I want to take a train from MA to CA but I don't know where to start. Any help?

Question

Which trains do I take, how do I do... anything? I just have no idea how to start planning this.

Answer 1

well, 1st, we need to know which cities - so where are you starting from, and where do you want to go to.  then we need to know a travel date, and we need to know if you want to go one way or round trip.

amtrak is the nationwide passenger rail carrier, so you can contact them at 1.800.872.7245 (1.800.USA.RAIL), or at www.amtrak.com.

tell us exactly what cities you want to use, not what you think might have a station.  in many cases, especially california, we can get you directly to where you really want to be.  if not, our computers can tell us what the nearest station is, along with distance and other modes of transport that might be connection for you.

you can also find stations on your own at www.amtrak.com, on stations tab, and you will even get a map too.

note that depending upon where you are at in maine, and where you are going to in california, that you might be using amtrak trains all the way, or there may be a beginning or ending segment on an amtrak bus, but in any case, the trains and buses would serve the same stations and you would book/buy all your tickets from amtrak.

if you update your question with your actual cities, ill try to help you more...otherwise you can use www.amtrak.com or their toll free phone on your own.

if you want, you could also consider intermodal trip, perhaps use amtrak to boston, then fly to LAX or SFO or wherever you are going, and then amtrak again to final destination.  this would be faster, although maybe not as comfortable, and prices on airlines are shooting up, so may be more expensive.  but you could use travelocity, expedia, or orbitz to at least compare air fares to see.

and if you need, greyhound is at 1.800.231.2222 or at www.greyhound.com (seem to require IE7 to view and doesnt work with any other browser) or www.greyhound.ca (works with IE6 and Firefox browsers).

Answer 2

That's a fairly complex ride, so don't try to book it on the Net.  You need to give Amtrak a call.  1-800-USA-RAIL or talk to your local travel agent.  

If you want to research it, hit http://www.amtrak.com/ and start by looking at Amtrak's route map, then look at the various trains that go your way and see what you think!

Answer 3

you are far better off flying..trust me

Answer 4

Take the Lake Shore Ltd. from Boston (or any station in MA except for Rt 128 or Downeaster stations) to Albany, which connects to the main LSL train to Chicago. From there, you have 3 options to CA...

- Take the California Zephyr to San Francisco (Emeryville, technically)

- Take the Southwest Chief to LA

Or take the Texas Eagle to Fort Worth, TX and it connects to the Sunset Ltd. every other day, which continues to LA.

There are many other ways and routes you can take, but these will probably keep it as easy as possible.

Answer 5

amtrak.com

Answer 6

This is a great idea if you want to take it easy and take a mini vacation between MA and CA, but you won't be on a train the entire time.