Anyone have good experiences with Amtrak?

Question

So my first question was about taking a 23 hour long greyhound bus ride. I think my opinion was definitly swayed a bunch. Now I'm looking at taking an Amtrak train. Can anyone tell me what to expect on the train and if its safe, fun, anything? And what should I bring?

Answer 1

I have had great experiences on Amtrak. My family took a vacation to White Fish,MT from Minneapolis. It was a 20 odd trip. The seats are bigger then you would get on a first class flight so it was easy to sleep at night. (If you get a sleeper car I heard that is pretty nice too, but I have never done that because the price goes way up.)

They do make late night stops on the way, so I would recommend bringing headphones if you are a light sleeper and people are getting on and off on those stops. There is an observation car so if you are going through scenic areas that is really cool to watch it go by. If you are a smoker, there is a smoking area in the bottom car but you aren't effected by it in the rest of the train.

My family also used to take it from Iowa to Colorado to visit me at school and it was so great because it was a 12 hour trip so they would just go to sleep and wake up and be in Colorado.

As far as the safety... conductors come by each stop so there are people looking out. My family actually made friends with people during the trip and i have found that most people are polite.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The bus rides were once....long ago...a great deal and fun but not anymore.
We took a long train ride to Colordo and got a small room on board with a bed in the sleeper and meals. This is a bit more than just setting up in the car but it is so much better and fancier complete with waiters and a movie. The food is great with the sleeper cars and you get extra special attention by boarding first and getting treated lie royalty.
The regular cars I am not sure about but I do know it is better than the bus any time

Answer 3

I even have traveled by skill of rail many situations and the journeys have been overwhelmingly beneficial. My travels have coated transit on the Southwest chief, the Capitol Ltd, the Lakeshore Ltd, the Coast Starlight, the Crescent, the sunset Ltd, the Pacific Surfliner, the Texas Eagle, to boot as many city and interurban rails. My suitable suggestion could be to deliver a pillow with you. together as the Amtrak seats are extensive and mushy, the complimentary pillows are very small. i like to have a window seat and while i decide to sleep i like to place my own pillow between me and the window for convenience. Delays are basic so be arranged. If somebody is going to fulfill you at your holiday spot have them call forward to learn prepare status. Amtrak will tell them of any delays. I consume interior the eating vehicle on occassion, yet spend maximum of my money interior the snack bar (the nutrition is low-fee and the hours are greater accomodating). return and forth mild, as in case you have been getting on an aeroplane. in case you in user-friendly terms take some issues as carry-on bags you will no longer ought to attend on the station. basically hop off and you're loose to start strolling and exploring. attempt to get a window seat. that's in many situations truly ordinary. particularly circumstances you in user-friendly terms board and p.c.. a seat; different situations (particularly on very crowded trains0 you would be assigned a seat. This not often ever occurs to me. in case you're assigned an aisle seat ask your vehicle attendant to aid you comprehend while a window seat opens up. I even have found Amtrak personell to be very helpfull, informative, and courteous. Have a great holiday!!

Answer 4

Amtrak is more fun, especially if you are traveling a long distance
the food is pretty good
I myself I have take Amtrak from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon
(or really Williams Jct) where the GCRR had a shutle that picks up
Amtrak passengers,,
I used coach going eastbound but I tried roomete on the return
(I found its kind of hard to fall asleep when your bed is going 70 MPH!
my only mistake is that I didnt expolre the train
I had stayed in my seat the entire trip (expect for going to the dinning car)

Answer 5

90% very good.

I have gone CHicago-Portland-San Fran-LA-back to Chicago.
I have done CHicago-Denver-San Fran many times.

All but twice I have rode in a sleeper car. Standard sleeper is excellent, private car, bed to sleep, lock of door, and privacy. Common bathroom and shower, but people are generally nice and it is a community while traveling. Meals are included and are 1st class. Coffee/jiuce is free. Very relaxing. I did a luxury sleeper w private bath and that was good too.

Coach is like the greyhound but more room, electric outlet and good reclining seats. Lock up suitcases tho and seats are not reserved, so lock your stuff on seats in case someone gets rude. You can go to lounge car or diner and pay for meals.

Some tracks are rough. I recall tracks in Kansas are rocking back and forth all night...otehrs were ok.

Generally, it is like staying in a cheap motel, except meals and views are outstanding.

The few bad trips involved breakdowns (heats went out in room and it got cold). Once there was a crazy man on board who crapped all over the restroom floors and acted crazy. CLaimed that people stole his drugs. The train stopped and he was arrested. That was in coach....sleeper cars are separated and NO trouble.

I've had mouch worse experiences on airlnes and it is a squeeze into the seats

Answer 6

I have taken the Sunset Limited from it's starting point in California to it's ending point in Florida. This was done in two very separate trips. CA to TX as a 20 year old and TX to FL with a 4 year old child.

It was awesome. Just bring a blanket. It gets very cold. Bring a small cooler with food and drink, they used to let you do this. And, bring ear plugs. Some people can snore really loud!

Perfectly safe. My daughter and I had a blast.

Answer 7

I love train rides ... you can move from car to car -- they have observation cars w/dome tops so you can watch the stars at night. It's great!! They usually have a dining car as well. I was never bored on my train rides. You can meet lots of interesting people and see the country (not the highway)!! Good Luck Traveling.

Answer 8

Better than flying coach on united airlines.