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Been planning a trip to CA with some extended family members. Due to gas prices and other circumstances, I think Amtrak might actually be cheaper. Have any of you done Amtrak before? What’s it like?
 
The Thriller said:
Been planning a trip to CA with some extended family members. Due to gas prices and other circumstances, I think Amtrak might actually be cheaper. Have any of you done Amtrak before? What’s it like?
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I took Amtrak in 1987(?), Massachusetts-Chicago-St. Louis. At that time, I found it comfortable. You could get up and walk through 3 or 4 compartments to let off energy. You could go to the canteen, you could just sit and read. I'm not much for scenery, but those who like landscapes say Amtrak has some great views. If your spouse is coming, I'd definitely recommend a comfortable bed in a cabin for an expecting woman.
 
I believe the westbound train arrives at 11:30 PM and the Eastbound at about 3 AM in Salt lake. Coach might be rough for an 18 hour trip where you'll have the first half essentially be night time. I believe Amtrak doesn't current offer the dining cart for coach riders, only roomette riders. Only have microwavable foods available in the canteen last I checked.

Roomette prices are quite expensive. Long layover if you're going north out of Emeryville (California terminus). Haven't looked south. Haven't had a need.
 
My wife took amtrack to go from Salt Lake City to Glenwood Springs, CO for her sister's birthday. Her sister lives in Helper so caught the train there. The trip up was fine but the trip down got delayed about 4-5 hours because freight has priority over Amtrack and there was some issues so Amtrack kept getting bumped to the end of the line. I was supposed to pick my wife up at the station in SLC but she ended up taking an Uber.

So if you're going to take Amtrack leave a lot of flexibility in your schedule.
 
I just drove from NJ to Asheville, NC in exactly ten hours. Only had to stop for gas once and still had about 100 miles left on the tank when we got there…so I used less than two tanks…about $140 there and $140 back…$280. And I could stop whenever I wanted, wherever I wanted, unlike a train.
 
Keefe said:
No way it’s cheaper. Just drive.
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Yeah, unless you're in it for the Choo Choo Choo experience and scenery my vote is for driving. My wife and her sister had one of the fancy rooms on the train with beds and stuff and even then it wasn't like luxurious or anything. It cost several times as much as driving the same distance.
 
Gameface said:
Yeah, unless you're in it for the Choo Choo Choo experience and scenery my vote is for driving. My wife and her sister had one of the fancy rooms on the train with beds and stuff and even then it wasn't like luxurious or anything. It cost several times as much as driving the same distance.
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Yep, my mom too. To Florida I think. So like 1,000 miles. Got a sleeper car with her husband and I think it was over a thousand.
 
I went to Denver back in the 90s. Left around 5am and got there around 7pm so didn't have to deal with sleeper cars. I thought it was a lot of fun there and back and would love to do it again.

I have a friend who is obsessed with train travel and has been on many trips. He loves everything about it.

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I wish USA wasnt so far behind a lot of countries in transportation. USA really ****ed up catering to cars over everything else. Even here in China I can get to every major city pretty fast on a high speed train. Trains going 200-300 mph is a great way to get around. Plus you can get all sorts of food, bring whatever on and walk around, oh and they all have good wifi or 4g/5g connections. I prefer it to flying unless the time is a lot longer. The price is usually pretty reasonable. Even the business class tickets where you can lay down and reasonable. They do have the slow sleeper type trains, but who on earth wants to take that length of trip?

I dont know why you would ever take the train in the USA except to experience being on a train. But just go ride the Heber Creeper or something. Rent a car if you dont want to fly, its so cheap and way faster than a train. Plus you have a car to get around in when you are there. That will also save you money over flying/train.
 
If you're coming to the LA area check out plane tickets with Avelo. They fly into Burbank and are a no-frills airline so they are really cheap.
 
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