Pancake

We are planning a train trip from New Orleans to NYC this fall. Does anyone have any input about such a trip? Thanks

Sam

What kind of input would you like?

pancake

Comfort level of the accomodation, is a deluxe berth worth the extra money?. Food great, good or just okay? How long are the stops along the way? Potential for meeting interesting people? Would you consider it fun or just a means of getting from one destination to another? Thanks for any advice.

John

I have not done the NY-NO train but have been on other long trips such as NO-Chicago. Overall, the trains were adequate at best and got me from Point A to Point B. Fairly uncomfortable at worst. I did not find train travel to be "fun" but I suppose if you are a real train buff then it may be more exciting. You can fly from New Orleans to New York for $138 roundtrip (Continental or JetBlue nonstop) so I would do that. Whatever you decide, enjoy New York!

steve

Pancake - I haven't done that particular train, but my wife and I did the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle a couple of years ago and are looking to take the same trip again in December.
We had a standard superline sleeping compartment, it was adequate. Someone has to take the top berth and it can be close up there. Really good for one person, but marginal for two.
Meals are included for first class and are OK. Not great, but as good as the typical hotel restaurant.
The stops on our trip were generally pretty short with a couple of exceptions. Typical is about 10 minutes or less.
On the Coast Starlight the added cost for a Dexlue Bedroom (you depart LA at 9 a.m. and arrive (if on time) the next night in Seattle at 9 p.m.) is about $400. For one night, we make do with the standard bedroom.

Pancake

Thanks everyone! That is just the sort of info I wanted. I guess I was thinking it would be GREAT instead of just OK. I was probably thinking of Orient Express accomodations. Will think about it.

Prue

Pancake,
We did the Coast Starlight trip a month ago, from Emeryville to Seattle, and we did take a De-luxe Cabin.
We enjoyed the trip very much - and the train was on time (which I gathered does not happen very often).
Our cabin was tiny, luckily someone on the Forum had warned us to book all our luggage through as there certainly no room for anything but you - especially with the bunk down.
We enjoyed the whole experience very much - the meals were good and it was nice to be able to mix with other passengers in the lounge and dining cars.

arjay

You cannot use the Coast Starlight experience to judge ANY other Amtrak train travel. The Coast Starlight is run as a separate division; it is a first-class experience (at least ours was - with excellent food, included in the cost, for instance). Other Amtrak trains do not come up to this standard. But what I think you will find is a level of camaraderie (if you socialize in the club car, for instance). Train travellers seem to be a friendly bunch, who choose the train precisely because of the experience of it all. Happy 'rails to you!

pancake

It sounds a lot better than driving! We might have to give it a try. Thanks!

Monique

Along these same lines my hubby was thinking that it would be nice to take our 3 kids ages 3,4, and 8 on the train from LA to New Orleans. He wants to get the big family suite. I think he's NUTS. I am thinking I would jump at about the CA/AZ border. Has anyone taken young kids on a 2 day rail trip? Were they bored?

Bob

$138 airfare? Gosh, I'd be on JetBlue in a SECOND rather than pay MORE for a train or for auto fuel.