Train travel. Are there more options than AMTRAK?

Question

I want to travel by train to see my brother but Amtrak only runs certain routes. It would take an indirect route of 25 hours, to reach a 6 hour drive.

Are there other trains or kind of transportation (Other than driving or flying)

Answer 1

Well Baby_Rost... since you don't give us a Point A and Point B, it's alittle challenging to give you an answer OTHER than "Greyhound".

YIKES, 25 hrs vs. 6 hrs !!  YES, it IS sad that passenger-train travel has de-evolved into such a state. Sadly, in MOST of the USA, Amtrak is your ONLY rail-option.

I travel by train to visit MY brother also (San Carlos, Ca to Stockton, Ca.)  It is a 4-8 hour drive (depending on commute-traffic)... but if I took AMTRAK, it would be a 12-15 hour ride... BUT... there is a commuter train from San Jose to Stockton (Altamont Commuter Express ACE) that takes only 4 hours.  So the adding the train from San Carlos to San Jose (CALTRAIN) it's a total of 5 hours for me... resting, reading, and relaxing rather than fighting traffic and idiot drivers who should have their licenses revoked.

It ALL boils down to DEMAND and potential profit forcing either Amtrak or a second passenger line deciding to create a route.

POST 9/11, I think Amtrak made a SERIOUS error in NOT lowering their rates and PULLING travellers into the rail world.  It will ALWAYS be alittle (to alot) slower than driving... but the trade-off in arriving relaxed and refreshed is, in my opinion, well worth the extra time.

GOOD LUCK !!

Answer 2

take the dog [   Grayhound  ]

Answer 3

Greyhound or Peter Pan buses. It might also take a bit longer, but it should be wicked cheap compared to scamtrak.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, no, Amtrak is the only intercity service available.  I am unsure where you are located but if it is somewhere along the Northeast there is the possibility that one of the state-operated commuter rail services might reach the city you are trying to get to.

Answer 5

unless you're lookng to go by train within in certain parts of the Northeast or the bay area of California, Amtrak's the only game in town.

bus service offers more frequent options, but, well, it's bus. boat service is farily limited to certain areas and routes. that leaves flying, driving, hitching, bicycle or foot.