My wife and I are wondering if we should consider the train for a trip w/ our 18 month old.

Our son is at the age where he's not good for more than an hour or so in a car seat, and his last plane flight 6 months was a challenge in itself, so this narrows our travel options.

Neither of us have really taken Amtrak before (aside from "short" jaunts), but thought that the train would be a more tolerable mode of travel for the three of us.

Anyone have any experiences to share?

And I may save this for another thread, but are there any tips/tricks for shopping for train fares?

My daughter recently traveled with her 15-month old on Amtrak from Providence to DC. She said they had a very pleasant trip, but were glad that they sprung for the extra comfort & speed of the Acela train. They only took it because it was the only option for last-minute travel on a holiday weekend (family emergency) BUT decided that they'd do it by choice next time.

Best Amtrak fares are available on their web site. In addition to the links for specials on the home page, onn the "reservations" screen look for the "Rail Sale" link and click on your planned route or any longer route that includes yours. They also offer a discount for AAA members.

My stepfather will not fly so he and mom love Amtrak--for longer trips they book a sleeper car so they have their own "room". They say the service is excellent, the food is very good, etc. For them, it would be less expensive to fly. In December, they are headed to Florida from Wilmington, Del.--it will take them two days/one night to travel there at a cost of $1600 round trip.

Good question. We took the Amtrak to NYC for about 11 hours with a four-year old. However, she has always liked traveling. Personally, I feel a train is a little better for restless children than a plane. You can make trips to the dining car, and there is more room, especially if you can get an end seat on some trains. There is also more for the child to see. I also felt the other passengers seemed very used to and accepting of having children around; people can also move around more easily if they don't like the environment, unless the train is packed. Actually, the only annoying people on our trip were a few adults. Depending on where you are going, it can be a long trip; that is the downside. This was our first U.S. train travel, so I can't comment on finding specials except to say that Amtrak does offer them often, especially for children.

Children are always half-price on Amtrak, but I'm pretty sure kids under 2 (like the OP's) travel free.

Where are you looking to travel on Amtrak? In the Northeast there are always discounts (through the amtrak website - on certain trains) btw Boston and NYC/DC.

Here is page for childrens' discount:
http://www.amtrak.com/savings/children.html
(Like Anonymous said, I think under 2 is free)

Coincidentally I just received an email from Amtrak.

For AAA members - up to 2 kids (ages 2-15) ride free, plus the adult(s) get 10% off.

See this link for details (read the terms carefully, there are restrictions on certain trains, travel dates, etc)

http://www.amtrak.com/savings/aaakids.html