Question:

I have never taken a train in the U.S. (Amtrak), but I don't want to fly anymore. My friends think I am crazy

by  |  earlier

0 LIKES UnLike

telling me that it will take "forever" to get anywhere. Anyone out there take trains long distances? Why do you choose it over other forms of transportation and how do you like it? If you make a reservation, do they assign you a particular seat or is it first come, first served? I want to get a good seat, so should I get to the train station early? What do I need to know to make my first train experience a positive one? And hidden things that you wish you knew?

 Tags:

   Report

12 ANSWERS


  1. the train is not very comfortable ; bring slippers and a small pillow and a blanket.

    have a good book

    have some snack crackers and a candy bar so you dont have to worry if they run out


  2. Don't listen to your friends!! Amtrak is the way to go!! coach sucks though. Get a sleeping car.

  3. You're certainly not crazy, just smart if you take Amtrak. ;o)  As Mark and others have said above while Amtrak is not the fastest form of transportation to get you from Point A to Point B it is almost always the most pleasant and stress free, which is why many folks choose long-distance passenger trains on their travels (for the relaxing journey).  Purely on service rail travel far surpasses the airlines, particularly in this day and age when it has been absolutely terrible.

    I don't believe the trains carry assigned seats, you are simply seated as you board the train.  As for the food it is typically okay although no longer prepared on-board as it was in years past.  If your journey is to take overnight you might want to consider purchasing sleeping quarters, which I have often heard is far better than sleeping in the seats, although, naturally, it does cost extra for the service.  

    The only word of caution is to please don't plan/expect to arrive right on time and if you are on a schedule make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.  Because Amtrak operates its long-distance, intercity, passenger trains over the private freight railroads' main lines it is subject to their dispatching and is almost always delayed at least a half-hour from the timetable schedule.  

    In any event, I would highly recommend travel by train and I am very confident you'll have a great and relaxing trip.  All the best!

  4. Actually, train riding is quite relaxing.  It may take longer to get somewhere but you get to see and experience a lot more country.

    I like train rides because I don't have to worry about driving from Point A to Point B.  I can relax, read a book, watch the scenery, take a nap, watch a DVD (some trains have movies just like airplanes--or you can pack a personal video player); you can use the bathroom and  not worry about the fact that the next rest stop isn't for another 45 miles...  If you get hungry, you can go to the diner car and pick up a snack.  

    Depending on the length of the trip, you have an opportunity to stop along the way and visit cities that may interest you.

    I've never had an assigned seat, it has been first come-first served but people come and go on the train so if you don't get a top notch seat, you can trade up as people come and go.

    If you are going a really long distance and want to utilize the day, if schedules allow for it, take a night train with a sleeping berth and sleep through the ride.  That way you can arrive refreshed and ready to go.

    Trains have their good points and bad, but overall it can be a positive experience.  Don't let anyone talk you out of it just because it takes longer than an airplane...it is a chance to see the world around you.  Just sit back and enjoy it.

  5. It has been several years since I took a train trip but I did enjoy it. I met some very nice people and saw some beautiful country. You can get up and walk around to change views. When you fly, you do get there in a hurry but miss the scenery. It's like the old saying "getting there is half the fun". To make the journey itself as enjoyable as arriving at the destination is not crazy. You should be able to ask the specific questions to a travel agent for accurate answers. Have fun and enjoy the trip.

  6. Been awhile since I took one but I dont think we had assigned seats. One train I took was a double decker & it was a nice smooth ride. Another one I took was sorta loud & threw you around alot. The layovers are long but if you get a big trainstation like Grand Central in Chicago, its like an underground Mall. One thing I didnt know when I boarded with 2 kids, lotsa luggage and a 4 foot box of X-mas toys, was that when you change trains, you are responsible for all your luggage. They will take it off the train for you then you got to pack it around with you til you get on another train. So you need to have extra money to tip the Porter to help you. Also the layovers can be like 8 hours long. All in all though, I was more comfortable on the train than flying. I have also flown before & I never want to fly again. I dont care about the stats...its just my decision. Also be wary of the days they pick up places. Sometimes its just every other day & the stop is no more than a rain shelter. The thing I think I liked the most about it was that you are traveling in someones back yard and it sure is a different view than what you would normally see. Good luck sweetie. Hope this helps.

  7. If you have the time, trains are great. I have always enjoyed Amtrak. The seats are just as uncomfortable as planes; but the general idea is that you should spend plenty of time in the bar car meeting people anyway...

    Even if you're anti-social, you'll get a better understanding of geography and history by rolling through it on land.

  8. I have been traveling by Amtrak for over 10 years. i don't plan to fly again if I can help it. Yes, the train is slow and subject to delays. But, if you have the time and not in a hurry, it can be very relaxing. On a train you are free to walk around. There is usually a sightseeing car with large picture windows to watch the scenery. There are also parlor cars where you can play games, watch movies and socialize with other passengers. Some trains also have speakers talking about the area you are traveling through. I've also attended wine and cheese tasting or other various events.

    As far as the food goes, it is not great. The food is all pre-cooked and simply reheated. Its expensive and no better than OK. I'd bring my own snacks. If you are traveling overnight, I'd suggest getting a sleeping car. Although the seats in coach are comfortable, there is not enough room to sleep. Also, in a sleeping car, you have privacy during the day and don't have to worry about being disturbed by other passengers at night while trying to sleep. All meals are included with sleeping accomodations.

    Coach seats are not assigned, they usually direct you to available seats on the train . You never know how full the train may be from previous stops. Getting there early, won't guarantee a good seat.

    If you can learn to relax and not be in a hurry you should have an enjoyable trip. Trains are subject to delays as they share the tracks with freight trains. But, use the time to relax and unwind. I hope you have a great trip.

  9. Traveling along the East Coast, I prefer the train.

    Since they don't close train stations for mere thundershowers, you don't have so many delays. And even if the train does have to stop, it's not like being stuck in an airplane. You can walk around, stretch out for a private nap, sit down to a real card game, ... you can even spread out your materials and get real work done! I can't even get comfortable on a plane (even in first class), much less be productive.

    When I fly to Maine, someone has to drive down to Providence (2 hours each way) to meet me. When I go by rail, I take the train right on up to Bangor and beyond.

    True, there can be a long layover between trains, but it's not unusual to be able to WALK from the train station to downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment. Unless an air travel layover is very long indeed, you will spend it killing time at some creepy airport. (Note, the other respondent is right about being prepared to transfer your own luggage when you go by rail.)

    But the best thing is being able to have a real wash and don fresh clothing prior to disembarkation. It simply can't be done when one is sharing a miniature toilet with 100 other passengers. I step off the train looking (and feeling) fresh and rested instead of rumpled, dirty, and tired.

  10. Well there are no reserved seats. And getting there early does not guarantee you a good seat. There are delays,especially if you have to change trains. If you smoke there is no smoking . The food is good but not cheap. Sleeping in the seats suck. If there is a next time I will get a sleeping compartment,but of course that costs more.

  11. taking a train is  lot more fun the flying.

    there no security checks, no metal detectors, etc

    I took the train to the Grand Canyon once nice time

    (it might take longer on the train but you sure cant

    beat the scenery as the train rolls though the countryside

    and you will meet other travels,

    a lot  long distance  trains are reserved. (but you can take any seat)

    you could also get a sleeper (additional cost) but it does

    include your meals on the train

    Amtrak people are very helpful,,

    there some trains you dont even need reservations

    (expect during  some holiday periods)

    Like the Pacific Surfliner you can board any time at

    any time with no reservation (although the week around

    Thanksgiving then it become an reserve train

    and you can move /explore the entire train too

    even on some routes you even get a guide  who will

    tell you about the area you are traveling thought

    (sure cant get that on airplane!)

  12. Yeah, I do it all the time.  

    Nobody's mentioned this yet, but Amtrak has two different types of trains: Short haul and long-haul.

    Short haul trains are day-trips of 2-8 hours. Some are reserved, but all are "seat yourself" first come first served.  Getting there early doesn't really matter because everybody just goes to the nearest door and hops on.   Food service is 7-11 style junk food, sodas, chips, microwave burgers, beer and wine.

    Long haul trains are overnight.  All reservations.  The car attendant will assign you a seat, tell him your preference when he seats you. There is real dining service  ("Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer...") comparable to Applebee's.  The trains also have 7-11 junk food but why eat it?  If you pay extra for a sleeper, meals are free. (about a $30-45 value depending on how much you pump it :)

    To make your train experience a positive one, rule #1 is expect it to be very, very late.  Just roll with it, be OK with it.    My worst was 5 hours late from Portland (Oregon) to Chicago.  No, wait, my worst was 6 hours on JetBlue.

    Which brings me to why I prefer it over other forms.  Greyhound is desperation transportation, and I'm not desperate.  Airlines?  Let me count the ways.  

    #1 airports are very far from downtown.  Public transit to the airport sucks, and driving to the airport is a total cash ripoff.  Lose/lose.

    #2 Airports are too congested, too many long lines, too much walking.  You can walk a MILE to your gate, carrying luggage no less.  That's insane.

    #3 Giving up your civil rights at security checkpoints.  They can seize your belongings and strip search you.

    #4 The tiny, cramped, uncomfortable seats.  And nowhere to walk or stretch your legs.

    #5 arbitrary delays.  I used to think Amtrak was bad for that, but as you know, airlines are just as bad now.

    #6 the mortal danger of dying from incompetent air traffic control.  Look into it, the situation is REALLY bad.  Obsolete equipment, not enough controllers, not enough with any skill, and an insane way of controlling airplanes (by voice!?  Not automatic signals!? Hello? What century is this?  The railroads had automatic signals in the 19th!)

    So airlines suck.  I'll do it ... to help someone else, that's about it.

Question Stats

Latest activity: earlier.
This question has 12 answers.

BECOME A GUIDE

Share your knowledge and help people by answering questions.