Ever traveled Amtrak?

[shannonlovesflowers]

So I'm really thinking about Symposium in SF next year.

My hubby doesn't want to fly. So I was looking at Amtrak. Looks like we will have to take the train to LA and then drive up to SF. No problem, better than driving the whole way (over 16 hours) ...But just wondering if any of you ever rode the train and what'cha thought of it.

 

[Rhonda]

Rode it from New York to South Carolina and back. (actually Boston to NY then onto Amtrak proper).... Loved it but I'm a railroad nut anyway. I slept like a baby with the train rocking me to sleep (reclined in a chair with pillows) Hubby spent most of his night in the smoking car (he couldn't get comfy). I would suggest if it involves overnight, get a sleeper.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Yup, it would be all night, leave in evening and arrive at 8am. I want the one with the shower, toliet and everything!

 

[BOSS]

We do it twice a year into Chi-town for the gift shows...

For us, it's actually faster than flying when you consider the early arrival times and a cab ride into town, and I have never lost one of my own bags yet Midland to Chicago driving is about 6 hours and a couple tanks of gas, train is 5.5 hours and no gas, cost is about $122.00 for two people round trip, less than I would pay for gas alone, and no aggravation plus you get to see the countryside that you can't from a highway (you also get to see folks undies hanging on the line, if you're into that sort of thing)

Flying for me is about $500/person, so Amtrak is a little over 10%... and much more relaxing, plus the trip back is in the evening and you can sleep. My daughter did Amtrak to Seattle last year, I think it was about 20 hours, they had a sleeper berth and thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and got some very awesome pics...

 

[Kristine]

took Amtrack from Chicago to Denver, then Denver to Seattle and back to Chicago.

It was a great experience and I would do in again.

Being you are on the train for 16 hours don't forget to pack your own snacks and beverages, then you can have what you like and don't pay arm/leg.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

When looking on line I saw if we get the rooms our meals are included. I think if we do this I will get the room, with the shower and stuff just to have had the experience. Sounds like so much fun, plus I'll hopefully be sleeping most of the way and then by the time we get there we get to start the day. How fun would that be.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Shannon, I have never ridden the train, but my husband has and says the same thing everybody else does, that it's a great experience. And as long as the government keeps subsidizing it, the rates will stay ridiculously cheap.

DO IT, DO IT! Symposium looks like so much fun.

 

[kynda]

After experiencing more and more problems with flying, I switched to the train when I go to see my mom in Michigan. I do take some food & water, but I always visit the snack car too, just for the diversion and novelty of it. I love to read, so I take my Kindle with me. Take hand sanitizer too. Will you have your own bathroom? that would be great

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

the only "experience" I've had with AmTrack was a severe two track derailment and fire, several years ago, in Pompano, that literally incinerated cars,and their passengers, 4 cars deep, on both sides of the track crossing...we heard it, were 3 minutes away, raced to the scene, and it was bloody he11

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

the only "experience" I've had with AmTrack was a severe two track derailment and fire, several years ago, in Pompano, that literally incinerated cars,and their passengers, 4 cars deep, on both sides of the track crossing...we heard it, were 3 minutes away, raced to the scene, and it was bloody he11

omgosh Mikey....Well, if we do decide to go this route I will be thinking of crashing and burning the whole time. yipes. Once something is in my head I can't get it out.

 

[Victoria]

I've travelled by rail in North America and Europe and loved every experience. It was great fun meeting people on the long trips. By the end of three days it's like family.

Enjoy and seriously... if you thought about crashing and burning all the time, you wouldn't leave your house!

V

 

[Flowergirls]

I used to travel from college in NY back home to Ohio via Amtrak all the time. My parents always paid for the sleeper car - thanks mom and dad!! - and I love it. It's way more relaxing than an traveling by plane.

 

[RWK]

Traveled by Train extensively..............LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. One of my dreams is to take a trip to Europe and to Ride on the fabled Orient Express train.