Why would ANYONE take a long distance train??

[Josh]

I am travelling to North Carolina in about a little over a week. I travel there usually once a month and I always fly for around $200-$250...this time I was thinking about taking a train to save some money and because I am travelling with somebody who doesn't really want to spend money a plane ticket. However, while doing research I see that it is around $150 for a train ticket. Why would someone not splurge the extra $50 and save about 13 hours in travelling time??? I just don't understand how trains are still in business, i mean for the obvious fact that some are afraid to fly..but other than that...you don't even get a bedroom with that money - that will run you an extra $275!! Makes no sense to me...

 

[JS80]

for the "experience" :laugh:

 

[Doctor Nyse]

Because they can't afford the extra $50?

 

[episodic]

I've traveled on trains in Europe - and it was a much more relaxed experience than trying to hop a plane.
Much less stressful.

 

[Steve]

Europe knows how to do train travel right.

 

[Colt45]

you can stretch, sleep, smoke, eat at a table.. etc.

 

[QED]

The newer Amtrak trains are much more comfortable than flying on most airlines-- even flying first class.

So you are really trading time for comfort... if I wasn't in a big rush, I'd probably take the train over flying-- much more comfortable and overall less hassle.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Do you have to take off your shoes and leave all liquids behinds to ride a train these days? If not, you get back a couple of those hours just from skipping the security fun.

 

[AlienCraft]

Because carrying several pounds of weed on a plane isn't cool anymore.

 

[deadlyapp]

i take a train from school to home. San Luis Obispo, CA to Tacoma, WA. 27 hours scheduled, last trip was 40+ hours after hitting a guy, stopping multiple times for downed tracks, losing power a few times, and having to have conductors bussed to us from 4+ hours away.

That was a sh!tty train.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Do you have to take off your shoes and leave all liquids behinds to ride a train these days? If not, you get back a couple of those hours just from skipping the security fun.

I suppose....

Hmmm anyone have a recent picture of inside a AmTrak train? I just can't imagine sitting in a seat for 13 hours...yea i know they have a dining car and all that...but still.. I feel like the only way I'd do it was if I had the bedroom but its like $300 for that.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Europe knows how to do train travel right.

Japan's got it going on as well.

 

[kranky]

Not everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: Josh

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Do you have to take off your shoes and leave all liquids behinds to ride a train these days? If not, you get back a couple of those hours just from skipping the security fun.

I suppose....

Hmmm anyone have a recent picture of inside a AmTrak train? I just can't imagine sitting in a seat for 13 hours...yea i know they have a dining car and all that...but still.. I feel like the only way I'd do it was if I had the bedroom but its like $300 for that.

I could see it being fun if traveling in a group where you had your own party going on, but alone it must be hell.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: Josh

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Do you have to take off your shoes and leave all liquids behinds to ride a train these days? If not, you get back a couple of those hours just from skipping the security fun.

I suppose....

Hmmm anyone have a recent picture of inside a AmTrak train? I just can't imagine sitting in a seat for 13 hours...yea i know they have a dining car and all that...but still.. I feel like the only way I'd do it was if I had the bedroom but its like $300 for that.

I could see it being fun if traveling in a group where you had your own party going on, but alone it must be hell.

I'd be with the girlfriend. That's why we were thinking bedroom...:Q but too expensive

 

[TheWart]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Europe knows how to do train travel right.

To be fair, most train travel for Europeans involves covering a good deal less ground that indicated by the OP. Travelling by high speed rail from Paris to Marseille is a lot diff than going from Biloxi to New York.

 

[JRich]

mi scuzi mi scuzi

 

[Excelsior]

Meh, I like the train.


Granted, I only took it from Raleigh to Charlotte, but it was a fairly pleasant experience and much cheaper than flying from Raleigh to Charlotte.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: TheWart

Originally posted by: sm8000
Europe knows how to do train travel right.

To be fair, most train travel for Europeans involves covering a good deal less ground that indicated by the OP. Travelling by high speed rail from Paris to Marseille is a lot diff than going from Biloxi to New York.

Yea, i just went to the Amtrak website and for 2 adults travelling roundtrip for a bedroom from Newark to Charlotte, NC it is $815 !!?? Sheesh. Forget that.

 

[Dunbar]

They don't, that's why Amtrak loses money every year.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: TheWart

Originally posted by: sm8000
Europe knows how to do train travel right.

To be fair, most train travel for Europeans involves covering a good deal less ground that indicated by the OP. Travelling by high speed rail from Paris to Marseille is a lot diff than going from Biloxi to New York.

yeah, keep in mine that france is a nice rectangular country that is smaller than texas all by itself. much smaller distances = less time in the train

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: TheWart

Originally posted by: sm8000
Europe knows how to do train travel right.

To be fair, most train travel for Europeans involves covering a good deal less ground that indicated by the OP. Travelling by high speed rail from Paris to Marseille is a lot diff than going from Biloxi to New York.

yeah, keep in mine that france is a nice rectangular country that is smaller than texas all by itself. much smaller distances = less time in the train

Seems a hella lot cheaper too...

 

[tm37]

Some people are afraid to fly.

(I know one of these people and he takes the train)

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: JRich
mi scuzi mi scuzi

watch out for tunnels

 

[Vic]

It's the experience. I took a 14 hour (one-way, each way) train trip in '05 and (except for the fact that I discovered I can't sleep well on trains) it really is a great experience. An almost completely stress-free way to travel and see the scenery.