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

 

[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

 

[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.