Amtrak Travel
 

Im intending to use Amtrak to see across America for a month. Anyone who has used Amtrak got any advice for me? How did you find them?

I've taken Amtrak a lot, though just in the Boston-Virginia corridor, not cross-country.<BR><BR>Kids go half-price and AAA members get a ten-percent discount.<BR><BR>Bring water and if possible your own snacks as the offerings are limited and expensive.<BR><BR>Consider the direction you're heading in and sit on the side that will not have direct sunlight. (e.g., if you're heading West, sit on the north side -- the right as you're inside facing the front of the train.)<BR><BR>Use your travel time to meet people, that's half the fun of traveling!

Amtrak is notoriously LATE..there are always lots of families traveling (read:crying kids). I hope you are paying for a sleeper..otherwise you have to sleep in your seat along with everyone else. THe food isn't bad. I don't know how much you will "see"..the trains travel thru the nights, too. Those pretty pictures in Amtraks' ads aren't necessarily so. THe train is SLOW and makes frequent stops along the way. You could drive faster than the train takes you..but then again,you don't HAVE to drive. www.amtrak.com

The Amtrak "pass" can be a great value if you're traveling to major cities. As others have pointed out, you should prepare for the fact that the trains sometimes arrive or depart late. This is less typical on the major city corridors (e.g. Bost - NYC or NYC - DC)but will happen at some point - build some flexibility into your schedule. The food is not haute cuisine but is better than you'd expect on the long distance trains (short run trains have prepackaged sandwiches, hotdogs etc.). The seats are easier to sleep in than an airplane (bigger and recline further than airline coach seats). The problem is people getting on and off at the sometimes frequent stops. If you really want to rest get a sleeper for the significant overnight stretches or plan your major city stops so that you can use a local hotel or motel and stay overnight. It's a relaxing way to travel if you're not in a hurry and a great way to meet other travelers. If you eat in the dining car they fill all table so couple and single travelers typically end up sharing table with other folks. Purchasing the sleeper accomodations usually automatically includes one or two meals. I do suggest bringing a soft-sided cooler and when in a city adjacent to any decent market, stock up on beverages or snacks. These are very pricey (and limited in selection) when purchased on the train's cafe car - better to bring your own when possible. I suggest stocking up because many train stations in smaller cities are not centrally located and not easily adjacent to shopping. If I had more time available when traveling I would use the train regularly.

My advice is to dress in layers. In my experience of taking short trips on Amtrak during the winter, the train is often too cold. I have a feeling that the temperature would not be optimum in summer either.

all very good advice. trains running west from chicago are better than eastern u.s., cleaner, have vista dome cars, good food, two floors so you are high off the tracks. wonderful, wonderful scenery through colorado rockies, utah, nevada and california. also great scenery on southern route through n.m. and az. take a pillow. train can be cool even in summer so layering is the best thing to do. train always late. take some good books, but i always find myself looking at the wonderful u.s.a. chicago train station is fun, maybe you will have time to grab a cab and go downtown to museum or stores between trains.

You've gotten some good replies. If at all possible definitely try for a sleeping compartment which will include all meals on board - and they aren't bad!! The western trains are certainly more fun and if you can plan to go on the California Zephyr, get into the observation car early before leaving Denver. Awesome scenery!! Yes, they're quite often late - use the time to strike up a conversation, read a good book or just look out the window. Train travel is not for the impatient and flexibility is imperative. Go with an open mind and you'll have a great time. Check out their site www.amtrak.com and also www.trainweb.com which has a good forum and many "experts". Enjoy.

I bought the one month pass ($471)and went from DC to LA at Christmas, plus did some other shorter trips. My hints:<BR>make as few reservations as possible. their counter help is awful if you need to change things. the 800 number is slow, but you get more accurate advice.<BR>I checked all my luggage, except: a soft duffle bag with a pillow, down coat, lightweight blanket, books and a book light, money belt, CD player, and tiny soft cooler. I could use any or all my items for pillows, and the book light came in really handy at night. I wanted to read, but the overhead lights can be bright and annoying to others. The CD player was good in signalling that you don't want to talk, (if you don't) and I put snacks and drinks in my cooler. Money belt was so I didn't have to stay awake watching my purse.<BR>All in all, the trip was pleasant, and we weren't too late.