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My plan for next January (probably January) is to eventually spend a few nights with a friend in Tucson before going back east on the Sunset Ltd and Texas Eagle. (And wow, is that 3 day a week and middle of night business for the SL a pain in the butt for scheduling!!!)
Anyway, I'm contemplating stops in San Antonio and Austin, depending on my time and finances. I have a few questions:
Is January an OK month to stop in San Antonio and Austin, weatherwise? When is it that they drain the river in San Antonio? I'd like to get there AFTER that; I imagine the River Walk is nicer when there is a river?
In San Antonio, the SL eastbound is due in before midnight. I guess that means I should book a room for that night as well as the next, although with the SL often ridiculously late, do you think I am wasting my money doing that? There are no hotels I can find that have "day of arrival" cancellation. That means I would have to pay for the night even if I don't show up till 6 or 7 the next morning (when I won't need a room, assuming I have had a sleeper on the train, which I plan to do). The best rate I can find of hotels that have been recommended here is at the Best Western near the train (the new La Quinta that someone here once recommended is really expensive, and the Hotel Menger is also higher--though not as bad!). Is the Best Western a good safe location for a woman alone? Also, since it will be dark, I think I'd need a taxi--will that be a problem in San Antonio, do you think, with the Best Western being so close to the train station? Sometimes cab drivers don't like waiting all night for a train and then making such a short trip!
Is the train from San Antonio to Austin the best way to make that short trip? Also, I'm having trouble finding something safe and affordable on a week night near the capitol/in that part of downtown (I won't have time to go too far afield). There is a La Quinta but the reviews of it at trip advisor are really bad! The Hampton Inn and Double Tree that seem to be good are very expensive. I don't want to stay too far from downtown (I want to walk to things) or in some motellish place where I won't feel safe. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks for your help!
smitty195 Member # 5102
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The Sunset Limited schedule is awful. In May, I went to Tucson (from the SF Bay Area) to see a friend graduate from the University of Arizona. I ended up driving round-trip because the schedule was so stupid for the Sunset Limited. I would have ended up getting there a day early with nothing to do, and then staying two extra days with nothing to do. It was easier to drive. This three-day-a-week thing is ridiculous. Personally, I wouldn't miss the Sunset Limited AT ALL if they just discontinued this train entirely. I think Amtrak should either reinstate the train to daily service, or not have it at all.
George Harris Member # 2077
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Has anyone a though on buying your space from Tucson to the first stop north of San Antonio and thereby being able to stay in your sleeper until just before the Texas Eagle departs? Do it that way and you won't need a San Antonio hotel at all. I would say any additional cost from the vicinity of a hotel room charge down would make this a worthwhile alternative.
For the 80 mile run San Antonio to Austin, why not just take the Hound? Don't know the schedules, but maybe this would work: Go on up to Austin directly from from Tucson, spend the day there and then backtrack that evening from Austin to San Antonion by bus and spend your night in SA and do your thing in SA after your visit to Austin. Just a thought.
City of Miami Member # 2922
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I am currently residing in Austin and made a trip to San Antonio last month. The trouble with George's suggestion, i.e. taking a sleeper to just beyond SAS on the Eagle is that the Eagle is almost invariable MUCH more expensive than the Sunset which you could take from Tuscon to SAS. Taking the Eagle might be competitive with a missed night in a hotel. When I went to SAS I went the Priceline.com route. I got a room in a downtown 4* hotel for $75 = $100 with taxes and fees. This was cheaper than the Red Roof which was $94 + tax rockbottom. Personally, I enjoy this sort of thing - I'm such a bargain hunter! When I was there I checked out the Menger which is right in the center of town next door to the Alamo. It is an old fashioned hotel (the dining room is not to be believed) and I think I would consider parting with the extra spondulicks next time to have their experience. I went both ways on the GH because the Amtrak schedule simply did not work for me, even if it was on time. The trip on GH is about 2 hrs., but believe me their customer consciousness is worse than Amtrak's. I was offended by the don't care attitude and general lack of consideration for the customer; but folks in this neck of the woods are a lot more tolerant than I am used to in California. Austin seems funny to me - most of the hotel/motels are in clusters around freeway exchanges away from the center and almost inaccessible unless you have a car. The GH station is the same way, i.e. not in the center. Very odd. There are some big hotels downtown - I suggest trying Priceline.com and seeing what you come up with, although it is way too soon for January. What is it that you want to walk to? The downtown area is surprisingly active at night - in a good way. There is a website called www.biddingfortravel.com that educates you on how to use Priceline.com. to your best advantage. I have found it to be enormously helpful the last several years, but you have to be interested in that sort of thing. I might be willing to do some leg work on the ground if you have any places that you want checked out.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Sojourner,
There is also a Red Roof Inn in downtown San Antonio. It is about 4-5 blocks from Amtrak, 3-4 blocks from the Riverwalk, and 3-4 blocks from the Alamo. The Red Roof is also one of the stops for the bus that looks like a trolley operated by VIA (the San Antonio city bus system, not the Canadian passenger train provider). It's about 9 stories tall with interior hallway which makes most people feel a bit safer than with the traditional motor hotel kind of place. My wife and I had an acceptable 3 night stay at the San Antonio Red Roof this time (July) a year ago.
rresor Member # 128
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I was at a conference at the Menger in San Antonio about a decade ago, and for both location and ambiance it can't be beat. You want to be downtown near the Riverwalk if you're going to enjoy San Antonio.
In Austin the classic downtown hotel is the Driskill, but it can be expensive. I stayed in a Clarion Inn (I think) in a restored building in the Warehouse District just east of downtown, which is redeveloping as an arts and entertainment area. I'd recommend it highly -- historic building, nice modern rooms, and a P.F. Chang's across the street (finally, a decent chain restaurant!).
Ira Slotkin Member # 81
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I lived there 81 - 93. There were a lot of bed and breakfast places around the University and on the West Side. Google: Austin Bed and Breakfast. Rates may well be competitive. Train station is on the West Side of downtown.
And for those of you there: I am curious about the status of light rail/commuter rail in Austin. Always was a lot of talk about running it up Mopac and out to the new airport etc etc. Any progress?
Ira
George Harris Member # 2077
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There is a web site for the Austin to San Antonio commuter service that goes back to 1996, but almost nothing has happened in the last few years. One of the main reasons is that a completely new line, probably to the east of the cities will have to be built to carry the freight trains. Currently the existing MoPac is saturated with trains to/from Mexico.
John Hull Member # 4465
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32 miles of light rail operated by DMUs from Leander to Downtown Austin are due to open in 2008, according to Trains Magazine's newsline of May 10th. Most of the route is over an old SP line. John
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