Anyone have any AMTRAK experience (not necessarily to FL)?

[pjlla]

DD and I are planning a "pilgrimage" next spring to Missouri to the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We are considering all methods of travel (although driving is about 24 hours.... probably too long to consider for me!). I have no particular aversion to flying, but thought it might be fun to travel by train. But this would be considered a "multi-city" trip by AMTRAK and I am having trouble getting schedules/prices on their website. Should I call them directly? Or is this something that AAA can help me with? Just wondering if anyone has any experience with AMTRAK travel.....................P

[EvMc]

I took my daughter (then 8) on Amtrak from St. Louis to Flagstaff, AZ then drove around out west. We had a blast. She wants to do it again! We did splurge and get a room. 24 hours is too much for me to set in a chair. Meals are included in the price when you get a room. There were other girls on the train her age that she got to know and play with. They would go to the club car to watch movies, play cards, get a snack...etc. They picked up an Indian guide in New Mexico to explain the terrain and area and what it means to the Native Americans.

On the train west they didn't have a 'smoking' club car so each stop was about 10 minutes so the passengers could go smoke otherwise each stop is very quick. Although we aren't smokers we could get off the train for a few minutes. Never used Amtrak for trips east so I don't know how often the stop.

We would definitely do it again! Sometimes it is difficult to use their web site. AAA can help you and you get a 10% discount. Amtrak has an 800 number, too.

[pjlla]

If you don't mind me asking, how much of a "splurge" was it.... I truly have no idea how much it costs compared to flying......P

[raysnkaysmom]

It's been about 10 yrs ago for me...but I took Amtrack from Atlanta to Sacramento Ca....with stops in DC, Philly, Chicago, Denver and Salt Lake... I really enjoyed it. I was 18 at the time and travelled alone. I know after a period of time on the train...when I got off for a layover...it felt like I was still on the train...a little wobbly and woozy...LOL..but it was a beautiful sight riding across country! Definitly an experience I won't forget..and if you have the time and opportunity...I'd take it!!

[kellydizfan]

Very expensive - flying & drivings quicker and cheaper!!!!! Iwent by train from Rhinebeck to Buffalo and it broke down in Utica. Had to rent a car anyways to get to Buffalo. Will never take the train again. I will fly in a heartbeat over the train and even consider driving before the train

[hookedup]

I am an Amtrak expert and if there is something that you need to know that I can't answer I am part of several message boards that REALLY know trains! Okay I am a train geek I guess as well as a Disney geek. We have taken many trips including going to WDW the past 2 summers.
I will PM you with the websites of the best Amtrak information on the web I know of.

[pjlla]

Wow, thanks for all of the help, information, and opinions. I TRULY appreciate it! And hookedup, I will be looking forward to your PM. Thanks!.........................P

[EvMc]

I am thinking it was almost double for the room over the seats. Meals for both of us was included in the cost. Yes, it can be a lot more expensive taking the train but you see countryside you'd never see in a plane! For those of us who won't fly it sure beats driving 24+ hours to get across the country! I have driven the 24-30 hours to get across country but with just one driver it just isn't that fun! You are right, taking a train isn't any faster than driving.

Our room wasn't like a huge hotel room! It was about as wide as 2 chairs that make a bed and had a bunk. You do have 'housekeeping' and they also provided us soft drinks and would bring our meals if we didn't want to go to the dining car.

Oh, as we were going through the west I was noticing the scenery and it looked just like Big Thunder Mountain!!

[doodle]

hookedup, Would you also PM me train info/websites? We have reservations on amtrak to Orlando and this is all brand new to us. I also have lots of questions. Thanks!!

[Ozymoe]

Originally posted by hookedup
I am an Amtrak expert and if there is something that you need to know that I can't answer I am part of several message boards that REALLY know trains! Okay I am a train geek I guess as well as a Disney geek. We have taken many trips including going to WDW the past 2 summers.
I will PM you with the websites of the best Amtrak information on the web I know of.

Thank you so much for responding to this thread! I too love train travel and would be so grateful for any info, especially, but not necessarily related to Disney!

[MommieMommie!]

We have booked Amtrak for our late Oct./ early Nov. trip. We will be leaving out of Raleigh with DH, DDs x 4, DMIL, FIL, and myself. Would also love to know what we can expect and where to find information regarding the train and the experience.

[TandyR]

I posted this in Feburary to the Transportation Board after our train trip from Boston to Orlando.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=518019

We loved going by train and we would do it again in a heartbeat. We got a deluxe sleeper and it cost the same as the 4 of us flying down. Well worth it and much more relaxing.

[pumpkinfish]

Ahhh...memories...

My DH and I used to travel back and forth from NY (where DH lived) and VA (where I lived) with Amtrak every month when we were dating. Every time I hear the train pass through (we live near tracks), I think about the trips we used to make to see each other. Not really providing any info, but just wanted to tell you of my happy memories (except when we had to say goodbye and go home).

I was wondering if anyone has done the car train thing? We have talked about driving to DC so we didnt have to drive down in future trips. Is it worth it? We usually drive down and get a room in SC or GA, and then get up the next morning and continue to FL. Just curious...

[we3disneygo]

We have used Amtrak to go to Chicago and St.Louis, it is much better than driving, you can go to the dining car and play games get a snack or you can also bring your own munchies. we are considering a trip to Washington DC next. but will have to sleep in our seats, as the sleeper cars are too expensive. right now till Aug. 31 they have a promotion going on for AAA memebers kids are free. you can travel till the end of Dec.2004 hope this helps!Happy travels:earsgirl:

[LisaNJ25]

Originally posted by pumpkinfish
Ahhh...memories...



I was wondering if anyone has done the car train thing? We have talked about driving to DC so we didnt have to drive down in future trips. Is it worth it? We usually drive down and get a room in SC or GA, and then get up the next morning and continue to FL. Just curious...

pumpkinfish,

We took the auto train on out last trip and loved it. I dont think I will ever drive the whole way again.

I wish they had an auto train going out west also.

[pumpkinfish]

LisaNJ25,
How much did it cost? There are just two of us, and we have AAA.

[hookedup]

I think I pm'd everyone who asked for info!
I have some pictures from our last 2 trips to WDW by train if you want to check them out.
My train photos (http://homepage.mac.com/radsmom/train)

[sandieb]

We have taken the auto train from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL twice, and we love it. I will say that we had a sleeper, and I think that definately made a difference. The service and food is very good. I sleep well on trains, although my husband is restless. The cost comparison is not just for airfare, but also for car rental, parking at the airport, etc. I plan to always take a train for future trips...it is not that I dislike flying...we fly other places...I just really liked the auto-train. Sandie

[GOODFELLA]

the worst experience of my life,trains are never on time the food is horrible and it is a bumpy ride.I took the train from Philadelphia to Orlando,it should have been an 18hr ride 36hrs later we arraived in Orlando.Never again. To make things worse the ride home took 26hrs.If you like to drive instead of flying do it that way you can make that part of your trip stopping at different sites along the way,and eating at better restaurants to.
Good luck

[LisaNJ25]

Originally posted by pumpkinfish
LisaNJ25,
How much did it cost? There are just two of us, and we have AAA.

pumpkinfish,

Just go to Amtrak.com and you can price it out. You can also put in that you are a AAA member and it will give y ou the AAA price.

Your station codes will be LOR to SFA

I priced it out for my family of 5 for May when we were thinking about going again and it was around $660.00 RT. This includes your meals.

[pumpkinfish]

Ooooo...thanks so much Lisa. I will check it out for our next trip!

[TandyR]

the worst experience of my life,trains are never on time the food is horrible and it is a bumpy ride.I took the train from Philadelphia to Orlando,it should have been an 18hr ride 36hrs later we arraived in Orlando.Never again. To make things worse the ride home took 26hrs.If you like to drive instead of flying do it that way you can make that part of your trip stopping at different sites along the way,and eating at better restaurants to.


In researching train trips for the last serveral years I have found it a bit funny that people with one trip automatically write off trains, but when a plane or car trip takes longer or doesn't go as planned they do write it off.

My husband has been delayed more time with airlines both pre and post 9/11 then we can coun....all different airlinest. (He flys more then I do.) He hasn't ruled out flying.

I know for a fact that all our car trips (we used to drive down to Pittsburgh from Maine often), that we have incountered accidents and traffic back up so badly that we had to stay an unplanned night at a hotel which of course added many many hours to our trip.

Some people love taking the trains because they view it as the start of their vacation and they can just sit back and watch the view. If you look at it as way to get from one place to another you might be dissapointed, because yes trains run behind scedual often and unlike airlines they don't pad their sceduals.

As for the food....it is no 5* resturant....I think it is more on the lines of a Friendly's or Eat'n'Park or something like that. It is better then airline food by a long mile....but airlines don't feed you any more so that isn't hard. ;)

[Ozymoe]

The last time I had a sleeper (which meant that all the meals were included) I was AMAZED at the quality of the food!

I'm from Iowa...and the steaks were excellent, the breakfasts everything we are used to here and all around I'd have to give them an A if not an A+.

These experiences were on the train from Mount Pleasant, Iowa to Las Vegas and back.

[hookedup]

As I mentioned above I love to travel by train. I have done a bunch of big trips on Amtrak. Believe me Amtrak is not luxury travel! However if you like trains then it is a cool way to see the country. I compare overnighting on Amtrak to "camping on the train". It is always an adventure. If you understand going in to it what to expect (or not to expect) and prepare accordingly it makes the experience much more fun. The major Amtrak routes can be found on their website - or you can request a vacation planner and timetable for easy reading. There is different "equipment" used in different parts of the US. Mainly either "viewliner" or "superliner". Every train is different and due to Amtrak's less than stellar financial situation they have to juggle equipment around a lot to keep the trains rolling.
One other issue: Amtrak is at the mercy of the frieght trains. Amtrak does not own the railroad tracks it travels on so the frieght trains get priority. Different regions are run by different companies - i.e, Union Pacific, CSX, etc. Some parts of the US are a lot more user friendly for Amtrak and Amtrak has less delays, etc.
I have only gone via sleeper accomodations on any trip longer than 12 hours. We have found the food to be quite decent - with a few exceptions. And when you purchase sleeping accomodations your meals are included (just not alchohol) and you can have whatever you want from the menu and as much of it as you want too (which is not a good idea since you don't get a lot of exercise on the train - LOL)
AAA members get 10% discount and unlike many of the promotional fares the tickets are much less restricted. When you purchase a ticket from Amtrak there is two parts to it: the rail fare and the accomdations (if you are booking a sleeper) the pricing is very weird and unless you are familiar with yield management it won't make too much sense.

One way to save a lot of money on accomodations is to just buy a regular ticket and upgrade onboard. I don't recommend this during peak travel times as the sleepers tend to sell out.

If you want to see some pictures of the Amtrak experience you can visit my photos:
Our Amtrak Photos (http://homepage.mac.com/radsmom/train/Menu13.html)

[pjlla]

Thanks so much to all who are responding to my initial question. I am fascinated that so many people prefer rail travel. I always thought that it was limited to people who were afraid to fly or who needed to bring their car along! I will continue to look into this for my trip to Missouri, however, as it appears that it will not only be more expensive but probably take longer, we probably will not be "riding the rails". We are trying to make this a short trip on a limited budget (so that I can convince DH that we still have $$ for a trip to WDW that year!). But I am certainly keeping all options open at this time....................P