Can someone tell me about train ride experiences?

Question

I am going on a train trip this summer and I just want to know what to expect, please share some of your experiences. Thank You It looks like it is going to be a two day ride.

Answer 1

What makes it nice is your freedom of movement. You can go to the observation car, dining car, or where ever. You're not packed in and expected to stay put and shut up like on a plane. The ride is very smooth too.

Answer 2

ANY ride on a train is worth the time!  In fact, if you really want to experience the best of rail get a NA rail pass -- 30 days unlimited travel on AMTRAK/VIA; the cost is for coach only so if you want to upgrade, it will cost you.

Answer 3

it is like being rocked, loved it. had a book and sunglasses for privacy but kept my mind open for new experiences and met some nice people.  have fun

Answer 4

Rode Amtrak from Chicago to Seattle. (2 1/2 days each way) It was like heaven, I will never fly again, or drive any distance. The scenery was great the people were wonderful and the staff treats you like royalty.Get a roomette it includes a bed and all meals (the food is delicious).

Answer 5

its nice. I took the train from Anaheim to San diego, and it was a nice ride. Granted it was only 2 1/2 hours. But it was really nice. The views are cool and you dont have to do anything, just sit back and realx. But a two day one might get boreing and uncomfortable. Just get off at the stops and stretch, take a few good books, maybe even a zanex to help you go to sleep. You will be fine.

Answer 6

For me the train is the best way to travel. The longest trip I ever made took two and a half days including a sea crossing.

Make sure you take along enough luggage to make yourself comfortable at night and money to buy food and refreshments along the way, or take them with you.

And a book or two to read if you get bored looking at the scenery (and for night time when there isn't much to see anyway).

Make good use of whatever facilities are on the train - bar, restaurant, washroom or whatever.

People are often quite sociable on long train trips and are more likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger. So it helps if you're the outgoing type who likes meeting other people.

Enjoy your trip :->

Answer 7

It's a lot of fun.  Be sure to spend at least half your waking hours not in your seat -- go to the lounge car, and enjoy meals in the diner.  Nothing could be finer!

Pack accordingly - have all your valuables in a very small bag that you can keep with you, so you're not worried about theft out of the carry-ons back at your seat.

Pack a couple of changes of clothing, a towel, a washcloth and a couple of ziploc bags to put a wet washcloth in.  You can easily spongebath in one of the bathrooms downstairs, which are very different sizes by the way, some are too small.

The lounge also has a "cafe" with 7-11 microwave burgers and whatnot.  But I hope you'd be taking your meals in the proper dining car, whose prices and quality are comparable to Applebee's.  Only a few Amtrak trains have a dining car, and this is one of them.

If there are two of you, consider sleepers.  Diner meals are included with sleepers.

Answer 8

Last time I rode a train was with some friends, we packed a picnic lunch basket, took the last few seats in a car so were more or less alone, had a nice lunch, a bottle (or two) of wine, relaxed, saw the sights, arrived at our destination relaxed and ready to go, not feeling like it had been an ordeal.

I hate flying, I do for long trips but it is NOT my favorite way to go.

Answer 9

If you have a motion sickness bring some medicine with you.