Has anyone taken a vacation on an Amtrak train?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Apr 22, 2014 19:40:48 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

Apr 22, 2014 19:29:00 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

It doesn't compete with flying over any distance. But it may compete with driving the same route, especially if overnight hotel costs are added in.

Denver to Seattle is 1330 miles (via Mapquest), or 21 hours driving. One night hotel.

You'd pay around $200 for gas, another $100ish for a hotel for one night, so $300 total. A train with a berth is over $1000.

if I'm driving alone, there's no way I'm covering 650 miles in one day....just the sheer boredom, plus having to stop for food and bathroom breaks and to get the blood flowing....so a 1330 mile trip would be at least 3 days if not more (if I wanted to actually stop somewhere along the way that was interesting).

650 miles in a day isn't hard, I've done it several times by myself.  A trip to my dad's was 1000.  I have a friend that lives 300 miles from him, so would stop there for the night.  I did do the full trip in one day, won't do that again, but 600-700 miles isn't hard.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 22, 2014 19:29:00 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

It doesn't compete with flying over any distance. But it may compete with driving the same route, especially if overnight hotel costs are added in.

Denver to Seattle is 1330 miles (via Mapquest), or 21 hours driving. One night hotel.

You'd pay around $200 for gas, another $100ish for a hotel for one night, so $300 total. A train with a berth is over $1000.

If your intent is to race across the countryside without stopping other than to pee and scarf down some food, you'd do better in both cases to just fly.  If a person is thinking about taking a train for its more scenic and relaxed setting (as the OP is), chances are they would also not want to zip down the highway without stopping occasionally to see what they're driving past.  In which case, you're probably talking more money/time to drive the same trip as well, so it would likely become more competitive to take a train for $950. 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 23, 2014 0:03:59 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Apr 22, 2014 19:40:48 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

if I'm driving alone, there's no way I'm covering 650 miles in one day....just the sheer boredom, plus having to stop for food and bathroom breaks and to get the blood flowing....so a 1330 mile trip would be at least 3 days if not more (if I wanted to actually stop somewhere along the way that was interesting).

650 miles in a day isn't hard, I've done it several times by myself.  A trip to my dad's was 1000.  I have a friend that lives 300 miles from him, so would stop there for the night.  I did do the full trip in one day, won't do that again, but 600-700 miles isn't hard.

I don't drive 10-11 hours in one day when I drive by myself.  You may find it 'not hard', but I do and have no reason to push that hard.  I max at about 8 hrs of driving time, not counting stopping times, unless it's an emergency. 

[Deleted]

I love to drive.  My first husband and I did lots of cross country trips and even with two people, I still did most of the driving because he hated it.  The Black Hills is 650 miles from me and I've done that many times in one day without thinking it was too bad (and that's a boring drive!) 

I so want to go on a long driving trip this summer!  It's been 3 years since my last one.   

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

I really enjoy driving too, but 10-11 hours in the driver's seat is too much for my body to enjoy.  I stop every few hours when I'm driving alone to get out and move around a bit.  I don't see a reason to drive so long that I'm miserable unless its necessary.  After about 8 hrs driving, I'm ready to do something else.  And hopefully I've found something to stop and do/see along the way, making 8 hrs of driving a full day. 

[steph08]

I've taken the Amtrak from Pittsburgh to NYC. Never again. It hits ALL the little town stops and takes over 8 hours. It was soooo boring. I took the Megabus on the same route and it took 5 hours.

I've taken a lot of trains in Europe. Berths aren't bad, but the bathrooms on trains are still gross. And overnight rides are much better because you aren't quite as bored out of your mind, though sleeping is sometimes tough depending on if the ride is rough, if there is a lot of noise, etc.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

minnesotapaintlady, how were the Black Hills?  I'm going to western/southern SD this summer on vacation, so do you have any tips/suggestions? 

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2014 9:51:51 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

minnesotapaintlady, how were the Black Hills?  I'm going to western/southern SD this summer on vacation, so do you have any tips/suggestions? 

Most of my trips were with the horses because they have TONS of riding trails and horse friendly camps, so I don't have a lot of suggestions. Custer State Park is beautiful, so if you're camping stay there, and check out Sylvan Lake. If not, still drive Needles highway through there. It's not your typical highway though. LOL

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Apr 23, 2014 9:11:50 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

Apr 22, 2014 19:29:00 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

It doesn't compete with flying over any distance. But it may compete with driving the same route, especially if overnight hotel costs are added in.

Denver to Seattle is 1330 miles (via Mapquest), or 21 hours driving. One night hotel.

You'd pay around $200 for gas, another $100ish for a hotel for one night, so $300 total. A train with a berth is over $1000.

If your intent is to race across the countryside without stopping other than to pee and scarf down some food, you'd do better in both cases to just fly.  If a person is thinking about taking a train for its more scenic and relaxed setting (as the OP is), chances are they would also not want to zip down the highway without stopping occasionally to see what they're driving past.  In which case, you're probably talking more money/time to drive the same trip as well, so it would likely become more competitive to take a train for $950. 

But you are assuming that in a train you will be able to get off and check things out.  It may be relaxing to sit and watch the scenery, but you have no choice as to where you stop, and for how long.

It took us 3 days to drive KY to WA.  It was a long day to my sister's, which was our first stop....I think about 700 miles.  Really no scenery and Chicago was a mess to drive around.  Next stop was Billings overnight.  Last day, we stopped 4-6 times at sports stores looking for ammunition, but still managed to make it home, albeit later than we would like.  

Unless I have unlimited time, I really don't want to meander across the country as I usually have less time than I'd want as it is.  When we went to Turkey, we chose to fly between cities.  Even with 3+ weeks, spending 24-36 hours on a bus was just too much time getting between areas of the country.  Combined, that would have eaten nearly a week out of our vacation rather than 4 half days.

[Sam_2.0]

I just looked at tickets for us from KC to Chicago. DH and I thought about taking DD there for a weekend this summer. It's either 5 hrs or 7 hrs (depending on other stops), and tickets for the 3 of us would be $220 round-trip. That is cheaper than driving and a hell of a lot cheaper than flying. It would take about 5 hours to fly anyway considering our drive to the airport and the check-in time an hour before the flight. We may do it. I think DD would love it!

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 23, 2014 10:28:26 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Apr 23, 2014 9:11:50 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

If your intent is to race across the countryside without stopping other than to pee and scarf down some food, you'd do better in both cases to just fly.  If a person is thinking about taking a train for its more scenic and relaxed setting (as the OP is), chances are they would also not want to zip down the highway without stopping occasionally to see what they're driving past.  In which case, you're probably talking more money/time to drive the same trip as well, so it would likely become more competitive to take a train for $950. 

But you are assuming that in a train you will be able to get off and check things out.  It may be relaxing to sit and watch the scenery, but you have no choice as to where you stop, and for how long.

It took us 3 days to drive KY to WA.  It was a long day to my sister's, which was our first stop....I think about 700 miles.  Really no scenery and Chicago was a mess to drive around.  Next stop was Billings overnight.  Last day, we stopped 4-6 times at sports stores looking for ammunition, but still managed to make it home, albeit later than we would like.  

Unless I have unlimited time, I really don't want to meander across the country as I usually have less time than I'd want as it is.  When we went to Turkey, we chose to fly between cities.  Even with 3+ weeks, spending 24-36 hours on a bus was just too much time getting between areas of the country.  Combined, that would have eaten nearly a week out of our vacation rather than 4 half days.

Of course you don't get off the train any time you want.  But it may be more scenic and relaxing, both of which the OP said she's looking for.  So I'm thinking that if she drives, she isn't going to want to just whizz past everything just to make time.  That's how I think the two could be comparable. 

You're projecting the kinds of driving you like to do without considering as much what dolphins wants to do.  You don't want to 'meander' because you don't have time, so you're interested in doing things quickly and directly.  That's cool, you should do that.  Dolphins has indicated that she's interested in the train not because it's faster or cheaper, but because it may be more scenic and more relaxing for her than driving alone is.  And I could see how it might be such without being so much more expensive as to be unwise. I also generally plan driving trips so as to enjoy the things along the way, rather than how fast I can get to/from places.   

I'm simply suggesting that not everyone does a road trip simply to move quickly from point a to point b.  In that case, a train might be comparable for the type of driving trip that dolphins is looking to take.  Not the kind of trip you are looking to take. 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 23, 2014 10:31:33 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I just looked at tickets for us from KC to Chicago. DH and I thought about taking DD there for a weekend this summer. It's either 5 hrs or 7 hrs (depending on other stops), and tickets for the 3 of us would be $220 round-trip. That is cheaper than driving and a hell of a lot cheaper than flying. It would take about 5 hours to fly anyway considering our drive to the airport and the check-in time an hour before the flight. We may do it. I think DD would love it!

That's another consideration - the kids.  My nephews LOVED riding the train, and it helped that they could move around and go to other cars, etc while on the road.  There's a certain entertainment factor to riding the rails that should be considered even if you're an adult like we're supposed to be.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Thanks, minnesotapaintlady, I'll give that a try! 

[tloonya]

Went to Florida. Only because I didn't feel like flying. It was ok for me but mom and DH said never again. They can't sleep as much as I can.

[happyhoix]

Used to ride trains in Europe a lot and loved it. Liked being able to get up and walk around.

We're taking a trip from Chicago to Colorado by rail in May, booked into a sleeper car. We both hate to fly, we both like trains, and we both like the opportunity to read, so we think we will like it. Going through the Rockies in the observation car should be nice.

My main concern is the bed, I've gotten very picky with beds since I got a memory foam bed. I'm figuring the railroad bed will be a lot less comfy....

[Cookies Galore]

Apr 23, 2014 10:31:33 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I just looked at tickets for us from KC to Chicago. DH and I thought about taking DD there for a weekend this summer. It's either 5 hrs or 7 hrs (depending on other stops), and tickets for the 3 of us would be $220 round-trip. That is cheaper than driving and a hell of a lot cheaper than flying. It would take about 5 hours to fly anyway considering our drive to the airport and the check-in time an hour before the flight. We may do it. I think DD would love it!

I think that would be fun!

The first train ride into the city is a rite of passage in my family. Granted, it's only 35 minutes by train to center city Philly, but I still remember my first train ride. I loved taking my niece and nephew on their first train ride. My nephew loves "Philadelphia city," as he called it when he was younger and i have so much fun taking him on the train (i wish i had the same enchantment with my usual trip to work!). I was a little crushed when he informed me last year that he calls it Philly now. Stop growing up!

Anyway, there is something magical about trains and kids.

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2014 15:48:19 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Apr 23, 2014 10:31:33 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I just looked at tickets for us from KC to Chicago. DH and I thought about taking DD there for a weekend this summer. It's either 5 hrs or 7 hrs (depending on other stops), and tickets for the 3 of us would be $220 round-trip. That is cheaper than driving and a hell of a lot cheaper than flying. It would take about 5 hours to fly anyway considering our drive to the airport and the check-in time an hour before the flight. We may do it. I think DD would love it!

I think that would be fun!

The first train ride into the city is a rite of passage in my family. Granted, it's only 35 minutes by train to center city Philly, but I still remember my first train ride. I loved taking my niece and nephew on their first train ride. My nephew loves "Philadelphia city," as he called it when he was younger and i have so much fun taking him on the train (i wish i had the same enchantment with my usual trip to work!). I was a little crushed when he informed me last year that he calls it Philly now. Stop growing up!

Anyway, there is something magical about trains and kids.

Usually once a year I'll take the kids on the Amtrak from our town to the next one down the river.  The last time I think it was less than $30 because younger son was free.  It's only a half hour ride but really scenic and they love it.  Then I make arrangements for us to get a ride back from the station there. 

[truthbound]

No. When they stop lobbing trains into people's back yards I might reconsider.