Bus/train -- San Francisco to Minneapolis?
 

After a few weeks in CA, I plan to visit friends in Minnesota. I would like to travel by bus or train to see and experience the scenery on the way. Any suggestions for the trip? Like what routes to take or where to stop? I'm more interested in historic and cultural sites than Las Vegas.

Bus travel in the U.S. is cheaper and MUCH more flexible than train travel, but also involves travel to and with some portions of America that most people would rather skip. Both focus on stops in cities, not the beautifully scenic national parks between these two cities (a shame, but true). If by train, visit Portland and Glacier NP, or Denver and Chicago. If bus, stop at the above cities, as well as Moab (for Arches NP by tour bus) and/or Estes Park (for Rocky Mountain NP).

The Amtrak is fun....from SF you travel thru beautiful scenery to Portland. From Portland take the Empire Builder to Minneapolis. You could stop at Whitefish, MT. and rent a car to go see Glacier Nat'l Park. If you go by train, rent a standard sleep room. Right now there is a special offer....1st person pay full rate...2nd half and 3rd free.... <BR>

Hands down, I'd take the train, but beare that the freight RR's own the tracks and grant priority to their own trains. The bus stops everywhere, and does not go near many of the more scenic parts of teh US. If you're from overseas, the train offers an outstanding way of illustrating just how much larger the United States is than European nations.

just a hunch that Mia has already done this trip.

WICT -- any reason you topped an <b>8 year old thread</b>?

And how on Earth did you find it anyway????????

It seems WICT_106 likes to top 5, 8 even 10 yo threads - mostly about rail travel.

Wow...these are old. Hopefully someone out there can help us out. My wife and i are planning to travel by train from Detroit to San Francisco. Has anyone experienced train travel of that distance...
Thanks

Train should be much better then bus, only keep in mind: it's usually late...

I've done the full route from Chicago to San Francisco! Let's see if I can find my report...

yes, found it:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34874548