Thinking about taking Amtrak this year

[xBiffx]

For Thanksgiving this year I was thinking of avoiding the full cavity search for a change and taking the train. I would be going from IA to NV. It's about a 36 hour trip so if I left on a Friday night I would get in on Sunday morning. I would likely get a roomette due to the two nights of travelling and all the meals I would be eating.

I am definitely not doing it to save money, just have a different travel experience. It actually will be about $500ish each direction. I might even just take it out and fly back, haven't decided on that either.

Any suggestions, thoughts, stories on Amtrak. I haven't even done this so I don't know what to expect or watch out for.

Thanks!

 

[Ns1]

I couldn't believe how expensive Amtrak tickets were...

 

[xBiffx]

I couldn't believe how expensive Amtrak tickets were...

Actually, the base coach fair for that long trip is only $129 but that's just for a regular seat, no food, and no bed.

 

[mnewsham]

For Thanksgiving this year I was thinking of avoiding the full cavity search for a change and taking the train. I would be going from IA to NV. It's about a 36 hour trip so if I left on a Friday night I would get in on Sunday morning. I would likely get a roomette due to the two nights of travelling and all the meals I would be eating.

I am definitely not doing it to save money, just have a different travel experience. It actually will be about $500ish each direction. I might even just take it out and fly back, haven't decided on that either.

Any suggestions, thoughts, stories on Amtrak. I haven't even done this so I don't know what to expect or watch out for.

Thanks!

I did washington DC to Miami FL about 3 months ago, we had a bedroom (much nicer then a roomette )

Only problem with the trip was we had two suicides, first was a homeless man outside richmond VA, the second was a woman in southern FL. Added about 3 hours to the total trip time. Though I'm fairly sure this was an abnormal experience, the food is actually pretty decent just remember leaving a tip is a good thing!

 

[FoBoT]

i would like to do that, sometime, when i could afford it. they do have internet access now?
looks like only the NE corridor has wifi

 

[xBiffx]

i would like to do that, sometime, when i could afford it. they do have internet access now?
looks like only the NE corridor has wifi

The California Zephyr line that I would be going on doesn't have wifi. Probably because of the terrain/distance. I am hoping that my 4g Verizon phone will work most of the time for me to tether with.

 

[homercles337]

I wish the US had rail service like they have in Europe, i would use it all the time. I have spent many, many hours on Amtrak in the NE Corridor between Boston and NY/DC, it is a genuinely enjoyable experience.

 

[darkewaffle]

I've taken Amtrak from Harrisburg to Philly many times and generally been happy with it. It's pretty relaxing and it's only ever been crowded for me maybe twice. All in all I enjoy train travel.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Way way back, I took a family trip from Minneapolis all the way to Washington State, down to San Francisco and Los Angeles, through Nevada and Utah, all the way to Chicago, and then back home to Minneapolis.

It was a lot of fun. There was plenty of room to stretch out unlike an airplane, and the train stopped at various points so we had time to look at Glacier National Park in Montana among other sights. We visited friends and family along the west coast.

Amtrak is quite expensive these days but it could be a good option for a family vacation.

 

[Saint Nick]

I have taken the Zephyr twice (round trip, Omaha -> Chicago -> Omaha). It was a good trip...very long. We had the cheapest possible seats and it wasn't terribly comfortable, but it was a fun experience. Never knew how many little Amtrak stops there are out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[xBiffx]

I have taken the Zephyr twice (round trip, Omaha -> Chicago -> Omaha). It was a good trip...very long. We had the cheapest possible seats and it wasn't terribly comfortable, but it was a fun experience. Never knew how many little Amtrak stops there are out in the middle of nowhere.

And I'd be getting on at one of those too.

 

[Saint Nick]

And I'd be getting on at one of those too.

That's pretty cool. It seems they stopped at lots of quaint little towns. I think it would be pretty sweet to travel across the US in a train as long as I had a bed.

 

[olds]

DIL just took Amtrak to Ohio from California.
They lost her luggage, gave her the run and and generally didn't care if she received any type of customer service or if she got her luggage back.
4 days later, she finally got her luggage.

 

[dank69]

i would like to do that, sometime, when i could afford it. they do have internet access now?
looks like only the NE corridor has wifi

The benefits of traveling in the civilized world.

 

[dank69]

DIL just took Amtrak to Ohio from California.
They lost her luggage, gave her the run and and generally didn't care if she received any type of customer service or if she got her luggage back.
4 days later, she finally got her luggage.

What are the odds that they lose Biff's luggage? :sneaky:

 

[mmntech]

Never been on Amtrak but I took VIA Rail's Ocean last year. The train is a more gentlemanly way to travel IMO, especially with the room. Just so much easier than flying. You just get on, find your room, and that's it. The food on board was pricey but far better than anything you'd ever get on an airplane. Service is far better. Plus you're free to get up and roam about.

The only downside was the train had no wifi so I was stuck with my cell.

 

[ultimatebob]

i would like to do that, sometime, when i could afford it. they do have internet access now?
looks like only the NE corridor has wifi

The Acela is nice... You can get from New Haven, CT to Washington DC on one of those in less time that it would take to fly once you include the time you waste going through airport screening.

 

[vshah]

i like taking the acela from washington to nyc, only because sometimes it's the same price as an air ticket and much less stressful, and about as fast door to door.

 

[mnewsham]

i like taking the acela from washington to nyc, only because sometimes it's the same price as an air ticket and much less stressful, and about as fast door to door.

NYC to DC sucks acela because there are no places acela gets to it's top speed in that corridor really, it saves maybe 30-40 mins on the journey if i remember correctly.

 

[vailr]

Amtrak - Weekly Specials Fare Finder:
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/smart-fares
(Coach fares only).
Discounted coach travel would be much cheaper than getting a roomette.
For night time, just bring earplugs, eyeshade, head covering & a warm blanket. Train car temperatures are kept relatively cool.

 

[dank69]

Is it bad that I thought a 'roomette' was 'a chick to share your room with' on the ride down? :hmm:

 

[vshah]

NYC to DC sucks acela because there are no places acela gets to it's top speed in that corridor really, it saves maybe 30-40 mins on the journey if i remember correctly.

it was still faster/cheaper d2d than flying

 

[mnewsham]

it was still faster/cheaper d2d than flying

Yeah I would rather take normal train that takes and extra bit of time but only costs 50 bucks each way

 

[cronos]

Took an Amtrak trip with my family from Chicago - Memphis - Chicago a few years back. Two nights trip but both nights were on the train* so we booked the family room.

It was really fun and a change of pace for me (we usually drive, never fly), albeit rather expensive. Definitely worth the experience though. My son had a blast (he was ~5 at the time).


* One full day in Memphis. Arrived in the wee morning, left our luggage at the storage at the train station. Spent a whole day sight seeing and all the touristy stuff, back to the station for the train back around 8 or 9pm.