Amtrak travel cross-country?

Question

The whole family (about 15 people) will be travelling from Ohio to the Bay area (CA) for a wedding. Would it be cheaper to book Amtrak as a group? How long would the trip take?

Answer 1

Try amtrak.com or 800-USA-RAIL

I  would say that is a horrible idea unless you're a diehard rail enthusiast or foamer.

Let me explain:  The sheer cost alone is expensive.  Double or triple per person than flying.  Also, the amount of time on the train would be like 2-4 days one way.  Trains are always late.

I'm pro public transportation and pro railroads but not for long trips where flying is cheaper/better/faster.

Answer 2

Maybe it'll cost more than flying, but rail is a great way to go - and more eco-friendly. You don't say what part of Ohio you're coming from, so I'll make a stab in the dark.

You'll board your first train early in the morning - possibly very early. You'll arrive in Chicago later the same morning. You should get a couple of hours to stroll around, visit the loop area, etc. Then, later in the afternoon you'll board the California Zaphyr to Emeryville, CA. The first afternoon is rolling through the flat cornfields. Have a meal in the diner, followed by a glass of wine or two in the lounge car. You'll sleep overnight and wake in Denver, CO. Move to the sightseer lounge car for great views as you climb the front face of the Rockies. There's great scenery pretty much all day long. During the night you'll stop at Salt Lake City, with the following day going through the Sierra Nevadas - more great scenery. Finally you'll arrive in the bay area early evening. You'll be relaxed, refreshed, and happy - unlike the airplane passengers who will have been frisked, delayed, and compressed like sardines.

Cost? Phone Amtrak, only they can provide a price.

Two trains, two nights, three long days. Yes, Amtrak do get delayed, so don't plan to arrive too close to the wedding - there is a very small risk that you could miss the connecting train in Chicago, thus delaying you by 24 hours. For a hassle free journey, just allow that small extra time.

Answer 3

Are most of your family members elderly and/or afraid of flying regardless of reasons (e.g. terrorist threats, security hassles, risks of deep vein thrombosis, etc.).  On a train, there's more risk of deep vein thrombosis due to being seated most of the time.

From OH to SF with bedrooms, you're looking at about $1,000 per person.  The bedrooms can sleep anywhere from 2 to 4 people.  The group discount may save you 10-25% but you need to call Amtrak.

Round trip - figure about $2,000 per person before discounts and the like.

You're looking at $30K for the entire family and the train doesn't go all the way to SF.  You may need alternate transportation from the train to the wedding venue and back.