Cross country trip on AMTRAK

[NoToRiOuS1]

anyone been on a big trip on amtrak. thinking of going from new york penn station to sacramento. 3 day trip. 20 hrs from ny to chicago...and another 50 from there to sacramento. anyone done anything like this? any ideas? comments? suggestions? any information will be much appreciated guys.

 

[Goosemaster]

I've been on amtrak for 21hrs and HOLY HELL did my back hurt...damn chairs are a nightmare

the view was nice though

 

[Nomada]

Crossed my Country on VIA Rail and loved it. You could smoke, drink and it was so dead we got 4 chairs to the two of us. Good times.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Nomada
Crossed my Country on VIA Rail and loved it. You could smoke, drink and it was so dead we got 4 chairs to the two of us. Good times.

I thought via went bust many years ago?

 

[NoToRiOuS1]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
I've been on amtrak for 21hrs and HOLY HELL did my back hurt...damn chairs are a nightmare

the view was nice though

yea that brings up another question of is sleeping actually possible on those seats?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: faboloso112

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
I've been on amtrak for 21hrs and HOLY HELL did my back hurt...damn chairs are a nightmare

the view was nice though

yea that brings up another question of is sleeping actually possible on those seats?

lol..even thinking about it makes me smile.


Basically, i slept on the floor, if that answers your question

 

[Nomada]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Nomada
Crossed my Country on VIA Rail and loved it. You could smoke, drink and it was so dead we got 4 chairs to the two of us. Good times.

I thought via went bust many years ago?

Nope, don't know the details but it'll sum up to Government bailout.

 

[Goosemaster]

THat said, I never tried a sleeper car and those are probably a lot better, but too quiet

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Nomada

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Nomada
Crossed my Country on VIA Rail and loved it. You could smoke, drink and it was so dead we got 4 chairs to the two of us. Good times.

I thought via went bust many years ago?

Nope, don't know the details but it'll sum up to Government bailout.

interesting...their trains looked a lot ncie than amtraks...

 

[NoToRiOuS1]

no i meant about trying to sleep on those seats. not the sleeper cars.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: faboloso112
no i meant about trying to sleep on those seats. not the sleeper cars.

They aren't bad, but if you get on late in the evening, early AM, you may find yourself SOL. We got on at 2am, and had to sit next to the stairs, which are very well lit. All the darker seats were full.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: faboloso112
anyone been on a big trip on amtrak. thinking of going from new york penn station to sacramento. 3 day trip. 20 hrs from ny to chicago...and another 50 from there to sacramento. anyone done anything like this? any ideas? comments? suggestions? any information will be much appreciated guys.

I took Amtrak from Syracuse to Sacramento and then San Jose to Portland and Portland back to Syracuse last November. Loved it. I went coach from Syracuse to Chicago/San Jose to Portland/Chicago to Sysracuse but for the two major legs I had a roomette.

I spent most of the trip staring out the window looking at the country roll by and listening to my Sony HiMD player.

 

[NoToRiOuS1]

hows the food, lounge car? can you drink/smoke or was that just with the VIA?

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: faboloso112

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
I've been on amtrak for 21hrs and HOLY HELL did my back hurt...damn chairs are a nightmare

the view was nice though

yea that brings up another question of is sleeping actually possible on those seats?

Yes, 6' and over 200lbs., they aren't bad but they aren't great either. Take ear plugs and a travel pillow.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: faboloso112
hows the food, lounge car? can you drink/smoke or was that just with the VIA?

The food is good to excellent. You can buy booze and Amtrak personnel will usually let you off for a quick cigarette if the stop is long enough. Some stops there are crew changes and maintance so they are longer.

 

[vailr]

I'd suggest bringing a small blanket and some head cover, such as a cotton (not wool) ski cap, to help keep warm at night. Amtrak usually keeps the night time temperature cool. Earplugs and eye shades would also be useful. Some sleeper cars (extra expense) include a shower.
Otherwise, the rest room could be used for a "sponge bath".
For bargain fares, check Amtrak's weekly fare sales:
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
One of this week's special fares: NYC to CHI, via the Lakeshore Limited, for $41.10 (one way), Sep. 5 thru Oct. 5.

 

[DaWhim]

what will be the cost?

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
what will be the cost?

Depends on how close to when you want to leave you book the trip. The farther out the less the rates, unless there is a special. What kind of accomodations you want.

I paid around $700 for my trip, which included a roomette for the longest two legs of the trip.

 

[Liviathan]

Do they still have the service where you can put your car in one of the carts and ride?

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Liviathan
Do they still have the service where you can put your car in one of the carts and ride?

only virginia/carolina to florida to my knowledge and its uber expensive

 

[NakaNaka]

Can I ask what the point is and why you don't want to fly?

 

[Juice Box]

BRING A BLANKET!!!! Thats the only advice I offer....that train gets COLD at night and its impossible to sleep...other than that I love the train! Its a great way to travel

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: faboloso112
anyone been on a big trip on amtrak. thinking of going from new york penn station to sacramento. 3 day trip. 20 hrs from ny to chicago...and another 50 from there to sacramento. anyone done anything like this? any ideas? comments? suggestions? any information will be much appreciated guys.

I have wanted to do this all my life. I am keeping an eye out for what congress is going to do with Amtrak and definitely do it before it is no longer possible.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: NakaNaka
Can I ask what the point is and why you don't want to fly?

Adventure? See the sights? Love riding on trains? There are any number of reasons some people might want to do this.

 

[Triumph]

I wish we had a train system in this country like they have in Europe. The Northeast would be much better served by an efficient train system than the airlines.