Northeast Regional from Stamford to Washington DC-- four seats together? Transfer required?

[ChrisKez]

We're looking to take the train from Stamford, CT to Washington Union Station on a Friday morning (10am). Do we need to transfer at Penn Station or can we stay in our seats? My plan was to reserve seats in business class so four of us can sit together (2 adults, 2 kids). It would be unfortunate if we had to transfer and then try to find four together on a different train. I was planning to get coach on the way back Sunday afternoon, thinking it would be easier to get four together since we'll be at the origin. Is this a reasonable assumption?

 

[am1830]

It will tell you if multiple trains (a transfer) are required for your itinerary, but the midday weekday Northeast trains (including 95 and 2155, if you're leaving Stamford around 10am) will all carry through to at least Washington, so you can stay on through New York.

Leaving from Washington is not that difficult to get 2 rows together, but a long line for boarding forms pretty quickly once the gate is announced so try to get there at least 20-25 minutes early and watch for the gate.

 

[MARC Rider]

It will tell you if multiple trains (a transfer) are required for your itinerary, but the midday weekday Northeast trains (including 95 and 2155, if you're leaving Stamford around 10am) will all carry through to at least Washington, so you can stay on through New York.

Leaving from Washington is not that difficult to get 2 rows together, but a long line for boarding forms pretty quickly once the gate is announced so try to get there at least 20-25 minutes early and watch for the gate.

Most of the Northeast Regionals are through trains between Boston and at least Washington, so one does not need to change trains in New York if boarding at Stamford. If you are taking business class, all seats are assigned by the computer when you book the ticket, but you can change them on your own online. If it's really important to sit together, I would suggest that you book by telephone and have the agent find the seats for you. You should probably book at least a week or two in advance to be sure there are 4 empty seats together.

If you're traveling by coach, all bets are off, it's strictly first come. first serve, but usually enough people get off in New York that you'll be able to find 4 seats together for the rest of the trip. Just be sure to take the claim check the conductor puts over your seat with you to your new seats. When boarding coach in Washington, it pays to come early to be first in line, and there are usually lots of empty seats toward the front of the train, so be prepared to take a hike. If the train is coming through from Virginia, which more and more do these days, be prepared to find a train that is already pretty full.