posted
Have finally decided just to go for it and will be heading over from the UK for my First Amtrak experience in a couple of weeks My question is which route.I want to do a coast to coast,I can arrive in LA or san Francisco and I originally thought the CZ would be best connecting on to Washington but I have seen some very good deluxe cabin fares from Seattle which may give me the chance to take the coast starlight upto Seattle. Also I was planning the CZ then straight onto the cardinal in a standard on the superliner,is 3 days in a standard too much in one hit?(I will be travelling on my own) I've seen from previous postings that the CZ is probably the most popular but what is everyones favourite chicago-east coast route? Any Help is greatly appreciated
Lee
Posts: 5 | From: Rainham United Kingdom | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Maybe I haven't had enough coffee today, but your outline is a bit unclear.
In which city will you be starting your train journey? Which cities do you absolutely want to visit along the way? And where do you want to end your train trip? New York? Washington D.C.? Elsewhere?
The U.S. is so huge, and Amtrak's routes are so widely dispersed, that it will help if you're a little more specific.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 02-04-2003).]
posted
I came over from the UK and did my first trip on Amtrak last spring (Osceola - Reno on the CZ then Reno-Grover Beach-LA on Amtrak Bus/Surfliner). Obviously, it's each to his own, but the advice I would give as a fellow Brit is: America is huge by British standards, most Brits would regard six hours on a train as a long journey! The one Golden Rule is simple - don't try to see too much or do too much in one go, you will probably end up with a disappointing result. You don't say how long you are over for, but if you have a nine/ten day vacation (plus two days flying and one day recovery = a fortnight) you are probably better off doing a straightforward LA or SF (on the SWC or CZ) via Chicago to NYC or DC (on the LSL or Cardinal) and breaking your journey for two or three days in a couple of places eg Chicago/Denver/Glenwood Springs or wherever you fancy rather than spending eight or nine successive days on three or four trains where you won't see much of America in the flesh (and you will soon get fed up with the green beans and carrots in the restaurant!). Also, how adventurous/independent are you - are you confident at the idea of taking in small towns along the way or are you more comfortable just turning up at a large city mainline station and going to another main city? My travelogue was still on the travel section the last time I looked, see if it gives you any ideas. One final point I would make as a Brit - given the train and airline schedules, I find it usually works out better to plan my trips from east to west, not the other way around, as you can usually link up your train/plane on the same day. If you travel west-east, you are more likely to have to o/n at your entry/exit points. As ever, this isn't an absolute rule, but more often than not it's more convenient to fly back from the west coast. Whatever you decide, you'll love it, it's a great country and I can't wait to get back there. Posts: 395 | From: england | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
If you are flying from England over the pole to Los Angeles, you may want to consider departing LA on the Coast Starlight to Seattle, then stay overnight and connect with the eastbound Empire Builder. Both trains have dramatic scenery and the advantage with the northbound Starlight is that you will have the ocean view all in daylight. You can then connect in Chicago with the Cardinal which is also a very scenic route. From Washington you can take one of many trains to New York. Once in New York why not consider returning home on the QE2, after all this year is its last on the transatlantic run.
Posts: 524 | From: Toronto Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I'd agree completely with RoyalTrain! Maybe stop in San Francisco as well. Is the Cardinal still Viewliner service?
I've flown London - LA, overnight, day trip to San Diego, Sunset to San Antonio, 3 night stay, Eagle to Dallas/FW area, 3 night stay, Eagle to Chicago, straight onto Lake Shore, arrive New York for a night, Boston for 3 nights, back to London. The worst thing was the time zones kept changing!
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Thanks to all that replied,I've just booked a trip from emeryville to Chicago then on to washington for next week with 2 nights in san francisco to begin with, I've never been able to talk my wife into doing this kind of thing(more of a beach holiday girl) so my Dads coming along for the ride. I booked my tickets over the net but needed to ring Amtrak to add my father to the booking and I must give credit to Amtrak they were very helpful and even changed the booking so I got the 2 for 1 offer,Overall I have just paid $414 for 2 people coast to coast in a standard room,not bad really
Many Thanks
Lee
Posts: 5 | From: Rainham United Kingdom | Registered: Mar 2001
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While I'm here, I'd like to offer a "friendly suggestion" to other first-time Amtrak travelers who might read this message thread:
The members who post here are happy to provide information. Many of us (myself included) are often guilty of devoting TOO much time and thought to trip-planning questions. We don't mind, because we love traveling by train.
But if you've already pretty much made up your mind regarding your train choices? And you're literally moments away from booking your trip? Please don't ask for last minute, "second opinion" travel advice on which trains are best, which routings are more scenic, etc.
It isn't that we'll get insulted if you don't follow our suggestions. But by the time we answer your often complicated questions and click "submit now," you'll have already purchased your ticket. Which means the detailed advice we've taken the time to give you is pointless -- a totally wasted effort.
Remember: we work for free.
So if you're planning a trip and need detailed feedback? Let us know in advance. We'll be pleased to help. Thanks.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 02-05-2003).]
posted
Hey Pompey, you will love the Zephyr Route. That is supposed to be the most scenic route thru the Mountains. That train loses a lot of time though so be patient. I would rather ride the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago but that's just my preference. Remember now, all three meals aboard the train are free since you got a room. That's first class and the food is quite excellent. If you happen to take the trip on the Southwest Chief think of me when you go thru Fort Madison, Iowa. I'm an engineer on the BNSF at that point on the west end. But then when you go thru Burlington, Iowa you are just 30 miles north of Fort Madison, Iowa. Gotta love all this new merger stuff. Keeps everyone confused from abroad.
[This message has been edited by Santa Fe 5704 (edited 02-05-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Santa Fe 5704 (edited 02-05-2003).]
Posts: 53 | From: Kansas City, Missouri USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
oh dear,I Find your "friendly suggestion"quite sad really.My Post was not intended for members to spend lots of time and effort on,I was just after the views of experienced amtrak travellers. As someone who has crossed the pond about 25 times im my 32 years I have seen alot of the USA but for one reason or another have never taken the Amtrak adventure. My little knowledge about the various trains has always come from this excellent site but I really didnt think that members treated it as work. I decided as I said to 'go for it' last week, and the CZ seemed the best choice however I had heard good things on this forum about the empire builder and the deluxe cabin was a similar price to the standard on the CZ So I was slightly confused which route to take,Thats when I found myself needing a "second opinion" and what better place to ask it. Thanks again to all that offered advice,I hope I didnt take to much of your time up.
Lee
Posts: 5 | From: Rainham United Kingdom | Registered: Mar 2001
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It's just that people often ask extremely broad questions ("Which of these 19 trains should I take, and what are the pros and cons of each?" or "Tell me everything I need to know about traveling by sleeper, or should I go by coach instead?").
Since it's impossible to answer such open-ended questions in 25 words or less (and expect our answers to be useful), it takes effort to reply. I was joking about it being "work." But it can eat up time.
You'll have a fine trip, though. After you return home, let us know how it went. And then you, too, can start responding to people's complicated Amtrak questions with equally complicated answers.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 02-06-2003).]
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