AMTRAK Travel
Mar 29th, 2003, 03:34 AM
#2
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In the northeast (Boston to Washington), prices vary tremendously, with the Acela Express costing far more than the sightly-slower choices. Amtrak is currently offering a special, where the second person get their ticket half-price and the third person is free! Check the link for specials, on their home page.
The extra $20 or so for business class is usually worth it, as is the cost differential for reserved trains vs unreserved -- you don't get an assigned seat, but the assurance that there will be A seat is worth it (IMHO).
Bring your own food and especially water since the food on board is expensive and not very good.
The extra $20 or so for business class is usually worth it, as is the cost differential for reserved trains vs unreserved -- you don't get an assigned seat, but the assurance that there will be A seat is worth it (IMHO).
Bring your own food and especially water since the food on board is expensive and not very good.
Mar 29th, 2003, 04:50 AM
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In Summer 2001 I took two big Amtrak trips: Chicago to Reno with a party of 4, then Chicago to Buffalo with a party of 7.
If you can afford it, I couldn't, get a sleeper car. The people in the sleeper cars are given priority for meals. The dining car can run out of space and you'll be stuck eating at the snack bar. As the previous poster mentioned, be prepared with some food of your liking. The food was decent in the dining car and it was fun to eat on a train, but it was expensive.
I broke the Chicago to Reno up with stops in Omaha, Denver and Salt Lake City. It can be tough to find 4 seats together at 3 in the morning when the train pulls into Omaha two hours late. Everyone tries to grab a set of two seats to sleep more comfortably.
I can't imagine, even with a sleeper car, being on a train for 48 solid hours to get from Chicago to San Francisco (actually Emeryville, it doesn't quite make it to the City.)
And don't expect to be on time, or even close.
If you can afford it, I couldn't, get a sleeper car. The people in the sleeper cars are given priority for meals. The dining car can run out of space and you'll be stuck eating at the snack bar. As the previous poster mentioned, be prepared with some food of your liking. The food was decent in the dining car and it was fun to eat on a train, but it was expensive.
I broke the Chicago to Reno up with stops in Omaha, Denver and Salt Lake City. It can be tough to find 4 seats together at 3 in the morning when the train pulls into Omaha two hours late. Everyone tries to grab a set of two seats to sleep more comfortably.
I can't imagine, even with a sleeper car, being on a train for 48 solid hours to get from Chicago to San Francisco (actually Emeryville, it doesn't quite make it to the City.)
And don't expect to be on time, or even close.
Mar 29th, 2003, 06:49 AM
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If you get a bedroom, it's a whole different experience from the ones mentioned above. All your food is included in your price. There are 3 full meals. The dinner menu offers few choices. If I remember there is a steak, fish dish, maybe another meat dish, and I'm sure a veggie dish as well. Salads, desserts and coffee/tea is included. It's served by a waitstaff on white linen. You do pay extra for alcohol, but it's available. The standard sleepers sleep 2, bottom, top bunk set-up, which during the day convert to a private little room with comfy seating for 2. The showers and toilets are communal, usually 2 per car. The deluxe cabins have their own toilets/showers, tiny but functional. The car stewart if asked will serve coffee/tea in the morning in your cabin, and will also get stuff for you if so desired, obviously tip required. S/he will clean your cabin and set it up for day/night once you're out. Basically I would compare the food/service to a poor man's cruise. You will also get a 'local' paper delivered in the morning, depending on the station. Some stops are as long as 1/2 hour, so if possible you could run out to purchase some goodies, which are also available at the snack bar, but not as good of a choice. I enjoyed my overnight trip from Orlando to New Orleans, and it did not have any great scenery, so if you like that kind of an experience go for it, but I strongly suggest getting a sleeper cabin, think of it as traveling first class as opposed to coach.
Have a great trip!
I do agree with the on-time suggestion. I would not plan any important meetings based on your arrival time.
Have a great trip!
I do agree with the on-time suggestion. I would not plan any important meetings based on your arrival time.
Mar 29th, 2003, 07:49 AM
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I've always wanted to do this, but the furthest I got was Milwaukee from WashDC.
I love traveling by train -- seeing things you can't see from a car, talking to people, having enforced and protected leisure to ponder things, and occasionally the food isn't all that bad. However, Amtrak tends to test the mettle of any rail fan, esp. on long trips. If punctuality is part of your plan, forget it.
If you can possibly afford it, as others have said, a sleeping compartment of some sort makes all the difference. If money is tight, I'd opt for perhaps reserving a sleeper for your second and/or third night. After one night sleeping in a coach seat, you'll be so grateful to yourself!
The alternative is, of course, to get on and off at various stops along the way and overnight there. Not a bad plan if you have one of those rail passes, but you'll have to do the math comparing motel rates vs. sleeper fees.
In general, trains between the East Coast and Chicago are a bit sad, but the ones from Chicago west are a bit more spiffy (although do not judge them by European standards). The food is variable -- we had really good food going west, pitiful stuff coming east. Have no idea why.
You might also look into Canadian corss-continent trains -- they no longer travel every single day, I believe, and in one direction they don't go through the beautiful mountains by daylight. They may also be more expensive but their reputation is better than poor, undersubsidized Amtrak's.
Let us know more about your preferences, destinations.
I love traveling by train -- seeing things you can't see from a car, talking to people, having enforced and protected leisure to ponder things, and occasionally the food isn't all that bad. However, Amtrak tends to test the mettle of any rail fan, esp. on long trips. If punctuality is part of your plan, forget it.
If you can possibly afford it, as others have said, a sleeping compartment of some sort makes all the difference. If money is tight, I'd opt for perhaps reserving a sleeper for your second and/or third night. After one night sleeping in a coach seat, you'll be so grateful to yourself!
The alternative is, of course, to get on and off at various stops along the way and overnight there. Not a bad plan if you have one of those rail passes, but you'll have to do the math comparing motel rates vs. sleeper fees.
In general, trains between the East Coast and Chicago are a bit sad, but the ones from Chicago west are a bit more spiffy (although do not judge them by European standards). The food is variable -- we had really good food going west, pitiful stuff coming east. Have no idea why.
You might also look into Canadian corss-continent trains -- they no longer travel every single day, I believe, and in one direction they don't go through the beautiful mountains by daylight. They may also be more expensive but their reputation is better than poor, undersubsidized Amtrak's.
Let us know more about your preferences, destinations.
