Ok. I didnt post this in the travel section because that board doesnt seem to see very much traffic. Also, I think we could make this a P/CP anyway!

What are peoples experiences with Amtrak? I am looking at putting together a long distance (midwest-northwest-oakland then back to the midwest via denver/omaha) trip. I figure upgrade a couple times for a bed on the train. Maybe crash at a shipmates place a time or 2 along the way (sshhhh, they dont know yet!!).

Another thing I wanted to bring up is thier military fares. 10% off. I will say thats better than nothing however, AAA will get you the same discount. On a trip like this one, you could get a AAA membership for the year, and still realize a savings even AFTER paying your $75 dues to AAA.

If you are not a US/Canadian citizen you can also participate in unlimited travel specials that offer DEEP discounts.....



Everyone enjoying thier new year???

////EM1 SENDS

*edited to remove my beef with students getting 15%. It looks like international students get it and I dont know a whole lot about that. Wait, maybe I still have a beef??!!

I've never traveled Amtrak for long distance. The longest being 400 miles. I can tell you for short distances its pretty cool, but I would get real old riding for more then 1 day. It would also be very expensive being food and drinks on the train for days at a time.

EM1,

AMTRAK is a GREAT way to travel with just one IF.

That is, IF you are not pressed for time. Having traveled extensively both from coast to coast and from border to border on AMTRAK, the only problem is the passenger trains are not that good at keeping to schedules, sometimes being 3 to 6 hours behind. This is because passanger trains must yield to freight trains when competing for the same tracks. Sometimes you might be stopped for an hour or so just to allow a freight or two pass.

Other than that, you will see terrain not seen from freeways or from the air. You also get a chance to meet fellow travelers. Most trains have dome cars which double as cafes. The food isn't bad and, like airlines, they serve adult libations (except when traveling through the State of Oklahoma and perhaps a few other dry areas).

My favorate two runs are the California Zypher which runs from Chicago to Oakland and the Coast Starlite which runs from Los Angeles to Seattle.

So, if you have the time, traveling via passenger train isn't that bad.

mw

I rode the Califonia Zepher one time, but when I went to Mich on a train, the train was diverted for frieght trains. I came home from Michigan on the train it was diverted for frieght, it went through water (I found out later it was flood water) the prices on the food was high, I will remember that trip with fondness but don't want to do it again

When I left Alaska in 1981 I took the Ferry to Prince Rubert sleeping on deck with a sleeping bag in a lounge chair and then took the train across Canada getting off along the way to camp, hike and other wise just spend time in the different provinces and beautiful sites like Lake Louise, My Robson, Jasper, etc... The trip by train was very enjoyable and put you in some country where there were no roads, true whissle stops were some trappers would get on and off. It was a grand adventure and the coast guard paid for the whole thing. UFB! Oh, I forgot I got lost on Vancouver Island for a few days, bad clam or shroom, who's to know.
Peace,
Dick

This message has been edited. Last edited by: asm3driscoll,

My son takes Amtrak on a regular basis back and forth to Missouri to visit college friends. He says he enjoys the quiet times, allowing him to play his video games or read.

Picking him up from the station has ranged from exactly on time to three hours late. That's been the only problem.

Remember, Google is your friend when looking for certain discounts.


Here's some other forums with Amtrack Discount Codes


Here is another, from Frommers, that may have some other discount codes not on the other page.

Keep checking back at Frommers - as they have regular updates to Amtrak Discount codes throughout the year. Just come back to the web site and do a search for Amtrak throughout the year for the latest discount codes.


You eluded to the Student Discount - there is also a Veterans Advantage Card Program that gives you a discount of 15% by joining some group - they offer a free 30 day trial (hint - hint).


Also, If you visit Amtrak's Weekly Special Page - you will find incredible deals - just know, they change every week.



I don't like the fact that Amtrak has so many hidden codes, some that work only on the phone, some only work at the ticket window and some are only Internet fares - are they not Federally subsidized with your and my tax dollars? Imagine if the Post Office had special "hidden" postage prices that your neighbor knew about but you did not!


One last thing - for folks that are going TAD/TDY for training - next time, try taking the trip via train if you can work it in your schedule.
It's definetly an "experience" you will never forget and will be fully paid for by your good ole' Uncle Sam! (as it should be cheaper when using the Constructed Cost of a GTR formula).

Disclaimer: But, what do I know - I'm just AnnouMouse

Ya' mean RAMTRAK?

I've done Amtrak a many times, mostly short trips (gambling runs from DC to Atlantic City ), two were overnighters...

Drove my 1980 'vette from St. Louis to Boston for house hunting, left it at my new house and took the train back to St. Louis. Didn't use a sleeper and the train didn't have a diner....24 hour trip. Not too enjoyable but functional.

My other overnighter was from Deland, FL to Richmond, VA. Got a sleeper on this one. I got on the train at about 3:30 in the afternoon, got situated in my sleeper, and then headed to the lounge car where there was a party in full swing. Passengers who got on in Miami were crocked and rowdy and the alcohol was flowing freely. Hung out with them until they disembarked in Jacksonville. Very good meal in the dining car with a passenger who was traveling to Boston, then off for some TV in the sleeper. Having a sleeper makes all the difference on long trips.

Also did AMTRAK on TDY, DC to Boston, slow, slogging train from New York to points north.

I may, MAY try the train from DC to Oakland this summer if the Night of Nights is going to happen...

I've taken AMTRACK cross country a couple of times and enjoyed it.
Heres a tip that one of the employees told me: If you buy a sleeper car before your trip starts it will be expensive, but the closer you get to your final destination the cheaper they will get. For example I looked into a sleeper car on my first trip and it was like $400.00 more, but half way through my trip I paid something like $75.00 for the two days left on the trip and the meals were included too. Just ask one of the employees everyday about the rates.

The wife and I took Amtrak round trip from NYC to Jax Fla a couple of years ago. Trip down the a/c quit. They got it fixed just in time to arrive in Fla. Trip back we had a 7 hour delay in SC due to a freight train derailment in NC. Amtrak leases space south of DC from freight lines and are at their mercy, as indicated earlier.

I'm going TDY to DC area in June and I'm considering taking the train from Deland FL to Alexandria VA. It's 16 hours, plus delays. Still, it should beat an hour drive to the airport, standing in lines for baggage check and security, waiting to board, being crammed in like sardines in a metal can, then reverse the process. I only get 8 hours overtime no matter how long it takes, and overtime is my regular hourly pay not time and a half, so most of the trip will be on my time.

Anyone got any advice on this trip?

Does AMTRAK still let you bring your own booze and food onboard? The auto train was a real party all the way up.

Make sure you get a Sleeper Car!!!!!
Its a better experience they bring you Cookies and the drinks are Free!!! I rode from San Francisco to Eugene Oregon. Great Ride. Too bad the tracks are so jacked up you cant get there right now Or I would be taking some leave to pick up a new rig.

$300+ extra for a sleeper, each way, that's in addition to the regular $200 round trip. Doesn't seem worth it for one night each way, since I can't get that reimbursed.

I did learn from past train trips to bring a blanket.

$300
Dang, I paid a extra $75 for my sleeper. Last year!!! one way was $160 from SF to Eugene.

My experience is that it costs almost the same a a plane to get where I need to go and takes 10 times as long. That ain't no good when traveling with youngens.

I'll stick to flying, even if TSA is a hassle sometimes.

I've done it three times from Grand Rapids Michigan to DFW Texas. 1200 miles. Once it was on time, the other two times were 3 and 5 hours late. However, it was much cheaper than flying (116 one way from DFW to GR) and relaxing. I brought my own food and only spent 1.75 onboard for coffee. Amtrak does a pretty good job - must be all that government subsidy they get. haha.

Aside being frustrating, it was nice way to travel. I was looking out the window at the interstate drivers glad that I wasn't one of them.

I traveled up and down the East coast on Amtrak. I enjoyed the relaxation and the comfort compared to planes. However it was time consuming and more expensive than I thought it would be. Does anyone think that emulating the nation-wide high speed trains in Europe and Japan would be worth it here? I for one think that If they could drop the prices of trains I would do it far more often...

quote:

Does anyone think that emulating the nation-wide high speed trains in Europe and Japan would be worth it here? I for one think that If they could drop the prices of trains I would do it far more often...

Depends on where...on the East coast--especially between Boston and DC, there are enough people willing to ride the rails, including the quasi-high speed Accela train regularly (I'm one of them). The problem with the east coast train lines is old infrastructure which would need to be replaced for a true high speed train. One of the reasons Accela is slow in the NE is that sections of track-mostly in Westchester Co and CT cannot accomdate tilting trains (due to space/clearance)--so their speed is restricted.

my problem with the Accela train is that it stops too often. If they could get the time to 5 hours between Boston and DC it would be a lot better.