Has Anyone Here Ridden Amtrak

[jaywa]

Wifey and I are thinking of booking a trip to Seattle via Amtrak. Wondering if anyone has experiences and/or tips to share. Thanks!

[MakiSupaStar]

I've only done the short trip from Santa Ana to San Diego. But it's still really fun and cool. Not cheap though, for those long trips.

[odin70]

I had a trip from NY to Virginia (somewhere) some years ago. It was nice. They even sold drinks onboard I havent seen that in Europe.

[Selta]

Only ever rode on short trips, but they were nice. It's cool to not deal with airport stuff, and not having to drive is very cool too of course. If you do end up here in Seattle, let me know

[HaMMerHeD]

I've taken a few Amtrak trips between Norman, OK and Fort Worth, TX. It is about a 2.5 hour drive, but the train took at least 5 hours to do it. Lots of stops, and lots of waiting for freight trains to move the @$*& on.

It was uneventful, comfortable, and wobbly. I didn't bother going into the dining/bar car.

[mellowinman]

My mother travels by Amtrak, and I do have a horror story where her train broke down outside of Chicago, and she didn't get in for eight hours. I was up all night due to that fiasco, but usually the trip has been smooth.

I suppose any mode of travel is subject to the danger of such things happening, but man, that was a real nightmare.

[Phalex]

I went from Grand Rapids to Toronto on the train once. For convenience it was great, but it took for flippin ever!

As soon as the damn thing got up to 70mph, it would slow down and stop for the next station. Longer trips may stop at fewer stations, I don't know, but I found it aggravating as hell. It stopped at EVERY station!

[Gaius46]

I've done up to 5 hours on Amtrak. It's a pretty good way to travel especially if you don't want to deal with airline security hassles.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Don't know if it was an Amtrack, but I rode a train on a short journey from Encinitas to San Diego down the coast. Was quiet and a nice ride!

[EricF]

My mom and step-dad (very lively 70-somethings) have taken Amtrak trips numerous times and have had a great time. If you're in a hurry, take a plane. If you want a realxed scenic trip, and not worry about driving, Amtrak is a good choice.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by odin70

I had a trip from NY to Virginia (somewhere) some years ago. It was nice. They even sold drinks onboard I havent seen that in Europe.

In Japan they have sexy little Japanese chicks in uniforms pushing beer carts up and down the aisles while you roll. THAT's the way to go.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

That's kinda like how it goes in the UK.

But replace sexy little Japanese chick with troll, and there you go!

[Gaius46]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

In Japan they have sexy little Japanese chicks in uniforms pushing beer carts up and down the aisles while you roll. THAT's the way to go.

Same thing in Switzerland. Only without the cute Japanese chicks. Instead they had dudes named "Hans."

They also serve water "viz gaz" and "vizout gaz". It took a while to figure out that "gaz" meant cabonation.

[bassbrad]

The last time we did a round trip Austin to Ft.Worth not a long trip. The trip up was scenic, nice and relaxing almost exactly on time. The return trip was one frustrating delay after another and no straight answers from AMTRAK. Train was delayed due to an accident, spent a horrid day waiting in the terminal, train was 8 hours late arriving Ft Worth, 12 hours late arriving Austin. Need less to say never again!
Next time we rent a car and drive, cheaper and better control.

[jaywa]

Man you're not kidding about the "not cheap" part.

Went on their Website... Fargo ND (where we'd be picking it up) to Seattle, over $400 for each of us round trip and if you want a bedroom with a private bathroom it adds another $1,100. Granted you get meals included with the sleeping accommodations but I'm not so sure I'm ready to blow so much of our trip budget (and time) just on transportation. It would be nice to have some cash left over to actually do some things when we get out there, and stay at a decent hotel.

[JimB52]

Originally Posted by jaywa

Man you're not kidding about the "not cheap" part.
.

I've taken the high-speed Amtrak Acela. Nice comfortable ride, fast, but cost as much or more than flying. The regular Amtrak trains on the Northeast corridor are less comfy and are regularly delayed, up to two hours on a two hour trip.

[ADbassman]

I've taken many trips on Amtrak before, ranging from short trips from Saint Louis, MO to Springfield Illinois, up to Saint Louis to Washington D.C. The D.C. trip was an overnight on the capitol limited and I had a roomette. It was a pretty comfortable trip and I got to sleep in a bed for most of it. I ate both Dinner and Breakfast on the train where I had both a steak and an Omelette. I've never experienced the kind of horror stories that I've read about, every time I've ridden Amtrak it's been on time or no more than 30 min late.

[dave64o]

I've ridden from Philly to DC on business a few times and it wasn't bad. It's been a while so I don't really remember what it costs. My wife does that trip a lot more often than I do and kind of likes the Acela.

She also took our son to visit friends of ours in Northern VA and that worked well. He liked it to (was about 11-12 at the time).

[knumbskull]

Originally Posted by odin70

I had a trip from NY to Virginia (somewhere) some years ago. It was nice. They even sold drinks onboard I havent seen that in Europe.

getting drunk on trains is a fine tradition in the UK!

Christmas time, it's a madhouse. standing room only and a beer is pressed into your hand the moment you walk on.

then again, I get the London-Cornwall route which is a notorious party train

[Buslady7803]

Sunset Limited: LA - new orleans

Coach.

I loved it - 3 days ...didnt care about time...sleep was hard, cos my neighbors snored, Seat leans back almost flat
Foods good....