Have you ever traveled on a Amtrak train?

Question

My fiancee and I are thinking about taking a amtrak from Illinois to Oregon. Ive never been on one before. What is it like for longer trips? Also how long would it take to get to Oregon state from Illinois?

Answer 1

Not sure how long it takes... but I know I took a train from Southern Florida to Northern Florida with my sister a couple years ago and it was really really fun :) I'd do it if I were you...

Answer 2

Probably a couple days.  The longest I've ever been on was 4 hours.  IT was really relaxing, much better than a plane.

Answer 3

I did Oakland to Chicago on the California Zephyr once and it was a lot of fun. It is something you do for the experience since it is much cheaper and faster to fly. They have regular seats available, but because it is an overnight train you will want to reserve a private compartment. I think meals are included in the price. Should take two days to make the trip.

Answer 4

Amtrak has been improving since it started. I've used the California Zephyr from California to both Chicago and Denver. Relaxing in those seats, the scenery that goes by is breathe taking. Dinner in the dining car is fantastic, the choice are very interesting & very good.(meat, fish, fowl, pasta,vegatarian dishes)breakfast and lunches are just as interesting and just as good. The club car is a wonderful place to relax with a drink and/or a snack. If you go first class,

there's the cabin that you travel for your whole trip.It also has a bed and bathroom. You can also check about a sleeper coach.

Another great thing about taking the train,on cross country trips anyway, is NO jet-lag.

Answer 5

I've never been on a train, however, friends of mine say travelling via train is awesome. It's a way to see a lot of countryside that you'd otherwise might not see.

Answer 6

I have, it's great. Just a relaxing ride. I dont' know the time from Illinois to Oregon though.

Answer 7

You didn't specify cities, the shortest trip I found from Chicago to Portland OR is 46 hours 10 minutes.

My longest train trip was about 10 hours.  I've found it's more comfortable than planes, buses, and cars - more space, more comfortable seat, more stable vehicle.  Trains are also much less hassle than planes.  A December 31 trip from NYC to Boston was especially fun c. 1990.  I don't know how a 46 hour trip feels.

Answer 8

Trip will be too long. You may want a divorce.

Amtrak to Boston and back home to NY

Long and slow. And not interesting.

Next, my friend too the Amtrak fro NY to Fla. roaches in the sleeping car. NOt a memorable experience.

Find an alternate route

Answer 9

Exactly where are you most likely to travel from/to?

I have gone from CT to DC, which is only a 6 hour trip but I would really like to go on a much longer trip. Amtrak does have sleeper cars and even if you don't end up on one, the seats are quite comfortable.

If you travel from Chicago to Portland, it will take just about two days for $309. If you have a AAA account, that will save you $31 if you book 3 or more days in advance.

If you take the train, you might not have the luxury of exploring towns and cities along the way. You might consider the option of buying tickets along the route and getting on a train with an "Auto Car" that would allow you to drive some of the way. It will cost a little bit more but I think it would be awesome.

Have fun!

Answer 10

I hate to say this, but if y ou're in a hurry, you might need to fly. If you can spare the time, train travel with a companion is so nice. It makes the travel as much a part of the vacation as the destination. Enjoy

Answer 11

YES ME AND MY BRO WENT ON ONE.I LIKE IT A LOT.

Answer 12

I have been on one of those going from Michigan to New Mexico and back. It was very comfortable and enjoyable. Even when we were in coach, it wasn't bad. Then we got a suite on the way back and THAT was cool. Lots of fun and good times. Very nice service. I liked it a lot. It took us a day and a half or two days to get to new mexico, so It would probably be the same.

Answer 13

Took Super Chief or something from Chicago to New Mexico many years ago.  It was fun but by the time we got there I was ready to get off.  Should be a beautiful trip through the Rockies.  Estimated 2 days to get there.