Amtrak from the Northeast to Las Vegas with a 9 year old?

Question

I'm thinking of taking my 9 year old son to Las Vegas this summer to see the Hoover Dam. He is a rail fan so I'm thinking about doing the Amtrak thing. I know Amtrak doesn't serve LV and that we have to take a bus from Kingman, AZ. I've done my homework as far as that goes. Has anyone taken a cross-country trip lately on Amtrak and what are your thoughts? Our family did it back in 1966 when things on the rails were a little different as far as trains are. I've been to Vegas many times but have always flown. He's also flown several times but never has been on a train other than commuter trains in and out of Manhattan. Thanks for any suggestions and/or comments.

Answer 1

I have taken the train from the East coast to the west and back twice within the past 7 years and loved both trips. I went out west through Canada one tiime and came back from Sacramento to Chicago and the DC. The second time I went out west through Chicago to Seattle and then took the train all the way to LA, then back across country the southern route to Florida and back up the east coast.

I had a sleeper for much of these trips, in particular the parts from Chicago to the west coast and from LA to Florida. They call that "first class" and it includes 3 meals a day, great meals too. The normal sleeper was fine for one person, and may be OK for you and a 9 yr old, But its kinda crowded for two. The bigger sleeper is better for two people and it has a pottie in it as well as a facebowl. Otherwise you just walk down the hall in your coach. You do the same for showers; they are sufficient and towels are provided. There is not a lot of room to store luggage in the room but they had a luggage rack in the coach if you do not check your stuff. I usually just put my bag with most of my stuff in the luggage rack and kept a backpack with toiletries and a couple undies in it. I would retrieve more clothes from my big bag when I needed them. I suggest that you sleep in some regular shorts so that if you do have to go out of the room at night, of when you go for a shower, you don't have to put on clothes, or go in a nighty.

You may want to look for a rental car in Az instead of the bus. I thought the train would drop you in Barstow, Ca for Vegas. Its only about 2 hrs to Vegas from there.

Answer 2

I haven't taken a cross country train trip in years, but I suggest you fly one way. Another thing you might think about is flying both ways but taking a train in just the west. My husband did that a few years ago and said it was very nice.

Answer 3

Did you see that episode of Sex and the City? That was a nightmare trip. I say don't do it. Go to Philly or DC on the train, fly to Vegas.