Im a 100% disabled veteran, its a dream of mine to live on a train. Id love to do atleast the whole united states at least once. 🙁 thanks for sharing your adventures and letting some of us live vicariously.
As one who defines himself as a 100%disabled veteran, I want to thank you for your immense service and personal sacrifice you gave to your country. There are train cars on Amtrak trains that enable long Distance train travel for people like you with your physical disabilities. I myself would love to see a train report done for people like yourself as Amtrak long distance travellers. Being Canadian I can't help much where Amtrak goes, especially with me being epileptic. I wonder if the couple who runs this site may be interested in doing such a trip report for people like you. Dreams ought not be stifled because of handicaps. And we have a lot to thank you for. I remember all the soldiers in the USA like you and how they rendered service to us in Canada years ago. Well, I asked. Let's see what happens😊
I am a Vet also served in the US Army 32 years. Much better trains in Canada, all across Europe, Mexico, Ecuador and Peru. All are much like the famous Orient Express with really plush private rooms with bathrooms and showers, gourmet chefs. And if you can take it both the Ecuador and Peru go over passes over 16,000 feet. They stop for 8 hours or overnight at the points of interest. Steam locomotives are also used. And the cost is far less than Amtrak Roomettes. I left the US in 2013 and currently live in Costa Rica where I rent a 7 bedroom/5 bath house with 4 car garage on 23 acres for $153 a month. I have lived in Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador as well. I last took Amtrak Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland in 2016 and had a roomette. Really sucked. They ran out of food after the first 2 days. But phoned ahead and had Pizza and other things delivered to stops by Uber Eats.
@@riskyron1416 $153 omg Hell yeah man ! thats a steal! what area of PR is that? Ive traveled the train for months! Im also a Veteran (80%) but been looking for a new home base since my mother passed
@@smallssmith No, I am NOT in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a Territory of the US. I am in Costa Rica an Independent and Free Republic since 1821 after Independence from the 1ST Mexican Empire. Costa Rica offers nothing to US Veterans. US Military has never been here and never will. You want Panama the US Military occupied for a Century, leaving them 2 gully equipped Naval Hospitals. There you get free medical care at any hospital or clinic and billed to the VA You won't find a house like mine. Expect a 3 bedroom/2 bath for around $180 a month away from major cities beach areas and other resorts. regarding Panama, if you were in the 82 Airborne, don't go there. The entire 82nd is arrested on sight for war crimes during the 1989 Panama Invasion. With Panama you need $1000 a month Income to get Residency. Your Drivers' license expires after 30 days.
I REALLY ADMIRE THE FACT YOU TWO SEEM TO GET ALONG & GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES WITH SUCH EASE. YOU GUYS SEEM TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. HOW BLESSED ARE YOU TO HAVE EACH OTHER & YOU HAVE THE SAME HOBBIES THAT YOU ENJOY & SHARE TOGETHER. God Bless & happy train travels :)
For her 18th birthday, my daughter and I went around the country. Coast Starlight to Seattle, Empire Builder to Chicago, Chicago to DC, DC to New Orleans, NO to Los Angeles. And we stayed a few days in each spot, which I highly recommend. Definitely recommend this!
I can't believe all the people here going to Chicago, Seattle, DC, etc. It is SO unsafe in these liberal, dem-run cities! Haven't you seen the tons of videos of all the crime? I live outside of Chicago and would never go into that city, I'd be scared!
When I was studying abroad in college, my dad took the opportunity to travel all the way around the perimeter of the US on Amtrak. He would get off occasionally to golf. He spent 3 or 4 weeks on the trains in total. He made lots of friends that he still keeps in touch with, and I enjoyed getting postcards from all over the country.
Sheesh! You guys don't look like you are old enough to have grown children! Looking GOOD! I guess that is what love does for two people. So fun to watch people get along and love!!!
Because of you guys and your wonderful videos, I have been on all of the longer routes. My last trip was 19 days and 9 trains. If you throw your dining car attendant a few bucks, they have made me some off the menu items, like chef salad, steak salad and omelets. I always hit up the burrito lady and take subway from Los Angeles and a sub from the deli (can't remember the name) right around the corner from the station in Chicago. If you have a long enough stay in Emeryville. Right around the corner from the station to the right is an indoor neighborhood market that has about half dozen or so restaurants, all with take out and there tables to sit down at to eat. Each restaurant is of a different nationality. Maybe you guys can put together a short video on "your" favorite food hacks or close by places to get food on long stops or overnight stays between connections. I hope my home town Las Vegas, gets an Amtrak route back, so I don't have to take the bus to LA.
Thanks for the tips! I've copied your comments for my own upcoming trip. Within a block of Penn Station in New York is Pizza Suprema, which I highly recommend. By the way, I'm a former Las Vegan and missing it. Good luck on getting Amtrak back.
A senior solo train traveler, (coach), here; only since 2020. I was told by staff, “Once you start riding the train, you’ll never go back…” and I really haven’t. 🙂 I will have my first ever train trip, where I will NOT know anyone upon my arrival. Kinda like my first real vacation where I’m not staying with family or friends. I am excited! 🙏🏾 would be appreciated. 🙂 In my research for my upcoming adventure I discovered your channel, so a new subscriber, and have found your insights very helpful. You both are very brave for “living” on a train. I enjoy reading and “art-ing”; mainly quilting while I ride. In my past rides I haven’t explored the cafe, diners, nor observation decks, (kinda an introvert), but maybe with this upcoming ride, cross country; I’ll leave my seat. You’ve inspired me. 🙂 Thank you both.
The good thing about having a room is you can retreat and be by yourself. The people you meet in the dining and observation cars can be so intimidating. They’ll love to hear about you too.
Hello, I have traveled on one train in America with my husband from Canada to Seattle and we loved it. I have always loved trains, I even have a garden train set. I have traveled high speed trains in Europe from one country to another but I really enjoyed the slow ride to Seattle, reading, watching the scenery, crocheting( which is back in style) and blogging. Ninaa maybe you will get comfortable venturing out to explore the cafe, observation deck in the future but if not keep enjoying your ride the way you choose to. Tina a.😊
Last June, I got the USA Railpass, supplemented it with the California Railpass, and booked a few trips in the Pacific Northwest besides. 27 days, start to finish. Ten overnight stays in hostels or hotels, the rest in a coach seat. I had to deal with two trains that were seven hours late and one derailment of the Coast Starlight when we hit a water truck blocking a crossing. All in all, a fascinating experience, and I’m planning on another trip soon that will get me all the US routes I didn’t take on this last trip, though I was quite ready to get back home by day 27. I’m 65, taller guy so sleeping in a coach seat was challenging but doable. Entire cost of the trip, including food, lodging, some tourism, was $2300.
I’m on the City of New Orleans right now, sitting in Memphis. I’ve done a lot of long distance Amtrak travel, and boy do I hate flexible dining- you REALLY must have been tired of the dining car food to have been happy to eat that! You can get lots of steps in by marching in place in your room, listening to podcasts casts. Just did 1.5 miles 😁 Thanks for another lovely video!!
A couple of points. If you know the route, you can do some research and find places where food can be delivered to the train. An hour before arriving at one of the major stops (like Havre) you call ahead for a pizza (or other takeout) and have it delivered to the train station. The conductors probably know the stops where this works. I’ve seen it done. On your next trip maybe you can research the stops where this is possible. And if you jump off at every “smoke stop” and walk the length of the train outside, you can get a couple thousand steps in every day. You can also walk the whole train inside a couple of times, if you have good “train legs”. Thanks for a great video.
Regarding the walking, I am totally with you. I try to take advantage of every fresh air break that I'm not asleep. And I like walking the train. If I am in a room for a particular trip and coach is really hectic, I'll restrict my walking to the sleeper cars. Just a note to others, if you are in a sleeper and want to lap the train a few times at once, limit your laps to the coach side or the sleeper side. Dining staff will, understandably get testy if you are crossing a lot.
Yes Havre has pizza hut, Spokane has everything delivered as well as a microwave in the security office if you ask, also cans of soda are $0.50 Upstairs in spokane and $2.75 a 20oz bottle in main lobby
How awesome! I'm currently writing a novel which includes the Auto Train in a prominent role to the story and the passengers aboard play key roles. Due to the circumstances in the story, the passengers have to live on the train for a prolonged period of time. This video, and channel, is a great resource for me. If anyone cares enough to help me out, I could use some impressions about some of the smells, sounds, feelings, and other sensory experiences when staying on a train. I'd like to diversify beyond my own experiences riding on Amtrak trains to give my characters more realism since I know my own experiences and impressions will differ from other people, but I only have my own experiences to draw from.
Love this idea! I take writing retreats on trains as often as I can - I find the environment conducive to writing since there's really not much else to do, haha. I have a 7-day trip starting a week from today. Texas Eagle (LA to Chicago), then the California Zephyr to Emryville, then the Coast Starlight back to LA. I can't wait! I'll take some notes along the journey and report back. :)
@@Eidolon1andOnly I did the Coast Starlight last summer and was so excited to have a roomette on the west side of the train - until I noticed that the air conditioning wasn't working and the sun hitting the window as sunset made everything a hot box :( Still a beautiful route.
I love being on the rails. I hate having to get off. For one of my Christmas vacations when I was working, my company that I worked for gave us so many days. Couple that with the weekends and the fact Christmas and New Year's fell on a Tuesday and I added 5 vacation days to it, I was gone on the train for 3 weeks. I covered much of the West, South and east Because of the routes I took and availability like trains, bedrooms etc, part of my trip led me back home in Emeryville for 2 days before I had to get back on the train for the rest of my trip. Aside from being home for 2 days, my lay overs were either overnight or 4 or 8 hours before I had to get back on my next train. So I was on the train for 3 weeks and I loved every moment of it and I hated to get off when getting home. Back then I took 2 train trips each year for my vacations from work; my 4th of July trip which was short and Christmas holiday trip which was the longest. Yes! The food gets repetitive and it's a bit difficult getting your exercise in. But still for me that's all second nature. It's just being on the rails is what does it for me.
LOL - thanks for living that experiment and sharing with us! Two years ago I discovered your channel and you showed me the potential for a newly widowed woman to travel around this country solo and safely. My first trip was a true test for me: Downeaster, LSL, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight to Emeryville, CZ, LSL, and Downeaster back to Maine. I took your advice and scheduled a night’s stay at most transition points: Chicago, Seattle, Emeryville, Chicago, and Boston. As it turned out at the time, there were some cutbacks in some route schedules during the pandemic so I had to spend 2 nights in Seattle which was an unplanned for treat to walk around that little city for one day (strictly during the daylight hours!) I became a complete fan of train travel! I have since taken a few other trips, bringing my parents on one. I agree about the inability to really move around as being one of the most difficult, and unhealthy, aspects of a longer train trip. Family needs at home keep me from taking any extended trips this year but when I am able to travel it will include Amtrak, though not for a solid month 😄. Thank you for all your videos! I often refer friends to your channels. 💜
@@Cindybin46 I live in downtown Seattle (single female)... and I walk around just fine. Please don't be fooled by what the media feeds you. Remember, they're there to sell ads... they have a motto, "If it bleeds, it leads." Like every large city (most of which are liberal btw... because you have so many people with such diversity) there are areas to avoid... but Seattle is very safe. Unless you're a car window or mirror because those get broken a lot. I hope you find it in you to venture out and see places like Seattle. The waterfront is amazing as are the nearby mountains, hiking, boating, we even have whales!
NOBODY packs 30 outfits for a trip. At home do you have enough clothes for no repeats for 30 days? Bring colors that can be mixed- tan/ khaki, navy, red and you can wear things more than once. Except underwear. Schedule a night off the train, any time between trains, to do laundry.
Just finished my California Zephyr experience. As a solo traveler, I absolutely love it especially meeting all the people. Thank you for all your helpful hints.😊❤
I think if it were me, I'd: • Make Chicago my "trip home base" as it is a Amtrak hub and it just makes sense • I wouldnt do "every day on a train for 30 days", but I would want to be on a train for 15-16 days, with 2-3 nights in between each stop, one to check into the hotel and sleep, one to explore the destination and do fun things, the other to check out and go on the next train after, rinse and repeat. • Not sure what destinations I'd pick to stay at for a while, but I'd definitely want to explore some major city stops in any state that Amtrak stops in. Though, not sure how to pull that off. • Probably take similar routes you guys did, with a few personal adjustments. Though I am not sure which ones.
I travel through the west on Amtrak every year visiting family riding the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight . Not all on the same trip, mind you. I find that I always thoroughly enjoy myself but when I get home I am definitely ready for a long break until the next year. You are sturdier folks than I am!
After backpacking for over 4 months taking the train home was a treat. The food was one of the perks. After months of ramon, instant mashed potatoes or knorr sides train food was great and not as repetitive... I still managed 10,000 steps per day, but an hour was walking in place in the observation car in the early morning. I get up just before the sunrises most days and breakfast was usually a wait. I found for public transportation my order of preference is train, plan, and bus, but no more than 18 to 20 hours of bus at a time then at least two days before getting on the next long bus ride. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your journey... I think I will pass on the 30 consecutive days riding trains.
When I took a 9-hour train ride from NOL to Houston, I spent a lot of the time organizing the files on my laptop. It was very nice. I could have written a book or at least read one, too!
Expense aside, a most rigorous and challenging agenda, so major props! I know I couldn't do the 24 hour stricture (tho 36 hour seems doable, allowing for more station layover visiting). Amtrak travel truly is more about the journey and adventure than destinations.
Train trips are point A to point B for me. While usually enjoyable, they are definitely a means of transportation rather than being the sole purpose of my trip.
My hubby and I have traveled all around our country. By far the best travel experience was traveling from Cleveland to LA and then Seattle to LA. We have been researching and would love to do more train travel. The staff that we experienced were the best, they helped us in so many ways.
Lots of fun. Around 15 - 20 years ago while still working and having lots of vacation days from being at the same company for so long my wife let me ride the rails around the West as it was not her thing trying it once. I did five separate weekend to weekend trips around the West to ride all the AMTRAK routes West originating from St. Louis and even included western Canada on one of the trips. I only used a hotel needing to make connection with a ttrain the next day. I remember meeting a retired woman doing the same as you who was from L.A. with a monthly AMTRAK pass. She was doing two 2 week trips in a month with a return home to L.A. at the midpoint to check back at home, pay bills, and do the wash. I met plenty of interesting people who enjoyed riding the rails the same as me. I liked seeing your trip. I recommend weekend to weekend trips or a little longer with stays in cities where I enjoyed taking trolley tours. I tried staying at hotels close to the train stations.
I love riding the train, but the lack of variety of food choices would get to me, too. I took the Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville last year and I was tired of the food after only three days. I'm taking the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, Oregon in May and I'm going to prepare for it by not eating any hamburgers for a month before the trip. I'm hoping I'll be craving a hamburger by the time of the trip. My favorite thing after the scenery is sleeping on the train. I sleep really well on planes and trains.
I did a circle trip the first week of November 2022. Started in Dallas so that unfortunately is my home train. Took the Texas Eaglette to Chicago, stayed a night there. Just pure coincidence I was staying overnight on a night they had some kind of Halloween parade going down State Street. Hopped on the Zephyr to Emeryville and stayed a night at the Hyatt place nearby. Took the Coast Starlight from there to LA and actually got there in enough time to catch Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited back to Dallas. All trains totalled $1600 I think as I managed to get low bucket for every train I took. It was actually a really nice trip and it was about the right amount of time to constantly be on a train. I think I had one more train trip in me if I had the time but vacation days were gone.
🙋🏾♀️Hey ya’ll! First, let me express my admiration for the great team work you two share. You are the first Amtrak riders🥰 I came across after I traveled back from California to North Carolina. I visited my brother, wife, & children stationed in Irvine, CA; as well as my oldest son, wife, & newborn was then stationed in San Diego. My brother, his family, me & my daughter drove from Virginia where he was stationed at the time but was transferred to CA. So, long story short, I returned home & my daughter chose to stay with her uncle (she had graduated from high school that year) ~1996. Then it took me close to 5 days to travel by Amtrak back to NC in coach. I really enjoyed the trip there & back, but would have preferred to have had a travel buddy. Of course, I met some amazing folks on that train ride. If I could do it over again, I would ~with a friend.😂😂Ya’ll be safe🙏🏾🫶🏾
I've ridden Amtrak trains up and down the East Coast many times. I'm only 1 minute in, but I'm going to guess that the food situation must be very challenging!
A&R! Great video. Thank you. Y’all don’t mention ANY delays or cancelations equipment breakdowns. We love Amtrak Travel but in the past 4 years traveling Amtrak we expect delays, cancelation and breakdowns. How could you have traveled a MONTH and not mention any of these issues? The Amtrak Gods must smile on A&R! 😊. Safe travels.
The breakdowns, delays, and cancellations are a big turnoff these days. I live in Seattle and my best friend lives in Eugene, Oregon. I used to travel 2-3 times a year on Amtrak (I live so close to the Seattle station) to visit her. Last month I actually FLEW there. It took just as long (much longer light rail ride to the airport, then all the airport nonsense). I missed all the views out the train window, but there have been too many landslides and people having to go on a bus for the Seattle-Portland portion... I didn't sign up for a bus ride. If I did, I'd pay $30 for a Flix Bus!! I prefer the train, but when I only have a 4-day weekend with my friend, the airport was the better option.
Great idea. Our first trip last year was tough. Got bumped to coach for California Zephyr outbound. Return trip Sleeper had toilet problems whole car smelled terrible. That said I do want look forward to trying it again. Great video and info I have already been telling my wife we need to do another train trip. We are even looking to retire near an Amtrak stop.
I love train travel, but I could never do the train after train thing. Thanks for sacrificing yourself by doing it for us! One problem we have is living in deep South Florida. We still mourn the loss of the E/W southern route between Jacksonville and New Orleans that was wiped out by hurricane Katrina. Amtrak has apparently tried to negotiate with the freight train route owners for access to that repaired southern I-10 corridor route , to no avail. We'd love to travel by train from Florida to the SW, but we'd have to add on a couple extra days of travel to do it and that's inconvenient, time consuming and extra expense, without benefit.
Extended train trips are fine, but you've gotta get off!... 😃 ...Especially on the transcons: Empire Builder, Zephyr, Chief, and the Sunset Limited. Otherwise it becomes a soulless ramble through monotony, as you guys noted...Every town has its mom and pop motel that's comfortable and economical. I was going to compile a list of them, but alas I ended up moving to Asia... 😃 ...Staying in the smaller towns are more rewarding for rest - unless you have a priority thing to do in a city...I tend to eat off the train too. The universal dining car specialty is "Sorry, We're Out Of That". They have it on every single train I've ever been on...
I love your videos full of useful information. Me and the family are taking a trip to New York from Toledo Ohio just a few weeks. Have been planning this trip for 3 months. Watching your videos the whole time thank you for all the insight.
We did a partial month on trains last year. We spent 2 nights in every city. Our schedule was Maricopa, Az to New Orleans, then Chicago, Emeryville, LA and back to Maricopa. The 2 nights in every city broke the trip up really well.
I've spent my whole life traveling on trains (mostly Lakeshore Limited and Empire Builder) to visit cousins in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Seattle, and I have always found myself wishing I could just live on the train, and it really has felt like another home for me.
You two look like such fun to be around. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve wanted to do the same thing but now see where modifications could be made for a less stressful trip.
How did not miss your connection for the next train. We had that experience. I assume you were first class all the way. Thanks for comparing the cost to other means of vacationing. The need for exercising is a good point to bring out. This was informative and thanks for that. We have taken Amtrac in the past. The negative for us is late and missing the connection. Also, the bathrooms are not working. They cannot get them fixed for the whole run. Thanks for informing that there are different rooms available... I do miss the dome cars that they have taken off. JH.
I think I definitely would like to travel the country by train like this, except I do exactly what y’all are planning and doing next and stay at least four or five days in each city, but I wanted to visit. And I also would take the ferry Alaska because I don’t fly. Or a cruise ship. it be nice if Amtrak also could run multiple trains because here in Florida they only have trains in the morning going south, and then in the evening going north. It’d be nice for them to have both timeslots so you can actually make it a day trip. Or you leave different times because the problem is some of the stops you get off at like 1 o’clock in the morning. And the next train you have to pick up at 1 o’clock in the morning. Because if they had different time slots there in the day you could ride coach and not have to use a sleeper car. Amtrak could be so much better. They also could do different menus for the different routes that highlight the southwest or the north east. And people are craving this so I really hope that in the future the younger generation comes in and changes it because it’s time to shake things up.
Truly love all of your channels and your priceless experience!! Really so inspired to retire travel in my early 50s. Thank you!! From some of the comments, I wanted to say: they mentioned going to Miami- they mentioned hotel stays which is probably where they did laundry- and they mentioned using Amtrak points for 4 legs, so the $5600 was for 8 trains.
I agree with food issue. I found that rotating vegetarian meals but even that got old. My kids and I had a ball traveling cross country and you get a sense of how big the US is. We loved talking with people who ride a lot of trains. I also wanted to spend more time in each city.
I've been riding trains since the '50's and always anticipated getting off after 3 days of travel. Living in cramped quarters stifles my thinking with limited mobility for extended periods of time. I'd love to own my own private rail car-won't happen in my lifetime. Amtrak once had different menu choices on all long-distance trains. Now menus are limited to fixed traditional and flexible choices. There have been times I wanted to choose not to eat the 3 meals offered because I had the feeling of being force fed or passing up the value of complimentary meals. Amtrak provided complimentary coffee, tea, & juice to sleeper car passengers until the '90's when meals were included. Accommodation charges increased on its account.
Last summer I went from Miami to Fairbanks. It was 4 nights on the train. 2 nights in Seattle. 3 nights on the Alaska Ferry. 1 night in Anchorage. I got tired of the food after 4 consecutive nights
I never thought about the limited food selections, something to consider if we do multiple trains. Thanks for the info. I love seeing the sights that you record for us.
Just by happenstance I am going to be doing the Empire Builder followed by the California Zephyr in April. I'll take just a one day break between. I'll see how well I do with that long on the train. Don't get me wrong when I say that. I have always loved riding the train. Dummy me has always kept it close to where I live and I am adventuring out. I have done the California Zephyr twice. I have done the California Zephyr between the OLD Oakland station and Omaha twice back in 1971 and 1972 as a teenager. I live in the San Francisco bay area and routinely go to Reno, up to Seattle, or down to LA. It wasn't until 2022 that I did the Coast Starlight end to end. It was nice because my first time on a train was at age 3 San Antonio to Seattle, and that was 1962. Nice 60-year comparison there. Eventually I will do all of the Amtrak routes. This channel and your website have been a huge help. I refer people to both of them all the time.
Amtrak sometimes offers a discount on their multi-day passes, where you can travel for 15 or 30 days for a set amount, such as $499. AFAIK, that's limited to coach, however. As a suggestion for a new route: the Pere Marquette from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Then rent a car & drive to Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, where you can take a day trip on the Algoma Central RR. Another one to consider is the Copper Canyon train in Mexico. There's also a new "Tren Maya" passenger train in the Yucatan area of Mexico.
It's not 30 days of travel, though, as they did. It's about 8-10 trips, I believe over a 30 day period. I haven't checkd into this since 2020, though, so it may have changed. It is definitely NOT 30 days of train rides (aka 30 trips).
Thanks Allie and Rob! I loved seeing the Alaska sections of your trip!, have never done those. 30 days of continuous trains is a real challenge! After watching a lot of your videos, in the last two years I've done two Amtrak 30-day rail pass trips, however not the way you did this trip being on a train every day. On both my trips I never spent more than one night on the train before getting off at an interesting city, and then usually spent two nights there before getting back on the train. That worked great for getting a lot of walking in between train sections, we did more walking than ubers or buses sightseeing and going to museums etc, tired ourselves out, but it was so great for seeing all the great places we stopped! Then it would even be nice to be lazy on the train for the next segment.With the rail pass we didn't have meals included so it would be a once-in-while splurge to buy a nice train meal, and I managed to not get too tired of my own food I brought with me on the train. Our challenge was sleeping because with the rail pass we were coach seats only, no sleeper car. (though on my second trip I did splurge and do two roomette segments that were extra from the rail pass segments). Both I and my friend had our own (different!) stategies for getting a semi-decent night's sleep on the train. And if we didn't get much sleep one night, at least we knew that the next night we would be in a hostel or air bnb and catch up on sleep. I can't wait to do it again! (and I'm in my late 60's no spring chicken!)
In February, I went on The Cardinal, CZ, CS, Empire Builder, Capitol Limited and the Pennsylvanian. I understand completely about the meals and I only gained 2 pounds because I spent 3 days walking the hills of Seattle.
@Barbaratobin5579 I think I love you😅! That is on my bucket list. The only name trains I have not done are the EB and CZ. That trip would also bring my "States Visited List" to 50. How I have missed Montana after all these years, I don't know. This Summer is looking good so far.
30 days on a train, what an adventure you 2 did. Thank you for doing it for me. I'm a big rail fan. My bucket list item is to take various trains on a 30 days USA trip, but wish the flexibility of staying in a hotel in an interesting area, all on a whim. Like a nomad or hobo. Let the wind guide me, oh and good not train restaurants along the way, heck even fast food. :) Thanks again, love you two. Glad to hear you have some offspring. I need to check out your cruise ship travels videos. 🚢 😄
Wow, great info! We’d probably do your train/destination stay for sure!! Hope you two continue to do these videos - sure helps us plan our future trip!!
Concerning the exercise issue, I wonder if Amtrak would ever consider having a "gym car" with treadmills, exercise bikes, etc. I wonder how many people would be willing to pay extra to get access, or how many would upgrade from coach to a bedroom if it were included with a room?
@@le_th_ And yet there are gyms. Everything's a liability, including a passenger train. Risk management would be a big part of implementing any new feature. For example, there's no way you would have free weights, and there might have to be modifications to the equipment that would be available. It definitely wouldn't be as easy as just putting conventional exercise equipment in a railroad car. But I think it could be done.
I did 28 days, 10 segments in coach. I did two breaks in Chicago and one in D.C. The one stop in Chicago was in thanks to the empire builder being late.
I took the train across country twice. Once with 2 of my children, 8 and 11, from Sacramento to Chicago. We slept in and under the seats. I brought a suitcase full of food! I loved it but sleeping was not ideal. Although, I was smart enough to bring blankets, pillows and blow up mats. My children slept on the mats under the seats and I tried sleeping in the seats. The children had a great time making friends with other young passengers. The second time I took my 11 year old grandson whom I was homeschooling. This time I got a roomette! We both loved it!. It was a great way to spend time with him. The food became an issue as well. You gets sick of the same food over and over. We went from Davis to Chicago to Washington to Virginia to Washington to Philadelphia and then flew to Boston (this was included in the $2000 open for total trip). This was a homeschooling trip. The destinations were related to our founding fathers (Washington, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson). We had watch the HBO series John Adams. This made his (grandson's) trip so much more meaningful!!! We did this 14 years ago so it only costs me about $2000 total with hotels (3 expensive hotels) stays. Children ride 50% off and you buy the roomette for one price (I think I got it for $275). We had to change trains at least 3 time and so we only got a roomette when we had an overnight trip otherwise stayed in the seats. The train seems to go fast forward. We both felt that we got to our destination in double speed. It felt that way to us. My grandson has wonderful memories of the trip. He especially loved our train staff who took care of us. I think he still knows one of them by name. She help give us the tips we needed to make the most of it. She told us when we could hop off and grab some restaurant food in time to get back before we leave again. That was a life saver so we got her some too!! HaHaHa I think she was hoping for that! The train is more expensive now I have not gone again but I hope to do another tip with another grandchild/ren. \
I have always enjoyed traveling on Amtrak but. Couple of weeks ago and I took the Silver Meteor to DC and the Capitol Ltd. to Chicago. It didn't have a dining car and the crap they microwaved and calling it "flexible dining" was horrible. Then in Chicago I picked up the Empire Builder. I always take sleepers. This room attendant was the worst I ever had. He stayed in his roomette and didn't answer call bells. My roomette was directly over from his. I let him know I wanted my dinner in my room. I wanted the steak but he walked off before I could tell how I wanted it. He threw it on my little table and the meat was bloody. I eat my steaks well done. Then when we arrived in St Paul, he did not help any of us with our bags. I did report him to Amtrak but I haven't heard anything back.
My husband and I traveled for the first time a few months ago on Amtrak. We took the Lakeshore Limited to Chicago and then some other train (I can't remember their names) to a little town in Montana where we got off to visit family for a week. We then did the trip in reverse to go home. The entire round trip was 6 nights on the train plus one in a Chicago hotel because of trains being delayed. That was the roughest ride I've ever experienced. I was constantly being thrown into the walls and occasionally into other people's rooms. I had a few people thrown into my roomette as well. I fell on someone once. I saw three other people all on the floor. When I got home I had 14 bruises on my legs. They couldn't pay me enough to travel overnight on Amtrak again.
I had this itinerary back in 2016 and three days before I was to leave, my dad passed away, so I didn't go. I was going to go from Detroit to Chicago, to Seattle, to LA to New Orleans to Washington to New York to Toledo to Detroit (last leg on a bus). One day I will.
Two items I was wondering about when compared to a cruise ship and hotel is 1) Intimacy - getting creative and 2) Exercise. How did that work for you? Informative video!
On 1 April, I'm flying DFW - MIA so I can catch the Star to NYP, (my 77th Birthday present to me) then after seeing Ana Lapwood at the Atlantic City Organ, the Crescent to NOL and the Sunset/Eagle to DAL. Haven't been on the Star or Crescent in 30+ years. I'll carry my survival kit for the Crescent since I understand it is FLEX. I refuse to use the word "dining". Still shooting for my Meshugeneh Tesla trip this Summer, DAL -LAP-GBB-EMY-SEA-CHI-LAP-DAL This Summer.
Regarding repetitive meals/menu ... a long time ago, my mother and I took the train from Emeryville to Chicago, and back. Every dinner I had the Trout Almandine. I still dream of those meals -- best presentation and flavor ever, anywhere.
We just got home to Toledo after riding from to Toledo to Chicago, the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville and back. (LOVED the lounge in Chicago!) We spent 3 weeks in Oakland visiting our daughter & family and driving to Hollywood for 2 days with another daughter's family. The train accommodations were very nice - especially the sleeper car. Food was good even though repetitive. We enjoyed eating with other travelers. However, we don't know if we will travel by train again due to something you never mention - the rough ride due to tracks. We were very surprised because you never mentioned it. Going east from Emeryville to Chicago was the worst on the last night in the Accessible car. I was on the bottom and it was SO ROUGH during one segment that our luggage was thrown around and I was bounced nearly out of my bunk! I am 74 and I am still feeling achy from the trip several days later. I don't like to fly and would miss seeing the wonderful scenery but not sure I can handle the aches and lack of rest.
Bernie and Kylie from Fresno CA here. My first Amtrak trip was October 2023, and I just loved it! Being on the train itself is an adventure. I liked the scenery from Los Angeles to Kansas City. So now I am taking Kylie with me, Sunset Limited, from L.A. to San Antonio TX, coach. We will stay in San Antonio for a week, then return San Antonio to L.A. on the return Sunset Limited in a roomette. We are inspired by your channel! If Kylie likes the romance of the trip, we will take more Amtrak vacations! Nope, you convinced us we will not spend a month on trains. Maybe a week at most. And, we would go, stay for a night or two; not up to your challenge of a new train every day! So did you post your Alaska leg of the trip? Intriguing . . . God bless, hope to meet you on the train!
nice to hear from folks who have actually done a round the country trip. i had been planning one for myself for my 65th bday (this year) for quite some time but it will be delayed as i wont be anywhere near completion or at a stopping point managing in my parents estate. that admin appointment hearing hasnt even happened yet. so my round the country on the train trip will have to wait until next year. unlike you guys, ive a couple of different trips planned -- some round the country, others round the globe -- family affair with kids, grands, friends. my round the country ones are driving (to all the races in the country, then all the jazz concerts in the country), some on the train just to see the country i havent already been or havent been in a long while (i cant fly), some combo, but each are roughly a year (12 months) so i will not be living on the train non stop. im. good insight, thanks for sharing. and on the food and lack of mobility i concur on that just from doing the train up and down the east coast from md-fl 🙂
I can certainly relate to getting tired of the same three meal choices over a few long distance trains--Empire Builder, Starlight, Sunset Limited, and The Crescent. Even a one day lay-over in a city was not enough of a break. (This shortly before COVID.)
This reminds me of reading about people staying in Cruise Ships for a whole year but in a smaller scale. I first thought how great it would be to living on a train and you guys answer my question. You both did well to be able to do the trip for less than $6K. I thought it would be more since been seeing some of the trips where it cost over $2000 for a few days. Probably the longest I would go would be a week.
Thanks! I just did the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs and back and stayed in Glenwood Springs for a few nights. And that gave me the train bug and I was thinking about doing what you guys did but maybe it’s just too much at once. But I really enjoyed hearing which ones were your favorite which ones to go on so thank you again.
We did a big circle in 10 days from Houston to LA to Grand Canyon to Nee Orleans and back home to Houston. We had 2 nights in GC and NO. Definitely long enough for us even with the hotel nights in between
Im a 100% disabled veteran, its a dream of mine to live on a train. Id love to do atleast the whole united states at least once. 🙁 thanks for sharing your adventures and letting some of us live vicariously.
As one who defines himself as a 100%disabled veteran, I want to thank you for your immense service and personal sacrifice you gave to your country. There are train cars on Amtrak trains that enable long Distance train travel for people like you with your physical disabilities. I myself would love to see a train report done for people like yourself as Amtrak long distance travellers. Being Canadian I can't help much where Amtrak goes, especially with me being epileptic. I wonder if the couple who runs this site may be interested in doing such a trip report for people like you. Dreams ought not be stifled because of handicaps. And we have a lot to thank you for. I remember all the soldiers in the USA like you and how they rendered service to us in Canada years ago. Well, I asked. Let's see what happens😊
I am a Vet also served in the US Army 32 years. Much better trains in Canada, all across Europe, Mexico, Ecuador and Peru. All are much like the famous Orient Express with really plush private rooms with bathrooms and showers, gourmet chefs. And if you can take it both the Ecuador and Peru go over passes over 16,000 feet. They stop for 8 hours or overnight at the points of interest. Steam locomotives are also used. And the cost is far less than Amtrak Roomettes.
I left the US in 2013 and currently live in Costa Rica where I rent a 7 bedroom/5 bath house with 4 car garage on 23 acres for $153 a month. I have lived in Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador as well.
I last took Amtrak Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland in 2016 and had a roomette. Really sucked. They ran out of food after the first 2 days. But phoned ahead and had Pizza and other things delivered to stops by Uber Eats.
@@riskyron1416 $153 omg Hell yeah man ! thats a steal! what area of PR is that? Ive traveled the train for months! Im also a Veteran (80%) but been looking for a new home base since my mother passed
@@LindaGrace1 Vets have Automatic access to the lounge??? I really regret not asking
Thanks for this tip !!!
@@smallssmith No, I am NOT in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a Territory of the US. I am in Costa Rica an Independent and Free Republic since 1821 after Independence from the 1ST Mexican Empire. Costa Rica offers nothing to US Veterans. US Military has never been here and never will. You want Panama the US Military occupied for a Century, leaving them 2 gully equipped Naval Hospitals. There you get free medical care at any hospital or clinic and billed to the VA
You won't find a house like mine. Expect a 3 bedroom/2 bath for around $180 a month away from major cities beach areas and other resorts.
regarding Panama, if you were in the 82 Airborne, don't go there. The entire 82nd is arrested on sight for war crimes during the 1989 Panama Invasion.
With Panama you need $1000 a month Income to get Residency. Your Drivers' license expires after 30 days.
I REALLY ADMIRE THE FACT YOU TWO SEEM TO GET ALONG & GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES WITH SUCH EASE. YOU GUYS SEEM TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. HOW BLESSED ARE YOU TO HAVE EACH OTHER & YOU HAVE THE SAME HOBBIES THAT YOU ENJOY & SHARE TOGETHER. God Bless & happy train travels :)
For her 18th birthday, my daughter and I went around the country. Coast Starlight to Seattle, Empire Builder to Chicago, Chicago to DC, DC to New Orleans, NO to Los Angeles. And we stayed a few days in each spot, which I highly recommend. Definitely recommend this!
What a great idea!
USA Rail Pass! $500 for 10 destinations/ transfers
I can't believe all the people here going to Chicago, Seattle, DC, etc. It is SO unsafe in these liberal, dem-run cities! Haven't you seen the tons of videos of all the crime? I live outside of Chicago and would never go into that city, I'd be scared!
@@smallssmith But doesn't cover sleeper cars, unfortunately.
When I was studying abroad in college, my dad took the opportunity to travel all the way around the perimeter of the US on Amtrak. He would get off occasionally to golf. He spent 3 or 4 weeks on the trains in total. He made lots of friends that he still keeps in touch with, and I enjoyed getting postcards from all over the country.
Sheesh! You guys don't look like you are old enough to have grown children! Looking GOOD! I guess that is what love does for two people. So fun to watch people get along and love!!!
You need to add graphic rail maps to these videos so us viewers see where you were traveling.
Yes please! That’d be great!
Great idea
Good idea 😊
Because of you guys and your wonderful videos, I have been on all of the longer routes. My last trip was 19 days and 9 trains. If you throw your dining car attendant a few bucks, they have made me some off the menu items, like chef salad, steak salad and omelets. I always hit up the burrito lady and take subway from Los Angeles and a sub from the deli (can't remember the name) right around the corner from the station in Chicago. If you have a long enough stay in Emeryville. Right around the corner from the station to the right is an indoor neighborhood market that has about half dozen or so restaurants, all with take out and there tables to sit down at to eat. Each restaurant is of a different nationality. Maybe you guys can put together a short video on "your" favorite food hacks or close by places to get food on long stops or overnight stays between connections. I hope my home town Las Vegas, gets an Amtrak route back, so I don't have to take the bus to LA.
Thanks for the tips! I've copied your comments for my own upcoming trip. Within a block of Penn Station in New York is Pizza Suprema, which I highly recommend. By the way, I'm a former Las Vegan and missing it. Good luck on getting Amtrak back.
A senior solo train traveler, (coach), here; only since 2020. I was told by staff, “Once you start riding the train, you’ll never go back…” and I really haven’t. 🙂
I will have my first ever train trip, where I will NOT know anyone upon my arrival. Kinda like my first real vacation where I’m not staying with family or friends. I am excited! 🙏🏾 would be appreciated. 🙂
In my research for my upcoming adventure I discovered your channel, so a new subscriber, and have found your insights very helpful.
You both are very brave for “living” on a train. I enjoy reading and “art-ing”; mainly quilting while I ride. In my past rides I haven’t explored the cafe, diners, nor observation decks, (kinda an introvert), but maybe with this upcoming ride, cross country; I’ll leave my seat. You’ve inspired me. 🙂
Thank you both.
...be prepared to meet and sit with total strangers in the dining car. I think it is one of the best parts of train travel. Okietay
The good thing about having a room is you can retreat and be by yourself. The people you meet in the dining and observation cars can be so intimidating. They’ll love to hear about you too.
Have you ever taken any of the river cruises? I'd like to take a train trip. I don't live close to a train station, about 60 miles to Indianapolis.
🙏🙏🙏Have fun!
Hello, I have traveled on one train in America with my husband from Canada to Seattle and we loved it. I have always loved trains, I even have a garden train set. I have traveled high speed trains in Europe from one country to another but I really enjoyed the slow ride to Seattle, reading, watching the scenery, crocheting( which is back in style) and blogging. Ninaa maybe you will get comfortable venturing out to explore the cafe, observation deck in the future but if not keep enjoying your ride the way you choose to. Tina a.😊
It's better than being on a plane where you always have to be seated.
Yes! My husband and I love the train so that our 4 year old daughter can move around and not be stuck in a seat the whole time.
Last June, I got the USA Railpass, supplemented it with the California Railpass, and booked a few trips in the Pacific Northwest besides. 27 days, start to finish. Ten overnight stays in hostels or hotels, the rest in a coach seat. I had to deal with two trains that were seven hours late and one derailment of the Coast Starlight when we hit a water truck blocking a crossing. All in all, a fascinating experience, and I’m planning on another trip soon that will get me all the US routes I didn’t take on this last trip, though I was quite ready to get back home by day 27. I’m 65, taller guy so sleeping in a coach seat was challenging but doable. Entire cost of the trip, including food, lodging, some tourism, was $2300.
I’m on the City of New Orleans right now, sitting in Memphis. I’ve done a lot of long distance Amtrak travel, and boy do I hate flexible dining- you REALLY must have been tired of the dining car food to have been happy to eat that! You can get lots of steps in by marching in place in your room, listening to podcasts casts. Just did 1.5 miles 😁 Thanks for another lovely video!!
Wow...I'm sitting in Memphis (at my house), reading this just 4 mins after you posted it, lol! Have a great trip!😊
@@deb7518 Thanks! We got back to Chicago, and had to wait most of the day to get on our train to Bloomington, IL. On it right now 🙂
A couple of points. If you know the route, you can do some research and find places where food can be delivered to the train. An hour before arriving at one of the major stops (like Havre) you call ahead for a pizza (or other takeout) and have it delivered to the train station. The conductors probably know the stops where this works. I’ve seen it done. On your next trip maybe you can research the stops where this is possible. And if you jump off at every “smoke stop” and walk the length of the train outside, you can get a couple thousand steps in every day. You can also walk the whole train inside a couple of times, if you have good “train legs”. Thanks for a great video.
Ive done this on amtrak
Regarding the walking, I am totally with you. I try to take advantage of every fresh air break that I'm not asleep. And I like walking the train. If I am in a room for a particular trip and coach is really hectic, I'll restrict my walking to the sleeper cars.
Just a note to others, if you are in a sleeper and want to lap the train a few times at once, limit your laps to the coach side or the sleeper side. Dining staff will, understandably get testy if you are crossing a lot.
Yes Havre has pizza hut, Spokane has everything delivered as well as a microwave in the security office if you ask, also cans of soda are $0.50 Upstairs in spokane and $2.75 a 20oz bottle in main lobby
@smallssmith who delivers at 2 AM in Spokane?
@@IowaGrandpaTrain Uber eats, door dash, just depends when you get there
How awesome! I'm currently writing a novel which includes the Auto Train in a prominent role to the story and the passengers aboard play key roles. Due to the circumstances in the story, the passengers have to live on the train for a prolonged period of time. This video, and channel, is a great resource for me.
If anyone cares enough to help me out, I could use some impressions about some of the smells, sounds, feelings, and other sensory experiences when staying on a train. I'd like to diversify beyond my own experiences riding on Amtrak trains to give my characters more realism since I know my own experiences and impressions will differ from other people, but I only have my own experiences to draw from.
Love this idea! I take writing retreats on trains as often as I can - I find the environment conducive to writing since there's really not much else to do, haha. I have a 7-day trip starting a week from today. Texas Eagle (LA to Chicago), then the California Zephyr to Emryville, then the Coast Starlight back to LA. I can't wait! I'll take some notes along the journey and report back. :)
@@theghostrainbow1864 That'd be great, thank you and enjoy your trips! I love both those lines, and recently did a trip on the Coast Starlight.
@@Eidolon1andOnly I did the Coast Starlight last summer and was so excited to have a roomette on the west side of the train - until I noticed that the air conditioning wasn't working and the sun hitting the window as sunset made everything a hot box :( Still a beautiful route.
I love being on the rails. I hate having to get off. For one of my Christmas vacations when I was working, my company that I worked for gave us so many days. Couple that with the weekends and the fact Christmas and New Year's fell on a Tuesday and I added 5 vacation days to it, I was gone on the train for 3 weeks. I covered much of the West, South and east Because of the routes I took and availability like trains, bedrooms etc, part of my trip led me back home in Emeryville for 2 days before I had to get back on the train for the rest of my trip. Aside from being home for 2 days, my lay overs were either overnight or 4 or 8 hours before I had to get back on my next train. So I was on the train for 3 weeks and I loved every moment of it and I hated to get off when getting home. Back then I took 2 train trips each year for my vacations from work; my 4th of July trip which was short and Christmas holiday trip which was the longest. Yes! The food gets repetitive and it's a bit difficult getting your exercise in. But still for me that's all second nature. It's just being on the rails is what does it for me.
What a challenge! @1:04, "living on various things", had me laughing. Y'all are fun!
LOL - thanks for living that experiment and sharing with us! Two years ago I discovered your channel and you showed me the potential for a newly widowed woman to travel around this country solo and safely. My first trip was a true test for me: Downeaster, LSL, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight to Emeryville, CZ, LSL, and Downeaster back to Maine. I took your advice and scheduled a night’s stay at most transition points: Chicago, Seattle, Emeryville, Chicago, and Boston. As it turned out at the time, there were some cutbacks in some route schedules during the pandemic so I had to spend 2 nights in Seattle which was an unplanned for treat to walk around that little city for one day (strictly during the daylight hours!) I became a complete fan of train travel! I have since taken a few other trips, bringing my parents on one. I agree about the inability to really move around as being one of the most difficult, and unhealthy, aspects of a longer train trip. Family needs at home keep me from taking any extended trips this year but when I am able to travel it will include Amtrak, though not for a solid month 😄. Thank you for all your videos! I often refer friends to your channels. 💜
I just can't believe all the people here visiting these crime-ridden, liberal cities. I'd be so scared to go to these places!
@@Cindybin46 I live in downtown Seattle (single female)... and I walk around just fine. Please don't be fooled by what the media feeds you. Remember, they're there to sell ads... they have a motto, "If it bleeds, it leads." Like every large city (most of which are liberal btw... because you have so many people with such diversity) there are areas to avoid... but Seattle is very safe. Unless you're a car window or mirror because those get broken a lot. I hope you find it in you to venture out and see places like Seattle. The waterfront is amazing as are the nearby mountains, hiking, boating, we even have whales!
Okay, I have one question....laundry? Just curious as I don't have 30 different outfits. 😊
NOBODY packs 30 outfits for a trip. At home do you have enough clothes for no repeats for 30 days? Bring colors that can be mixed- tan/ khaki, navy, red and you can wear things more than once. Except underwear. Schedule a night off the train, any time between trains, to do laundry.
Just finished my California Zephyr experience. As a solo traveler, I absolutely love it especially meeting all the people. Thank you for all your helpful hints.😊❤
I think if it were me, I'd:
• Make Chicago my "trip home base" as it is a Amtrak hub and it just makes sense
• I wouldnt do "every day on a train for 30 days", but I would want to be on a train for 15-16 days, with 2-3 nights in between each stop, one to check into the hotel and sleep, one to explore the destination and do fun things, the other to check out and go on the next train after, rinse and repeat.
• Not sure what destinations I'd pick to stay at for a while, but I'd definitely want to explore some major city stops in any state that Amtrak stops in. Though, not sure how to pull that off.
• Probably take similar routes you guys did, with a few personal adjustments. Though I am not sure which ones.
I travel through the west on Amtrak every year visiting family riding the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight . Not all on the same trip, mind you. I find that I always thoroughly enjoy myself but when I get home I am definitely ready for a long break until the next year. You are sturdier folks than I am!
If I ever find myself missing Flexible Dining, I might jump off the train
Really entertaining and informative video. Heard of people living on cruise ships, but not trains. Might try this myself since I don't like sailing.
For medical reasons, I would never be able to do this for extended periods. I'm a big DVT risk. Been on trains before and enjoyed them! Have fun!
After backpacking for over 4 months taking the train home was a treat. The food was one of the perks. After months of ramon, instant mashed potatoes or knorr sides train food was great and not as repetitive... I still managed 10,000 steps per day, but an hour was walking in place in the observation car in the early morning. I get up just before the sunrises most days and breakfast was usually a wait. I found for public transportation my order of preference is train, plan, and bus, but no more than 18 to 20 hours of bus at a time then at least two days before getting on the next long bus ride. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your journey... I think I will pass on the 30 consecutive days riding trains.
When I took a 9-hour train ride from NOL to Houston, I spent a lot of the time organizing the files on my laptop. It was very nice. I could have written a book or at least read one, too!
Expense aside, a most rigorous and challenging agenda, so major props! I know I couldn't do the 24 hour stricture (tho 36 hour seems doable, allowing for more station layover visiting). Amtrak travel truly is more about the journey and adventure than destinations.
That was an awesome video! So many great tips, I appreciate your candor!
Train trips are point A to point B for me. While usually enjoyable, they are definitely a means of transportation rather than being the sole purpose of my trip.
Wow this was very very interesting. Amtrak should start having more variety on their menu's. The views were beautiful
My hubby and I have traveled all around our country. By far the best travel experience was traveling from Cleveland to LA and then Seattle to LA. We have been researching and would love to do more train travel. The staff that we experienced were the best, they helped us in so many ways.
I don't think I could do a month on a train. But I could try doing four days. Thank for sharing your experience. 😊
Lots of fun. Around 15 - 20 years ago while still working and having lots of vacation days from being at the same company for so long my wife let me ride the rails around the West as it was not her thing trying it once. I did five separate weekend to weekend trips around the West to ride all the AMTRAK routes West originating from St. Louis and even included western Canada on one of the trips. I only used a hotel needing to make connection with a ttrain the next day. I remember meeting a retired woman doing the same as you who was from L.A. with a monthly AMTRAK pass. She was doing two 2 week trips in a month with a return home to L.A. at the midpoint to check back at home, pay bills, and do the wash. I met plenty of interesting people who enjoyed riding the rails the same as me. I liked seeing your trip. I recommend weekend to weekend trips or a little longer with stays in cities where I enjoyed taking trolley tours. I tried staying at hotels close to the train stations.
I also wanted to do this! You know I had to watch your story! Thank you so much for sharing this! 😊
Thank you so much for all the great videos! I want to be just like you both when I grow up and retire 😂😊
There is so much of the US that I haven't seen yet, that I would be tempted to try it once.
I love riding the train, but the lack of variety of food choices would get to me, too. I took the Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville last year and I was tired of the food after only three days. I'm taking the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, Oregon in May and I'm going to prepare for it by not eating any hamburgers for a month before the trip. I'm hoping I'll be craving a hamburger by the time of the trip. My favorite thing after the scenery is sleeping on the train. I sleep really well on planes and trains.
I did a circle trip the first week of November 2022. Started in Dallas so that unfortunately is my home train. Took the Texas Eaglette to Chicago, stayed a night there. Just pure coincidence I was staying overnight on a night they had some kind of Halloween parade going down State Street. Hopped on the Zephyr to Emeryville and stayed a night at the Hyatt place nearby. Took the Coast Starlight from there to LA and actually got there in enough time to catch Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited back to Dallas.
All trains totalled $1600 I think as I managed to get low bucket for every train I took. It was actually a really nice trip and it was about the right amount of time to constantly be on a train. I think I had one more train trip in me if I had the time but vacation days were gone.
🙋🏾♀️Hey ya’ll! First, let me express my admiration for the great team work you two share. You are the first Amtrak riders🥰 I came across after I traveled back from California to North Carolina. I visited my brother, wife, & children stationed in Irvine, CA; as well as my oldest son, wife, & newborn was then stationed in San Diego. My brother, his family, me & my daughter drove from Virginia where he was stationed at the time but was transferred to CA. So, long story short, I returned home & my daughter chose to stay with her uncle (she had graduated from high school that year) ~1996. Then it took me close to 5 days to travel by Amtrak back to NC in coach. I really enjoyed the trip there & back, but would have preferred to have had a travel buddy. Of course, I met some amazing folks on that train ride. If I could do it over again, I would ~with a friend.😂😂Ya’ll be safe🙏🏾🫶🏾
This is so cool we are finally taking our first amtrak next thursday from albuquerque to los angeles and it’s all because of your videos thank you. ❤
I've ridden Amtrak trains up and down the East Coast many times. I'm only 1 minute in, but I'm going to guess that the food situation must be very challenging!
A&R! Great video. Thank you. Y’all don’t mention ANY delays or cancelations equipment breakdowns. We love Amtrak Travel but in the past 4 years traveling Amtrak we expect delays, cancelation and breakdowns. How could you have traveled a MONTH and not mention any of these issues? The Amtrak Gods must smile on A&R! 😊. Safe travels.
The breakdowns, delays, and cancellations are a big turnoff these days. I live in Seattle and my best friend lives in Eugene, Oregon. I used to travel 2-3 times a year on Amtrak (I live so close to the Seattle station) to visit her. Last month I actually FLEW there. It took just as long (much longer light rail ride to the airport, then all the airport nonsense). I missed all the views out the train window, but there have been too many landslides and people having to go on a bus for the Seattle-Portland portion... I didn't sign up for a bus ride. If I did, I'd pay $30 for a Flix Bus!! I prefer the train, but when I only have a 4-day weekend with my friend, the airport was the better option.
Great idea. Our first trip last year was tough. Got bumped to coach for California Zephyr outbound. Return trip Sleeper had toilet problems whole car smelled terrible. That said I do want look forward to trying it again. Great video and info I have already been telling my wife we need to do another train trip. We are even looking to retire near an Amtrak stop.
I love train travel, but I could never do the train after train thing. Thanks for sacrificing yourself by doing it for us! One problem we have is living in deep South Florida. We still mourn the loss of the E/W southern route between Jacksonville and New Orleans that was wiped out by hurricane Katrina. Amtrak has apparently tried to negotiate with the freight train route owners for access to that repaired southern I-10 corridor route , to no avail. We'd love to travel by train from Florida to the SW, but we'd have to add on a couple extra days of travel to do it and that's inconvenient, time consuming and extra expense, without benefit.
A few days on a train has a level of romance to it. A month sounds like torture. At least on amtrak.
Extended train trips are fine, but you've gotta get off!... 😃 ...Especially on the transcons: Empire Builder, Zephyr, Chief, and the Sunset Limited. Otherwise it becomes a soulless ramble through monotony, as you guys noted...Every town has its mom and pop motel that's comfortable and economical. I was going to compile a list of them, but alas I ended up moving to Asia... 😃 ...Staying in the smaller towns are more rewarding for rest - unless you have a priority thing to do in a city...I tend to eat off the train too. The universal dining car specialty is "Sorry, We're Out Of That". They have it on every single train I've ever been on...
You are amazing but no I would not like doing what you did Thanks for the information
I love your videos full of useful information. Me and the family are taking a trip to New York from Toledo Ohio just a few weeks. Have been planning this trip for 3 months. Watching your videos the whole time thank you for all the insight.
We did a partial month on trains last year. We spent 2 nights in every city. Our schedule was Maricopa, Az to New Orleans, then Chicago, Emeryville, LA and back to Maricopa. The 2 nights in every city broke the trip up really well.
This was a great video. Really enjoy your channel. 😄
I've spent my whole life traveling on trains (mostly Lakeshore Limited and Empire Builder) to visit cousins in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Seattle, and I have always found myself wishing I could just live on the train, and it really has felt like another home for me.
BTW, train 48&49 run behind my house in Utica, NY, give a shout out next time thru 😮😉😀
You two look like such fun to be around. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve wanted to do the same thing but now see where modifications could be made for a less stressful trip.
How did not miss your connection for the next train. We had that experience. I assume you were first class all the way. Thanks for comparing the cost to other means of vacationing. The need for exercising is a good point to bring out. This was informative and thanks for that. We have taken Amtrac in the past. The negative for us is late and missing the connection. Also, the bathrooms are not working. They cannot get them fixed for the whole run. Thanks for informing that there are different rooms available... I do miss the dome cars that they have taken off. JH.
All I can say is…WOW! 😁😁😁
Thanks. On Zephyr to CHI TO NYC tonight. I did 8 days on train to ATL with 2 day delay in DC on way back. Does get a little old.
two weeks max I think would be my limit but thanks for giving me some ideas on where to go. I think a cruise ship would be much better.
I think I definitely would like to travel the country by train like this, except I do exactly what y’all are planning and doing next and stay at least four or five days in each city, but I wanted to visit. And I also would take the ferry Alaska because I don’t fly. Or a cruise ship.
it be nice if Amtrak also could run multiple trains because here in Florida they only have trains in the morning going south, and then in the evening going north. It’d be nice for them to have both timeslots so you can actually make it a day trip. Or you leave different times because the problem is some of the stops you get off at like 1 o’clock in the morning. And the next train you have to pick up at 1 o’clock in the morning. Because if they had different time slots there in the day you could ride coach and not have to use a sleeper car. Amtrak could be so much better. They also could do different menus for the different routes that highlight the southwest or the north east. And people are craving this so I really hope that in the future the younger generation comes in and changes it because it’s time to shake things up.
Truly love all of your channels and your priceless experience!! Really so inspired to retire travel in my early 50s. Thank you!!
From some of the comments, I wanted to say: they mentioned going to Miami- they mentioned hotel stays which is probably where they did laundry- and they mentioned using Amtrak points for 4 legs, so the $5600 was for 8 trains.
I agree with food issue. I found that rotating vegetarian meals but even that got old. My kids and I had a ball traveling cross country and you get a sense of how big the US is.
We loved talking with people who ride a lot of trains. I also wanted to spend more time in each city.
I've been riding trains since the '50's and always anticipated getting off after 3 days of travel. Living in cramped quarters stifles my thinking with limited mobility for extended periods of time. I'd love to own my own private rail car-won't happen in my lifetime. Amtrak once had different menu choices on all long-distance trains. Now menus are limited to fixed traditional and flexible choices. There have been times I wanted to choose not to eat the 3 meals offered because I had the feeling of being force fed or passing up the value of complimentary meals. Amtrak provided complimentary coffee, tea, & juice to sleeper car passengers until the '90's when meals were included. Accommodation charges increased on its account.
Last summer I went from Miami to Fairbanks. It was 4 nights on the train. 2 nights in Seattle. 3 nights on the Alaska Ferry. 1 night in Anchorage.
I got tired of the food after 4 consecutive nights
Tough call, if I get tired of the food in the train, I'd get other food when the train stops. Thanks for this information 👍
I never thought about the limited food selections, something to consider if we do multiple trains. Thanks for the info. I love seeing the sights that you record for us.
Just by happenstance I am going to be doing the Empire Builder followed by the California Zephyr in April. I'll take just a one day break between. I'll see how well I do with that long on the train. Don't get me wrong when I say that. I have always loved riding the train. Dummy me has always kept it close to where I live and I am adventuring out. I have done the California Zephyr twice. I have done the California Zephyr between the OLD Oakland station and Omaha twice back in 1971 and 1972 as a teenager.
I live in the San Francisco bay area and routinely go to Reno, up to Seattle, or down to LA. It wasn't until 2022 that I did the Coast Starlight end to end. It was nice because my first time on a train was at age 3 San Antonio to Seattle, and that was 1962. Nice 60-year comparison there.
Eventually I will do all of the Amtrak routes.
This channel and your website have been a huge help. I refer people to both of them all the time.
Amtrak sometimes offers a discount on their multi-day passes, where you can travel for 15 or 30 days for a set amount, such as $499. AFAIK, that's limited to coach, however. As a suggestion for a new route: the Pere Marquette from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Then rent a car & drive to Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, where you can take a day trip on the Algoma Central RR. Another one to consider is the Copper Canyon train in Mexico. There's also a new "Tren Maya" passenger train in the Yucatan area of Mexico.
It's not 30 days of travel, though, as they did. It's about 8-10 trips, I believe over a 30 day period. I haven't checkd into this since 2020, though, so it may have changed.
It is definitely NOT 30 days of train rides (aka 30 trips).
Awesome. I can only manage a few hours myself so thank you for taking me along on your trip, virtually. 😅
Thanks Allie and Rob! I loved seeing the Alaska sections of your trip!, have never done those. 30 days of continuous trains is a real challenge! After watching a lot of your videos, in the last two years I've done two Amtrak 30-day rail pass trips, however not the way you did this trip being on a train every day. On both my trips I never spent more than one night on the train before getting off at an interesting city, and then usually spent two nights there before getting back on the train. That worked great for getting a lot of walking in between train sections, we did more walking than ubers or buses sightseeing and going to museums etc, tired ourselves out, but it was so great for seeing all the great places we stopped! Then it would even be nice to be lazy on the train for the next segment.With the rail pass we didn't have meals included so it would be a once-in-while splurge to buy a nice train meal, and I managed to not get too tired of my own food I brought with me on the train. Our challenge was sleeping because with the rail pass we were coach seats only, no sleeper car. (though on my second trip I did splurge and do two roomette segments that were extra from the rail pass segments). Both I and my friend had our own (different!) stategies for getting a semi-decent night's sleep on the train. And if we didn't get much sleep one night, at least we knew that the next night we would be in a hostel or air bnb and catch up on sleep. I can't wait to do it again! (and I'm in my late 60's no spring chicken!)
In February, I went on The Cardinal, CZ, CS, Empire Builder, Capitol Limited and the Pennsylvanian. I understand completely about the meals and I only gained 2 pounds because I spent 3 days walking the hills of Seattle.
@Barbaratobin5579 I think I love you😅! That is on my bucket list. The only name trains I have not done are the EB and CZ. That trip would also bring my "States Visited List" to 50. How I have missed Montana after all these years, I don't know. This Summer is looking good so far.
Bucket list accomplished. Now work on the next bucket list item.
30 days on a train, what an adventure you 2 did. Thank you for doing it for me. I'm a big rail fan. My bucket list item is to take various trains on a 30 days USA trip, but wish the flexibility of staying in a hotel in an interesting area, all on a whim. Like a nomad or hobo. Let the wind guide me, oh and good not train restaurants along the way, heck even fast food.
:)
Thanks again, love you two. Glad to hear you have some offspring. I need to check out your cruise ship travels videos. 🚢 😄
Thanks so much!
Wow, great info! We’d probably do your train/destination stay for sure!! Hope you two continue to do these videos - sure helps us plan our future trip!!
Concerning the exercise issue, I wonder if Amtrak would ever consider having a "gym car" with treadmills, exercise bikes, etc. I wonder how many people would be willing to pay extra to get access, or how many would upgrade from coach to a bedroom if it were included with a room?
That sounds like a HUGE liability. Heck, a gym on stationary ground is a HUGE liability due to all the injuries.
@@le_th_ And yet there are gyms. Everything's a liability, including a passenger train. Risk management would be a big part of implementing any new feature. For example, there's no way you would have free weights, and there might have to be modifications to the equipment that would be available. It definitely wouldn't be as easy as just putting conventional exercise equipment in a railroad car. But I think it could be done.
What did you do about laundry?
Laundry in the shower works.
Yes, I was wondering about that also.
I was also wondering about packing, going from Alaska to New Orleans.
I did 28 days, 10 segments in coach. I did two breaks in Chicago and one in D.C. The one stop in Chicago was in thanks to the empire builder being late.
You guys are great! I loved that you did this. I’m going to try it.
I took the train across country twice. Once with 2 of my children, 8 and 11, from Sacramento to Chicago. We slept in and under the seats. I brought a suitcase full of food! I loved it but sleeping was not ideal. Although, I was smart enough to bring blankets, pillows and blow up mats. My children slept on the mats under the seats and I tried sleeping in the seats. The children had a great time making friends with other young passengers.
The second time I took my 11 year old grandson whom I was homeschooling. This time I got a roomette! We both loved it!. It was a great way to spend time with him. The food became an issue as well. You gets sick of the same food over and over. We went from Davis to Chicago to Washington to Virginia to Washington to Philadelphia and then flew to Boston (this was included in the $2000 open for total trip). This was a homeschooling trip. The destinations were related to our founding fathers (Washington, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson). We had watch the HBO series John Adams.
This made his (grandson's) trip so much more meaningful!!! We did this 14 years ago so it only costs me about $2000 total with hotels (3 expensive hotels) stays. Children ride 50% off and you buy the roomette for one price (I think I got it for $275). We had to change trains at least 3 time and so we only got a roomette when we had an overnight trip otherwise stayed in the seats. The train seems to go fast forward. We both felt that we got to our destination in double speed. It felt that way to us.
My grandson has wonderful memories of the trip. He especially loved our train staff who took care of us. I think he still knows one of them by name. She help give us the tips we needed to make the most of it. She told us when we could hop off and grab some restaurant food in time to get back before we leave again. That was a life saver so we got her some too!! HaHaHa I think she was hoping for that!
The train is more expensive now I have not gone again but I hope to do another tip with another grandchild/ren.
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You do these things so we don't have to. LOL
We love the train, but we do take several days in a hotel before the next train trip if we are doing two different trains in a trip..
I have always enjoyed traveling on Amtrak but. Couple of weeks ago and I took the Silver Meteor to DC and the Capitol Ltd. to Chicago. It didn't have a dining car and the crap they microwaved and calling it "flexible dining" was horrible. Then in Chicago I picked up the Empire Builder. I always take sleepers. This room attendant was the worst I ever had. He stayed in his roomette and didn't answer call bells. My roomette was directly over from his. I let him know I wanted my dinner in my room. I wanted the steak but he walked off before I could tell how I wanted it. He threw it on my little table and the meat was bloody. I eat my steaks well done. Then when we arrived in St Paul, he did not help any of us with our bags. I did report him to Amtrak but I haven't heard anything back.
My husband and I traveled for the first time a few months ago on Amtrak. We took the Lakeshore Limited to Chicago and then some other train (I can't remember their names) to a little town in Montana where we got off to visit family for a week. We then did the trip in reverse to go home. The entire round trip was 6 nights on the train plus one in a Chicago hotel because of trains being delayed. That was the roughest ride I've ever experienced. I was constantly being thrown into the walls and occasionally into other people's rooms. I had a few people thrown into my roomette as well. I fell on someone once. I saw three other people all on the floor. When I got home I had 14 bruises on my legs. They couldn't pay me enough to travel overnight on Amtrak again.
An "unheralded train"? Arlo Guthrie would beg to differ. 😄 Also, thanks for the earworm 🎶
Zephyr to Chicago, empire to Seattle, coast starlight to LA , sunset/ Texas eagle to Chicago, southwest chief to LA ,
I had this itinerary back in 2016 and three days before I was to leave, my dad passed away, so I didn't go. I was going to go from Detroit to Chicago, to Seattle, to LA to New Orleans to Washington to New York to Toledo to Detroit (last leg on a bus). One day I will.
Sorry for your loss.
@@TrustGod_365 that's very kind. Thank you.
How did you do laundry? At your kids’ places? In hotels?
Two items I was wondering about when compared to a cruise ship and hotel is 1) Intimacy - getting creative and 2) Exercise. How did that work for you? Informative video!
On 1 April, I'm flying DFW - MIA so I can catch the Star to NYP, (my 77th Birthday present to me) then after seeing Ana Lapwood at the Atlantic City Organ, the Crescent to NOL and the Sunset/Eagle to DAL. Haven't been on the Star or Crescent in 30+ years. I'll carry my survival kit for the Crescent since I understand it is FLEX. I refuse to use the word "dining". Still shooting for my Meshugeneh Tesla trip this Summer, DAL -LAP-GBB-EMY-SEA-CHI-LAP-DAL This Summer.
This my first view of the channel and thank you
I’m on the Hiawatha while watching this video! Love the idea of nonstop train rides 😊
Regarding repetitive meals/menu ... a long time ago, my mother and I took the train from Emeryville to Chicago, and back. Every dinner I had the Trout Almandine. I still dream of those meals -- best presentation and flavor ever, anywhere.
What an idea and enjoyed your itinerary and comments!
We just got home to Toledo after riding from to Toledo to Chicago, the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville and back. (LOVED the lounge in Chicago!) We spent 3 weeks in Oakland visiting our daughter & family and driving to Hollywood for 2 days with another daughter's family. The train accommodations were very nice - especially the sleeper car. Food was good even though repetitive. We enjoyed eating with other travelers. However, we don't know if we will travel by train again due to something you never mention - the rough ride due to tracks. We were very surprised because you never mentioned it. Going east from Emeryville to Chicago was the worst on the last night in the Accessible car. I was on the bottom and it was SO ROUGH during one segment that our luggage was thrown around and I was bounced nearly out of my bunk! I am 74 and I am still feeling achy from the trip several days later. I don't like to fly and would miss seeing the wonderful scenery but not sure I can handle the aches and lack of rest.
Bernie and Kylie from Fresno CA here. My first Amtrak trip was October 2023, and I just loved it! Being on the train itself is an adventure. I liked the scenery from Los Angeles to Kansas City. So now I am taking Kylie with me, Sunset Limited, from L.A. to San Antonio TX, coach. We will stay in San Antonio for a week, then return San Antonio to L.A. on the return Sunset Limited in a roomette. We are inspired by your channel! If Kylie likes the romance of the trip, we will take more Amtrak vacations! Nope, you convinced us we will not spend a month on trains. Maybe a week at most. And, we would go, stay for a night or two; not up to your challenge of a new train every day! So did you post your Alaska leg of the trip? Intriguing . . . God bless, hope to meet you on the train!
nice to hear from folks who have actually done a round the country trip. i had been planning one for myself for my 65th bday (this year) for quite some time but it will be delayed as i wont be anywhere near completion or at a stopping point managing in my parents estate. that admin appointment hearing hasnt even happened yet. so my round the country on the train trip will have to wait until next year. unlike you guys, ive a couple of different trips planned -- some round the country, others round the globe -- family affair with kids, grands, friends.
my round the country ones are driving (to all the races in the country, then all the jazz concerts in the country), some on the train just to see the country i havent already been or havent been in a long while (i cant fly), some combo, but each are roughly a year (12 months) so i will not be living on the train non stop. im. good insight, thanks for sharing. and on the food and lack of mobility i concur on that just from doing the train up and down the east coast from md-fl 🙂
I can certainly relate to getting tired of the same three meal choices over a few long distance trains--Empire Builder, Starlight, Sunset Limited, and The Crescent. Even a one day lay-over in a city was not enough of a break. (This shortly before COVID.)
Just did an Austin, TX to Los Angeles went out spent the day and came back same night as we arrived. Enjoyed the trip and met some wonderful people
This reminds me of reading about people staying in Cruise Ships for a whole year but in a smaller scale. I first thought how great it would be to living on a train and you guys answer my question.
You both did well to be able to do the trip for less than $6K. I thought it would be more since been seeing some of the trips where it cost over $2000 for a few days. Probably the longest I would go would be a week.
Thanks! I just did the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs and back and stayed in Glenwood Springs for a few nights. And that gave me the train bug and I was thinking about doing what you guys did but maybe it’s just too much at once. But I really enjoyed hearing which ones were your favorite which ones to go on so thank you again.
Thanks for your honesty
We did a big circle in 10 days from Houston to LA to Grand Canyon to Nee Orleans and back home to Houston. We had 2 nights in GC and NO. Definitely long enough for us even with the hotel nights in between
Thanks for sharing. I don't think I could live on a train. Travel through a few cities, yes but that's it.