About 8 years ago I was working on a summer camp in Connecticut. I planned to take the Empire Builder from NYC to Seattle and somehow get back to NYC for my flight home, probably via the Starlight and Zephyr. I didn't have any funds and had to wait for my pay at the end of camp before I could purchase the tickets. So I turn up at Penn Station, ask for the USA Rail Pass, and a coach ticket to Seattle. Not a hope. Sold out in all classes for several days hence.
So I mused the alternatives. I had a 15-day nationwide pass so I could go anywhere, space permitting. I ask the agent what long haul routes are available today. He says the Silver routes have space (been there, poor service) - and the Crescent also has space... but they have already started boarding. Ok, so if I can get to New Orleans, where can I go from there? Between us, a quick calculation suggested I could go down to LA, back up on the Southwest Chief, and then decide from there how to get to New York again. That was sufficient information, so I get the Crescent ticket issued and head on down to the platform. The train left just 5 minutes later!
I ended up having a couple of days in New Orleans, with time to sort out the remainder of the trains. Sunset to LA, Southwest Chief (departed LAX same day as Sunset arrived) to Chicago, Capitol to DC (again, same day departure). Finally, after a day or two in DC, a NE Corridor train to New York and my flight home later that night. Five straight nights in coach - do-able at the time, but I wouldn't do it again.
So, anybody else with a last minute choice of routing on Amtrak?
Geoff M.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
During August 03, I needed one way transportation Chicago to Memphis. I had knowledge of this need some one week prior to travel. Auto was out of the question as the trip's purpose was to accompany a "skittish' auto traveler back to Chicago in her auto. The Amtrak fare, Rail & Roomette, appeared to be quite competitive with last minute air transportation; in fact it was advantageous with a non-stop "legacy carrier' fare, a "toss-up' with a discount that called for "change at Atlanta".
When I first made inquiry, there was no space open, however armed with the knowledge that Amtrak clears the system of time expired reservations at 3A EST, I was able to get the Roomette logging on at about 6AM some two days prior. Trip was without incident arriving Memphis 8 minutes late.
Being retired, I am usually commited to a trip about three months in advance; I'm not known for last minute anything. Therefore, absent this exception reported here, obtaining necessary Amtrak sleeper space is not at the top of my "life's problems" list.
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
For my coast-to-coast, multi-destination roundtrips (the longest have required travel on as many as nine separate trains over the course of several weeks), I always book at least a month or two in advance.
My "simpler" LD trips (generally New York-Chicago or intermediate points in Ohio and Indiana) tend to be last minute bookings, usually for business or for sudden family emergencies and funerals. However, the cost of such spontanaiety is often pretty steep.
Since I tend to travel to cities served by multiple routes, I can usually be fairly flexible when it comes to routings. Even in high summer, I've always managed to get a last minute roomette when I've needed one, simply by plugging in different routing options on Amtrak's web site. If my first choice doesn't have a vacancy, my second or third always does.
Posted by DeeCT (Member # 3241) on :
I guess I must be the exception here. I have tickets in hand for a late April early May 2006 trip. (Booked on Nov 10, 2005) The major benefit of my planning nearly six months in advance is that I generally get darn good prices on accomodations. It also allows me plenty of time to plan sightseeing opportunities. Am currently planning a Nov 2006 trip that will be booked in the next couple of weeks. (Still planning where to go week before and week after my annual Thanksgiving trip to AZ).
Posted by CG96 (Member # 1408) on :
For me? roughly a month betwen making the reservation and taking the trip.
Posted by rrrayinmd (Member # 4148) on :
I booked a June 2005 cross country trip - Cardinal from Baltimore to Chicago, Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle, Cascades from Seattle to Olympia and return via same route in reverse - in Oct 2004, on-line. My daughter and I rode coach between Baltimore and Chicago both ways but roomette on EB both ways. Total cost for both of us was $700...less the cost of RT airfare and rental car and the scenery was 6000% better!! Carinal and EB were no more than 90 minutes late westbound. EB eastbound was 90 minutes late but in time for Cardinal. Cardinal eastbound ended up 4 hours late due to a derailment in front of us in the middle of Indiana. Great 1st LD train trip!!