bride_2004

Has anyone done this, or a similar trip via Amtrak? My husband is thinking it might be a fun way to get to Chicago, but we're wondering if there are descent sights to see from the train, and if the train ride itself is entertaining. Are there entertainment cars, dining cars, etc? I wouldn't want to be stuck in our little room car the whole time... Thanks for any help!

tomfuller

Amtrak veteran here: Over 25K miles on Amtrak and ViaRail in the last 9.5 years. I always ride in coach since the sleepers are 3 to 4 times as much. If you go with the sleeper on the Lake Shore Limited, you get your meals included in the dining car. The Viewliner car which is directly behind the dining car has a much better view than your sleeper compartment.
Bring your portable DVD player, Ipod, Kindle or real books.
I have seen a few coach cars with video games in the lower level to keep the kids amused if they didn't want to watch the scenery. Check out the Amtrak website.
Don't depend on the train if you have to be at someplace in Chicago at a specific time. OTP can be checked on the Amtrak website. Amtrak's 40th birthday was May 1.

musicfan

I took a quick look at what I assume this route would be (Lake Shore Limited) and the scenery looks like it would be lovely...lakes and hills, etc. Since it is a long-distance train, there would be a dining car, and I assume a lounge car as well. We did one train trip (Empire Builder Chicago to Glacier NP) as a family vacation back in 2003 and loved it.

yk

I took the LakeShore limtied once (well, twice, cuz it was r/t) almost 20 years ago when I was a poor college student. I just had a coach seat and I did that for fun really (my destination was HOuston TX, all on Amtrak).

I didn't find the trip that exciting. I just looked at the train timetable - are you only taking this one-way from Boston to Chicago? You'd notice that when the train goes along the lake, it'll be in the middle of the night. The daylight hours are btw Boston/Albany; then Toledo/Chicago. These 2 segments are landlocked.

ChgoGal

Hi bride2004,
I often take Amtrak (probably 30+ rides so far) to visit my family in different cities in downstate Illinois during bad-weather months. Sometimes the ride is 4 hours, sometimes 2 -- and the route goes through very boring country, admittedly -- but I really don't enjoy Amtrak. The seats, carpeting and trays are rarely cleaned (on the trains I take), and I can't shake the feeling that all surfaces are germ-y so I don't relax on those seats.

I'm a fairly good reader -- but reading or writing on the train is difficult. Lighting is poor, and environmental noise (people, the engine) is distracting. Restrooms get dirty -- fast. The cars are often too cold, and air is stagnant. The cafe car is a joyless place, and food options are heavily-processed microwaveable sandwiches and shrink-wrapped pastries.

If there's a sleeper car option, I'd definitely spring for it -- and bring some disinfecting wipes.

Also, arriving at Chicago's Union Station can be depressing. You arrive on a cold, grey platform which, if it's rush hour, swarming with suburban commuters, and then you make your way up to the streets right in the middle of the loop. (Union Station IS a great looking building with wonderful architectural features (stairwells off the great hall are cool - and featured in the film 'The Untouchables'), but not so phenomenal to justify that ride from Boston.

Just my two cents, but unless you or your husband really dislike flying, I'd warn against taking the train. Chicago is such a great city, I'd just get here as fast as possible. The train ride might really kill your trip.

Good luck with your travel planning!

bride_2004

Thanks for all your opinions. You've given us a lot to think about. Appreciate it!

tomfuller

The coach fare is $115 from Boston-South to Chicago. The roomette is an additional $448. You should be able to fly 2 people from Boston Logan to O'Hare for less than that.
The Lake Shore Limited gets to Rochester NY at 11PM so you would miss the most beautiful part of the trip in the dark.
There will be a view of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana the last hour of your 23 hour trip.

Daniel_Williams

Hello

I've taken the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to Buffalo (back in 2008), gotten a sleeper car. While not one of the most scenic of Amtrak's routes, I appreciated the rolling farmland, the glimpses of Lake Michigan nearby Chicago as well as the views of Lake Erie near Erie, Pennsylvania.

But then again, I generally enjoy long-distance rides with a sleeper car very much; one has one's own private space, I enjoy the conversations in the dining car (one of the few occasions in this world where strangers actually talk to one another!), the down time (no dishes, no meal prep to do: I actually find the time to read a novel!). My favorite thing though is looking out the window and seeing places I don't usually see and wouldn't otherwise see, whether it be industrial, urban ghetto, or pictureque farmland. A glimpse of another America. I personally sleep quite well as long as I don't have a late-night cup of coffee. It's not for everyone (naturally impatient people, people on a tight schedule as trains can be very late, to name some), but I love it.

Have fun deciding! Daniel

china_cat

I rode one leg of that train a couple of years ago...just the part in Massachusetts, eastbound. It was late afternoon, and went through sunset. It was actually a surprisingly pretty ride. there are wetlands, and birds, and hillsides around. I wasn't expecting much, but I found myself staring out the window more often than I expected.

A friend of mine did the full trip with her daughter this winter. They liked it. Found it a pleasant alternative to the plane, as long as you have the time.

Miramar

There tend to be 2 camps of people: those who enjoy train travel and those who don't. I am one who generally enjoys it. I've done several long distance train trips on Amtrak (3), including the Lake Shore Limited (I also take the Acela in the Northeast once a year) so I am familiar with Amtrak. Unfortunately all my long distance trips were over 8 years ago, so I can't offer up any real details.
Keep these general things in mind though.
1.The long haul trains on Amtrak are not new. While I never had a problem with anything, if you are of the mind that anything that looks old is inferior, you will not enjoy Amtrak.
2. People who enjoy the train tend to be more of the type that enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
3. Regarding the cleanliness of the trains/tables etc which was mentioned in another post. I find them to be at least as clean as the airplanes nowadays.
4. This is my opinion opinion only, but I think train travel is more comfortable than plane travel especially if you book your own room. Even in coach the seats are roomier than airline seats and you have the luxury of being able to get up, walk around and stand up which is generally frowned upon on planes these days since they don't like people congregating on the plane.

tomfuller

Well said Miramar. I have no problem sleeping one night on a long distance train in coach. I haven't yet sprung for the extra sleeper fee. One secret I have seen work is to ask the conductor when they have your ticket "Are there any unreserved sleepers?" They can make you a deal if you are willing to pay right then.
My first Amtrak trip was in October 2001 from Washington DC to New York starting at 3AM. From NY I took the Maple Leaf to Toronto. Spent the night in Toronto and took the ViaRail Canadian all the way to Winnipeg. I've been hooked on train travel since then. For longer trips I use a railpass. 6 cents per mile beats 11 cents per mile driving solo.

fredandgingermad

Depends when you're going depending on prices, i had a look for July and Amtrak was cheaper

I've made 3 long distance trips on Amtrak including NYC-Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited and have a few more booked for the summer and so far have much preferred taking the train to the plane as the train is more comfortable, i've made some lovely friends while travelling with Amtrak also it can save you money if you think about that while you're overnight on a train you're not having to pay for a hotel
When i went from NYC-LAX last summer it cost me $210 for a coach ticket, the plane ticket would have cost me $300 minimum and then i would have had 4 nights hotels on top, taking the train was far more relaxing and i actually got to see the US

jelopez33

Hi you all!

We are from South America, and I am in charge of planning ourmtrip, wich includes New york to Boston and Boston to Chicago legs.

Please, can any of you update comments on train for those two les of our visit to the USA?

How long is each? Any idea of prices?

Thanks you all!

vjpblovesitaly

You can go to www.amtrak.com hopefully and check. I recommend that you start your own thread.

nytraveler

New York to Boston is part of hte very busy NE corridor and these trains generally run on time (within 10 minutes or so). Getting NYC to Boston via plane, train or car is all the same - about 4 hours (but train is city center to city center and MUCH more comfortable than a plane). But you need to deal with your own luggage - haul on and off - so make sure you can easily manage it up and down escalators. Have done this numerous times and it is fine. But the "food" is awful - OK for a water and chips - that's about it.

For longer trips (including overnight) you couldn't pay me to do this. The train is often late, can be hours late, and while it is certainly more comfortable than a plane - it's about 4.5 hours for a plane (including to and for airports, security lines, etc) versus 24 hours plus - with no decent food - and a roomette is more expensive than flying.

jelopez33

Thanks vjpb and nytraveller!