The Acela Express from Boston to New York currently costs between $124 and $140 one-way and takes 3.5 hours. The Northeast-Regional costs $62-$89, taking only 20-35 minutes more time, but it is also less comfortable than the Express. (In comparison, a cheap round-trip airline flight from Boston to New York is about $150.)

The Acela Express' First Class car is even roomier than Business class, but costs another $70. However, even the Acela's regular business class seats are comfortable enough, with enough seat space to open a notebook fully onto the seat table, and AC power outlets at each seat. And each train has a "quiet car"-no cell phones or schmoozing permitted-if you can find a seat. Also, the club car has a few larger-sized tables if you need to spread out.

"I find the Acela train from Boston to New York City to be the best option in terms of space, quietness, comfort, power outlets et cetera," reports Steve An, CTO of . "My CEO and I have often gotten much of our final prep work done on the train before meetings. I don't think we would fly to New York even if it's free. Other options are too restrictive for a true ."

"When traveling between Boston and New York, I prefer the Amtrak Acela when I need to get serious work done," says Scott Rosenberg, rabbi at Boston-area . "The work space and plug makes writing and working on presentations uncomplicated. My productivity on the Acela far exceeds the levels I achieve when flying, and the work space is far more comfortable."

The train has no , but cell coverage is available along most of the route. You should be able to tether or use mobile broadband for connectivity, though I haven't tried this personally.