Anybody ever take a Transcontinental rail trip?

[ahurtt]

So. . .If I were looking to take a train trip from Wash. DC to California's wes coast, where should I start? Anybody ever done this affordably? I found this website:

American Orient Express

But. . DAMN it's expensive! About $5K per person for a 9 day trip! Looks like a little more luxury than I can afford. Seems this company is offering more of a luxury ocean cruise type package on rails. I'm looking for something that is still enjoyable with lots of good scenery and that a couple in their early 60's (my in-laws from Taiwan) would still find comfortable enough to enjoy. So since I have never done anything like this before I turn to the ATOT community to share your experiences that you might have had making such a trip. Where did you find info on different routes and trips to take and what kind of cost can I expect for something a little less luxurious than what I linked above? Any tips, pointers, suggestions, info, etc. . .are welcome. Discuss. . .
thanks!

 

[kranky]

I wanted to take a longer train ride as part of a vacation and did many hours of research before deciding against it.

It appears most people find Amtrak to be not a real enjoyable way to travel long distances, though it is affordable. And if you go with a top-quality outfit (like American Orient Express), the cost is wow. I wasn't able to find any in-between options.

I tried hard to talk myself into believing that Amtrak wasn't as bad as it sounded. But it became obvious most of the unhappy Amtrak customers were people who were wanting to have an enjoyable train ride, but ended up disappointed.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: kranky
I tried hard to talk myself into believing that Amtrak wasn't as bad as it sounded. But it became obvious most of the unhappy Amtrak customers were people who were wanting to have an enjoyable train ride, but ended up disappointed.

Interesting...what were the complaints? I've never taken Amtrak for longer than a few hours' trips, but it seemed like an awesome way to travel. An old friend of mine always took Amtrak. They loved that you could get off at stations and re-board later, thus making the trip part of the vacation itself.

 

[Scarpozzi]

So do they let you off the train to tour the sites and then let you get back on? I'm confused....

Also, does Amtrack or any of the train systems in the US have a system month-long pass like they do overseas? I think it would be cool to have a train system like that so you can get on and off the trains at the cities you want to stop in and explore as you go....

 

[nakedfrog]

I was on Amtrak from Harrisburg, PA to Chicago. The train broke down a couple times and had to be pulled up one hill by an engine from a competing company... all told it took 24 hours. I still enjoyed myself, though, talked with a lot of people who were on the train. It's nice to be able to get up and walk around during the trip.
Oh, and I think my ticket was around $120 or so, but this was about ten years ago. It was supposed to have been from Baltimore, MD to Chicago, but the day before I left there was heavy snow, and the train I was originally supposed to have been on derailed (we didn't drive out to the station that night, lucky me).

 

[kami333]

Amtrak USA Pass. Or they also have ones by regions.

I've taken the Amtrak several times on the East coast and it never impressed me. The Cascades line up from Oregon to Vancouver might be worth checking out though.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: kami333
Amtrak USA Pass. Or they also have ones by regions.

I've taken the Amtrak several times on the East coast and it never impressed me. The Cascades line up from Oregon to Vancouver might be worth checking out though.

I'm thinking cheap and carefree transportation, not necessarily efficiency or luxury.

I rode the fast trains in Italy and France and loved it...

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
So do they let you off the train to tour the sites and then let you get back on? I'm confused....

Also, does Amtrack or any of the train systems in the US have a system month-long pass like they do overseas? I think it would be cool to have a train system like that so you can get on and off the trains at the cities you want to stop in and explore as you go....

If you go with a top notch outfit like American Orient Express, it's all about the trip. Not just getting from point A to point B like on Amtrak. So yes, they would let you stop and get out and tour the cities along the way. It is like an ocean cruise on tracks. But the cost is somewhat prohibitive. I would love it if somebody told me there was something here in the U.S. like they have with the Eurail in Europe where you can just buy a pass and pretty much ride any train anywhere in Europe whenever you wanted for as long as your pass was good. I did that back in '95 and it was a memory I will cherish the rest of my life. And it was so nice for exactly the reasons stated. . .you could get off in any city and stay as long as you liked and then just look at the train schedule and hop on a train whenever you were ready to move on. Kind of a self-paced adventure. Had to do a little bit of my own planning and there were no tour guides to help plan my itinerary. But it was very affordable. The train was just a train, nothing luxurious but you could pay a little extra and get a sleeper car if you wanted on any given trip. I think that would be ideal for my parents in-law if anybody knows if they offer something like that in the States. I'm sure on this $5K 9 day trip they plan everything out for you and feed you and everything. . .for a high price.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: kami333
Amtrak USA Pass. Or they also have ones by regions.

I've taken the Amtrak several times on the East coast and it never impressed me. The Cascades line up from Oregon to Vancouver might be worth checking out though.

sounds interesting, I'll have to check this out.

 

[FoBoT]

nope, it is too expensive for long trips

 

[MixMasterTang]

Most people here would be interested in the North American Rail Pass. USA Rail Pass is only available to non-us residents.

Offered jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, the North America Rail Pass provides you with 30 consecutive travel days with unlimited rides and stopovers throughout the United States and Canada. VIA Rail Canada is Canada's premier passenger rail provider.

Pass Highlights

Travel for 30 consecutive days
More than 28,000 miles and more than 900 destinations
Cost


Peak Off Peak
May 26, 2006 -
October 15, 2006 October 16, 2005 -
May 25, 2006
$766 - US $543 - US
With discount for seniors, students and children
$689.40 - US $488.70 - US

 

[JEDI]

for cross country trip:

car > train

rent a mustang covertible w/unlimited miles

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
Most people here would be interested in the North American Rail Pass. USA Rail Pass is only available to non-us residents.

Offered jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, the North America Rail Pass provides you with 30 consecutive travel days with unlimited rides and stopovers throughout the United States and Canada. VIA Rail Canada is Canada's premier passenger rail provider.

Pass Highlights

Travel for 30 consecutive days
More than 28,000 miles and more than 900 destinations
Cost


Peak Off Peak
May 26, 2006 -
October 15, 2006 October 16, 2005 -
May 25, 2006
$766 - US $543 - US
With discount for seniors, students and children
$689.40 - US $488.70 - US

I think the USA Rail pass would be right up my alley for what I'm looking for since we are trying to help my wife's parents plan this trip. They are citizens of Taiwan. But I am going to look into that North American pass for myself and my wife since, while I have done a trip like this in Europe before, I have never done anything like this in my own home country, the good ol' US of A.

Thanks for the good info guys! Keep it coming!

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: JEDI
for cross country trip:

car > train

rent a mustang covertible w/unlimited miles

Not for me. . .for my parent's in law who are going to be visiting from Taiwan and won't have a car. They'd have to rent one and driving in a foreign country can be challenging or scary for some people.