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planning my annual trip on the coast starlight and to go from glendale to san jose in a delux bedroom its over 900 dollars. i know the delux are supposed to be the nicest but i could stay to nights in a five star hotel for that much.
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Just curious, Chief. The Coast Starlight departs Glendale at 10:33 am and reaches San Jose (if the gods are willing) at roughly 8:30 pm.
So why would any person have such a burning need to travel in a sleeping compartment -- especially in a deluxe, and especially if the admittedly absurd cost is an issue?
You'll be traveling in broad daylight. I presume you're not planning to sleep. So what's the point?
I've traveled on the Coast Starlight by sleeper (overnight) and in coach (during the day). For an all-daylight trip, coach is absolutely fine. You can still eat in the diner, the Sightseer Lounge is open to all, and while the Pacific Parlour Car is nice, it's hardly worth the extreme extra cost.
However, like Mr. Toy, I do like the cheesecake.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I loved the key lime cheesecake they served on the Starlight before the standardized menus. The cheesecake they have now is flavorless.
I agree that a deluxe sleeper for a daytime trip is overkill. You are essentially buying seating for three people. Thus you gotta really want the extra space and be willing to pay a premium. But I just priced it out on the Amtrak website and came up with a price of $367 one way, picking a date in mid August at random.
A perfectly comfortable coach seat would be $78.
Actual fares may vary.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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Honestly, I think their fares are "cheap". For example, today I booked a Standard for travel this coming Wednesday one way CHI to MEM, the total fare was $177.45 (it's ticketed folks; I'm not coming over here and breaking rules I established over at RRNEt regarding quotation of fares).
Insomuch as the prevailing OW fare on Atlantic Southeast (alias, United Express) would have been $440.60, "ridin on the City of New Orleans" is a bargain. Also, add $40 for a taxicab out to ORD vs. $3.35 for a Metra ride into CUS.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 08-01-2003).]
royaltrain Member # 622
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I guess I am one of those eccentric types who is willing to pay the price for a sleeper on a short run. On several occasions I have taken a standard room for a daylight ride of just a few hours. I hate the coach, and if a train has a sleeper, no matter how short the trip I will book one. I wouldn't pay for a deluxe for such a short run--too eccentric even for me. But I do understand why you would want a sleeper for your journey. As for the prices, Amtrak's yield management is one of those great mysteries. This December I am booked in a deluxe on #11 between Seattle and Los Angeles, and I was quoted a price back in April of only $375 (that's the sleeper only the rail fare is covered by my North America Rail pass). When I recently checked Amtrak's on-line fares, that same bedroom for the same day is now over $750.
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Not really sure if I understand that either. I booked a standard bedroom from Emeryville to Los Angeles on the Starlight last year and it was around $100 (AAA disount). I thought that was definitely worth it for convenience and the free meals. It was a Friday in September that I travelled.
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Not really sure if I understand that either. I booked a standard bedroom from Emeryville to Los Angeles on the Starlight last year and it was around $100 (AAA disount). I thought that was definitely worth it for convenience and the free meals. It was a Friday in September that I travelled - and I didn't book that far in advance either. Demand must have been low that day I guess.
Lovesatq Member # 2691
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My daughter and I are taking Amtrak next month round trip from SF Bay Area to Boston. When friends inquire into the price, I always tell them it depends on how far in advance you book. We booked last February for $1608 (Deluxe Sleeper MTZ to CHI and Standard CHI to BBY). Now the same trip is twice as much. This forum has been wonderful and I'll report on our trip when we get back.
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