Take the A (for Acela) Train

Today's intercity rail can be a relaxing, productive experience. On Amtrak, there's no security check, many (though not all) stations have good to-go food, and if you reserve your ticket online, you can get it from a kiosk machine. Trains like the Amtrak Acela Express, which runs from Boston through Washington, D.C., have seat tables and per-seat electric outlets.

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 Amtrak 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 LocaModa. "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 productive working environment."

"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 Temple Reyim. "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 onboard WiFi, 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.

"If I need Internet access, I rely on my Treo, which has served me well in spite of its small keyboard and small screen limitations," says Rosenberg.

For Internet access while on the train, LocaModa's An uses EV-DO wireless data cards in his notebook. "LocaModa does mobile business and signage display, so I have pretty much one of everything, including wireless data PC cards and service for Sprint, Verizon and AT&T," An notes. On the Boston/New York run, reports An, "There aren't any dead spots worth noting. There are of course, dead spots in the stations."

Over 100 train stations in the U.S. have free WiFi hotspots.

One nice thing about the train: while delays may happen, they're not subject to road traffic, and they are less impacted by weather.