Any amtrak experts out there?

[cjnix29]

Elevation meaning through the Rockies. I would do that in a heartbeat, but she doesn't like even driving in Southern Ohio, which is just hilly. The route we are taking will be ok for her, just not the route of the Zephyr. Good idea on the shower! Thanks!

 

[dreamseeker9]

OP, I travel the Northeast Corridor on Amtrak a lot but can't offer advice for overnight trips.

But I can suggest that you sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards because you'll get some serious points going that distance, and 10,000 Amtrak points = $100 Disney gift card!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

We took Amtrak from Atlanta to New Orleans several years ago. I booked coach and watched for upgrade specials and sure enough, we were able to upgrade to a sleeping car for very little per person. What that got us is 3 meals per day in the dining car and a private restroom/shower/sink in addition to private space. We loved Amtrak. Everything PPs have said is true - the good and the bad - the delays especially. If we wanted to mingle we could go to the club car, I think is what they called it? It was a car with booths, but not the dining car. We went one of the spring break weeks and there were lots of college students on and they knew exactly what to do - they brought board games and cards and just hung out in there. We would do it again if given the opportunity.

There are a couple of rail travel forums online. You would find good information there, too.

 

[S. C.]

Husband and I are looking into train traveling on the Southwest Chief. Lots of great videos on youtube of all the different trains. Let us know how she likes it when you get back.

 

[mommycrawford]

My family and I travel from NYC to Kissimmee each summer.

I love the roomettes for two, bur prefer coach over a bedroom (though it is a kick to have a WC that has a shower in it!)...The regular bedrooms are cramped.

TIP 1: BRING A BLANKET and a hoodie and eye mask for sleeping! The temperature overnight is often VERY cold!

TIP 2: Bring feminine hygiene products with you!....they have none on board!

TIP 3: Make sure to bring any foods to accomodate special diets, as the onboard selection is limited, and is different in each direction you go: because it it stocked in different cities.

TIP 4: Be nice to train staff!...you may need their assistance, and they generally work very hard.

TIP 5: Bring earphones/ear plugs, in case others are inconsiderate, and so you don't have to be.

TIP 6: IF you get a last minute automated call saying that your train has been cancelled at the last minute, call and speak to an agent....There may be other options to get you to your destination. If the agent you reach is lazy about helping you, call back and talk to someone else! (I once got an automated call an hour before our Disney trip, and was dumbfounded and did not want to have to tell my DD....It turned out that a hurricane would not allow our train to reach Kissimmee, but it would go to Orlando, so we boarded as planned, but had a slightly longer cab ride at the end!)

Train travel is fun, and you usually find someone interesting to talk to! There are often delays, and trains often make up the time during the late night hours. Make sure to have lots of bottled water and hand wipes!...I also like to bring Wisps for tooth brushing.

Have a great trip!...and the earlier you book, the better your pricing!

 

[aprilgail]

We took Amtrak from NYC to Orlando- we booked a roomette because I am not a fan of hearing people snoring, kids crying, people eating tuna sandwiches (happened on an Amtrak trip to Canada-stunk!!) etc. We loved the trip- we ate one meal I the dining car but since there were only 2 of us they sit you with two other people at a very small booth like table- it was very awkward because the other couple were getting drunker and drunker as the meal went on- I think the man had 4 drinks with lunch and was a bit tipsy even before those! I don't like eating with strangers so we took all our meals as room service in our roomette and were very happy with that. We watched a movie, played some cards talked and then it was time for bed- my daughter took the top bunk and it was a very peaceful night- we set up our white noise machine and slept great! The one BIG downer was that we got off in Orlando and our luggage went on to the next stop on its own. They delivered it later that night but we still had to quick shop for bathing suit etc since they didn't know when it would get back to us.

 

[Camonkeygirl]

My DH and I are embarking on our 3rd long trip on Amtrak. Most of what has been said is true. I would recommend if you can afford it, do a room, as it will give you privacy and a way to get away from others, just be prepared, the roomettes are tiny, and your knees will touch most times. If you are a light sleeper, bring some kind of sleep aid (our first trip I took some pm Medes, and sleep very comfortably). Bring lots to keep busy, books games, videos, etc as some areas the scenery does not change (Going through Texas is very long). Room passengers also usually have a separate waiting area at the depot too.

I had a round trip from LA to Maricopa where I did not do a room, and will never do that again.

Expect to be delayed. I have never done a trip where the long distance trains were on time....

 

[Perta27]

Our car attendant announced at each stop if we could get off to stretch our legs and how long we would be stopped for. I would not wander far from the car though. A few times the break was shorter than expected to make up time.

Roomettes have shared showers with the other roomettes. They look roomier than the shower in the bedroom compartment. Towels are provided but we brought our own travel size shampoo and shower gel.

Breakfast and lunch are first come, first serve. We went early before a line built up (and they may run out of favorite items).

Dinner is by reservation, the car attendant will come to you during the afternoon at your roommette to ask what time you prefer to dine. They will announce when to report for your time over the loud speaker in the car "Those with reservations for 5pm seating may now come to the dining room!"

If your party is less than 4 people, they usually fill in the seats. So you, your mom and sister would likely be sitting with a single traveler in the dining room at all meals. It's a fun way to meet new people. Our car attendant would call out, "If you are a party of less than 4, you WILL be dining with your future friends!"

All meals will be included in your roommette price. We did leave a tip in the dining room ($5 per 2 adults for brk and lunch, $10/2 adults dinner).
We also tipped $20 to the car attendant per night.

Not sure about the Southwest Chief, but the Zephyr had an observation car and lounge where you can visit and get out of the roommette for a bit.

As another poster mentioned, youtube has lots of videos to help you get the lay of the land.

Happy Travels!

Thank you for the info!

 

[BabiesDaddy]

Our car attendant announced at each stop if we could get off to stretch our legs and how long we would be stopped for. I would not wander far from the car though. A few times the break was shorter than expected to make up time.

Breakfast and lunch are first come, first serve. We went early before a line built up (and they may run out of favorite items).

Dinner is by reservation, the car attendant will come to you during the afternoon at your roommette to ask what time you prefer to dine. They will announce when to report for your time over the loud speaker in the car "Those with reservations for 5pm seating may now come to the dining room!"

If your party is less than 4 people, they usually fill in the seats. So you, your mom and sister would likely be sitting with a single traveler in the dining room at all meals. It's a fun way to meet new people. Our car attendant would call out, "If you are a party of less than 4, you WILL be dining with your future friends!"

All meals will be included in your roommette price. We did leave a tip in the dining room ($5 per 2 adults for brk and lunch, $10/2 adults dinner).
We also tipped $20 to the car attendant per night.

This was like our trip, all meals were in the dining car, so we got to sit at a table for each meal. It was two of us and at dinner, we had a couple sit across from us. At first, i was uncomfortable with the thought, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable dinner. We only did Memphis to New Orleans, it was two meals going (breakfast and lunch), and one meal coming back (dinner). We only had what they call the superliner roomette, basically two chairs facing each other, the room was about the size of the two chairs. I enjoyed the privacy.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

I also would like to add, i didn't expect much in the way of food, but i was completely satisfied with the food at each meal. I'm also a picky eater, and didn't have any issues.