Has anyone taken a LONG train trip in the U.S.? Where have you gone and what was your experience? I am thinkin

Question

of getting on a train and stopping here and there and I would like to hear some feedback from other people as train travel is different in the U.S. versus Europe. Also, what about Canada?

Answer 1

I'm going to generally echo the sentiments of those who answered before me, but...

My wife and I went from Seattle all the way to New Brunswick (using Canada's ViaRail), then from there to Greensboro, NC, and from there back to Seattle. Included two layovers in Chicago, one in Montreal, and one in New York. Grand total: 8 nights on the train. Fun at it was in many ways--you really get to see the country without a plethora of billboards constantly reminding you you're a tourist--it was torturous for me at night as I cannot sleep sitting up. My wife prefers, that, however, and loved it. I was one tired man after all that travelling. Thank goodness for the time spent at our destination points!

The good: Great way to see the country; surprisingly roomy (certainly compared to airline travel); unlimited baggage, so long as you can carry it all on; very relaxing; generally clean; nice people to travel with; generally affordable (unless you get a sleeper car); lounge cars with wide open window viewing and game/snack tables.

The bad: Lack of sleep; Massive delays (due to freight train priority); Lack of freedom to stop anywhere other than stations, and the additional cost of rental vehicles if that is your plan; limited food options, and somewhat pricey at that.

Note, you can bring your own food on, but it's not like you can cook it there or anything!

Bottom line: It was fun--once--but I wouldn't choose it again unless it were a much shorter trip or I had the money to get the sleeper.

Hope this helps. Ah...the memories almost help me remember the crinking in my neck...

Answer 2

I have traveled over 25,000 miles on Amtrak. My longest trip was from Chico, California to Washington, DC via Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.

The major problem with trains in the US is that they share the rails with freight and receive very low priority. Long distance trains are never on time and I would always recommend an overnight stop between connections.

You can get some good information at this web site.
http://forums.amtraktrains.com/

Answer 3

I rode the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville in previous due February. The Roomette on the better aspect grow to be smooth for one individual, yet 2 people would discover the lodging quite cramped. there's a kinfolk Room on the decrease aspect which spans the completed width of the vehicle, yet this does no longer supply the type of solid view of our environment because the Roomette. throughout the time of image voltaic hours the most ideal view will be from the Dome vehicle which has a transparent roof, yet seats are occupied fairly early in the day. The view alongside the Colorado river grow to be awesome. the better area of the adventure grow to be going into the eating position vehicle and not in any respect having to pay for the meal, because the cost is coated in the Roomette cost. Timekeeping would properly be fairly erratic as freight trains take priority (the different to the following in the united kingdom). The Zephyr reverses into Denver station, which does no longer be allowed the following. as a rule, the adventure grow to be maximum interesting - i'd propose it to a ability traveler.

Answer 4

Train travel in the United State while limited in scope and availablity is not much different than in Europe.

The principle difficulty is that there are far fewer trains and many places, if they have any train service at all, will have no more than one trian in each direction per day.

I have traveled from Texas to Missouri several times by train. It was confortable and the facilites were adequate. I've traveled all over Western Europe and also taken several long journeys in China by train.

Answer 5

We took the train from the border in San Diego, and departed in Eugene Oregon. It took 39hours, train travel is quite slow, as you can drive from Portland to LA in 23hrs. Request a bedroom, otherwise you are sleeping sitting up,not that comfortable.