Amtrak!

[DisneyAmyC]

I did a search and found a few threads about Amtrak, but most were from 2003. We have had a few bad flying experiences and have decided to take Amtrak for out Sept 2011 trip. We are leaving from Chicago on Fri and get into DC on Sat. We then leave from DC on Sat night and arrive in Orlando on Sun morning. Long? Yes. Exciting? Yes! I have taken Amtrak one time in 1998 from Chicago to Philly, but I was a teenager and traveling with friends. I have also traveled through Europe for 2 weeks by train, but European trains are a completly different story (amazing!)!


So, I will be traveling with my DH and DS8. We are all very excited. We are traveling coach and bringing food/snacks with us. I am excited to NOT go through security checks and bring a bit more luggage without the fees! I don't have to limit my souveniers!! Also, it is only $700 roundtrip for 3 of us.

Any advice from previous long distance train travelers? What kind of delays have you had? Anything you can tell me would be great!

If anyone has traveled from DC to Orlando, how crowded is the train in late September?

Thanks!!

 

[kathie859]

I've only ridden a train in the US once. (Cincinnati to DC) and it was fine- considering it was a trip with school children.

I've tried to use the AMTRAK website, but i am simply amazed at the lack of service in my immediate area (and Cincinnati would be the closest major station for me). I'd love to take a train trip across the country--but it would cost an arm and a leg if I read the site correctly.

I'll be interested to hear your experieces with train travel. Please be sure to post after your trip.

 

[DisneyAmyC]

I've only ridden a train in the US once. (Cincinnati to DC) and it was fine- considering it was a trip with school children.

I've tried to use the AMTRAK website, but i am simply amazed at the lack of service in my immediate area (and Cincinnati would be the closest major station for me). I'd love to take a train trip across the country--but it would cost an arm and a leg if I read the site correctly.

I'll be interested to hear your experieces with train travel. Please be sure to post after your trip.

There is a lack of service in a lot of areas, which is unfortunate. I'm lucky to live in southern WI where it's a 20 min drive to the Metra station. From there I take a Metra train right into Chicago to get on Amtrak. Much easier than fighting traffic at the airport !

I put in Cincinnati to San Francisco (Bakerfield station) and for round trip in March it would cost you $423. Not bad for roundtrip and cross country!! Also, the best part is that you travel through the Rocky Mountains and it is supposed to be beautiful! We were looking into an Amtrak trip to SF, but decided on Disney again . Also, for that price it's only coach. The rooms are quite a lot more (but do include meals/drinks).

The only problem with Amtrak is the amount of time. It is a 3 days train ride to get to CA from the midwest. You really have to take the train as not just a form of transportation, but PART OF the trip. An adventure!!

I'm still a year away, but I will definitly post about my trip. Have a great trip to Disney. . .I'm jealous your trip is so close!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Amy, Chicago-Atlanta-Florida is probably the most glaring segment in the country not covered by AMTRAK. You're going way out of your way to avoid flying when you could be here in less than 3 hours for less money. But the trip itself can be part of the adventure when you're on a train and I admire you for the lengths you're going to in order to make the trip. It's a shame the rooms on board trains are so expensive. That would be even more fun!

BobK/Orlando

 

[DisneyAmyC]

Amy, Chicago-Atlanta-Florida is probably the most glaring segment in the country not covered by AMTRAK. You're going way out of your way to avoid flying when you could be here in less than 3 hours for less money. But the trip itself can be part of the adventure when you're on a train and I admire you for the lengths you're going to in order to make the trip. It's a shame the rooms on board trains are so expensive. That would be even more fun!

BobK/Orlando

I was pretty shocked to see that I would have to go to DC to get to Orlando . I wish the train service in the US was even 1/2 as good as the service in Europe. The rooms are not too expensive if you only have 2 people and want basically 2 beds, however for 3 people it is nearly $2000! We have thought about driving (my parents always drove when I was a kid), and that is still an option, but it's so exhausting! Also, I would rent a car, which can also be pricey.

We flew out of Milwaukee in '09, and I have flown to Europe multiple times, but after a few bad incidents I'm done for awhile. Also, all the restrictions and fees are just insane. I am on a self-declared boycott of airlines ! I think we will love it (at least on the way there) and most of the travel is overnight, so it could be worse. It will be interesting- I will say that much!

 

[Vijoge]

I've travelled the Chicago-Washington, DC (or NYC) -Florida route twice, as well as a number of other LD trains. I love riding the train and wish I had the time to do so more often. At my age, I do insist on a sleeper, though, which I find to be quite comfortable. DH and I were just talking the other day about possibly taking the train to Montreal next year.

 

[cdrn1]

I rode Amtrak for the first time last week...but only a short distance, a two-hour trip to Chicago. But I have to say, I really really enjoyed it. So much nicer than fighting the traffic. I really think it would be wonderful to have that much time to read, listen to music, watch the scenery and watch movies. It was very comfortable. I can see how it would be a nice adventure for a family.
It is a long time; but when you compare, a "3 hour flight" could be a lot more when you consider travel time to the airport (2+ hours for us) and getting there an hour and a half to two hours ahead, and any delays; a 3 hour flight could easily turn in to seven or ten!
I have a friend that is afraid to fly and takes Amtrak everywhere they go, and considers the train trip to be part of the vacation. They get a sleeper car and they absolutely love it.
Have fun!

 

[Vijoge]

Just a heads up for anyone considering a long-distance trip-Amtrak reservations open up 11 months in advance and that is when ticket prices are cheapest. They continue to rise as tickets are sold, so for the best deal you need to buy very early. Tickets are available right now up until about mid Sept 2011.

 

[malibuconlee]

I haven't taken the train, but my husband's aunt and uncle do quite often from Denver to Iowa. It's not surprising for the train to run several hours late. The tracks are owned by the railroad companies (commercial transportation) and AMTRAK uses the same tracks. The commercial lines have the right of way on those lines and are many times what puts them behind.

My husband took the train from Iowa to Utah to go skiing one year in college, he says after about a day on the train people start to stink.

 

[LIDisneySister]

In 2009 my sister and I took the Amtrak out of NYC to Kissimmee in mid/late August. Our train was a few hours late because of track work, and so there were 2-3 hour delays probably as far south as Virginia, but our train was able to make up the time so we arrived pretty much on schedule in Kissimmee, and we didn't have too many delays on the way back north.

One thing we learned quickly was that they keep the AC on, so you might want to bring blankets or something to keep you warm. We were pretty excited on the way down, so we didn't do much sleeping, but having a sweatshirt to wear on the way back north allowed us to get a good night's rest. Altogether the train was a lot of fun, so much so that we're hopefully going to be able to do the trip again next August.

 

[DisneyAmyC]

I've travelled the Chicago-Washington, DC (or NYC) -Florida route twice, as well as a number of other LD trains. I love riding the train and wish I had the time to do so more often. At my age, I do insist on a sleeper, though, which I find to be quite comfortable. DH and I were just talking the other day about possibly taking the train to Montreal next year.

I would love to have a sleeper, but I would have to reserve a family bedroom or 2 small rooms which would cost almost as much as my deluxe CL hotel at Disney for 5 nights !! It's funny you mention Montreal because we were thinking of doing a Montreal/Quebec train trip in 2012!

I rode Amtrak for the first time last week...but only a short distance, a two-hour trip to Chicago. But I have to say, I really really enjoyed it. So much nicer than fighting the traffic. I really think it would be wonderful to have that much time to read, listen to music, watch the scenery and watch movies. It was very comfortable. I can see how it would be a nice adventure for a family.
It is a long time; but when you compare, a "3 hour flight" could be a lot more when you consider travel time to the airport (2+ hours for us) and getting there an hour and a half to two hours ahead, and any delays; a 3 hour flight could easily turn in to seven or ten!
I have a friend that is afraid to fly and takes Amtrak everywhere they go, and considers the train trip to be part of the vacation. They get a sleeper car and they absolutely love it.
Have fun!

You're right about the airline times! I have driven 2 hours to Chicago and waited almost that long in security lines! After that we had an 8 hour flight to London, a 3 hour layover, and a 1 hour flight into Edinburgh. That's 16 hours of travel time (with a 3 year old!) plus a 6 hour time change!

Just a heads up for anyone considering a long-distance trip-Amtrak reservations open up 11 months in advance and that is when ticket prices are cheapest. They continue to rise as tickets are sold, so for the best deal you need to buy very early. Tickets are available right now up until about mid Sept 2011.

Last I checked the site I could purchse into August, so a few weeks to go. Thanks for the advice!

I haven't taken the train, but my husband's aunt and uncle do quite often from Denver to Iowa. It's not surprising for the train to run several hours late. The tracks are owned by the railroad companies (commercial transportation) and AMTRAK uses the same tracks. The commercial lines have the right of way on those lines and are many times what puts them behind.

My husband took the train from Iowa to Utah to go skiing one year in college, he says after about a day on the train people start to stink.

I've heard about the stink. . .. Clorox wipes and Febreeze. . .check!!

In 2009 my sister and I took the Amtrak out of NYC to Kissimmee in mid/late August. Our train was a few hours late because of track work, and so there were 2-3 hour delays probably as far south as Virginia, but our train was able to make up the time so we arrived pretty much on schedule in Kissimmee, and we didn't have too many delays on the way back north.

One thing we learned quickly was that they keep the AC on, so you might want to bring blankets or something to keep you warm. We were pretty excited on the way down, so we didn't do much sleeping, but having a sweatshirt to wear on the way back north allowed us to get a good night's rest. Altogether the train was a lot of fun, so much so that we're hopefully going to be able to do the trip again next August.

Thanks for the advice!! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to read and comment! In a year I will come back and update everyone about how the "adventure" went !

 

[Vijoge]

Last I checked the site I could purchse into August, so a few weeks to go.

Yes, you're right-it's mid-August you can buy now. Sorry.

As far as how to keep clean and fresh while on the train without shower facilities-buy disposable pre-soaped washcloths (like the ones for babies) and use them in the bathroom to freshen all the necessary areas. And don't forget to bring a carry-on with a change of clothes.

 

[CT_Pats_Fan]

We did the Auto train from Lorton VA to Sanford FL back in 2004 after a horrendous flight experience in 2003. We had a private little family suite - it was kind of neat, but the motion of the train and the noise kept me awake all night. If I took some dramamine and something to knock me out, it may have been better. My wife didn't fare too much better. We went back to flying the next year...