefully) post-pandemic world where one doesn't breeze through security at LGA, and traffic tie-ups to the airport might be heavier. In my experience with Amtrak, the cost difference between Acela and the regular service varies significantly; if it's $50 or so more, I'll take Acela, but the half hour you save isn't worth it if it's much more than that; the time difference is as much the fewer stops as it is the faster train. As you mentioned, the wild card is the comfort of the train, the ability to get up and walk around, and the straight shot to Midtown.
I think it isn't really a fair test. You should do one where you have a few buddies who all leave at once. One for the train, one for the plane, and one by car. Top gear style.
Do you ever feel weird when you actually talk to the camera, not the voice over obviously, but when you talk to the camera? Great video! Yes, definitely do more challenges like this!
As you do it now, it becomes less awkward over time. Granted, if you're doing that even as a seasoned vlogger, you'll encounter some awkward situations you've never seen before. But, as tiktok is here, it's becoming more socially acceptable or at least easier to do it.
@@dynasty0019 I've been able to get from north of Glendale to LAX in under an hour on most days, and I have to go through DTLA on the 110. With no traffic ~30 minutes. But Union Station is much more centrally located than LAX, so a train would likely be faster in this situation. Also the views on the Surfliner are amazing.
I would love to see you repeat this in normal times. Also, you should try this comparison with a small plane. General Aviation absolutely wins for shorter trips. Small airports near city centers, no delays, no schedules.
Great video, I expected it to be closer, too! Like you mentioned, any weather delays, de-icing, etc. would have made the comparison much closer. Plus, non-covid air traffic could make a big difference out of LGA and DCA as well.
Exactly what I was thinking. With traffic down due to COVID, there's a lot fewer ground delays to be had. Not sure if they'd usually add up to an hour, but I think it'd at least make the difference much closer.
Now you're thinking about a race that Clarkson, May, and Hammond invented but racing alone and not using a car to get your destination. Maybe you can make a special video with 2 different TH-camrs on which is the fastest to get point A to Point B, a car, or a train, or a plane? Yet again, it's your choice, but it reminds me a little of Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
But Top Gear always cheats. They make the start and end points deliberately far from the main transit hub. Clarkson always exceeds the speed limit. And so on.
You don't have to arrive 30-45 minutes before departure. 5-10 minutes is more than enough time (due to the size of Union Station). Amtrak says that because Union Station DC (and NYP for that matter) are both big and a little confusing for the first time traveler. Tourists who are not familiar with trains can get a little overwhelmed in both stations. But for the person who knows the station and is familiar with train travel 5-10 minutes ahead of time is more than enough time. NOTE: in both Union Station DC and in NY Penn Station, it could easily take you five minutes to walk from the door to the train.
you preference is to use a train for the same distance as in the USA? You would take a train 380 miles (611 km)? Aircraft are far superior for the distances involved over here that's why we don't have HSR. 380 miles is the closest city outside of the Bay Area, which is Los Angeles. The closest city to the north is Seattle, about 800 miles away. That would take a TGV about four hours but an aircraft does it in two. Why waste two hours of your life when, if using the plane, you would already be there?
@@neutrino78x no, he was saying in the UK it would preferable to take the train between London and the major cities unless he was going further out to Glasgow or Belfast :). In Australia pretty much everyone flies between the capital cities and regional centres as the trains can take up to 11-12 hours!!! The Sydney-Melbourne flight corridor was the second-busiest flight route pre-pandemic!
@@andrewburgemeister6684 well yes, because major cities are much closer together in Britain. Totally different in the USA, especially west of the Mississippi, because most cities became big cities AFTER the car was invented. Whereas in the Northeast Corridor of the USA, and Europe, those cities developed during the age when people got around on foot and horseback, so they're closer together and denser. Again, the reason we don't have HSR is not because "Americas Are Stupid" -- we certainly are not, certainly not out here in Silicon Valley -- but rather because AMERICA IS SPREAD OUT. When you have two cities close together like Manchester and London, it is a natural evolution of public transit for them to eventually link together, and then it's just a matter of upgrading the track for high speed. But the population centers are simply not that close together in the USA. So it's just not practical. Here in the Bay Area, you can definitely get around without a car. I am 43 and don't know how to drive. But while there is a train that spans the entire state, it's not "high speed"...because even the French TGV would take forever to get to Los Angeles. It's 380 miles away or 611 km. Jet aircraft are the proper vehicles for such distances.
@@neutrino78x yep, it’s why in Australia HSR never really took off, the distances are just so big and the cost of such a project would go into the 10’s of billions that there’s been no political or economic interest to do it.
I agree (speaking from Denmark) with you in preferring the train,. While the plane is faster it is all ‘downtime’, where you can’t work, sleep or relax in the taxi or in the air. The train is more efficient time spent vs the faster plane, where you can really do anything productive 🤓
Thanks for doing this. In October of 2019 I took the Acela from DC to New York, it was my first time on a long duration train ride. I was surprised at how quickly we got into New York but was also curious if flying would have been quicker. But I think the extra hour was definitely worth it since flying has become such an ordeal. I used to love flying but nowadays its just a nuisance to deal with to get to where I'm going.
Oh Jeb, 200k subs and more to come, it is a big milestone. I found you on TH-cam when you were just north of 7k subs, I was a huge fan of trip reports and things like that. But eventually I got into becoming a pilot myself. In some ways, I think you were one of my biggest inspirations and introductions to the aviation world. From not knowing my future and now finishing my private pilot license, I can only say thank you and congratulations. Well deserved my friend.
Thanks, Jeb, this is an interesting experiment. One more important factor to consider: CO2. Trains beat the planes by a LARGE margin since it takes so much energy to accelerate a plane to the right speed and to lift it to the correct altitude... especially for these relatively short trips, where the plane spends just a small amount of time actually cruising in the air. With us now seeing the effects of climate change, we really need to add this to the list.
Several years ago (pre-Virus(TM)) the WSJ also did a time comparison race on the route, dispatching three reporters to travel from their headquarters in Manhattan to their bureau office in DC at the same time. Reporter #1 hailed a cab to Penn Station and boarded an Amtrak Acela, reporter #2 hailed a cab to LGA and took a USAir Shuttle and reporter #3 went over to the company's private garage, hopped into his car and drove it. Reporter #1 was between Philadelphia and Wilmington as #2 was clearing security at LGA and approaching Baltimore as #2 was pushing back from the gate. In the end, #1 got there first, #2 was second and #3 was a distant third.
A couple of points: 1) pre-covid, Amtrak had begun a few nonstop Acela services between DC and NYC. That cut travel time to 2 hours, 5 minutes. That service has been suspended because of covid, but I expect that they will restart it in the future. 2) if you’re not in a hurry, the Northeast Regional covers the same route 30 minutes slower than the Acela here. Coach-class seats are also really reasonable: under 40 dollars if you book far enough in advance. Also, for Acela, the business class seats are a lot cheaper than first, and you don’t lose much. Acela First Class (and the meal) might be worth it if you’re taking it all the way to Boston. There is no way I’m flying between DC and NYC ever again. Union Station and Penn Station are transit hubs, so it’s easy for me to get to them by public transport. The train is an incredibly comfortable way to travel.
I certainly would NOT reccomend showing up on the airport less than 90 minutes before departure, having worked on check-in/boarding myself. It's just a stress factor that should not be part of the experience.
Personally, I don't think an hour difference is really that big of a deal. I've never met anyone whose schedule was so tight that an hour difference of travel was make or break. The fact that you can be productive for longer on the train vs in the airport/plane is another win that makes this difference negligible. I think I'd rather eat in an airport restaurant than a microwave meal on the train. But hey.
Yeah, there are a couple of restaurants at DTW that aren't bad, but that adds an hour or so to your trip time. And at breakfast (likely the time for business travelers) one's choices are pretty much limited to McD's or Cinnabon. I'll take heated-up eggs and sausage, thenks.
I mean that's just an opinion. In my opinion however, I would definitely say planes are more fun because you fly. You don't get to see the world from above a lot, do you? Trains are boring. It's like being in a car.
@@aarondynamics1311 At some time in the past, planes were cooler, but now with security and service reductions (no meal in F class on a two-hour flight leaving at 5:00 pm? Really?) planes are just a complete PITA. Yeah, if the idea is to traverse long distances in a short time planes are where it's at. Trains, however, allow you to enjoy the experience and, on short distances, potentially beat the total time of planes. That, in my opinion, is the definition of cool. And I'm someone who took his first flight 57-or-so years ago and remembers the age of flight as glamour.
If the Northeast Corridor was brought up to full 150mph plus standards like her high speed brethren in Europe and Asia, would that effected the outcome of the race? Great video btw. Reminds me of something they would do on Top Gear except they would make it Delta Shuttle vs Tesla or something!
Well it's just over 325 km (straight line) If they can get the corridor to 185 mph (300 km/h) it should be under 2 hours with a stop in Philadelphia. The Tokaido Shinkansen makes the over 400 km run (again straight line) between Tokyo and Osaka in under 2.5 hours and that is with 4 stops between that and on 50 year old track.
I would train it. The cost savings, the better amenities, and the ease win it for me. I probably wouldn't be getting a first-class flight ticket either. But I don't travel for work. It would be purely for leisure, so I'd be fine with it taking a little more time. Awesome video!
Thanks for doing this, I’ve always been curious about which is faster! Side note, it seems like if Acela could get the average speed up to 140 mph, the train would be within striking distance of matching the plane.
In all fairness, he got very lucky with the plane and unlucky with the train. He also arrived way too early for the train. You don't need to do that and most people arrive 10 minutes before the train because they just assume that is enough time to board a train. Now that Covid is mostly over, there will be a much longer line at TSA and the flights are more dense leading to a lot more delays. I feel like in reality these two trips are a lot closer in duration in real life.
Having lived in the New York for a long time. I would anytime prefer taking the Acela from NY to DC or NY to Boston as compared to taking the flight. The flight is more stressful, expensive and I am unable to get any work done as compared to travelling on the train that allows me to attend meetings and get a lot of work done while I enjoy the ride.
A race in opposite directions. At different times of day. Try again with a companion, leaving at same time, using one mode each and see who gets there first. COVID has at least drastically reduced airport delays and en-route delays. Then there’s the ‘hassle’ element to be considered. Air travel is notorious for it.
You asked for a challenge. I got the mother challenge right here. A Canonball Run challenge. Coast to coast and back again, one way train, one way plane. Compare costs and times (although we know the plane will be faster), comfort, service, views...anything you can compare. Also, awesome video. Thanks for the upload.
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!
I thought you were listening to Cher and turned back time.
@Jeb Brooks My dad used to work in the Empire State Building
Jeb, your content this content is not out-of the world or unseen but you have an ability to make even a dull or average content interesting. Kudos Jeb! not every one is adept at that!
Lol
I'm amazed to see how you're posting content from the future 😉
Great video!
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.
Also, even though airplanes have slightly less incidents than trains, being in a vehicle that takes a mile to stop sure beats being in a vehicle several miles in the air that might not be able to land for several minutes.
14:21 "That was more fun than a person should be allowed to have." Literally spent the whole day commuting, lol
I wouldn't mind it, don't take amtrak or a plane everyday
I mean for me who’s only been on an airline once in my life and never on a train and never travels anywhere in general, I would absolutely love that.
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!
Yeah! Agreed. We definitely lucked out on this travel day. LaGuardia can be the WORST for delays. Hopefully the redesign will help!
@@GreenerGrass - Thanks for your reply and making this video too! I think the terminal redesign will help with some alleyway congestion, but unfortunately outside of that it’ll just make the passengers more comfortable for the delays. The primary problems are still 1) the limited number of runways and the poor intersecting design, 2) limited taxiway infrastructure and 3) the significant airspace constraints. Frankly I wish they’d add two more runways to JFK and a high speed rail to downtown, and just bulldoze LGA.
@@skycaptain3344 Really interesting point. I'm not an aviation expert but even to me having two major airports in such close proximity seems wasteful and unnecessary. Interesting to read it's also technically complicating.
@@tomdarling-fernley3178 - Thanks for your reply. You’re absolutely right about inefficiencies with airports so close. On a “normal” day for JFK arrivals, you have to fly relatively high over NYC to avoid LGA’s traffic then dive down over the ocean with these long final approaches. With departures from JFK, you often takeoff toward the city from 31L, and then have to make a turn EAST over the ocean while climbing and then turn back west to your destination. LaGuardia has some wonky departures including one with an S turn to gain altitude to avoid JFK. It’s all a total mess! Makes me happy I’ve been based in DTW and ATL.
@@skycaptain3344 I've heard it said the best thing that could be done to fix congestion in NY airspace is closing LaGuardia....but I doubt that's going to happen...
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.
I love long distance trains too and hope to visit Japan to experience theirs. The high speed train I rode on in Germany was so smooth, it was hard to believe how fast we were actually going.
you should go to the Netherlands, we dont have speed trains but we have mid range speed(200kmh) and have literally everything connected that way and trains drive there every 20 min unless its international(germany/belgium) there they drive 3 times a day
"America could benefit so much from having real bullet trains. "
Nah, you're just used to cities being close together on the NEC.
Take California as a better example. You have the San Francisco Bay Area and then you have Los Angeles/San Diego. 380 miles apart (611 km).
A plane takes about an hour.
A wheel on rail HSR would take, at best, two hours. So no, it wouldn't benefit us that much outside of the NEC.
(There's a project here to build HSR from SF to LA...due to lots of stupid decisions by management, if they ever complete it, it will be a four hour ride. But it's effectively cancelled because project management wants 100 billion for the SF to LA segment to be completed (they want to do a Phase 2 after that first phase is done).)
@@neutrino78x oh so there’s a geography challenge, that means that the technology is useless?
What about Dallas to Houston? Las Vegas to LA? Miami -Tampa-Atlanta? Portland-Seattle-Vancouver? LA-San Diego? CHICAGO to New York?
Your point is nonsense and your point of view is exactly why we lag behind the rest of the world. Lack of vision.
Dallas to Houston shinkansen tho😊
30 minutes before departure? For a train? That's odd. I just turn up 5 minutes before and hop on. Also. Speedmaster. Well played.
Yeah- but I would say that he was fairly conservative with his arrival times for both. So for the purposes of the comparison, I don't think it made a difference
It depends on the station. NY Penn and DC Union have you line up and board like a plane for no good reason. At other stations you can do as you described.
You actually can board a train up to a minute or so before hand. I've been on the North East corridor a lot, and rarely have they said 30 minutes prior.
Main reason: because they want you to buy stuff
True
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!
The wonders of japanese efficiency and punctuality...
I think they tell people to arrive early because people will try to show up in their car at the prescribed time and then be upset when after a traffic delay they can't park, buy a ticket, and check luggage without missing the train. If you're arriving by foot or reliable public transit ( _cough_ not DC Metro _cough_ ), with a ticket and no intention of checking luggage, you can stroll up to the platform just before departure and still be fine. You could probably even arrive without a ticket, but with the always possible breakdown of a kiosk or something going wrong with their credit card verification service, it's always best to buy a ticket beforehand.
Same in Europe... if I am there 5 min before departure its really early.
Actually in my home country you should also arrive early, because I believe 10 mins before departure they would not even sell you a ticket, so I used to arrive at station around 30 mins before!
also from Europe, and here are my steps to get on the train:
-arrive by bus, walk to the train station.
I don't love trains because they are faster. I love them for the experience.
I’ve taken the train to Philly from DC for many times and I will always take the train. It takes the stress out and by the time you look I’m at 30th street station and a few minutes away from my parents house. While the plane would by so stressful and getting through TSA, finding baggage and travel to and from would send me over the edge. For Northeast travel, the train is better.
@@JeanClaudeCOCO Saying that "flying is hard" is extremely dumb, whe flying from and to REAL airports its really easy, you walk to a counter, leave your bags, walk to security and go through the screening, then u go to ur gate, wait, board, fly, land, then you get off the airplane, you walk towards the assigned baggage claim area, and wait till your bag arrives on the band, its mostly walking lol
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
they are not faster lmao
European rails are fast for example London to Paris is only 2hours and 20 minutes
Or Trains in East Asia are really fast
Hopefully American rails will improve
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.
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.
what are the train comforts?
@@jdsartre9520 did you read Jeb's comparison at end of video. If you had you would not ask this question.
Actually, flight depart anywhere as early as 15 minutes before departure, and you usually have to be inside the plane ten minutes before departure time.
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
The difference in time starts at the cab ride from city center and gets worse at the line for TSA pat downs before you even get to the departure lounge.
Shuttle flights have shorter "recommended" times, because they're designed for business commuters with tighter schedules. Things may have changed, but years ago I remember seeing 1.5 hours/30 minutes/10 minutes for regular flights (Show time, boarding time, flight closing), and 45/20/5 for shuttle flights.
That’s because flying is wayyyyyyy more strict than riding a train.
Airport are more strict plus it also depends on how long security check point lines are airport do get very busy maybe not so much now cuz of the pandemic
Absolutely and during non corona times security lines would be much longer
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.
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.
Yep! And do it at least 30 times, or better 50 times while switching those two between plane and train. And also have a third placebo person that thinks that they will be traveling to New York but are actually just blindfolded and driven around town in a cab for the same amount of time as the other two are traveling 😁😁😁
How can you not like Jeb! He’s seems like a really genuine and down to earth guy.
Definitely, but he has a very strange camera presence. That’s all lol. Don’t know how to explain it.
Once the pandemic is over, do a London - Paris - London challenge: BA vs Eurostar
I believe TPG UK did this comparison already. Plane barely one but that was due to a delay inside the Chunnel.
I've waited about an hour to get my luggage off the plane in Paris, Eurostar would win hands down every time, barring a disaster on the rails
It depends if you have checked luggage or not
Try it something like Paris-Strasbourg with some moderate luggage (1 smallish checked suitcase on wheels being typical for the journey)
Cool yea (:
Feel like this would make way more sense as a direct comparison to do this trip as a race. Have it happen simultaneously.
It wouldn’t, because having to spend a half hour at security checkpoints is an inherit problem with airplanes.
@@oceanthresher6184 well yeah that's part of the benefit of the train lol that's the whole point
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.
TARMAC
Not to mention the TSA when it's busy.
NYC airspace congestion, random weather, unpredictable traffic on both ends... train any day of the week.
@@benfelps but the difference was soo enormous... I go to NYC for work alot, and have never had major delays because of Traffic maybe 10-25min but never over 1h
T A R M A C
brilliant video! surprised the flight was that much faster.
I was completely shocked, too. Everything I’d heard about this route was that it was much closer. Thanks for watching!!
he did not include the travel time is DC. he was dropped at Union station... lies.
NO surprise to me. Amtrak is a joke
Bullet trains that go above 220 MPH have existed in western Europe and Japan for YEARS.
@@GreenerGrass try it again in a couple years when we're not in a pandemic tbh, seems you got through LGA and DCA uncharacteristically fast from everything I've ever heard of those.
Train would be faster if America wasn't so terrible at rail lmao, not to mention train is cheaper, carries more people, and less carbon.
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
I’d like to see this as well
Would watch the heck out of this
TPG UK did something like this, they did Buckingham Palace to the Eiffel Tower and did train vs plane for that one
The Amsterdam - London Eurostar journey is a little over 4 hours, whereas the plane is less than 1, so it wouldn't likely be close. Would still be interesting to see though! London - Paris might be a little closer.
@@deanwbrs Washington to NYC is an hour on a plane, and the train is about 3 hours, but having a central point made this a more even race ie, to the Empire State or Pennsylvania Ave , Thats why I said Westminster to the Amsterdam Palace, neither are close to where the train/plane arrives or departs and require other methods of public transport to get to, Schipol to Amsterdam Centraal, is 20 minutes, thats not counting navigating through the airport which itself is massive, likewise London City Airport will take about half an hour, There are alot of factors that go into it, he could fly from any of the London airports if he wanted to make the airport route longer in any way, Heathrow is a good hour on the tube from Westminster for example... London to Amsterdam is not as one sided as it may seem
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.
I will NEVER get over how pretty the architecture at Union Station is!!!
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.
nah just go up to the MACHINE scan your boarding pass it prints out a tag, put the bag on a cart, keep moving. Five minutes.
Moynihan Hall looks nice, never seen it in person but it looks way better than the MSG Penn Station terminal.
I'm headed to NYC for work the week after next. Really looking forward to it instead of the old Penn Station. The old NYC office was near Grand Central and I lived close enough to the Metro North line in CT to use that, but I'm in Amtrak territory now and the new office is 1 block south of Penn. It's been so depressing any time I need to go there. To take the Acela only to end up at Penn...what a disappointment!
@@jblyon2
Zh
I've seen it - it's very nice. That said, a horse's rectum looks way better than the MSG Penn Station terminal, so being nicer than that is not challenging at all. ;-)
@@mkkm945 Tough to think of a bar that's been set lower than something being nicer than Penn!
@@jblyon2 Truly. A friend once described life in NYC as Penn Station & Grand Central. He meant that things are either amazingly horrible or amazingly beautiful in NYC. Couldn't be more true!
One more advantage of rail travel: the environmental impact is less damaging
Depends on the typr of plane,sometimes plane is less damaging than train,oh and plane in these days are eviromental friendly and mire efficient
@@teribasi if you're talking about the newer generations, like the 787, A350 and A220, they're definitely a step up from the older generations of aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency and thus greenhouse gas emissions. But high-altitude emissions remain a major contributor to global warming even with these newer aircraft, and the only real counter to that would be electric aircraft, which is at present still an immature technology. So for now, trains, especially if electric, would work well across shorter distances that do not involve crossing significant stretches of open water
@@spdfatomicstructure i think airplane manufactourers are making it right now,like Airbus for example,they're currently making better aircraft with better efficiency and more eco friendly
Most trains use bio fuel so there not bad for the environment at all
I meant planes
Wow, it's cool that you can show an intro before the premiere! Never seen that before!!
That was definitely a cool video. Being a New Yorker who has friends in Dc/Md/Va I travel there often and have used both the Shuttle and the Acela. I was quite surprised by the 1 hour difference in travel time, but like most people who travel on Acela I too enjoy just being able to get on the train and go without the hassle of TSA. Thanks for doing the video is was cool and informative.
Didn’t know that you were at LGA terminal B before they opened lol. It looks like you can time travel to June 2021
That’s cool when you consider that old LGA you could travel back in time
So glad to hear you like Philly. Come visit again. Happy to show you around town!
Same! Love my city!
I used to fly frequently through LGA before the pandemic. Even with pre screening the security clearance was vastly longer than what you experienced. Also, the traffic to the airport from Manhattan can be horrific, depending on the time of day. I think you are making the air travel portion seem simpler than it normally would be.
do you have CLEAR or TSA PreCheck? With CLEAR you bypass that snaking line to security and just do the screening itself, the whole experience is about five minutes. :)
@@neutrino78x Unless you fly often for work or something, why would you get Clear? Normal people, i.e. all of those people in that huge snaking line, don't have Clear or PreCheck.
Plus, don't you do understand that PreCheck and Clear are faster precisely because few people have it, right? This by definition is not the default customer experience. It's a paid upgrade that few travelers actually take. Otherwise, again, that snaking line would be on the Clear side rather than on the regular security checkpoint side.
@@TohaBgood2 step one. Don’t be a poor sack of garbage
I live in NYC. Your mention of NY traffic as unpredictable is beyond true. From my place 8 mi to LGA can be anywhere from 25min to an 1:15 depending on day and time. My trip to Penn would be a consistent 30min via subway. Enjoy your videos.
This is a great video that gives a proper comparison of the two. But LaGuardia got super lucky as you also know some days you are backed up leaving LaGuardia but less traffic due to covid helps but same on the rails at times.
Very true! Thanks for watching!
Great video.
I've made the trip between NY and DC on a plane and train many times and I prefer the train for several reasons:
* On the plane, its "sit down and do as we tell you" for the whole trip whereas on a train you can do mostly what you like including walking around for the duration
* If you work/live in in the city in Manhattan/DC the train is much better because you avoid all of the nonsense getting to the airport and getting checked in which can be an adventure in itself and consume hours.
* If there is a problem with the equipment while in transit your going to just be delayed on a train while the problem is resolved or they get you on another train. If there is a problem with the plane while in transit, you can use your imagination.
* Weather rarely affects a train on this route. It can easily delay take offs and landings and you may find that there are 20 aircraft in front of yours waiting to take off and now that quick flight to DC stretches to hours - ask me how I know.
* Cell coverage on this train route is pretty good.
Having said that I've mentioned all of this to NY-DC plane commuters before and it doesn't matter, the plane has a weird attraction where maybe its more prestigious to them or they can't figure in the hours, $$ and hassle spent getting to and from the airport as being part of the trip.
Love your work and thank you for bringing Amtrak into the mix. Tremendous potential for train travel in the USA - just hope our decision makers can amp up their energy level for Amtrak.
I fully agree with these thoughts
Planes are better in most cases. NYC to DC is the best route for trains in the USA but even then the competition between planes and trains was fairly even. There are few high density population routes in the US where trains make sense.
I appreciate you saying that dc is better than New York, I live very close to dc in the suburbs in VA and we visit dc all the time. It is a great city and the museums are awesome
Saturday morning routine with my 4 yr old now includes your weekly airplane upload. He stops what he's doing to watch the planes.
Keep up the great work!
That is awesome! Thanks for watching and sharing the joys of travel with your son!
In addition to raw travel time, I think an important factor to consider, especially for business travel like this, is stressfulness and restfulness. Even if the train is slower, because of the reduced security hassles and shorter journeys to and from the stations (you didn't even feel the need to get a car at either end of the train portion of this test), you arrive at your destination relaxed and ready to continue a productive day. By contrast, even if flying is faster, the combination of long journey time to/from the airport, long downtime at the airport, hassle of security, and physical effects of flying and cabin pressurization, can leave one exhausted and in no condition to hit peak productivity upon arrival.
And these factors amplify the longer the journey is. I would be interested to see a repeat of this experiment on a larger scale focused more on physical and mental condition than time, say from New York to Chicago. Yes, the train may take roughly a day as opposed to a few hours by flying, but the advantage of time may be mooted somewhat if you arrive at your destination exhausted, cranky, hungry, and smelling of sweat, as opposed to taking the extra time on a train where you can book a roomette for a good night's sleep, be well fed (well, relatively well fed until Amtrak restores traditional dining network-wide), even get a shower on board, all to step off in the heart of your destination happy and ready for the day ahead.
For the plane side of NYC to-from Chicago, you should also count a hotel room and meal cost, so you can be at your business meeting or whatever clean and fresh.
I haven't flown that route, but after any flight longer than a couple of hours, I don't feel good until after a nap, shower, and ground-based meal. I'd far rather spend a day traveling on a train than a day flying and recovery.
This was awesome Jeb!! Would love to see more challenges like this! Also love that you profiled how much better NYC's worst train station and worst airport have become!
Very Top Gear of you, I love these types of comparisons
I used to live in Alexandria and work in DC and used to visit my family back in Long Island. Either drove or took the Amtrak, never flew. You fly long distance but not really worth it between DC and NY as the train stations are right in the heart of the cities as opposed to plane where you are outside the cities. And with a train you don’t have to worry about security and you can bring on big bags and have the bags with you at all times. As someone who traveled between DC and LI either drive or take the train.
How much is it with gas and tolls to LI excluding the maintenance like burning tires up and transmission and brakes?
I would 100% spend an extra hour in order to have less hassle boarding, more space, the opportunity to see the places I'm traveling through, and food as well. A pity most people don't know about these perks. If they did, I'm sure waaaay more people would travel by train. Maybe your channel is the first step to changing that? :) Thank you for the video, please keep it up!
Great video. I really enjoyed this one. You should do a San Diego to LAX comparison too. No quick trains on the west coast, however some very nice views. Plus rolling the dice on flight delays and cancellations always makes even a slow Amtrak seem more appealing. Keep these comparisons coming!
Thanks for this video. I am a former Railroad employee. I love Trains. I have viewed your videos in the past and they have been very informative .THANKS !
I think it would be closer in a (hopefully) post-pandemic world where one doesn't breeze through security at LGA, and traffic tie-ups to the airport might be heavier. In my experience with Amtrak, the cost difference between Acela and the regular service varies significantly; if it's $50 or so more, I'll take Acela, but the half hour you save isn't worth it if it's much more than that; the time difference is as much the fewer stops as it is the faster train. As you mentioned, the wild card is the comfort of the train, the ability to get up and walk around, and the straight shot to Midtown.
I think it isn't really a fair test. You should do one where you have a few buddies who all leave at once. One for the train, one for the plane, and one by car. Top gear style.
That bloopers gives me a gag! 😂 Please more bloopers in your next video!
Love from Philippines! 💓🇵🇭
Hello Jeb, really enjoy your videos! Next time, do a comparison about the enviromental impact aswell!
Do you ever feel weird when you actually talk to the camera, not the voice over obviously, but when you talk to the camera? Great video! Yes, definitely do more challenges like this!
As you do it now, it becomes less awkward over time. Granted, if you're doing that even as a seasoned vlogger, you'll encounter some awkward situations you've never seen before. But, as tiktok is here, it's becoming more socially acceptable or at least easier to do it.
Another great video...your editing is excellent...
You should try a race between San Diego to LA. Great video
Just getting from DTLA to LAX will take at least an hour on a good day.
@@dynasty0019 I've been able to get from north of Glendale to LAX in under an hour on most days, and I have to go through DTLA on the 110. With no traffic ~30 minutes. But Union Station is much more centrally located than LAX, so a train would likely be faster in this situation. Also the views on the Surfliner are amazing.
I would love to see this!
I would love to see you repeat this in normal times.
Also, you should try this comparison with a small plane. General Aviation absolutely wins for shorter trips. Small airports near city centers, no delays, no schedules.
Great video, I expected it to be closer, too! Like you mentioned, any weather delays, de-icing, etc. would have made the comparison much closer. Plus, non-covid air traffic could make a big difference out of LGA and DCA as well.
Exactly what I was thinking. With traffic down due to COVID, there's a lot fewer ground delays to be had. Not sure if they'd usually add up to an hour, but I think it'd at least make the difference much closer.
What a nice watch you have Mr Brooks, you are a connoisseur !
Now you're thinking about a race that Clarkson, May, and Hammond invented but racing alone and not using a car to get your destination. Maybe you can make a special video with 2 different TH-camrs on which is the fastest to get point A to Point B, a car, or a train, or a plane? Yet again, it's your choice, but it reminds me a little of Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
Yeah Top Gear does the series where they race car vs 200mph European train and it always results in nail biter finish
But Top Gear always cheats. They make the start and end points deliberately far from the main transit hub. Clarkson always exceeds the speed limit. And so on.
@@terranceparsons5185 Clarkson sometimes takes a boat or a hovervan
Its funny to see how you should arrive 30-45min before departure. In Switzerland you just go to the station and hop onto the Train ;D
Also, if you miss it, just wait 20-30min for the next (at least between larger cities).
You don't have to arrive 30-45 minutes before departure. 5-10 minutes is more than enough time (due to the size of Union Station).
Amtrak says that because Union Station DC (and NYP for that matter) are both big and a little confusing for the first time traveler. Tourists who are not familiar with trains can get a little overwhelmed in both stations.
But for the person who knows the station and is familiar with train travel 5-10 minutes ahead of time is more than enough time.
NOTE: in both Union Station DC and in NY Penn Station, it could easily take you five minutes to walk from the door to the train.
Loved this vlog. We often think about one or the other. Certainly in UK our preference is to use the trains. Much more enjoyable
I think if people said they're flying between London and Manchester or Paris they'd get a lot of confused looks
you preference is to use a train for the same distance as in the USA? You would take a train 380 miles (611 km)? Aircraft are far superior for the distances involved over here that's why we don't have HSR. 380 miles is the closest city outside of the Bay Area, which is Los Angeles. The closest city to the north is Seattle, about 800 miles away. That would take a TGV about four hours but an aircraft does it in two. Why waste two hours of your life when, if using the plane, you would already be there?
@@neutrino78x no, he was saying in the UK it would preferable to take the train between London and the major cities unless he was going further out to Glasgow or Belfast :).
In Australia pretty much everyone flies between the capital cities and regional centres as the trains can take up to 11-12 hours!!! The Sydney-Melbourne flight corridor was the second-busiest flight route pre-pandemic!
@@andrewburgemeister6684 well yes, because major cities are much closer together in Britain.
Totally different in the USA, especially west of the Mississippi, because most cities became big cities AFTER the car was invented. Whereas in the Northeast Corridor of the USA, and Europe, those cities developed during the age when people got around on foot and horseback, so they're closer together and denser.
Again, the reason we don't have HSR is not because "Americas Are Stupid" -- we certainly are not, certainly not out here in Silicon Valley -- but rather because AMERICA IS SPREAD OUT.
When you have two cities close together like Manchester and London, it is a natural evolution of public transit for them to eventually link together, and then it's just a matter of upgrading the track for high speed.
But the population centers are simply not that close together in the USA. So it's just not practical.
Here in the Bay Area, you can definitely get around without a car. I am 43 and don't know how to drive. But while there is a train that spans the entire state, it's not "high speed"...because even the French TGV would take forever to get to Los Angeles. It's 380 miles away or 611 km.
Jet aircraft are the proper vehicles for such distances.
@@neutrino78x yep, it’s why in Australia HSR never really took off, the distances are just so big and the cost of such a project would go into the 10’s of billions that there’s been no political or economic interest to do it.
I agree (speaking from Denmark) with you in preferring the train,. While the plane is faster it is all ‘downtime’, where you can’t work, sleep or relax in the taxi or in the air. The train is more efficient time spent vs the faster plane, where you can really do anything productive 🤓
You should definitely do more challenges like this!
Loved this concept so would love to see more challenges
"I just love this terminal at laguardia airport!"
Said no one ever!
I mean, it is brand new.
Said no one ever before June 2020
Poggor Seal exactly how can this be 2021 when we are only in March of 2021?
@@amaan-aliladak It was a typo he meant 2020
They already upgraded it, and its gorgeous
Do more of these, it very interesting and I think I'd go by train.
Thanks for doing this. In October of 2019 I took the Acela from DC to New York, it was my first time on a long duration train ride. I was surprised at how quickly we got into New York but was also curious if flying would have been quicker. But I think the extra hour was definitely worth it since flying has become such an ordeal. I used to love flying but nowadays its just a nuisance to deal with to get to where I'm going.
Oh Jeb, 200k subs and more to come, it is a big milestone. I found you on TH-cam when you were just north of 7k subs, I was a huge fan of trip reports and things like that. But eventually I got into becoming a pilot myself. In some ways, I think you were one of my biggest inspirations and introductions to the aviation world. From not knowing my future and now finishing my private pilot license, I can only say thank you and congratulations. Well deserved my friend.
Thanks so much and congratulations on your PPL!!
Thanks, Jeb, this is an interesting experiment. One more important factor to consider: CO2. Trains beat the planes by a LARGE margin since it takes so much energy to accelerate a plane to the right speed and to lift it to the correct altitude... especially for these relatively short trips, where the plane spends just a small amount of time actually cruising in the air. With us now seeing the effects of climate change, we really need to add this to the list.
Several years ago (pre-Virus(TM)) the WSJ also did a time comparison race on the route, dispatching three reporters to travel from their headquarters in Manhattan to their bureau office in DC at the same time. Reporter #1 hailed a cab to Penn Station and boarded an Amtrak Acela, reporter #2 hailed a cab to LGA and took a USAir Shuttle and reporter #3 went over to the company's private garage, hopped into his car and drove it.
Reporter #1 was between Philadelphia and Wilmington as #2 was clearing security at LGA and approaching Baltimore as #2 was pushing back from the gate.
In the end, #1 got there first, #2 was second and #3 was a distant third.
If stress is a factor the train wins every time. Quality of life means more than time in life.
A couple of points: 1) pre-covid, Amtrak had begun a few nonstop Acela services between DC and NYC. That cut travel time to 2 hours, 5 minutes. That service has been suspended because of covid, but I expect that they will restart it in the future.
2) if you’re not in a hurry, the Northeast Regional covers the same route 30 minutes slower than the Acela here. Coach-class seats are also really reasonable: under 40 dollars if you book far enough in advance. Also, for Acela, the business class seats are a lot cheaper than first, and you don’t lose much. Acela First Class (and the meal) might be worth it if you’re taking it all the way to Boston.
There is no way I’m flying between DC and NYC ever again. Union Station and Penn Station are transit hubs, so it’s easy for me to get to them by public transport. The train is an incredibly comfortable way to travel.
I certainly would NOT reccomend showing up on the airport less than 90 minutes before departure, having worked on check-in/boarding myself. It's just a stress factor that should not be part of the experience.
I was going to skip through your video, but your solid editing and pacing kept me
I am an Amtrak engineer. Make sure you come back and check out the new Acela. Speeds will be faster 👍
Will do! Can't wait, in fact!! Hope to see you onboard!
That speed master and leather strap combo is beautiful! Great watch, and one of my grails for sure. Great video
Personally, I don't think an hour difference is really that big of a deal. I've never met anyone whose schedule was so tight that an hour difference of travel was make or break. The fact that you can be productive for longer on the train vs in the airport/plane is another win that makes this difference negligible. I think I'd rather eat in an airport restaurant than a microwave meal on the train. But hey.
Yeah, there are a couple of restaurants at DTW that aren't bad, but that adds an hour or so to your trip time. And at breakfast (likely the time for business travelers) one's choices are pretty much limited to McD's or Cinnabon. I'll take heated-up eggs and sausage, thenks.
Glad you didn't get off the train in Baltimore! You'd probably got robbed before you completely got on the platform at the train station.
That’s why other countries prefer trains, they’re more fun and cool, they just make them faster
I mean that's just an opinion. In my opinion however, I would definitely say planes are more fun because you fly. You don't get to see the world from above a lot, do you? Trains are boring. It's like being in a car.
Planes are so much cooler than trains in my opinion
@@aarondynamics1311 At some time in the past, planes were cooler, but now with security and service reductions (no meal in F class on a two-hour flight leaving at 5:00 pm? Really?) planes are just a complete PITA. Yeah, if the idea is to traverse long distances in a short time planes are where it's at. Trains, however, allow you to enjoy the experience and, on short distances, potentially beat the total time of planes. That, in my opinion, is the definition of cool. And I'm someone who took his first flight 57-or-so years ago and remembers the age of flight as glamour.
Love this “Amazing Race” challenge! Keen to see more like this 🙂
If the Northeast Corridor was brought up to full 150mph plus standards like her high speed brethren in Europe and Asia, would that effected the outcome of the race? Great video btw. Reminds me of something they would do on Top Gear except they would make it Delta Shuttle vs Tesla or something!
Well it's just over 325 km (straight line) If they can get the corridor to 185 mph (300 km/h) it should be under 2 hours with a stop in Philadelphia.
The Tokaido Shinkansen makes the over 400 km run (again straight line) between Tokyo and Osaka in under 2.5 hours and that is with 4 stops between that and on 50 year old track.
For all the hassle to get to the airports, the TSA, and the potential delay (especially in LGA). I will take Acela, thank you.
"You could not book first class"
Blasphemy!
I would train it. The cost savings, the better amenities, and the ease win it for me. I probably wouldn't be getting a first-class flight ticket either. But I don't travel for work. It would be purely for leisure, so I'd be fine with it taking a little more time. Awesome video!
I have been on the acela it was the best expericnce ive ever had good thing you like it!
Great video, Jeb. One of your best.
Holy moly is it ever CHEAP to fly or ride a train in the USA! Double or triple that price in Canada.
I loved this! You should try doing the same thing though only using public transportation.
Plane faster but train had more positives so I would take the train
And it’d be MUCH closer in normal times when the airports are super busy
@Jack Turner before long, planes will be more environmentally friendly than these trains, just give it time
@@xlr__ryan We'll have flying cars before planes are more environmentally friendly.
@@xlr__ryan Acela runs on renewable energy plane runs on fuel train wins
definitely interested in more comparison videos!
8:54
now that was impressive
Concorde or boom ?
@@aayanbeeatin conorde
This is such a fun video really enjoyed it!
Thanks for doing this, I’ve always been curious about which is faster! Side note, it seems like if Acela could get the average speed up to 140 mph, the train would be within striking distance of matching the plane.
In all fairness, he got very lucky with the plane and unlucky with the train. He also arrived way too early for the train. You don't need to do that and most people arrive 10 minutes before the train because they just assume that is enough time to board a train.
Now that Covid is mostly over, there will be a much longer line at TSA and the flights are more dense leading to a lot more delays.
I feel like in reality these two trips are a lot closer in duration in real life.
Not sure how I found this, but binge watching the whole TH-cam menu on these train expeditions :)
Thanks for joining!
Nothing comes close to the safety of the Japanese shinkansen bullet train 10 billion passengers with zero fatalities.
Having lived in the New York for a long time. I would anytime prefer taking the Acela from NY to DC or NY to Boston as compared to taking the flight. The flight is more stressful, expensive and I am unable to get any work done as compared to travelling on the train that allows me to attend meetings and get a lot of work done while I enjoy the ride.
The Acela interior has that "American aesthetic." Europeans might know what I mean.
The trains are over 20 years old now, and the cars were based primarily on the Canadian Bombardier LRC cars from the late 1970s.
A race in opposite directions. At different times of day. Try again with a companion, leaving at same time, using one mode each and see who gets there first. COVID has at least drastically reduced airport delays and en-route delays. Then there’s the ‘hassle’ element to be considered. Air travel is notorious for it.
Yes more challenges, Jeb!
You asked for a challenge. I got the mother challenge right here.
A Canonball Run challenge. Coast to coast and back again, one way train, one way plane. Compare costs and times (although we know the plane will be faster), comfort, service, views...anything you can compare.
Also, awesome video. Thanks for the upload.
Having traveled Amtrak routinely I would never arrive that early. It would be interesting to see these numbers before covid.
Great video, love the challenge style. Thanks!
Beautiful speedmaster! Love your watchgame, it's always super stylish, yet brave!
That hold up on the Acela (in Harrison) is something we NJ Transit riders are quite used to....and the bane of our daily commute.
The b-roll footage you got of that cemetery is where my grandparents were burried
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Would appreciate seeing more challenges, Jeb. Thanks so much!