Is Amtrak coach worth it?

Question

I will be returning from a trip to NYC and the options I have are:

Taking the Amtrak from NYC to Chicago, then taking a Greyhound to Minneapolis.

OR

Taking a plane straight from NYC to Minneapolis. There's a minor price difference, but I really want to know if I will have more fun on a train. I would just get coach seats and I know you can walk around to different cars, but it may be more fun to just chill out after a fun trip rather than have it end right away on a plane.

Persuade me please :-P

Answer 1

the train takes longer, but the seats are more comfortable (compare with business class on some airplanes, at least as far as legroom is concerned).

Answer 2

If you've never been on Amtrak before, and you're not in a rush to get there, I'd suggest you try the train out at least once.  It's a fun experience.  But it will be long and you might not get there at the exact time, so if you have to be there on time for something super important, you should probably fly.

Answer 3

Consider taking Amtrak all the way to Minneapolis!

For example, you could take the Lake Shore Limited out of Penn Station to Chicago, then the Empire Builder to Minneapolis.  The Lake Shore Limited is scheduled into Chicago at 9:45am, and the Empire Builder departs at 2:15pm, so there should be plenty of time to make the connection, even if the first train runs a few hours late.  Otherwise, you can do some sightseeing while you wait, like the Sears Tower, or the Museum of Broadcast Communications.  The cost would be about $134.  Travel time would be 30 1/2 hours (if the Builder doesn't get in late).  And you avoid having to transfer to the Greyhound station, where you would probably have to wait, anyway.

Most people enjoy the Amtrak experience, but be aware that sleeping in a coach seat is not always the most comfortable.  It would cost about an extra $400 to upgrade to a roomette (not very efficient for one person traveling alone), but you get your meals included.  Bring along a book, laptop, handheld game, etc., to help pass the time.  You generally get a better class of traveling companion than on Greyhound!