I was checking out possibilities for my springtime visit from NYC to Boston. I was miffed that my Monday morning run out on a regional train would cost me more than an Acela back on Thursday middayish.
Personally I would have liked an Acela both ways but they dont appear to run out of NYC until later in the day.
Is there something about the day of the week I'm not aware of? Is a weekend day cheaper than a Monday to take a train up? What's the catch here?
Thanks!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. David, the "catch" is demand pricing, for which every provider in the transportation and lodging, save the Mom and Pop motel, industries uses to price their products. The "great economist" noted by great economist Paul Samuelson is the parrot...."supply and demand....supply and demand".
I would not be surprised if even restaurants followed suit one of these days. This would mean that the 'entree that cost $X on Monday nights would cost $XX on Saturday.
Posted by D. David (Member # 4055) on :
So there's no set pattern of which days cost more than other days for taking Amtrak? This was my question.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
That can readilly researched at the Amtrak website. Just pick a particular train and compare the fares for several different days of travel.
Posted by rresor (Member # 128) on :
As a regular commuter on the NEC (PHL to WAS), I've noted the following:
Afternoons are more expensive than mornings. Friday afternoons can get *very* expensive.
Weekends are usually cheaper than weekdays. Note that Amtrak has also recently been offering discounted weekend fares, separate from the "demand sensitive" pricing.
Weekend fares on Acela Express are often much lower than weekday fares, except for Sunday evenings.
Early Monday mornings are usually eligible for the lowest fare "bucket".
Forget travel on a holiday weekend. You'll pay through the nose.