Travelling by train?
Feb 4th, 2011, 07:24 AM
#2
Depends where you're going...
For touring around major cities in Western Europe, using the trains is fantastic. Traveling in the United States, the routes are much more limited so would only be practical for a few destinations. Mexico, doesn't have trains many trains left these days. It's a big world, and there are a million variables to take into consideration to answer the question.
For touring around major cities in Western Europe, using the trains is fantastic. Traveling in the United States, the routes are much more limited so would only be practical for a few destinations. Mexico, doesn't have trains many trains left these days. It's a big world, and there are a million variables to take into consideration to answer the question.
Feb 4th, 2011, 10:44 AM
#3
Since October 2001 I have been an advocate of Amtrak and ViaRail in Canada. If there is a station near where you want to go and you do not demand to be at your stop within an hour of the scheduled arrival time, use the train. If you have time restrictions and have to be at a meeting, by all means fly.
If you want to combine several cities in a loop vacation, the USA Railpass is a good option. It comes in 15, 30 and 45 day periods. ViaRail quite often has specials with a companion's fare at 50% off. Some people can't sleep in coach but I usually can. People complain about the train fare but forget that if they fly for less, they are staying in an expensive hotel room. You can always fly home when you run out of time.
If you want to combine several cities in a loop vacation, the USA Railpass is a good option. It comes in 15, 30 and 45 day periods. ViaRail quite often has specials with a companion's fare at 50% off. Some people can't sleep in coach but I usually can. People complain about the train fare but forget that if they fly for less, they are staying in an expensive hotel room. You can always fly home when you run out of time.
Feb 4th, 2011, 03:19 PM
#5
I once traveled entirely by train from Scotland to Saigon, where I ran out of rails. See http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html
Amtrak is pretty awful - mostly because it doesn't own its own tracks and passenger trains take second place to freight. For loads of info on trains anywhere in the world see http://www.seat61.com
Amtrak is pretty awful - mostly because it doesn't own its own tracks and passenger trains take second place to freight. For loads of info on trains anywhere in the world see http://www.seat61.com
Feb 5th, 2011, 04:54 AM
#6
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www.seat61.com my fav training site.
Works well for me especially fast trains in Western Europe.
I see a lot of pretty things overland Canada good also.
Other areas that are more spread out like the US Amtrak
can be nice though train/rail conditions are not as good.
Pretty Training out west and on the west coast though
as long as you accept the time factors.
Works well for me especially fast trains in Western Europe.
I see a lot of pretty things overland Canada good also.
Other areas that are more spread out like the US Amtrak
can be nice though train/rail conditions are not as good.
Pretty Training out west and on the west coast though
as long as you accept the time factors.
Feb 7th, 2011, 05:49 AM
#9
How on earth do you expect anyone to answer that with no information to go on? Where are you? Where are you going? Why are you going there? What are your interests? Apparently you think we are mind readers!
Feb 7th, 2011, 06:33 AM
#10
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Within China, trains were fantastic. Within Europe, the trains were fantastic. I don't even bother checking the prices and timetables within the US.
It all depends on where you're going and what you want. I really liked that it was much easier to pack for a train ride than for an airplane ride (no dinking with liquides limits or similar) and I thought the sleeper trains were really comfy.
It all depends on where you're going and what you want. I really liked that it was much easier to pack for a train ride than for an airplane ride (no dinking with liquides limits or similar) and I thought the sleeper trains were really comfy.
Feb 11th, 2011, 05:45 PM
#13
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I endorse above opinions on European train travel but would like to say that we loved our 5 week trip around the US from LA to SF via New York and Chicago...largely on Amtrak...The trains usually have viewing carriages and are full of interesting people, a large proportion local travellers, who have plenty of time to chat.
