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Traveling by train?
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:08 am
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:08 am
Any of you done this recently? I have some family (older) who went this route to get from Texas to California. Just standard Amtrak. It intrigues me. Is this a good way to travel? They have a cabin (I guess it's called) with beds and privacy as it is a 2 day trip. I assume it would be cruise ship scale in size.
Is this a decent way to see the country?
Is the food decent?
Bar car/lounge? Still a thing?
Comfort? I mean it is 2 days in a vehicle.
Is this a decent way to see the country?
Is the food decent?
Bar car/lounge? Still a thing?
Comfort? I mean it is 2 days in a vehicle.
6
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:12 am to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
I assume it would be cruise ship scale in size.
That's not a real good assumption. Otherwise, it's an interesting enough way to go if you have the time, just to say you did it. The food is decent enough. A step up from airplane food.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:14 am to Y.A. Tittle
quote:
That's not a real good assumptio
Really?
Better or worse?
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:16 am to LSU alum wannabe
It's very tight - at least for sleeping purposes. It's comfortable enough to sit during the day. I've done one overnight trip (I think it was like 12 hours total). I'd probably get a bit stir crazy for 2 whole days.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:17 am to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
I assume it would be cruise ship scale in size.
Much smaller
quote:
Is this a decent way to see the country?
I love travel by train, but it is very pricey for cabins normally and extremely slow. If you go the right route, it's great for sight seeing.
quote:
Is the food decent?
better than plane food
quote:
Bar car/lounge? Still a thing?
on some trains
quote:
Comfort? I mean it is 2 days in a vehicle.
I find it very relaxing, but if you take a trip that has a lot of stations, the constant stopping to pick up/left off can get annoying.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:54 am to Dam Guide
My daughter was in school in Illinois 2 years ago and when she was ready to move back I took and train from Hamond and drove a U Haul back.
The trip was right at 12 hours which is how long it would take to drive it. I didn't get a sleeper car so was confined to my seat or observation car.
The seats are airplane type but larger with more leg room. Sleeping is an adventure, a lot of 15 minute cat naps. The train stops often and people are always moving around so you wake up a lot.
My favorite spot was the observation car but only during daylight hours, it sucked at night.
We had a meal and I was surprised at how good it was.
The trip was right at 12 hours which is how long it would take to drive it. I didn't get a sleeper car so was confined to my seat or observation car.
The seats are airplane type but larger with more leg room. Sleeping is an adventure, a lot of 15 minute cat naps. The train stops often and people are always moving around so you wake up a lot.
My favorite spot was the observation car but only during daylight hours, it sucked at night.
We had a meal and I was surprised at how good it was.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 10:58 am to Dam Guide
I've done a few overnight trains....Dallas>Chicago twice and Dallas>Marfa once. The cabins are small w/ fold out beds but comfortable enough. It is a very slow way to travel so I would try just an overnight trip first rather than a 2 night trip. The biggest drawback is the trains are often several hours behind schedule. If you decide to try this, definitely check to see the trains arrival time at your departure station a couple of hours before you head to the station. I once sat at the Dallas station for 4 hours waiting on the late train. And don't count on getting to your destination at the scheduled arrival time.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 11:02 am to LSU alum wannabe
Out of NOLA, the western route is extremely prone to delays, as all of the tracks are shared w/freight, and freight has the right-of-way. I know ppl who go from here to San Antonio regularly, & it is usual for the train to be 10-12 hrs late. So if you're going all the way to LA, be prepared for a flexible arrival time.
Other routes are less prone to delay, as I understand it.
Other routes are less prone to delay, as I understand it.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 3:52 pm to LSU alum wannabe
Traveled from DC to New York 12 years ago. Some lunatic was on the train screaming at her boyfriend or soon to be ex boyfriend. Unforgettable experience. Very entertaining to say the least.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 4:12 pm to LSU alum wannabe
Chase UR points transfer to Amtrak for a pretty good discount. I think it's something like 15k gets you a sleeper on any single route. I considered doing this on my upcoming trip to Big Bend. However, after you take into account the increased travel time and the rigid nature of the schedule, it just doesn't seem worth it to me.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 4:49 pm to LSUsuperfresh
At some point, the wife and I are going to take the Chicago to San Fran Amtrak. Takes about 3 days and costs $250/ea.
Posted on 7/18/17 at 6:41 pm to hungryone
quote:
it is usual for the train to be 10-12 hrs late
I've considered taking Amtrak once for the novelty of it. I happened to check the schedule to see when it normally came and noticed the train was several hours late that day. For several weeks after that I checked the schedule every day. It was always running 3 or 4 hours late.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 8:11 am to Ramblin Wreck
Yeah they notoriously run very late and are very slow. Car drive is often twice as fast, I know someone that took it from Pensacola to San Antonio and it took over 36 hours. I've taken Amtrac shorter rides and it's always been late, like a 2.5 hour car ride that was supposed to take 3 hours by train took 5-6 hours.
As said, many stops due to other trains and stops to let people on and off.
The other thing you have to include is that American train stops are rarely centralized locations. So time and cost from the train stop to your final destination has to be included. This is the same for Europe too, trains are great from the middle of a big city to the middle of another big city in Europe, but from a burb to burb they are a hassle and often pricey when other costs are included.
As said, many stops due to other trains and stops to let people on and off.
The other thing you have to include is that American train stops are rarely centralized locations. So time and cost from the train stop to your final destination has to be included. This is the same for Europe too, trains are great from the middle of a big city to the middle of another big city in Europe, but from a burb to burb they are a hassle and often pricey when other costs are included.
This post was edited on 7/19/17 at 8:14 am
Posted on 7/20/17 at 5:33 am to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
Is this a good way to travel?
Personally, I like train better than flying. There is little security, so the check-in/boarding process is quick and easy. Seats are more spacious and comfortable. You can get up and move around when you want. And you actually get a decent view of the terrain.
quote:
Is the food decent?
Eh, it's hit or miss. Wouldn't say it's markedly better than airline food.
quote:
Bar car/lounge? Still a thing?
Yes
quote:
Comfort? I mean it is 2 days in a vehicle.
It's as comfortable as two days in a train can be. Boredom is the biggest issue.
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