Amtrack: Denver to California?

Old Feb 14th, 2017, 06:24 AM
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Amtrack: Denver to California?

We are planning a trip to Yosemite in early May. Thanks to the advice given in my other thread it looks like we'll add time in the nearby gold rush country.

My wife came up with the idea of taking the California Zephyr instead of flying for something different. (tomfuller, I don't believe she has ever heard of you )

I briefly looked at the Amtrack website. It looks like we can get off in downtown Sacramento, right next to the California State Railroad Museum. There are nearby hotels and car rental offices.

Should we decide on the train instead of flying, would Sacramento be the best place for us to disembark? It looks like we'd want a "Superliner Roomette" for maximum comfort, correct? Any other info or advice regarding taking the train? Is this a good idea?

Thanks!
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 06:44 AM
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I've ridden this route multiple times and have enjoyed it. It is, to my mind, the most scenic of AMTRAK's routes.

The roomette is way better than coach but no one is going to mistake it for luxury. When the beds are made up. it is very cramped but I always sleep well as the train rolls along.

You will probably get conflicting advice. Some of us enjoy the AMTRAK experience, many don't. You have to be prepared to be late, many times hours late. For me, that just gives me more time to enjoy the experience but for others, it is teeth-gnashing.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 06:57 AM
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I took the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco and enjoyed it very much, but the best scenery is indeed west of Denver. I was traveling solo and found the roomette just fine, but for two of you might want a bedroom instead.

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...fornia-zephyr/

Can't help with where to get off, I went all the way to Emeryville, where they bus you on to the Ferry Building in SF. My train was only 10 minutes late, but I had allowed for it to be several hours late.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 07:21 AM
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If you don't mind a totally cramped space, don't have much luggage, don't mind being right next to the corridor with people walking back and forth, and don't mind going to a communal toilet in the middle of the night, it is fun.

I've been in the larger accommodations (i.e. family room or handicap room) on the Coast Starlight, which is a lot better, but I have walked past these roomettes and they are super tiny.

It is unfortunate that Amtrak doesn't have double compartments like those that exist in Europe (or used to exist on the old pre-Amtrak trains like the Super Chief), because those are still super comfy. In fact, the room in the overnight train we took last fall from Budapest to Prague was spacious with plenty of room for luggage.

The train station in Sacramento is lovely, and I would highly recommend the railroad museum. That museum even had a dining car and dishes like we used to use on the old Super Chief, so it was a cool blast from the past experience for me.

But back to your question. It will only be "comfy" if you think of it in terms of going camping and using a blow up mattress instead of putting your sleeping bag on the ground. I personally would do it, but I'm a huge fan of trains and camping.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 07:36 AM
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For "maximum comfort" you definitely DO NOT want the roomette; you want the full bedroom.

For guaranteed on-time arrival, I am saddened to say, you DO NOT want Amtrak.

And yes, I HAVE, been there/done that on the Zephyr and other services.

Now, that said, if you aren't in a hurry to arrive somewhere Amtrak is OK. The food is another conversation.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 08:26 AM
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Thanks much for the replies. I'm getting the picture. Surfergirl, your first paragraph painted it nicely!

the full bedroom did not show up as an option when I put in a semi-random date, close to when we might depart, only the roomette. Maybe the bedroom was sold out that date?

We travel light, we do well when flying to hiking destinations with everything we need in one 26" check bag, one carry on bag, and a daypack as a carry on.

Also, we'd plan to arrive a couple of days minimum before we had to be in Yosemite, so running late on the train shouldn't be an issue.

I was wondering about the food dukey. We are finicky (mostly) vegetarians, but I see thursdayd found the veggie burgers quite good. Great blog entry, thursdayd, and the link to seat61 was handy.

I'll show my wife this info and we can stew on it a bit. She just sent me this link:
http://www.denverpost.com/2011/03/10...y-that-counts/

Maybe taking the train one way and flying back is the way to go?

Thanks again.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 08:43 AM
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Some of the most beautiful daytime scenery of any Amtrak route is between Denver and Green River UT.
I would much rather see the Glenwood Canyon from the train than driving through it.
Sacramento is your best option for early May. I'm hoping that you do not encounter flood devastation or large amounts of snow between Sacramento and Yosemite.
My favorite HI hostel is a Victorian mansion within walking distance of the train station. The train station has been being remodeled for 2-3 years no. It is starting to look a lot better.
Depending on how late your CZ gets in, you may want to visit the California Railroad Museum. It closes at 5 most days.
If you do have a sleeper (roomette or bedroom) the meals are included in the fare.
In late May DW and I are sharing a roomette from Winnemucca all the way to Chicago. Yes the upper bunk is similar to a coffin but it's better than 2 consecutive nights sleeping in a coach seat.
If you don't want to rent a car downtown, you can catch a YOLO bus out to the airport (SMF).
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 10:09 AM
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If you are looking for Amtrak fares over a range of dates try Amsnag. http://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php
The article you posted was originally posted in May 2011.
The vegetarian options on the train may become a little boring. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks on board.
It is true that the emergency rations for unplanned meals on the train is Dinty Moore Beef stew over prepared rice.
For the strict vegetarian, you can have a bowl of rice and maybe some cheese.
The new station in Denver opened last year. It is an Intermodal station with a light rail connection to the airport.
Downstairs in the Sightseer Lounge, is a small cafe with several tables. You may find some other vegetarian fare down there. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are also available in the cafe at rather high prices.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 10:18 AM
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Yes, definitely do a train there, fly back. We regretted not doing that on our trip from LA to Seattle on the Coast Starlight . . . didn't realize it was an option (which it was!).
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 11:19 AM
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tom, thanks for the info, much appreciated. The amsnag site is helpful for the date range. We don't have to be strict veggies, and we always make sure we have our own emergency comfort food, especially if Dinty Moore Beef Stew is the other emergency option.

We've slept in some small upper bunks (though maybe not quite like a coffin) on train travel in Asia, and yes it's way better a coach seat.

Surfergirl, by saying that the return flight is an option, do you mean you booked it via Amtrack, or you just bought separate one-way tickets? Thanks.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 11:42 AM
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Glad you enjoyed the blog. The seat61 site is great for train travel pretty much anywhere. You won't want the 26 in bag in a roomette. With a day pack each you should fit OK, and there are places to stow the other luggage outside.

The sleeping accommodation does sell out, plus the prices go up as it sells. The earlier you book the better. There are AAA and senior discounts available on the base fare but not the sleeper cost.

I would take the train one way and fly the other, unless you can take a different route on the way back.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 01:32 PM
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Since time isn't a major concern, sure take the train. Not sure what flooding Tom is concerned about between Sacramento and Yosemite.

Depending on your budget there are several very nice hotels in downtown Sacramento and you could collect your car the next morning. The Crocker museum is also highly recommended.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 02:48 PM
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Skip the roomette: it's very cramped. Instead, go for a redroom, which has space to stretch out and a shower.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 02:49 PM
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No, what you want is a Bedroom. In some cases that gives you meals included.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 02:57 PM
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All sleeping accommodation on Amtrak includes all meals.

"Are meals included with my sleeping accommodations?

Yes. Sleeping accommodations are considered "Sleeper Service" accommodations aboard Amtrak. As Sleeper Service passengers, you and your sleeping car companions (up to the maximum passenger capacity for your accommodation) are entitled to receive all regular meals as part of your accommodations."

From: https://www.amtrak.com/onboard-the-t...accommodations

Some, but not all, bedrooms include showers. I found the shared showers to be fine - clean with plenty of hot water.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 03:08 PM
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I can't afford a Superliner bedroom ($1150 to $1350 for the one with toilet and shower). The Roomette for the same trip is $477 for 2 adults. I plan on a late night or early morning shower. You might want to bring your favorite soap. The stuff provided by Amtrak (no c) is not very good.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 04:02 PM
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Flights Denver-San Fran are on sale for 70 bucks.
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Old Feb 14th, 2017, 04:54 PM
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That is a big jump in price for the bedroom, but we could consider it for something special. Most likely we'd wind up with the roomette, but we'll see.

Thanks for the Crocker museum recommendation janis, it looks nice. Some of the downtown hotels, such as The Citizen, are out of our usual budget range. But the Delta King isn't and, like the train trip, is something different.

I'm kind of liking the idea of the train, but where did you see the $70 airfare, Debbie? I just got a United e-mail and they didn't have it.

Thanks again everyone.
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 05:02 AM
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Hi Nelson,

That train ride (Chicago-Emeryville) is up there as one of the most beautiful train rides I've ever been on. I've always managed fine with the roomette, mostly travelling just me, but I've ever done this travel with two. Meals are included with the roomette.

Enjoy! Daniel
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 06:39 AM
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Check Groupon, the Delta King often has offers there. Don't expect a large room but the ambience is nice and it is walking distance from both the RR museum and the Crocker.

If you don't have big luggage it is a doable stroll from the Amtrak station, but dragging wheeled suitcases through Old Sacramento is not the easiest because of the wooden sidewalks and cobbled street surfaces.
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