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I'm a newbie, but very jazzed. I'm planning a trip in May up to Seattle from SF and back with a possible stop off in Portland. I have a companion to share a standard sleeper to bring the cost down (right?) at least one way. Is one way or the other preferable? Is it better to book on the website or the phone? Any tips on booking? Anything I can do in the meantime? Also thinking of going to Albuquerque in August and back - similar questions? These are opera trips, by the way, if anyone is interested. Thanks.
dilly Member # 1427
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Fiddle around on Amtrak's web site to get an idea of how much your trip will cost.
But I'd advise you to actually book your tickets by phone. To bypass "Julie," the automated reservations non-person, simply say "agent."
That way, you can speak to a live Amtrak agent and choose a specific room number. It will make a big difference to your comfort level during the trip.
Basically, rooms situated toward the center of the car give a smoother ride.
On the upper level, rooms #3 or #4 are the best (#1 is the attendant's room and #2 is too near the public toilet, where you'll hear the door slam all night long).
On the lower level, which feels a bit more private, rooms #11 and #12 are your best choices (the other standard rooms share a wall with the "Family Room").
You'll find a floor plan of a Superliner sleeping car here:
posted
If you are limited to a room one way only, I'd opt for southbound. You get on too late on the northbound to enjoy a 'free' (dinner) out of Emeryville. Also, I'd advise the Portland stopover northbound to avoid a possibly very late Seattle arrival. Take a morning Portland-Seattle train when ready to go north. Southbound sleeper would get you full 3 meals. As for SF-Albuquerque, be aware that you will have to go via the San Joaquins/bus bridge to get the Chief unless you go a day early. Returning the connection is dependable enough to schedule Chief to Starlight.
dmwnc1959 Member # 2803
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From Portland to Seattle take the Amtrak Cascades. What a beautiful train this is. Look here for more details http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/amtrak/
[This message has been edited by dmwnc1959 (edited 12-04-2003).]
zephyr Member # 1651
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Since this is an "opera" trip, check out the Mark Spencer Hotel in Portland. They offer several Arts Packages, including special offers for the Portland Opera. To get more information: www.markspencer.com
Information on other hotels located near Amtrak stations (such as Seattle), check out: www.railhotels.com
If you will be going coach on one leg of your trip, and sleeper on the other, I second pismobum's and dmwnc1959's ideas. As they suggest, consider travelling coach to Portland on the Coast Starlight, Cascades coach to Seattle, and sleeper on your return to San Francisco.
Dilly's suggestions on making your reservations are excellent. I might add you might be able to get significant discounts on the coach legs of your trip at the Rail Sale section of the Amtrak website. These discounts are only available on the internet, and probably won't be posted until a month or so before your scheduled departure date.
This is a travel agency in Klamath Falls that specializes in rail travel. Its owners, Ted & Sylvia Blishak, often take rail trips to cultural events, and have posted travelogues about some of these trips. Their travelogue "Cultural tour of the Pacific Coast, Spring 2002" might be of interest to you. You might consider booking their trip through them; any extra cost in Amtrak fares might be offset by special arts/cultural packages they may be able to offer.
I hope you have a great trip.
dmwnc1959 Member # 2803
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Also for hotels in Portland try the Embassy Suites Downtown in the restored historic Multnomah Hotel; with free shuttle pickup from Union Station (and to anywhere else in the city within a 2 mile radius), complimentary cocktail hour, and full cook to order full breakfast it is a nice diversion.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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quote:Originally posted by City of Miami: I have a companion to share a standard sleeper to bring the cost down (right?) at least one way. Is one way or the other preferable?
I'm not clear if this means you would have a traveling companion one way, or if you would be taking coach one way. Having a companion dramatically reduces the cost per person in a sleeper, because you only pay for the room once. For many trips, a sleeper for two can often be cheaper than flying coach.
Be advised, the upper bunk is pretty tight, and usually the smaller, more limber person ends up there. The room itself has very little floor space when the beds are open. It's not much more than a large serving platter!
The first time you book a train trip, I suggest you talk to an agent on the phone. They can answer all of you questions. Once you know your way around a train, you can make reservations on the web.
You might want to ask the agent for an upstairs room in one direction, and a downstairs room in the other. Then you can sample both areas and see which you like best. Some people prefer upper rooms, some people prefer lower level rooms. Upper level has the better view. The lower level sways less and has more privacy, but may have more noise from the wheels.
Dilly doesn't like room 2, but I've had it twice and I like it. Everyone seems to have their own preferences.
And now, at the risk of repeating what regulars have read over and over, here is my standard advice to Amtrak first timers: Expect to have a good time, but don't expect perfection. This is Amtrak, not the Orient Express. Every trip seems to involve a few glitches, mostly with timekeeping, sometimes with other service issues.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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If you go to www.seeseattle.com, click on visitor, click on coupons; you can download coupons for the Starlight and or the Cascades. They are both, BOGO for coach seats!!
City of Miami Member # 2922
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Well, you guys were just great with your encouragement and suggestions! My travelling companion agreed to go both ways with me so we booked room#4 in one directon and room#11 in the other with a stopover in Portland. I am really looking forward to it and was so excited I didn't want to wait til May. I looked around and decided since I've never been to Reno to try for a snowy ride in the Sierras soon. Christmas eve was the only day available in Dec so I'm going up coach on the CA Zephyr and back the next day. According to another post, Reserved Coach doesn't mean a reserved seat. Any hints on how I can increase my chances of getting a window seat (or the best situation to try for) on the way up? I think the bus from SF puts me in the EMY station about half an hour before departure. Thanks again.
dilly Member # 1427
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Some Amtrak crews will assign a specific seat number before you board the train. Others use a "sit where you want" policy. Either way, don't dawdle if you have your heart set on a window seat.
When you board the bus in San Francisco, sit as close as possible to the door -- and make sure you're one of the first passengers to exit at Emeryville. If the crew inside the station instructs you to form a line, make sure you're standing at the front of it.
Just remember that you'll be traveling on the day before Christmas -- and that EVERYBODY wants a window seat. If your train is heavily-booked and you move too slowly, you could end up heading for Reno with one foot planted in the aisle.
pismobum Member # 2628
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If you are only going to Reno, just get on and head to the lounge car. YES they will tell you to go to your assigned seat when you get on, and NO, you won't get in trouble. "If" they pull your ticket when you board, you will have a 'hatcheck'. If not, just put yout ticket out where it is visible and a conductor will handle it when he comes thru the lounge. Don't beleive the b.s. about staying in your seat until tickets are collected - that's for the convenience of the conductor - I've done it MANY times to get a seat in the lounge - NEVER had a problem.
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