Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge - Boston South Station

Sept 2025
I had planned to meet my sister who was flying in from somewhere else, but her flight got delayed and I decided to hole up in the lounge. The front desk staff was very kind and allowed me to stay even though I wasn't waiting for a train (I had just arrived on business class).

The lounge is definitely quieter and MUCH less crowded than the station proper. In the time I was there, there were never more than 15 people using the lounge. There were also plenty of working outlets and tables for people to work (or game) on. You might have to move some of the chairs to get better access to the wall outlets. The place is clean and in good repair, though the yellow fabric chairs aren't the best.

The men & women bathrooms are in the back, with a working water fountain. The bathrooms are clean and dry.

The food offerings are VERY slim though. I did not see them restock the food in the 3.5 hours I was there. Though I noticed the cabinets underneath had full boxes of snacks. They just had typical snack food: popcorn, chips, cookies, fruit bars. Drinks were water, soda, and juice. There was a machine dispensing hot chocolate and multiple types of coffee. Plus a machine dispensing water and ice.

Outside the lounge doors is a buzzer to ask the staff to unlock the doors for you. Then up about 2 flights of stairs. There is an elevator to the lounge (outside the doors), but you need a staff member to open it for you since the lounge is closed to the general public. They also do not help you lug your luggage up and down the entrance stairs.

South station seating has been gutted, there is now nowhere to sit, just a bunch of cheap restaurants..and with my train randomly delayed an hour all they offer now is an upcharge for this lounge. Or, your choice, hang out with the growing homeless population in and around the train terminal.

Getting to elevator is difficult and there are a lot of stairs if you have a heavy luggage. The lounge is old and the staff is not helpful

Ah Boston.... the lounge itself is nice but unlike the lounge in NYC's Moynihan Train Hall, there are only snacks like chips and granola bars, and soda and water. There's a big coffee industrial machine that's ok. No sandwiches, juices, beer or wine. And no escalator or ramp going up. There's an elevator but someone has to swipe a card for you to use it, and today the Amtrak employees' card did not work so I had to schlep my bags up the stairs. That's not ADA compliant. I used a comp pass that Amtrak sent me. I have another one left that I'll save for Moynihan. At least there are working outlets in the lounge because there aren't any even in the regular Amtrak Lounge in the ground floor of the station which really sucks for non first class Acela and regular Amtrak travelers.

Not open at posted hours

Staff was Very helpful and pleasant. Good selection of snacks and beverages. Great place to hang out while waiting for the train. Clean restrooms and lounge area.

Good experience!

I’ll say one thing: the room is gorgeous. I can’t really say anything else. Customers have to wait to use an elevator because it’s closed to the public. The furniture is tired and filthy. There are some snacks available but nothing anyone would actually desire. There are tables to work, with power even…but no chairs. Between this lounge and the mediocre food offerings on the Acela first class car, it’s really not worth the price. Stick to Business class.

Traditional elegance with modern conveniences. Professional and courteous staff. An enjoyable atmosphere while waiting for my train.

Quiet oasis amidst the craziness of South Station. Highly recommended.

Agree with what others have said. Stunningly beautiful space but has a library feel. Great if you just need a spot away from the terminal to get some (quiet) work done. But definitely does not provide any noticeable value difference considering the cost of the first class tickets.
Snacks that were offered were bags of chips and granola bar - nothing fresh at all. Coffee and tea were available but you had to request it from the one employee working.
You probably won’t have a bad experience but prepare to not be blown away either.

Excellent system here

So the operating hours says opens 5:45am, no other sign there, i was waiting for my 7:15 train and the thing just opened at 6:50 so very disappointing i dont mind if its close because im out of the operating hours, but dont post hours that aren’t true.

Very clean and comfortable. Superb staff.

This is a certified moment moment