Any advice for long distance travel on Amtrak?

Question

I'm looking 4 several things out of this question. You see, I'm traveling from DC to Roseville, CA, at the beginning of Sept via Amtrak. I am taking the Capital Limited from DC to Chicago & then the California Zephyr from Chicago to Roseville. I don't have the $$$ to upgrade to a room, so I'm looking for any tips that you might have regarding what to take with me to make my trip a little easier.

1. What is the price range & quality of the food service on the trains?
2. Ideas on how to "freshen up"? What type of accomodations are there for Coach?
3. Entertainment - I've seen that there is entertainment on the trains. What kind is available?
4. What constitutes "carry on" luggage with Amtrak? Part of my trip includes Checked Baggage, but the longest leg (CHI to Roseville) doesn't offer this service.

Any help, info & ideas is greatly appreciated! I thought about Greyhound travel, but on this type of trip, I don't want to be cramped up on a small bus seat. LOL
Thanks!

Answer 1

Well I took Amtrak from Roseville to DC about a year ago. Great trip! 1st. Foods good, I only ate dinner. Bring your own food. 2nd. Bring your tooth brush, baby wipes, soap, shampoo (I washed my hair in the sink) and a med. size towel. Normal bathroom. 3rd. Ipod, portable DVD and movies (during the day I went to the observation car and watch the world go by and chatted with people). Some cars have movies some don't? 4th. I had a large, very large back pack. Next time I will take a freight train if I want to save money, only a day and a half to Chicago. And its free, I work for the railroad! Good luck...

Answer 2

I traveled Amtrak on a 1500 mile journey, switching trains in Chicago. I chose a sleeping car going and not a sleeping car returning just to have the feel of train travel and to compare the experiences. The sleeping car was a great experience and the train wasn't very full, so it gave an opportunity to meet some interesting people. I tried the dining car once and it is an experience that you will remember in a pleasant way. I shared a table with strangers since I was traveling alone and there was a long wait for any available table otherwise. The return trip was another matter; The A/C went out, so it was a very uncomfortable experience while trying to sleep in a limited environment as a seat. The best I could do was rest my eyes - never fell asleep. People were upset, so was not conducive to any "we're having a great trip" chit chat. Felt pretty surreal being on a train instead of a plane with the dimmed lighting. Sharing facilities found those conditions only going from bad to worse. Yes, is wise to have layering of clothes as someone suggested since you don't control conditions. Your Iowa to Colorado October jaunt may give a chill in the air with overnight conditions and not the best insulation and doors opening to the outside air. I would also suggest taking along your own snacks. Your adventure is short enough, but will probably feel long enough by sitting this length of time for the most part. Get up and walk around. This trip will give you an experience that you'll always remember. Trains have you see the world go by in a unique sort of way. You may have a few 30 minute layover stops at stations where you can get off the train and stretch your legs in the night air chill. I strongly recommend doing that and enjoying the fresh air, sights and sounds. Enjoy and best wishes on your wonderful adventure!

Answer 3

Been awhile since I've done a real long haul like that on Amtrak, but I would say bring a pillow and blanket. Also pack along some food of your own. The dining car tends to be expensive and the snack car (not so cheap either) isn't anything special. Every so often the trains make "smoking stops". Actually I think these are fuel stops/crew changes where the train has to sit a little longer than usual. Smoker or not, this is a good time to get off the train, streach out, etc.

Answer 4

I recently took my 1st Amtrak from Ks. to Az. & back. At the last minute they called and offered an available berth at a discount. I took it plus upgraded for the berth at full price on the way back. Pretty well doubled my cost altogether but I was able to sleep however...I was surprised at the roughness of the ride. Almost like a stage coach. I think I could stretch out in a coach chair well enough. The food was great. Included in the deal in my case. The carry on luggage and the check in didn't matter much because your checked luggage was stuffed in a little space where you could get to it. I took both my bags into my berth along with a small cooler for pop. My trip was 19 hrs. I can't imagine what yours will be. 30 to 40 hrs? The entertainment is a couple of movies in the lounge car in the evening. Didn't mess with them myself. Tried to sleep all I could. Lots of little stops at every little town. Some give you 15 minutes or so to get off & stretch or whatever. The bathroom was a little better than on an airplane but not much. My car had a shower but I don't know about coach. Doubt it. I'd seriously consider flying if I had to go that far. But, it's an experience. You meet nice people to chat with and the conductors are all courteous and helpful. I don't know if that helps since I didn't go coach but it depends on the price difference and what you can afford. I think the shower would be available to both coach and sleepers but you might ask. Also the baggage accessability might apply only in the sleeper car. Ask if they store you check-in baggage inside the train or in an outside storage compartment. Ask to get on a list for a cheap upgrade if one comes up. I guess that's about all I can tell you. Happy trails.....

Answer 5

First, I say take the plane. Train travel is very friendly, and much safer, but it has many downsides.

The snack car (if availible) on Amtrak usually has small, cheap meals that taste ok.

Um, I would say breathmints and a toothbrush/toothpaste thing. The bathrooms are pretty small, and I dont believe you will have shower access. Deoderant, Anti-Perspirant, all those things that make ya smell good.

I havent taken a long-distance train, but I believe there are movies onboard. But to be safe, bring a portable DVD player, laptop, iPod, anything that can keep you occupied. Looking out the window can get old, and fast.

Odd they dont offer checked bags service. You may want to mail your stuff to your destination in that case. The carry-on is pretty much whatever you can fit under the seat in front of you or in the legroom area.


btw, dont expect the train(s) to be ontime. At all.

Answer 6

i have used amtrak several times, but never for a trip that long..i think my longest was 5 or 6 hours. traveling with someone would be ideal. as it gets boring and lonely by yourself. dont forget a pillow, blanket, and things to keep you busy. you have to go get your food from another car...and eat it there i think. i have no idea about the entertainment..never saw or heard of any...for my bags i always just put the suitcases downstairs where they go, and took a backpack or something to my seat. for freshening up there are several bathrooms in each car...so you normally wont have to wait in line...or anything like that......well, i guess thats about it, have fun...hope you like trains..

Answer 7

Bring a lot of money because the Dining Car is expensive

Answer 8

Have you checked flights?

Call Amtrak for this information.

Answer 9

you can fly from the dc area to Sacramento for 150 one way you are crazy to take the train unless you are scared to fly or something

Answer 10

Don't do it, fly instead...