Train Trip from NYC-San Fran
Jan 27th, 2008, 10:59 AM
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Train Trip from NYC-San Fran
My folks are interested in travelling via train from NYC to San Fran (Zephyr, Pacific Coast Starlight etc.). Are there any good travel packages/train specialist companies that you would recommend?
My Dad's a train buff so definitely looking for real experience over cheap quick transportation from NYC to SF.
Any advice would be very welcome, as we've searched web and come up with nothing concrete.
Many thanks.
My Dad's a train buff so definitely looking for real experience over cheap quick transportation from NYC to SF.
Any advice would be very welcome, as we've searched web and come up with nothing concrete.
Many thanks.
Jan 27th, 2008, 11:32 AM
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Amtrak is the one way to go. You can buy a monthly pass for about $400, and then you don't have to worry about tickets ever again. But I must warn you, it's not going to be a nice experience. OR you could try the American Orient Express, but I don't think you can go the whole way on them. They have a few trains that run on the same routes as Amtrak. If he's a train buff, I think you might want to consider going across Canada instead. ViaRail has some really great packages, with cool observation train cars, and is a much more interesting experience. Good luck!
Jan 27th, 2008, 12:24 PM
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I don't know about NYC to Chicago, but if they get to Chicago I recommend the Empire Builder to Seattle or Portland and then the Coast Starlight to Oakland (as close as you can get to SF) The Empire Builder has been on time, or close to it, in my experience, but the Coast Starlight is almost never on time, so allow lots of connecting time. The Starlight southbound in great in the summer, but in the winter you are in darkness for the most scenic parts of the trip.
Alternate is the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles then northbound Coast Starlight.
Both the Empire Builder and Starlight offer great scenery and intersting stops if you have time break up the trip.
I would recommend the Chief/Starlight combo largely because I think the northbound Starlight timing is so much better for enjoying the views, etc., than it is southbound.
Alternate is the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles then northbound Coast Starlight.
Both the Empire Builder and Starlight offer great scenery and intersting stops if you have time break up the trip.
I would recommend the Chief/Starlight combo largely because I think the northbound Starlight timing is so much better for enjoying the views, etc., than it is southbound.
Jan 27th, 2008, 12:36 PM
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Here's my trip report from DC-SF by train a year and a half ago.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34841682
I booked directly through Amtrak (CAPITOL LIMITED DC--> Chicago; CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR Chicago-->San Fran). The Lakshore Limited travels from NYC--> Chicago directly too. A sleeper I think is essential to make such a long trip enjoyable, bringing plenty of books and brain activity for slow scenery/night sections. The track passes through some incredibly beautiful parts of America; I think as long as one expects and plans for delays (I booked a night in Chicago for example just in case I didn't make the eastbound connection on the return trip), it could be a trip to treasure always. I know I STILL look through my pictures and savour the memories.
Best wishes, DAN
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34841682
I booked directly through Amtrak (CAPITOL LIMITED DC--> Chicago; CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR Chicago-->San Fran). The Lakshore Limited travels from NYC--> Chicago directly too. A sleeper I think is essential to make such a long trip enjoyable, bringing plenty of books and brain activity for slow scenery/night sections. The track passes through some incredibly beautiful parts of America; I think as long as one expects and plans for delays (I booked a night in Chicago for example just in case I didn't make the eastbound connection on the return trip), it could be a trip to treasure always. I know I STILL look through my pictures and savour the memories.
Best wishes, DAN
Jan 27th, 2008, 04:27 PM
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This trip would be interminable and quite unpleasant. Once you leave the eastern corridor trains run on timetables known only to themselves (and the freight lines that own the tracks), conditions can be miserable - even with the most expensive accommodations and food - well - bring a large picnic basket.
Jan 27th, 2008, 04:46 PM
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I have not had the same experiences as a couple of the posters on this thread. I take at least one cross-country train trip a year (this year, I have 2 planned) and I have never failed to enjoy the trip. The OP mentioned her father is a train buff and he would likely enjoy this trip as well.
Of the routes previously mentioned, I recommend the NYC-Chicago and then Chicago-SFO on the California Zephyr. The Zephyr passes through some of the most seriously scenic areas the country has to offer.
I also recommend, as have others, sleeper accomodations. When I was a youngster, I could handle the train seats overnight. Those days are long gone.
An alternative to consider, if they wanted to sample trains in both countries, would be NYC-Montreal on Amtrak, Montreal-Toronto-Vancouver on VIARail, and then Vancouver-Seattle-SFO on Amtrak. When I took this trip, I made a couple of days layover in Jasper and I recommend that, both to break up the trip and because that area is also rich in scenery and wildlife. As a train buff, your dad would appreciate the restored 1950's Budd stainless-steel rail cars and the service on VIARail.
Like others, I always plan extra time (at least 12 hours) for connections. You can't really rely on scheduled arrivals being on time, either on the US or Canadian cross-country trains.
I doubt if you'll find an Amtrak specialist travel agent. There's not enough money there to make a living I wouldn't think. I make my reservations directly on Amtrak.com or Viarail.com and then ticket when I reach the first train station. It's a cinch.
I hope they enjoy their train trip as much as i have.
Of the routes previously mentioned, I recommend the NYC-Chicago and then Chicago-SFO on the California Zephyr. The Zephyr passes through some of the most seriously scenic areas the country has to offer.
I also recommend, as have others, sleeper accomodations. When I was a youngster, I could handle the train seats overnight. Those days are long gone.
An alternative to consider, if they wanted to sample trains in both countries, would be NYC-Montreal on Amtrak, Montreal-Toronto-Vancouver on VIARail, and then Vancouver-Seattle-SFO on Amtrak. When I took this trip, I made a couple of days layover in Jasper and I recommend that, both to break up the trip and because that area is also rich in scenery and wildlife. As a train buff, your dad would appreciate the restored 1950's Budd stainless-steel rail cars and the service on VIARail.
Like others, I always plan extra time (at least 12 hours) for connections. You can't really rely on scheduled arrivals being on time, either on the US or Canadian cross-country trains.
I doubt if you'll find an Amtrak specialist travel agent. There's not enough money there to make a living I wouldn't think. I make my reservations directly on Amtrak.com or Viarail.com and then ticket when I reach the first train station. It's a cinch.
I hope they enjoy their train trip as much as i have.
Jan 27th, 2008, 05:15 PM
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I have done the Zephyr from Denver to San Fran a couple times. If you get a sleeper, the meals come with the sleeper, but you might bring some snacks with you because they ALWAYS run out of food, even when they're on time.
If you are going straight through from Chicago to SF, you will need to get the snacks there for a couple days later when they start to run out of food in Utah (get the early dinner seatings). There really isn't any place to buy food near the stations unless you get off and spend the night somewhere.
DH is a train buff and he loves it!
If you are going straight through from Chicago to SF, you will need to get the snacks there for a couple days later when they start to run out of food in Utah (get the early dinner seatings). There really isn't any place to buy food near the stations unless you get off and spend the night somewhere.
DH is a train buff and he loves it!
Jan 28th, 2008, 05:50 AM
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If he's a true train buff, he'll probably enjoy it. But if he's impatient and is more interested in getting from point A to point B (on time), he probably won't.
For that length of time, would definitely recommend a sleeper if at all within their budget - makes a major difference, and your meals are included.
You've been given several options, all of which are worth considering. The most direct route is Lake Shore Limited from NYC to Chicago, then California Zephyr to SF. We've taken the Canadian several times and really enjoyed it. Better than Amrak and certainly worth looking into.
As far as packages, Amtrak has some vacation options on their web site. The American Orient Express was sold a couple of years ago and is now known as the GrandLuxe Rail Journeys. Not cheap but might be worth exploring. They have various trips/packages, but they don't regularly travel the same routes and their schedules change every spring and fall. We went from Chicago to DC back when they were the AOE and had an exceptionally fine trip. But I've also read some negative reviews lately. Sorry I can't give you any recent personal experiences.
For that length of time, would definitely recommend a sleeper if at all within their budget - makes a major difference, and your meals are included.
You've been given several options, all of which are worth considering. The most direct route is Lake Shore Limited from NYC to Chicago, then California Zephyr to SF. We've taken the Canadian several times and really enjoyed it. Better than Amrak and certainly worth looking into.
As far as packages, Amtrak has some vacation options on their web site. The American Orient Express was sold a couple of years ago and is now known as the GrandLuxe Rail Journeys. Not cheap but might be worth exploring. They have various trips/packages, but they don't regularly travel the same routes and their schedules change every spring and fall. We went from Chicago to DC back when they were the AOE and had an exceptionally fine trip. But I've also read some negative reviews lately. Sorry I can't give you any recent personal experiences.
