Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Amtrak Overnight Trips

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Amtrak Overnight Trips

Any experience with Amtrak overnight trips? How comfortable were the coach facilities? How clean were the bathrooms? How are the sleeper-rooms? Finally, I have read and heard about the poor air-quality on airplanes. (see a columm on this by Joe Harkins at www.travelthe.net) What about on Amtrak?

Last summer my husband and I took the Amtrak from Tampa to Charleston, S.C. We had a first class sleeper car, which had it's own "bathroom" in it. The car was near the end of the train, so as the train whipped along at 90 mph or so, I felt like I was going to be whipped out of the top bunk. My husband had no problem down below. In order to get into the top bunk, you had to step up onto the toilet, then onto the sink, and then into bed (both the toilet and sink had sturdy covers). The experience, nonetheless, was fun. I doubt if I would do it again, unless I got the bottom bunk. The return trip home was daytime, so we got a regular coach seat, which was very roomy. The bathrooms were clean and the food service wasn't bad. Hope this helps.

Amtrak is in the process of trying (sometimes futilely) to upgrade its fleet. It used to be true that any overnight trains west of Chicago were much nicer than the east coast versions, but once in a while now, you get some equally nice accommodations in the east. What region are you traveling in? Paying the extra if you can for a bedroom is definitely worth it, however, for the space, privacy, protection. Having your own bathroom is a particularly desirable feature, because the public restrooms can sometimes get pretty funky after long hours on the road, even if they started out fine. The road beds in the east are not as smooth as in the west, which is why some Mary felt bounced around. But I always take earplugs and a blindfold and sleep in the lower bunk. I love looking out the window at night to see the stars going by. But if you cannot afford a sleeper, ask if you can travel "custom class" -- which is usually only a little more expensive than plain-vanilla coash class -- but which buys you slightly roomier seats, TVs/movies, and free beverages. It's also usually the furthest from the cafe car, so you don't have people marching up and down the aisles past you all the time. Air quality's better than on planes, because outside air can get in every time they stop. But if one of the restrooms is out of order, the whole car can reek. I love trains but two warnings: NEVER expect them to run on time -- in its great, anti-passenger-train wisdom, the gummint has ordered that freight trains always have right of way. I once was on a train that went 25 MPH from Rocky Mount NC to Wash.DC because it was behind a freight train the whole way -- we were 2.5 hrs. late. Any train that is less than 20 minutes late is unusual on long-distance routes. And the food is never stellar, even on the long-distance trains with restaurant cars. I always bring my own picnic for at least the first part of my trip. Two bits of praise for Amtrak: the on-board personnel, whether in coach or sleeping cars, are almost always friendly and as helpful as they can be under sometimes difficult circumstances. And the seats, even in coach, are 1000 times more comfortable than any coach airline seats. Footrests! (If you are on an overnight trip, they may provide a pillow and a blanket -- ask when you reserve.) Bon voyage!

I second "Tootle's" recommendation of Custom Class, but with one tip. It's become very popular on the southeast corridor, so that on occasion, it's totally booked while the regular coach cars are half empty (not true on Fri., Sat., Sun., or holiday). If you didn't want to see the movie (which is always going to be PG), it was worth moving into the coach to spread out over two seats for a nap (and you still had your Custom Class ticket for the free soft drinks). But make sure that's okay with the conductor. Like Tootle, I love trains -- they are always an important part of my enjoyment of Europe. It's so sad to see Amtrak struggling, when it's still obviously a popular way (and envirnomentally sound) for many Americans to travel. Nice to see the city stations in places like DC and Indianapolis all spiffed up, but I wish there were more will to make it a viable part of our tourist and transportation facilities.

We used coaches on a 31-day Amtrak trip around the country (50th wedding anniversary). Of course, we had stops along the way with motels, but we had no trouble sleeping on the coaches. If you want to know more than you want to know, check our web site, clicking "Amtrak, Here We Come." <http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/lagoon/8578> We found the dining car and even the snack bar fine for meals. Had no problem with restrooms. Enjoyed having people aroun

Thank you very much to all who replied. I really enjoyed reading all of your responses. I was thinking of taking Amtrak from NY to Miami b/c I am a little worried about flying with my chronic sinusitis. (not an acute infection but a chronic inflammation caused by my allergies) (I haven't flown for years. When I used to fly my sinus condition was much better.)

Re: sinus problems when flying. My ENT recommended using 12-hour maximum stength Sudafed with 12-hour maximum stength Afrine nasal spray on the morning you will be flying. Seemed to do the trick for me a couple months ago. Prior to that, it was not unusual for me to have a sinus infection by my return trip. Hope this info is helpful.

Thank you "Been There". I'll keep that in mind. Thank you in advance to all who may reply after this.

Doesn't sound llike this will do you much good, DT, but for the benefit of others who read thru the site, I'd like to mention the Amtrak Coast Starlight, which travels between Los Angeles and Seattle. This is an absolutely superlative journey! The CS is like a separate division of Amtrak; the service/accommodations/meals are excellent.

What about the views!!!??? The Coastlight Starlight looked extrememly appealing to me in the Amtrak brochure. Perhaps one day I will ride it.

Can anyone give me their opinion on travel from NYC to Chicago and back via Lake Shore Limited, Three Rivers, Capitol or Cardinal. Right now I am most likely going with the Lake Shore and then return with Three Rivers so I can see two different perspectives via my window. I have heard some negative comments from a few people traveling on the Lake Shore. Any other tips for first timers like my traveling group. Thanks in adavance.....

hi, i took an amtrak trip from new york city to tampa and then from miami back to new york in February 2000. had the 1st class room for 2. 1. the ride is too long: to tampa was about 20 hours, from miami to ny was about 24 hours (lots of stops and delays on the trip) 2. the room was miniscule and you have to climb to get on top bunk... i don't know how people who are very tall/big can fit in these rooms 3. there is 1 dining car so it was a cattle call when the dinner shifts were announced... you have to share a dining table with others 4. service of staff was adequate only did amtrak as a favor for a friend ... will never do this again - L