Amtrak for a holiday - Am I mad?
 

I have been exploring the possibility of taking a holday using Amtrak. I have their brochure and the prices look very reasonable. However whenever I see American posters ( I am British) talking about Amtrak they are very dismissive and derogatory about it. Indeed they say it's worse than British Railways (some achievement if true!) <BR> <BR>I would like to know: <BR> <BR>1) Is it any good? I was thinking of starting in Chicago and working south <BR> <BR>2) I like trains, certainly in preference to planes, but how do the services compare? <BR> <BR>3) How regular are the services, not just between the big towns? <BR> <BR>4) Will I be the lone tourist wierdo on these trains? <BR> <BR>All assistance gratefully received <BR> <BR>David

Make sure to pay the extra for business class. I've taken the train a few times up and down the California coast. Beautiful scenery on the train, but a long ride when you had in all of the stops along the way. And unfortunately the stops aren't long enough to be able to ever get off and wander around for a while.

I disagree with the poster who said to pay extra for business class. I take Amtrak frequently on the east coast and like it very much. The regular seats are far more comfortable and spacious than coach airline seats, and even (in my opinion) more comfortable and spacious than most European train seats in 2nd class. In fact, I recently got back from taking the Thalys train between Brussels and Paris (2nd class) and was surprised at how cramped the seating was compared to Amtrak's regular seats. It is true that many Amtrak routes are less reliable in terms of schedule than European trains are -- they often tend to run a little behind schedule. The main disadvantage of Amtrak is that it doesn't serve many cities compared to the European train system (except for up and down the eastern seaboard), many of the routes aren't as frequent as European routes (again, with the exception of the DC-New York-Boston route), and it is relatively expensive compared to European trains. Also, the food on Amtrak is not great (although still better than airline food in my opinion!). Also, if you are travelling on a holiday weekend, the trains can be very crowded -- it is worth trying to travel at off-peak times instead. <BR> <BR>I have taken trains between Michigan and Chicago many times, but have not taken Amtrak going south of Chicago. Having driven that in the car, however, I would not say it is among the more scenic routes. Is there are reason you have chosen to go south from there? There are some fantastic Amtrak routes in the west with marvelous scenery -- Rocky Mountains, etc. <BR> <BR>By the way, I have been to England twice and used your trains and liked them very much -- but that was 10 years ago, and from what I've heard they must be going downhill, hmmm?

I don't think you're mad, but Americans sure do love their cars. <BR> <BR>Outside the big cities, service can be spotty. Where I live in Durham, NC, the Amtrak station is called the "Am-shack" because it's not in the best location and is a run-down, outside platform. And the trains are usually late. <BR> <BR>For the amount of money you would spend on train tickets, you could easily rent an economy car and go where you want to go when you want to go. If you have someone to help with navagating, you shouldn't have trouble learning to drive on the other side of the road.

ncgirl, you haven't been to the Durham station lately -- it's a fairly nice building now, although it does get funky with crowds of people waiting for a train that's an hour or more late. <BR> <BR>David West: I think it depends on your state of mind. Can you be somewhat "zen'd out" about your trip, prepared for banana-republic sorts of delays and snafus? I happen to love trains, and when I have the time and patience, I will go Amtrak. But it takes being grateful for the occasional amenities and stoicism about everything else -- all in the name of not having to drive, being able to read, and possibly meeting some interesting people you never, never would at a roadside rest area by a highway. <BR> <BR>The coverage of the country is very, very spotty, so the question about "regularity of services not just to big cities" is pretty much moot. The map of routes at the www.amtrak.com website is pretty much exhaustive, except for commuter-rail networks around East Coast city suburbs. <BR> <BR>As a rule, trains from Chicago west are the most comfortable, best equipped, etc. Trains from Chicago east and south can be okay or grubby. Expect sad food (but at least they feed you, unlike airlines) and often, on shorter runs (less than overnight), it's a fast-food sort of canteen with microwave and plastic-bagged snacks. <BR> <BR>Once upon a time, "Custom Class" (there is no "business class" -- it's either coach or first-with-accommodations if it's an overnight haul) was worth the extra money, because it put you in a car out of the back-and-forth traffic to the cafe car and provided overhead TVs with movies, etc. But it's now been discovered, and on my last trip, regular coach had lots of empty seats and quiet, while "Custom Class" was crowded and noisy. <BR> <BR>One new problem: cell phones. Some people talk at full volume on them for the duration of a trip. I think Amtrak is considering "quiet" cars. Hope so.

David, you can go all the way from LA to Seattle on the Coast Starlight which is one of the better trains in the U.S. Along the way you can see parts of the coast that are inaccessible to cars. It's possible to hop on hop off at any of the stations and stay overnight somewhere. For instance, we got off in San Luis Obispo, rented a car and drove over to Cambria, Hearst Castle and part of Big Sur. Returned the next day after night in Cambria. You do need to put up with a certain amount of confusion and delays--there are some horror stories posted here, thank goodness we've never experience them. Passengers were a mix of tourists (lots of Europeans) and college students. Some families with small kids, but they have a kid's car which keeps them pretty well occupied. The conductor strictly enforced the no running, no shouting rules, but in a very kind way. After San Jose I would recommend a private sleeping compartment, but regular fare is OK until then unless you want to do the wine tasting and preferential meal sittings. I really enjoyed the food on the Coast Starlight--if you go order the chicken pie and eat early. No, it's not as good as the British trains and each route is different so before you decide exactly make sure you talk with someone who has ridden that particular route.

David, <BR>I've taken a couple of Amtrak trips on the east coast a numer of years ago. The trip from Boston to Wash DC was about 8 or 10 hours and it was just fine. I don't remember any problems but I do like to take the train in comparison to driving. One other trip was about 20 years ago from NY to Florida - about 24 hours. We were 2 adults w 2 kids going on winter vacation to Florida. Amtrak had a deal where you got a free car rental so we thought we'd try it. There were lots of other families but I don't remember unruly kids being a problem. On the trip down we were quite comfortable, there was a club car with snacks, two dining cars and we put our name in for a six o'clock seating. We were seated at 6 and had a nice dinner. We went coach and slept reclined in our seats and it was o.k. except for the gentlemen in the front who snored rather loudly. At 3 a.m. my young son (maybe 6 yr old) shouted out "quiet down there". Otherwise it was a nice way to travel. The trip back was another story.....only one dining car for the whole train. Long slow moving lines to eat - no reservations were being taken. We took turns standing in line for hours while the other parent entertained the kids at our seat. When my husband was near the front, finally, we joined them and there were nasty comments from the people behind when we 3 went to the front to join him. I guess they expected the two kids to stand in line with them. It was not a nice trip home because Amtrak did not have the right amount of services to take care of the people who were on the train. <BR> <BR>Since then an older relative (who doesn't fly) tried going from Florida to Calif. There were numerous delays going both ways and therefore many missed connections ,missed meals and Amtrak ended up putting them on buses for a part of the journey. <BR> <BR>So - if you're flexible and don't expect everything to go smoothly - go for it. <BR>Otherwise the car rental might be the best way to go. <BR>

I just travelled by Amtrak from Raleigh, NC to DeLand, FL, and I have to say I was terribly disappointed. There is certainly no comparison to European trains. I don't like to fly much so, when the opportunity presented itself to try out the train, I jumped. Everyone thought I was nuts. Apparently I was. I was to board at 10:30 PM and arrive at about 10:30 AM. I opted for coach because the surcharge for a sleeping accommodation was another $150, which would have put my total price at about $225 - one way! My one way airfare from Orlando to Raleigh was only $80 for comparison. <BR> <BR>So the train is an hour late, it is absolutely packed, and guess what? The coach seats, while very comfortable, with footrests, etc., have no arm rests! So I might as well have been in bed with the stranger I was sitting next to. There were no pillows or blankets left, it was freezing in the car, and everyone wakes up around 6 AM whether you want to or not. I didn't think the train was very clean, and what might be considered interesting people-watching was at this point not very amusing. There were some strange folks on that train! <BR> <BR>I don't know what all the reasons are, but the train does not seem to ever go very fast, and in some areas we were only going about 20 mph. The cars on the highway were zooming past us. So much for making up time in the middle of the night! I arrived in DeLand 2 hours late, having had very little sleep. <BR> <BR>The scenery is non-existent (not that Amtrak can help that!). I will say I had a nice breakfast in the dining car. <BR> <BR>The only way I would do it again is out West where there is beautiful scenery and/or with kids. I would get sleeping accommodations if an overnight trip.

thank you all for your help and suggestions. It has certainly given me food for thought.

.

I went round trip Sacramento to Denver in Feb.---solo senior lady---beautiful scenery including the stark beauty of the desert. I chose a "sleeper" as it included the meals which were "OK" <BR>During the day I could either sit in lounge type chair in my compartment (very comfortable) or go to the Dome car that has floor to ceiling windows or to snack bar car. <BR>I was very pleased with the trip==my only problem -- I usually walk 2 miles a day. Could only get off at 2 stops to walk guickly up and down the tracks, otherwise not stopped long enough to get in much of a walk. <BR>

One big reason Amtrak is chronically late and sometimes goes 20 MPH in stretches when it could be outpacing cars is that -- unlike passenger trains in Europe -- it does not have right of way over freights. Any freight train can go on any track and get ahead of an Amtrak train. Similarly, if a freight train is approaching a stretch with only one open track, a passenger train has to wait until it clears the area, even if the dumb freight is moving at 20 MPH. Yet more demonstration of the business-first, people-second mindset on this side of the Atlantic that messes up quality of life for everyone except the Business Class with expense accounts.

My dream Amtrak trip is Chicago to Los Angeles, up the coast to San Francisco and back through Denver to Chicago. They have packages that include up to three stopovers in any city of choice on the way. It is a great way to see this huge wonderful country. Get a small sleeper which includes meals. Trains always not on time. In the summer, train filled with families which is fun. Otherwise a lot of people like me who don't like flying. Everyone very friendly. Also tourists from abroad. Other great trip is Chicago to Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, but I like the southwest best. You must try it.

My 80 year old mom has expressed an interest in taking Amtrak from Boston to Salt Lake City next summer to visit my son and family. She has a difficult time flying. My husband and I would accompany her. In reading this post, I'm having second thoughts. <BR>Opinions?

Top

I also take trains since I do not fly easily. The trains get crowded with families in the summer. I would get compartments, it will be quiter and cleaner. When you travel by train, you have to go with the flow. Delays etc. The meals are very good and vistadome lounge for breathtaking views. Chicago train station is large, crowded and hectic but I believe there is a lounge for first class travelers, porters and wheelchairs to help. The train is two storied and everything is on the second floor which makes it quieter. I love to look at the scenery and am a people-watcher and so have lots of fun with my books, magazines and snacks. <BR> <BR>Let us know how it went if you go.

P.S. If you decide to go, I would make reservations as early as possible as the summer is a big vacation travel time. Your local train station should have brochures and can help with tickets.

I knew someone who went to DC on Amtrak. Damn thing came off the tracks, they sued and now they're rich. Lucky bastard.