How reliable are trains such as Amtrak for travel plans?

Question

My family is thinking to travel to NC from Pennsylvania in May. Would an Amtrak trip be a good option to consider?

Answer 1

I've had a good experience with Amtrak during my one trip with them (in a week it will have been two years). However, I was on the Acela, so everything was nice and fancy, because it's all Business class and up, and fast. I took two trains with them. They were both around 30 minutes late, but that was because of a huge snowstorm. My overall impression of Amtrak is that they are nice, and it's a good alternative to flying.
However, for your trip, considering the locations, I'd really recommend flying. US Airways has hubs in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA, and in Charlotte, NC, so if you're going through those cities, definitely fly. If not, you should still look at flights, because, depending on the times, dates, and locations, flying could be cheaper.
Have a good trip!

Answer 2

Mr. Bond,

Amtrak is a good way to travel if one has the time, and travel plans are not time sensitive. If taking your family on a vacation, spend the extra (considerably extra) bucks for a compartment (of course, the compartment will be as late as the train, but you'll be more comfortable).

Q has come up with a way to neutralize the odd drunk that lurks in every Amtrak lounge car (they are most noticeable when the clock strikes twelve, the time the bar closes).

Good luck on your mission. Should you or any of your party be captured, I will disavow any knowledge of your actions.

Answer 3

I traveled Amtrak on a 1500 mile adventure, switching trains in Chicago. I chosen a snoozing automobile going and not a snoozing automobile returning just to have the texture of practice shuttle and to evaluate the reviews. The snoozing automobile exchange right into a great adventure and the practice wasn't very finished, so it gave an possibility to fulfill some thrilling people. i attempted the eating automobile as quickly as and it is an adventure which you will undergo in ideas in a delightful way. I shared a table with strangers on condition that i exchange into vacationing on my own and there exchange right into an prolonged look ahead to any obtainable table in any different case. The return holiday exchange into yet another count; The A/C went out, so it exchange into an enormously uncomfortable adventure whilst attempting to sleep in a constrained atmosphere as a seat. the right i could do exchange into relax my eyes - under no circumstances fell asleep. people have been disillusioned, so exchange into not conducive to any "we are having a great holiday" chit chat. Felt surprisingly surreal being on a practice extremely of a airplane with the dimmed lights. Sharing centers got here upon those circumstances basically going from undesirable to worse. definite, is clever to have layering of clothing as somebody reported given which you do not administration circumstances. Your Iowa to Colorado October jaunt can supply a kick back in the air with in one day circumstances and not the right insulation and doors beginning to the exterior air. i might additionally advise taking alongside your man or woman snacks. Your adventure is short adequate, yet will probable experience long adequate by utilising sitting this length of time for the main section. arise and walk around. This holiday supply you an adventure which you will constantly undergo in ideas. Trains have you ever see the international pass by utilising in a different form of way. you've got some 30 minute layover stops at stations the place you will get off the practice and stretch your legs in the night air kick back. I strongly propose doing that and enjoying the sparkling air, attractions and sounds. appreciate and appropriate desires on your magnificent adventure!

Answer 4

very reliable. highly skilled mechanics and conductors make for a very safe trip. ive been on one trip on a train from grand rapids michigan to chicago. it was absolutely beautiful. it makes for a very scenic trip. cheap too. also, you have a chance to get to meet people on a train ride. i think the route you would be taking goes through mountains. but im not sure. but doesnt matter, because taking a trains makes for a scenic trip. you dont have to worry about having to keep eye on road to look at scenic spots. in a plane, you go so fast, you dont get much of a chance to look at everything. trust me, a train trip is a very good option.

Answer 5

trains should be the most reliable b/c weather, traffic,and human nature to browse around play no factor on the schedule. beside that trains are so tight on there schedule if one was late it might could crash into another train