Riding the Rails 21st Century Style
I just took a trip to Chapel Hill, NC to visit my kids that cost $124.00 round trip plus about $15 for lunch and beverages each way. I read two complete issues of The Sun, listened to four podcasts, chatted with three interesting people and snuck in a couple of naps along the way.
There are no seatbelts, large comfortable adjustable-back chairs with footrests and plenty of leg room, and when the person in front reclines, their head is not in your lap! You can get up and walk to the dining/snack car or the bathroom anytime. At major stops you can get out to walk around outside for 15-20 minutes.
There are plug strips along the walls for chargers and computers and WIFI is offered on many legs. Cell service is normally good but can get spotty in rural or mountainous areas. You can work the entire time if you choose.
I love traveling by train!
I could have spent 7 hours and 18 minutes (according to Mapquest) and about $175 for gasoline, tolls and snacks to have the pleasure (?) of driving my car across the bridges and through the interstate tangles of Baltimore and Washington with only NPR radio or IPOD music for entertainment. The rest would have been boring interstate.
Instead, I spent 8 hours and 6 minutes riding comfortably while watching the country scenery of MD, VA and NC roll by. (As we pulled slowly away from the station in Washington, DC we were treated to a beautiful view of the cherry blossoms that had just burst open around the Tidal Basin.)
Taking the comparison one step further – I could have flown Southwest for $100 and spent almost 2 – 3 hours driving, parking, shuttling and then negotiating security lines, and sitting in waiting areas. That would be followed by a 2 hour flight cramped into a seat designed for a 12 year old. Oh, and another $100 for parking at the airport. Oh, and it probably would not take off on time. Oh, and I’d have to bring my own food and try to eat it on my lap.
Amtrak has gotten some pretty bad raps and some of them are deserved, but they are trying hard and I’m finding that with a little flexibility, you can have a very satisfactory experience letting them do the driving.
Most fares are very reasonable if booked 14 days ahead. I’ve taken 6 trips with them in the last four months and all my trains have been on time.
Redcaps and conductors tote luggage if you need assistance, and they were great on this last trip (which was full due to Spring Break) arranging seats together for families and groups. Several folks got on and off easily with walkers and wheelchairs. Moms with little kids and minors traveling alone get extra TLC.
One set of three elderly sisters were each getting on at different stops along the way to meet up for a family reunion in Richmond. The conductor in our car had everyone laughing as he rearranged folks for three adjacent seats and then announced the arrival of each sister!
I left my raincoat in the luggage rack on the way down and when I called the 800 number, they called the station master in Charlotte who found it and put it back on the returning train so I could pick it up at the Lost and Found in Philadelphia when I returned. No charge! (I’ve lost three raincoats on airplanes that somehow disappeared never to be seen again.)
Amtrak now offers USA Rail passes that are a really reasonable way to tour the country. And I’ve discovered they offer package trips that include hotels, meals and local tourist attractions for one price. The one on the West Coast looks great!
The rental car companies have desks in the major stations so you can jump in your car and head to your destination and then return the car right there 45 minutes before your trip home.
My bucket list now includes a trip from Philadelphia to Seattle. On that one I will book a sleeping car and ride a double-decker train with comfortable lounges and private quarters. On the USA Rail pass I will be able to stop to spend a day with Dad in Pittsburgh, spend a fun couple of days touring Chicago and finally get to visit Portland for less than $400.
If you want to know more, go to the Amtrak website for general information, routes, schedules and fares. For the package trips, call 1-800-AMTRAK-2 or your travel agent. Request the Amtrak Vacations catalog that shows all the routes and details of the package deals.
I enjoyed this read and the information. Many trips in Europe on wonderful train systems thinking “if I could just do this at home”, well you have just told me I CAN!
Check into it Judy. It’s not quite up to par with the Europeans – too slow and not frequent enough in some areas, but it’s not bad at all. For me, it’s a way to travel the gold ole US alone and feel comfortable and have some fun doing it! If you come to Philadelphia, let me know and I’ll show you around!
I just might take you up on that. You sat by a lady that I know on your trip – one from SC and that is how I got to this web site. Her train trip was excellent and a new found way to go is born.
I am for sure going to look into a trip to the DC area soon. That should be a good test ride so to speak! Thanks again. (I appreciate the alone comment too for that is how it is with me)