AMTRAK FAQ: Twenty-seven Amtrak questions and answers
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- Everything you need to know about Amtrak train travel in America. What it is, where it goes, how it works, what it’s like, and everything else.
Amtrak map (PDF): www.amtrak.com/content/dam/pr...
Amtrak map (interactive): www.amtrak.com/plan-your-trip...
See you on the rails!
0:00 Introduction
0:16 Where Does Amtrak Go?
0:40 Does Amtrak Go To Canada?
1:01 Does Amtrak Go To Alaska?
1:18 Does Amtrak Go To Nashville?
1:42 Who Owns Amtrak?
2:18 Who Rides Amtrak?
2:59 How Much Does A Ticket Cost?
5:24 Are Amtrak Tickets Refundable?
6:18 Can Amtrak Tickets Be Changed?
6:38 Why Is Amtrak So Expensive?
7:17 Are Amtrak Trains Usually On Time?
8:10 Which Amtrak Station Is Closest To Me?
9:07 How Much Baggage Can I Take On Amtrak?
9:47 What Amtrak Trains Have Wifi?
10:25 Does Amtrak Have Outlets?
10:52 What Amtrak Trains Allow Bikes?
11:53 Does Amtrak Allow Dogs Or Other Pets?
13:18 Do Amtrak Trains Have Bathrooms?
13:43 Which Amtrak Trains Have Bedrooms?
14:29 Does Amtrak Have A Dining Car?
15:21 Can You Bring Food On Amtrak?
15:36 Can Amtrak Run In The Snow?
15:56 Can Amtrak Ship My Car?
16:22 Will Amtrak Survive?
17:33 How Do I Buy Amtrak Tickets?
🔔 SUBSCRIBE → th-cam.com/users/t1dwanderer?sub_confi...
👉 PATREON → / t1dwanderer
🌍 EMAIL NEWSLETTER → www.t1dwanderer.com/subscribe
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.77[1/2] ก็ไม่ได้ชอบเอาชนะ แต่เรื่องอะไรต้องแพ้!!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JraaBYOd7I0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for all those details. I've done the USA Rail pass on offer of $299 two years on a row, and planning for next year now. Excellent experience!
Great idea
We're lucky enough to have an Amtrak-friendly President now! Things are changing for the better. Amtrak just signed a deal for 83 multi-powered trains! Many of the older cars will be retired.
If you are an American and you haven't traveled one of these multi-day routes on Amtrak, you are missing one of our crown jewels.
The 30 day rail pass is 50% off in 2021,i'm gonna get one,and see America,the best way
They don't let you take your pets w more than 7 hours. That's bullshit
Ordinary coach seats are absolutely fine and comfortable for sleeping overnight. They're way more spacious than airline seating, they recline and have leg and foot rests, with plenty of room between you and the seat in front of you. I like to bring along a twin sheet or throw to wrap up in. They dim the lighting after a certain hour to provide a more restful atmosphere. You can always turn on your individual overhead light if you want your personal space illuminated for reading or a midnight snack.
You make them sound luxurious ;)
I'm going to take my son from Houston to Chicago for a convention just for something different. Hopefully it will be something he will remember all his life. Thank you for all the information on taking the train.
At least once a year fir the last 30 years I’ve used Amtrak between VA and NJ. On-time service has really improved in that period.
That's good news!
The jokes throughout this video 😆👍make it fun and informative.
Thanks!
This is the best info on Amtrak.
Thanks Ellen! I hope so ;)
I agree Ellen he does a great job and excellent voice projection as well as pace of speech. I'm thinking of using Amtrak soon to take my bicycle from Northeast Ohio to the East and connect with the East Coast Greenway bicycle trail South.
@@johneric3886 Thanks John! Enjoy your trip.
Well done, sir. Everything was clear and concise. I am a fellow train lover and I hope Amtrak survives. I don't travel that often, but when I do I prefer the train. I am actually planning a train trip from Chicago to New Orleans this summer. I will be in a roomette for the first time, so we'll see how that experience is.
Awesome video! I’m going in a couple months on the California Zephyr! Also, I’m T1D and didn’t notice that’s what this channel was until you said it at the end!
Those with T1D who wander, that's what it is! Thanks for watching and enjoy the Zephyr
Took the AutoTrain pre-COVID. Even though it's a 3 hour drive from my house to Lorton, and a three hour drive to my relatives in FL from Sanford, I enjoyed it and enjoyed a lot not driving down I95. The seats are awesome
In the future, I might pay extra to get my car sooner ... that takes a while (understandably).
I do wish it ran during the day. The schedule at present makes it mostly a red eye and I'd rather see the scenery.
The car I was in was very quiet...lights on dim...kids well behaved. AMTRACK personnel make it clear any misbehavior...smoking, loud talking at night, etc...will lead to the offending passenger being left at the next siding and free to find their own way to Lorton or Sanford to pick up their car. Seemed to have a sobering effect on everyone.
Don't forget a pillow of some sort and maybe a light blanket. The seats are awesome...I went coach...and rookie mistake, didn't think about pillows and blankets.
For the last 8 years, twice a year, I have traveled on the Auto Train. Its the only way I fly.
Sounds good! You must know every mile pretty well. Thanks for watching.
Great Amtrak FAQ video! Just wanted to add that if you want to get a 10% discount on most Amtrak fares, and don’t fall into any of the other reduced fare categories Amtrak provides, sign up to be a member of the Rail Passengers Association, or RPA (formerly known as NARP, National Association of Railway Passengers). They’re an advocacy group focused on promoting, preserving, and advancing passenger rail in America, and do lots of great work to help both Amtrak and the people who use it. If you use Amtrak often, or are taking a long distance trip, the discount can really add up, even with the cost of membership. Just select the Rail Passengers Association as your fare type when you book, and provide your membership number when filling out your personal information to get the discount.
Good tip! Thanks :)
I'm thinking about switching to Amtrack. It's getting so hard these days to find on time service on box cars.
Even though am a fairly frequent Amtrak traveler, I still learned some things. Nicely done.
Great to hear! Thanks for watching, Trevor.
Over the years I've traveled from New York City to Richmond, VA with my family by train several times. I don't mind taking the train because you get to enjoy the scenery. Next year sometime I would like to travel alone to take amtrak from New York City to Miami and I never been to Miami before. Hopefully, this pandemic will end soon. Planes are faster and I like flying but one of the advantages of taking Amtrak is you pass through different cities and states while you enjoy the scenery at the same time.
I agree, Trevor. It's not about speed on Amtrak, it's about the easygoing journey.
We live in Philadelphia. From there, we have taken Amtrak to Florida 3 times, to Boston many times, and to New Orleans, then onto the Phoenix area. Be prepared for the last 2 to be late in arriving, due to having to share tracks with freight trains. Also, my wife and I always each get our own roomette for overnight trips since we are in our late 70s (forget the upper bunk). We usually fly home on overnight trips. I have a Amtrak credit card, and the points have resulted in free trips.
Joe, I like your way of traveling!
I'm a huge AMTRAK fan. Over the years, I have ridden the entire system except Florida south of JAX, the Michigan trains out of Chicago, and the northwest area (north of the Bay Area and west of Montana). Every year for the past dozen, I have made two trips a year from Boston to New Mexico, where my mother and sisters are. I live on the coast of Maine and there is a (non-AMTRAK) bus that takes me right to the train station in Boston. I always ride coach, bring my own food and make reservations well in advance, so the cost of the trip is very reasonable. I have not made my spring and fall trips to Santa Fe this year due to the virus. I think the trip can be done safely but my sisters, who care for my aged mother, don't want the risk. I miss the ritual of the trip, and one aspect in particular. I'm a musician and I always bring an acoustic stringed instrument. On the Chicago to LA line (Southwest Chief) you can always get a pickup band together by walking through the train looking for instrument cases in the overhead racks, likewise on the Sunset Limited and the Zephyr. You are allowed to hold a jam session in the seating for the cafe (downstairs on the observation car). I always ask the attendant first, but I've never had one say no. What barkeep doesn't want music in their place, to keep folks hanging around, buying and tipping? I've had some wonderful times there over the years, usually with amateurs, but twice I've met touring pros who where wiling -- in effect -- to hold a free workshop. Music on the train is only possible on the western double-deckers, so in Chicago and eastern cities I play in the stations during layovers. Some of you may have seen me in D.C., Albany, Richmond, Boston and other stations over the decades, and lots of folks have chatted or sung along. I hope to meet many more of my fellow travelers in the coming years. Safe journeys everyone, and keep a song in your heart! Vic, The Pinwheel Man.
Excellent stories! Maybe I should bring my acoustic guitar next time, I could be in an impromptu Amtrak band! Thanks for your comments.
Thanks for this info. I haven't ridden a train since I was a kid. Now that I'm retired, a cross country train ride is on my list. I'd love to see an Amtrak route that would go from coast to coast without having to transfer. But I suppose there's probably a limited customer base for such a long trip.
I think so. That's 3-4 days, and I guess the number of people who want that (people like you and me!) are low enough that Amtrak figures we can just piece it together. Still, one change in Chicago, not so bad.
Thank you 😊 I’m looking forward to do this adventure . Hope and pray no more covid .
We have never taken the train but I think we would like to take Amtrak from Chicago to LA. Looks like the scenery might be fantastic. I am officially retired tomorrow, can't wait to hope on the train. Thanks for the great vids..well done.
Making the loop in August New Orleans, Chicago, Seattle, LA and back to New Orleans
You make some of the best Amtrak video on YT,i love all the interesting facts you include
Glad you like them!
Very good information. Thanks.
Great use of interjections of slight humor throughout your video.
Thanks for noticing!
I'm taking my first amtrak trip in August and looking forward to it
Cool! Hope you have fun.
I have taken trains up and down the Northeast Corridor and from NYC to Buffalo. But the end of August I am taking my first cross country trip. I can't wait!
How was it?
@@HallsofAsgard96 Overall, I can't wait to do it again! But I would do a few things differently. I took the Wolverine from Dearborn, Mi to Chicago, ended up taking the Texas Eagle to LA, and finally the Starlight Coastal from LA to Seattle. It wasn't until Seattle that I spend a night off the train. My next trip will involve more hotel nights and less continuous train nights.
Due to covid-19, the food was limited to the same menu limited throughout the trip. It wasn't bad just tedious. Hopefully my next trip will have a return to the full dining car experience. If not, breaking up the trip and bringing some of my own food will help mix things up.
Amtrak was really good about making sure people were wearing their masks, unless they are in their room. I still haven’t found a mask that doesn’t ride up into my eyes and/or get sucked up if I try to breath through my nose (I keep trying different ones). I chose to spend almost all my time in my room so I could remain as mask free as possible, so I took my meals in my room and didn’t not go into the observation car. I faithfully wore my mask on my inter Michigan trains and in other places where it was required.
@@HallsofAsgard96 my trip was great i took the wolverine from Pontiac to Chicago the southwest chief to L.A the coast starlight to Portland then the empire builder back to Chicago i had roomettes the whole time ecept on the wolverine and it was an excellent scenic trip I would definitely do it all over and would recommend it to anyone
I've taken Amtrak at least ten trips, all from Philadelphia, and they were always fun and relaxing. To a Disney fan gathering in Harrisburg, PA in 2007, I took a Keystone train round trip. For an e-Harmony date in 2006, I took a Northeast Regional to and from Baltimore, and did the same another time for another Disney fan gathering in Baltimore. From June 30-July 5, 2010, a friend and I took the Keystone to Pittsburgh to see the Phillies take on the Bucs at PNC Park. We then took the Northeast Regional to Washington, D.C. July 30-August 2, 2010 to see the Phillies-Nationals series at Nationals Park. On May 5, 2012 my friend and I went to Washington D.C. on the Northeast Regional for the Phillies-Nationals game, returning the next day. My then girlfriend (now wife) and I took the Acela from Philadelphia to Boston on August 2, 2013 as part of Sports Travel and Tours' "Beantown Blast" to see the Diamondbacks-Red Sox series at Fenway Park, returning in the early morning of August 5, 2013 on the Northeast Regional .
Those sound like great trips! Riding Amtrak for Disney and baseball... a very American pursuit :)
We took the ride to and from Seattle and Vancouver. One of the most awesome scenic trips I have ever taken. And while I don’t recall the price it was economical too.
and environment friendly as well
That Cascade line looks really nice! Once things go back to normal I'm going to Vancouver.
Good plan!
Great video!
We have taken the train for the last 20 years when I take my vacation.
Sounds fun!
I like train travel, even cross country. I hate all flying and never plan to fly again. I wish there was an auto train between ft. Worth tx. and Fresno ca. I think train travel should be extended and cover more of the country. Auto trains might help.
Yes thinking about taking a trip on amtrak. You did answer after questions I had thank you.
Glad to hear it. Thanks Douglas!
Now amtrak is in My wishlist....i'm from buenos aires , Argentina...great video...!!
Thanks. I hope you get to go someday!
I'm planning a long trip from Williston to Seattle, then down to Portland for late May. I'm stopping for at least one night in each state (Sandpoint ID, West Glacier MT) Your videos have been very helpful!
Very well done. I like your wry sense of humor! I have been on Amtrak many times since 1982 (my first experience).
The next planned trip is May 2021 - round trip NY to Kissimmee, FL (Disney World) on the Silver Star.
Thanks J M. I hope you get to go on that trip next May and have a great time on the train!
First time riding Amtrak, nervous but excited too -leaving on the Atlanta station train in July to meet up with my friend in Tuscaloosa..
Enjoy the experience
I thoroughly enjoyed your video. As we avid Amtrak riders. You know the old saying: friends don't let friends fly!!!! Next year the Northern Rail Experience. See ya on the rails.
Sounds great! Thanks for the kind words :)
Got a 4 day trip from Portland oregon to Columbus Ohio this august, never rode a train except a hour or two in kindergarten so I don’t remember any of it lol. But I’m way to excited
Enjoy the ride!
Very informative and very useful. Many thanks. Greetings from Berlin, Germany.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.
Thnx for the video, 😀👍
“And cats exist as well.” 😂😂😂
Thank you for the informative video. The questions are pertinent and the answer clear and complete.
When I was 20, I took a fabulous trip which included the Sunset Limited, the Southwest Chief and the City of New Orleans. It was a solo trip, exciting and lots of fun. Now, at 50, I am planning another trip including the Empire Builder and the Lakeshore Limited. This time I will have a companion and we will take a sleeper car instead of coach. My companion flatly said, "We are too old for coach." lol I think I must agree. I'm very sad that the traditional dining has been phased out, but I think it might be brought back. Amtrak itself does not make these decisions, the federal government does. With the changing of the guard, we might see it return. I've got my fingers crossed.
I'm planning a trip from San Antonio to Tucson with 2 days in Tucson and return. Just a short mini vacation.
Sounds great. Have fun!
love your videos stay safe .. i found out recently booking early can save me a lot of $$$$
Thanks Daniel!
Amtrak did have a Nashville route, they stopped at the Nashville Union Station. When I was 12 years old my parents took us to Florida on the Floridian. This was a few years before they cancelled service.
thats why they called it union station, union, as in united states. ,...what a dream
Thanks for the info Glenn. I hope that comes back. I was born in Nashville; would be nice to go visit it again, but by train.
I've taken Amtrak from NYC to ATL and from Naperville, IL (Chicago) to Emeryville, CA (San Francisco). Pretty good trips.
I love Amtrak, ever since my 1st time riding I have never taken a plane again. I usually use it when I get a military leave block to travel back home to Texas from California to visit family. I take the Pacific Surfliner to LA then the Texas Eagle to San Antonio
I take the Keystone from Lancaster to Philadelphia twice a week for my courier business. Because I'm 65 the ticket is half price. I bring beer for the trip back and chill out. Conductors are great. The ride puts me to sleep. No worries.
Sounds like a great routine
I want to travel amtrak so bad now.
Start dreaming... and planning... and going!
Hi buddy 👋🏻 It’s on my bucket list to travel Amtrak when I retire in 2023 with my wife 😄
Good plan! Where do you want to ride?
The only time I took a long distance Train was on the now defunct Broadway Limited from Chicago to New York City.
I have been traveling back and forth from Wilmington, Delaware to Tampa, Florida for 35 years. I have seen lots of changes in all those years some for the better and some not so good. They have gotten better on time but I have had times when I was three to five hours late. The food was was really good until COVID hit.
Sounds like you have a great perspective on Amtrak over the years :)
This is so good!
I’m hoping to go from Seattle to New London Conn. in June so can you give me suggestions? It’ll be my first time.
In 1993 I tion a two week vacation ov AMTRAK ight was email! After my mom died in 1993 I was responsible for settling her estate. It was four months of taking every weekend to go from where I lived to where she had lived, going through all the stuff she had in storage.
I took advantage of the vacation packages available through AMTRAK if was sho relaxing. I could hibernate in my roomette and destress.
Nowadays I only get to take thre train when I ho ti Washington state to visit family and friends. Id a wonderful way tho run up and down the coast. Sadly from Seattle to Bellingham I'd generally a bus now, I miss running right along the Pacific on the train. And sadly the service from Jacksonville to New Orleans stopped after hurricane Katrina snd hasn't been restarted. I wish they would bring it back, I'd love ti be able tho go tho Washington state by train! Ight used to stop right in the small town where I am located. E don't even have Grey Hound here any longer and being blind now I don't drive. I definitely recommend taking a vacation outside on AMTRAK. They let you have sips and will have, or did in 1993, city excursions one carb book. Definitely a trip worth the money!
Thank you, bought tickets to go in May :) ....with 6 y.old 😳 46 hours 😆
Heh, have fun!
The 30 Day Rail Pass in now 50% in 2021,veterans and seniors can get 10% off their tickets
I watched this video, and realize it is a general video about Amtrak. I was hoping you had some info about the East Coast trains like the Silver Star which I will be traveling on from Tampa to Philadelphia late June returning early July. I liked this video for the content, which I thought to be well made and very helpful.
Excellent information! Will Amtrak survive? I work at an Amtrak depot. It would be interesting to hear from the type of person riding today. A lot of them have no other choices. But I know government is way too big. Many changes are in place due to the virus so do a little homework to learn any additional restrictions.
Possible connection of Alaska Rail to the lower 48 by way of Vancouver is being studied.
Didn't know that. Seems like a good idea to me! Thanks.
I already have a plan to take Amtrak from Tucson, Az to Chicago, IL. Then go from Chicago to St Paul spend a few days seeing Mankato, Walnut Grove and other sights. Then go from St Paul to Seattle to Portland. See some family and then fly back to Tucson. Looking forward to it.
That's a great itinerary! Enjoy.
A, Laura Ingalls, trip. How fun!
@chris chambers how was your chicago to st. paul leg of the trip? thinking of doing the same. did you ride coach or get a sleeper room?
@@zombienic haven't gone yet it's still just a plan for now.
i have only been on the Cresent,atlanta to philly for at least five times since the 90s. its a 15 hour trip that can be longer. bring your coat, hat and gloves for the overnight in coach because it gets really, really cold.some folks had blankets so ...
It's not luxury huh? ;)
More of an adventure, I like to think of it. Thanks for watching!
Amtrak did go to Nashville in the 70's. What I would like to see is a Chicago to Florida train then Nashville would be served along with Louisville.
And Atlanta. Your Chicago to Florida (say, Tallahassee?) route would make a lot of sense.
@@T1DWanderer The Floridian never went to Atlanta. It was the same route as the Cardinal to Indianapolis. From there it basically followed near I-65 until Birmingham. There it then went SE to Jacksonville where it would slit one route would go to Miami the other to Orlando and Tampa. We can thank President Carter for killing this route.
I meant, I would like to see Atlanta serviced on a Chicago-Florida train!
@@T1DWanderer I see not sure what routes are possible but I suppose there is a Nashville to Atlanta railline.
If they ever went back to Nashville (or Louisville for that matter), it would be my biggest incentive to start riding.
Great video. In 2018, I surprised my so with a trip to Disney World, and we got there by train! Norman, OK - Fort Worth, TX, - Chicago IL, -DC - to Kissimmee, FL. We are planning on going again in late Oct 2021. We will get bedrooms to have the private bathroom. love taking the train!
That's a fantastic route! Not exactly direct, but if you love train travel, it's perfect :)
Hello! in 2012 I had the possibility to approach a tour New York, Chicago, Washington, New York ... with Amtrak. Excellent, comfort, courtesy of staff, quality of meals in the restaurant car. Be amazed by the quality of the set. I wonder? why is international tourism no longer developed on these trains? It's a fabulous way to discover the United States. They do not go very fast, but it allows you to enjoy the landscapes.
Agreed!
The best leg on Amtrak is from Grand Junction to Denver. There are a couple of stops that are worth your time to get off the train and spend a day, Glenwood Springs and Winter Park. Make sure you bring your swimming suit if you're spending a day (24 hours) in Glenwood Springs. If you don't want to pay to fly to Grand Junction then flying to Salt Lake City is the other option, but the one daily train leaves SLC at a really inconvenient time, like 2AM, and even though the station itself is safe the surrounding neighborhood is sketchy. If you go into town on the light rail (Trax) get a ride (Uber/Lyft) back to the station. Trax connects from SLC International Airport to the Amtrak station at SL Central with one simple transfer.
Great info, thanks.
Loved the video! I am taking my grandkids on Amtrak in July and I am so excited. It will be the first time for all of us. I know this is an old video but do you have any tips? We are going from ATL to DC. The boys are 8 and 5 and are very excited.
Sounds like a lot of fun. I'd suggest checking out some of my videos where I ride various Amtrak trains; I try to show what it's really like in bedrooms, roomettes, seats, etc.
I have tried on multiple occasions to travel on Amtrak, both for personal vacation and to educate two young Children. The Amtrak website is one of the most user unfriendly sites that I have ever had to suffer. The incompetents that created it and worse yet, the toxic bureaucrats that are refusing to take it down and start over,… SHOULD ALL BE FIRED.
I have never been able to understand my scheduling options,… much less my pricing options so I have never booked and until the site is made usable by ordinary citizens I will never by a ticket and I will continue to pressure my government representatives to end Amtrak’s government subsidies.
It is a mess,i agree,call the amtrak number to book next time
I've taken the Down Easter from NH to Boston then I've also taken one from Boston to Pennsylvania forget which Amtrak it was though. I'm planning on going on the California Zephyr with a buddy from Chicago next year and getting roomette.
Sounds excellent
I’m from the UK and only used the Amtrak once, from Seattle to Portland Oregon. It’s much more pleasant that the ones in the UK.
Heh, really?! Now I want to try some UK trains and see for myself :)
@@T1DWanderer not at the moment you don't!
Funny, I'm from the US and I've taken most of the trains in the UK and prefer them, especially now that they're upgrading most of them. Amtrak is slow and expensive, and are usually very late. There is very little reason to take Amtrak as if you want to get there quickly you should fly, and even driving form New York to Chicago, for example, is much, much quicker.
@@damascus6478 I find UK trains astonishingly expensive and would not think about taking one if I had to get somewhere on time preferring to take my chances on the road. Nowadays my train travel is for pleasure and have no time constraints.
@@damascus6478 You don't travel Amtrak to get there fast.
Do you live in Wenatchee??? There are a few pictures in your presentation from that town and I started to wonder. It is my home town 😊.
Great video, but please can you do one with the handicap in mind? I'm in a power chair and would like to go from San Diego to Las Vegas.
I have been on almost every long distance train but the empire builder but plan to in 2020
That's living life right ;)
Hola ! en 2012 tuve la posibilidad de acer un recorrido New York , Chicago , Washington , New York ... con Amtrak . Excelente , el confort , la gentileza del personal , la calidad de las comidas en el vagón restaurante . Quede sorprendido por la calidad del conjunto . Me pregunto ? porque no se desarrolla mas el turismo internacional en estos trenes ? Es una manera fabulosa de descubrir los estados unidos . No van muy rápido , pero permite de disfrutar de los paisajes . Yo aconsejo a mis amigos y familiares , en su primer viaje por USA , de acer un recorrido por el país con estos maravillosos trenes .... muy relajantes . Tengo una pregunta ; existe un " Pass " , como en Japón o en Europa , que te permite viajar libremente , durante 1 , 2, 3, 4 semanas . ??
I'll be traveling from Pennsylvania to Montana very soon. After always having to take coach, this trip I reserved a Superliner Roomette rt late in 2019 and am looking forward to the trip! Any advice in this time of covid 19? Thanks!
It sounds fun. I actually canceled several Amtrak trips myself back in March-April. I know that the Amtrak staff wears masks and wipes things down. I don't know, but I would imagine, ridership may be down somewhat and it might be easier to stay distant from other people. Even in the observation car.
@@T1DWanderer many thanks for your response. Ah! Advice on tipping attendants and for meals? Shall I use the standard 20%? Take care and happy travels to you.
Very good videos! On the interactive map is there not a way to 'build' a route around the US? I want to take my wife for our 30th anniversary in two years an Amtrak trip from SC up the Crescent to Charlottesville; take the Cardinal up to Chicago; the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle; the Coast Starlight down to Los Angeles; then the Sunset Limited to New Orleans; and back on the Crescent to SC...hoping we can schedule in several 1 - 3 day layovers along the way. Any and all advice on getting this trip laid out would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! With a trip like that, with multiple legs and stops, you're probably better off actually calling Amtrak and speaking with someone, since it's such an unusual trip. You could just book each leg separately yourself on the website, but I don't know of a way to build a route like that and have it automatically show you the tickets. Anyway, if you call them they might be able to tell you about any deals or things like that.
And that trip sounds amazing; your travel dreams are like mine!
u could do that in 1920. !!! progress eh, 2020...really
This is really an excellent question. Just one question. It seem that buying online is the only option for me (I'm in Dallas) and it also seems that the roomette you get is basically a crap shoot. Is there anyway to specify upper level and side of train? Thanks to anyone that has an answer for mid 2022.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the room refunds come with a 25% fee for the entire bill capping off at $250. Which means even if let’s say your bill is $5,000 and you want a refund. You will only lose $250. If that makes sense
Hi buddy. I’m a train enthusiast and watch Virtual railfan live cameras on TH-cam. They’ve lots of cameras placed at good locations on the network. My favourite one is at F.T. Madison on the BNSF Galesburg Horseshoe Curve near Altoona ect. So we’d be thinking of spending at least a month in the US site seeing for the wife lol 😆 But more importantly me seeing the fantastic long freight trains 😆 That’s the plan anyway 👍🏻 Oh and my cousins live in Cincinnati Ohio 😎
Those live train cameras are fun. Thanks for watching, Stevie!
I wish you showed a overlay of which tracks they owned over routes.
Good idea, thanks.
Great information! My husband and I are taking the Zepher tomorrow (!) from Reno to Chicago, our 1st train trip, any suggestions? Covid sure has put a damper on our dining experience, but we won’t let that stop us🙋🏻♀️❤️
Yes, I suggest you take California Zephyr from Reno to Chicago and have fun ;) Get a seat in the observation car and enjoy the slow, steady pace of the countryside. Let us know how it goes!
Gina hayes, how was your trip?
Angela Crawford Fabulous!!! Comf, relaxing, we loved it, now ready to go home Chicago to Reno, still have to put up with the crappy food ☹️☹️☹️
@@ginahayes6169im glad yall had a great time! thanks for the heads up about the food! We will be sure to bring snacks!
@@ginahayes6169 h
"they connect most mayor cities in the continent of the united states"
It’s a goal of mine to ride Amtrak on a cross country round trip. I’m not going anyplace I’ve never been before,I just want the train travel experience.
The train is such a great way to travel,train folks are more laid back than airplane people [3,000+ on board fights this year,2021,from Jan to june,alone]..I;ve met so many wonderful people on trains,i love the click clack sound,it relaxes me
Me and my friends have taken the train to see our favorite bands,all over America,and it makes on memorable tri...viva trains
What's going on with the zephyr thru denver it shows nothing available for the year!?
disclaimer-the auto train DOES NOT have multiple stops. just lorton va and sanford fl
I actually ride Amtrak from New Jersey to Vancouver Canada or to Montreal or Toronto for I have families in all three provinces and actually live part time in Toronto the trip to Vancouver is as imagined a bear
Is there an observation car on the trains from NY to New Orleans?
Thank you so much for the video. I have done the trip from wash DC to Chicago-to LA. And wash, DC, to Chicago - Portland, but now I want to go Brownsville, do I Take the train to Chicago- San Antonio, but how do I get to Brownsville, can you ease let me know if there is a bus connector, thank you so much.
The only nit to pick is about Auto-Train. Your map shows Orlando as an end point, but it's not. The terminus is Sanford, a city about twenty-five miles to the north. This is also true of Washington, but Lorton is a little closer to D.C. and in the suburban area. Disneyworld is forty miles from Sanford, on the far side of Orlando.
Deseo llegar a Chicago estar 2 días y tomar un tren a Nueva York, pará luego tomar un tren hasta Miami. 2 trenes en total
Nice video! I just have to clarify one thing you said at 2:11, the assertion that Amtrak is "meant to be a money-making company." That's a common misperception, but it's untrue. It was never expected to make a profit, and the law creating Amtrak was amended in 1978 to make that explicit. The congressional report language accompanying the bill underlined it: "This amendment recognizes that Amtrak is not a for-profit corporation." You can read more about it here: www.railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/blog/no-amtrak-does-not-have-to-make-a-profit/
Interesting, Jim. Thanks for the clarification. And what is true is that if it's losing money it's unlikely to be adding lines and routes...! :/
I've never taken a train trip. I've thought of taking the Texas Eagle from Fort Worth to LA, out and back. I don't really want to disembark in LA, I just want to ride the train. Is that something people do, just ride the train without getting off at a destination to do things?
I certainly would. If the schedules work out you could just stay in the station in LA for a few hours (or whatever?) until the next train out.
I am doing it in a few weeks. I have a week long trip. Two nights are in hotels just so I can make my connecting train. Sometimes travel is about the destination, but this trip is all about the journey.
@@msspider766 Agreed! Sounds great, and hotels are fun too 👍 Enjoy!
@@T1DWanderer Thanks! The hard part is going to be making that 525a (or so) departure. Time for an all nighter!
L.A. is the end of that line, so you would HAVE to get off of the train there, if you're going to ride it that far. Also, pay attention to what days that train operates because it doesn't operate every day.
Can you buy a trip say LA to NY and stop in say KC for a few days, then continue on to Chicago, and stay for a few days, get back on and head to NY, or do you have to buy the various single tickets?
I believe you have to buy separate tickets for a trip like that.
So let me get this straight. I book a Mixed Class Value Fare. The San Jose-LA via Bakersfield is Unreserved, the Los Angeles-Lamy-Los Angles is in Coach and the Coast Starlight back to LA is in Business Class.
Since Business Class is the highest fare I would be able to cancel or change the ticket for 100 percent refund just prior to departure?
If so its worth the $30 upgrade fee to Business Class from LA-SJ to get a 100 percent refund up until before departure.
Thanks
How do I make reservations for the dining car
Great video. I've tried to use the Amtrak website as you suggest but this website doesn't seem to be working on either of my tablets. Please could you let me know how much it costs to go from Washington DC to San antonio, on the 9th, 10th or 11th of October, which ever is cheapest. I want a sleeper carnage all the way with no food. If it's costs a lot more than by air then I will go by air. I am desperate to get to San antonio, I'm coming from the UK. I don't seem to be getting anywhere with what I'm trying to do, please could you help with this?
I have had problems with the website when using Safari; if you're doing that I'd suggest another browser. Otherwise, it seems to be working in Chrome here. They also have an app you can download that should work all right
@@T1DWanderer Thank you for replying to my question. I have tried the Chrome and another Google browser but have had no luck. I never knew that Amtrak had an App I'll give that a try, thank you. My tablet is seven years old now, perhaps that is why I can't get onto Amtraks website. Thank you again.
Just wondering, taking a trip from The Villages Florida to Portland, "Or, then stay overnight in San Francisco. I'm noticing arriving in Chicago is anywhere from 4 to 9 hours late, so we miss our connection to Washington D.C.. What is the policy if we miss our connection.? A provided Hotel ??
I think it's decided on a case by case basis. I've begun to think that planning a night in a hotel at each stop is the safest bet
Amtrak has a lot of holes.
Do I have to check in my luggage when riding multiple trains? What do you mean by multiple trains in Amtrak?
I am afraid to travel by air during pandemic as passengers are seated close to each other. Is travel by train better? Is Amtrak occupancy rate is lower now.? How to check route occupancy rate on amtrak? Thanks