Traveling by train

[BDBopper]

Hello Gang!

I've always wanted to travel on Amtrak. I will probably get my chance. I need to head out to Washington State really soon to visit with my Grandpa who is ill with cancer and has only a few months left. I am going to do part of this trip via bus since I enjoyed my Greyhound experience last week but will also do a leg of the trip by train. Has anyone traveled by Amtrak before. And if so did you enjoy it. Also how comfortable are the seats and is it worth the extra money getting a room?

Thanks!

[penguinsoda]

Re: Traveling by train

I've never traveled anywhere by train myself, but I've always thought it would be a great adventure!! It will be interesting to see if anyone else has any experiences with this!

[Barbaraann]

Re: Traveling by train

I wanted to travel by train to Disneyland the first time. I flew instead.

[migo]

Re: Traveling by train

I love taking the train, it's a lot of fun. My mom went from Seattle to Montana, and said getting the room was a great thing. Said she wouldn't have made it without it.

[Stitchy]

Re: Traveling by train

well, I traveled Amtrak from Baton Rouge to Ft Lauderdale, fl....when I was like, 4. So, sorry, can't help ya. Don't remember anything. My mom tells me I had fun...and that it was nice....but, then, that was 22 years ago. I would LOVE to travel by train through the West though. Never been out that way. I love to travel by car....I like to see stuff. Planes don't give ya that luxury...all ya see is clouds. Big deal, I can go lay out on the grass in my backyard and see that. I wanna see something new. Train travel would be great, all the views...none of the driving.

[desertdweller]

Re: Traveling by train

I love traveling by train and have always wished we had better rail service in the U.S. after traveling on European and British trains for the past 40 years.

My experiences with Amtrak have only been in California and the major complaint is connections and the time it takes plus their notoriously bad record of arrival and departure times.

The northern route that sounds like the one you will be taking is supposed to be one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the country. It travels through remote and unspoiled areas.

I've taken the Coast Starlight from LA north to Oakland and have eaten in the dining car several times. This has always been a wonderful experience. You sit with other passengers at tables for four, there are white linen tablecloths, the food very good and prices are reasonable, and you have terrific waiters, some who have been working the dining cars for many years.

The sleeping compartments are comfortable according to friends and passengers I've talked with but the rates are expensive and comparable to hotel prices.

Check out AmTrak's website. They have a lot of information and pricing available on there.

[BDBopper]

Re: Traveling by train

Also is it as difficult to move while the train is in motion as it is when a bus is in motion?

[migo]

Re: Traveling by train

No way, you can move around freely!

[Speedway]

Re: Traveling by train

It always baffles me at the lack of train infrastructure in the US. I suppose because its easier for everywhere to be connected in the UK because its a lot smaller, it always weirds me out, but surely it can't be that hard to link all the major cities etc? If I'm going anywhere in the UK which is longer then an hour in the car, I'll probably take the train. I've only gone to London in the car once, and that's two and a half hours.

[MTNGIRL]

Re: Traveling by train

I've traveled many times on Amtrack and other rail carriers (long history of railroad employees!). It is truly an enjoyable and very relaxing way to travel.
I love the sleeping cars. They are truly a god send if you are going to be on the train for an extended period of time. They give you privacy and a comfortable place to sleep.

I hope this works for you! It is quite pricey but truly a wondeful experience.

[Druggas]

Re: Traveling by train

The "sleeper" is expensive but worth it. Do you really want to sleep in your seat?

[Bibliophile]

Re: Traveling by train

I vastly prefer train travel to Greyhound. Trains, in my experience, are more comfortable and less crowded. And you can move about much more freely than on a bus.

eta: We actually named our cat Amtrak. Off-topic, but fun.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: Traveling by train

Ah, talk to DisneyJones

I would love to. Someday! A trian ride up and down the coast would be great!

[Hakuna Makarla]

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Love the train!!! now the bus, some times those can be less then desirable ( I sat next to a farkling man who was also very drunk on my first tirp to oceanside 36 years ago :lol:

[desertdweller]

Re: Traveling by train

"farkling?"...what's that. A pet dog with a hairlip?

[wolfy]

Re: Traveling by train

The train is a wonderful way to travel, but do remember, it will be a VERY long trip from you area to Washington State.......Sleeper if you can afford it!

[MsKaren]

Re: Traveling by train

Get the sleeper. I went from Nevada to Iowa and it was horrible sleeping in a seat.

[wolfy]

Re: Traveling by train

The trip is four days - leave at 8:08pm arrive Seattle 4 days later at 10:20am. For just a roomette, which has no bathroom, just a bed and sink the cost is $2200.00 roundtrip. For this price, fly first class.

A seat on the train is $474.00 - you can fly for $280.00

[BDBopper]

Re: Traveling by train

Thank you Diane. I will be in touch with y'all very soon.

[MandaBella]

Re: Traveling by train

The only trains I have taken are to NYC through Philly from my area, which is about 2 hours. It was comfortable for the most part, but filled with many commuters. Between DC and NYC, there are a lot of daily commuters who live in one city and work in another between those two areas. Given the number of stops (time consuming!), it was just as quick as driving and/or taking a bus. Plus, train is the most expensive option.

I'd consider the cost of airfare vs. train vs. the bus before comitting to amtrak.

Considering most people here are on the West Coast, I kinda doubt this next Q but I'll ask. Has anyone taken the autotrain out of VA into FL? I've thought about doing that.