What Amtrak Does Better Than Anybody Else But No One Understands
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
- What Amtrak does better than anyone else.
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We break down how the Amtrak staff, Amtrak food, and Amtrak routes compare to other train systems and where they could improve. We find the Amtrak staff to be among the best in the industry and the Amtrak dining is also at the top of the charts if you are partaking of the traditional dining.
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Amtrak deserves credit for what it does well. Thanks for giving them this credit.
When I did my 12 day trip last year I was on 5 different trains. I called the 800 number and they booked my sleepers for the entire trip including a ThroughWay bus from Stockton to Sacramento to catch the CZ. When my cousin decided to join me he called the 800 number and was able to get tickets as the 2nd person in my sleeper. Easy peasy. The on train staff was also great.
Their attendants are second to none 👍
Yes many are wonderful but not all-just like us humans.
My father, when he was alive, he used to call to buy his train tickets, while I used the app to buy my train tickets.
A lot of what you point out is why it's truly hard to compare rail travel in the US with rail travel elsewhere. The distances are just a magnitude LONGER in the United States and the rail system in Europe and Asia functions much more like the airline systems do in the CONUS: a way of "getting from one place to another" as opposed to a "vacation" or sight-seeing trip. So, when people say, "Well, Europe has this type of rail system, why don't we?" a big chunk of the answer is simply an "Apples vs. Oranges" type of comparison. And, if we did get a comparable European rail experience, many Americans would not be happy with it.
One thing I wish Amtrak would do is to play to it's strengths. The "Traditional Dining" has basically disappeared anywhere but the Western multi-day routes. I miss having breakfast in the dining car on a classic "Night Train"/Sleeper Route like the Capitol Limited. Yeah, I can still go by the "Cafe Car" and get my cup of coffee and a muffin and sit and eat it at a table (again in the Cafe Car usually), but it misses all the charm of sitting at a table with new people and eating the old "Railroad French Toast" and sipping coffee out of a ceramic mug. The classic "Dining Car" experience was a selling point for a lot of people, but it's pretty much gone east of the Mississippi river.
I could say the same thing about the outside of the cars... You ride Amtrak TO SEE the countryside around you, but Amtrak has scaled back it's "Car Washing" maintenance operations meaning that you are looking through grime at the world around you.
It seems "penny smart but pound dumb" to me.
Yes!! What travelers don't understand is how vast the continental U.S. is compared to European countries. I don't think there will be coast to coast high speed rail in my lifetime. Preparing cooked meals on trains requires a lot of logistics. I've been riding U.S. trains since the '50's & have always heard railroads were losing money in dining cars. Before the '90's Amtrak once charged for meal service for all passengers. The only complimentary refreshments for Amtrak's 1st class passengers were coffee, tea, and juice which was served between 6:30-9 AM with a newspaper. When meals became complimentary, Amtrak increased their accommodation fees for sleeper car passengers. Those Sleeper Car passengers who've requested meals served in their rooms would have them served on trays with China, not to go bags, sparing dropped meals in transit by car attendants. Those who've purchased tickets to ride in vintage Slumber Cars (spartan version of a Roomette) did not get complimentary meals. Menu selections were once different on most of Amtrak's overnight trains. Via Rail is doing a great job with their long-distance 65+ year vintage cars. I'm sure it's costly at keeping them in good running condition which explains their inflated 1st class fares. The Canadian is on everyone's bucket list. A good thing is Amtrak still will make good for those who've missed connecting trains by putting their passengers up in hotels overnight. I still call Amtrak's reservation center in order to reserve specific rooms in sleeper cars-something which can't be done online or on their app.
I'm not sure if the same is done in other countries.
I've never been on Amtrak. I've only heard negatives. This was interesting. Thank you.
I've only used the app once to go from San Diego to LA and back, and it was great. I booked two one-way tickets for the trip. I bought the SD to LA leg before leaving home. But I didn't buy the return trip ticket right away because I wasn't how long I would be in LA. When I was ready to come home, I stood on the platform and bought my ticket 10 minutes before the train departed. Easy-peasy.
The SBB app for the Swiss rail system is amazing. Easy to use, real-time schedules and updates, and easy planning tools.
We were excited to take the Adirondack (Amtrak) from NYC to Montreal this month (May) but Amtrak contacted us on short notice to tell us that they cancelled the route for approximately 2 months. No reason given. We suspect the reason is overdue track maintenance north of the border. Instead of an 11 hour scenic train ride, it cost us an extra $30 to take the 90 minute flight on Air Canada.
Sorry that this happened to you. Yes, the tracks need lots of work. I rode the Adirondack in early April; my last trip had been November of 2019, and then the pandemic happened. I hope that the Adirondack really does come back by July. Montreal in summertime is great! I hope that the extra $30 that you paid for that flight will come back to you in loads. Have a good day.
Thanks for the good words for Amtrak. We took a couple of long distance trains in March and we had no problems except we arrived into L A an hour early! It was very early in the morning. 😴🥰
Thank you for recognizing Amtrak for its positives. I truly love Amtrak as a whole.
Booked my first trips on the app-- Southwest Chief LA to Chicago and Missouri River Run Chicago to Kansas City. Roomette from LA and coach to KC. Using the app was a breeze for me. It also came in handy to get status updates. Many thanks to you for inspiring this trip and for all of your expertise which played a large role in me traveling safely and cost efficiently. I was so much in the know my sleeper car neighbor, also a first-timer, thought I was a seasoned Amtrak when I showed her features like the closet and shower. You two are amazing teacher. Thank you again.
Pity Japan has abolished dining-cars. Back in the 70s the Shinkansen had a dining-car catered by the Imperial Hotel. I still have a receipt.
I always use the app to buy my train tickets. I learned that from watching one of your early videos. It took me a minute to figure it out. I am glad you mentioned the staff, Amtrak staff is very nice.❤
Wow! I will appreciate Amtrak even more after all of your info! One big thing I would say where Amtrak could really shine even more would be to keep the windows at least sprayed down!
There are reasons behind the complexity of the Japanese train system, but I have finally learned to add the Shinkansen tickets to my phone. Just tap your phone at the gate and go. No paper tickets to deal with. There are ways to simplify your train journeys in Japan.
Thanks for all your videos! I’ve been binge watching them because I’m taking my first Amtrak trip in June. Super excited and feel more prepared because of the information you provide 😄👏🏻✨
I recently took my first Amtrak trip, the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle. Originally booked a roommette, but got lucky when attempting to place a bid for bid up, and got a bedroom for a VERY cheap instant upgrade. I can't say enough positive things about my experience, everything was absolutely wonderful and I certainly am looking forward to my next trip!
Thank you guys for all of your videos, they have been immensely helpful in planning and making my first trip successful! Keep up the good work!
Easily booked my NE corridor train online, and then when I got to the station way earlier than expected, the ticket agent got me on the currently-boarding train in about 2 minutes. The ticket agents are very competent. After dealing with airline agents and wait times, Amtrak changes are easy!
The ticketing process on Brightline was very easy and not at all confusing. Their food was good too, and is served to you at your seat.
Two comments about VIA:
1. I did see somebody in a berth get meals delivered by the room attendant. She did have mobility issues though so I guess they made an exception.
2. I find berths to be a super good value compared to Amtrak. No room though, but spacious and meals are included. It obviously varies with the exchange rate but the Ocean wasn’t much when I took it last fall.
I took VIA Rail's Canadian 11 years ago from Toronto to Vancouver, and it was the best 4 days I've ever spent. Everything you say about VIA is spot on - the crew were great, every passenger had their own story to tell, and the views as we travelled west were spectacular. This year I'll be taking the California Zephyr to Chicago, then a few days later, the Capitol Limited to D.C. - from what I've seen from your own travels, it's going to be every bit as good. Cheers!
What do you mean 'Continental Breakfast'? Those countries (Italy, etc.) are located 'on the Continent', from a British perspective...
Ok, seriously, Amtrak is great and so is their app, their attendants, their food, and overall experience, in my opinion.
Just recently finished a trip Sacramento - Los Angeles - Chicago and back to Sacramento, and everything was great.
Thanks for giving Amtrak the credit they deserve!
Appreciate your thoughts! I recently did my first train rides in Britain, Scotland and Ireland. Booking ahead for most of it directly on an app seemed like it would work, but just didn't meet my particular plans. However, I did book the Caledonian Sleeper online through and app well ahead of time. That worked nicely. Haven't tried Amtrak yet though I've explored booking through the website. Sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't. Of course, I am trying "draft" purchases to explore possibilities which is different from having a specific planned trip and directly buying a specific ticket.
When we took the Hoosier State to Chicago (no more Hoosier State :-( then the Chief to La, then the Surfliner to San Deigo we called and had a really nice representative help us. All went smoothly. We had bedrooms on the Chief to and from. Would not go any other way except bedrooms. The food then - 2014, was really really good.
They are reintroducing a ton of new sleeper routes across Europe. Also you should try out a multi-country sleeper route(there are many options)
If you're taking more than one consecutive one way trip on Amtrak, you can easily book all of your trips at once. Also, if choose to pick up your ticket at the station - which is what I like to do if possible so I won't have to worry about losing my ticket - they'll be able to give you the tickets for all of your trips. With Greyhound, on the other hand, they'll give you only the ticket for that particular trip.
I just booked Amtrak through the website and I didn't have any issues. It was really smooth.
I took Amtrak from East Coast to West Coast in February….CZ and Empire builder home. There was very little information about what we were seeing. Maybe because it was winter? Did Via Rail 15 years ago and at that time the service was much better than Amtrak. I have no complaints about Amtrak now.
Just back from my first Amtrak trip on the Californian Zephyr and it was wonderful. Totally agree with the points you made in the video.
So gracious of you to give Amtrak its due where it shines. For every aspect that needs improvement, there’s another factor where they excel. Agree on the app for booking and paying… unless the rider needs accessible offerings. But this vid is an eye opener vis-à-vis foreign rail travel. A lesson in appreciating what we have at home.
Holy smokes! Something operated by the federal government actually performs almost like it's supposed to. Now, that is miraculous.
Transport for Wales has an excellent and easy to use app for UK train Travel. It doesn't offer choice of seat reservations but it does assigns a seat reservation for those trains without extra charge. And I appreciate you are speaking form your experience.
In Europe eating food provided by a train company is a luxury and not a standard expectation. Most European trips are 2-3 hours and most people will bring their own food.
one of my favorite unique sites on Amtrak is the random toilet in the middle of a field on the Southwest Chief. you can see it sitting on the left side of train 3 right as you join onto the Chilli Sub at CP 1850 (opposite for train 4) so that’s a little west of Galesburg. according to the people I met on the train that toilet has been sitting there for upwards of 10 years.
To be fair to other countries, while they do what they do very well and it suits their population(s), we're kind of an edge case. This country is HUGE (in comparison to other developed nations) with ridiculous levels of biome diversity (temperate rain forest, desert, plains, tundra, woodland, 200+ mountain ranges, etc). Four or five of the biggest cities in the world and the most productive agricultural regions in the world, in one country. If Amtrak had the right of way on modernized tracks, many people wouldn't bother dealing with airport chaos. We also have very different demands and soft requirements in travel and related services. For example, not every country has over four dozen stadiums and arenas with 4 and 5-star restaurants (we're serious about our food).
I like the slower travel. I want to go to sightsee. I drive myself all the time. The train would be mine time to sightsee
I love the Amtrak app. It makes things so much easier than the days when you had to get physical tickets for each train. I do wish they'd have the actual timetables for each train easily available (with the caveat that trains may not be on time), rather than making you search for each individual station pairing. It's extremely easy to make a booking, though, and it's also easy to change or cancel online.
I would love to take some of the trips you describe. But when I recently tried to plan one based upon an AMTRAK Flash Sale at 30% off, it was a nightmare. First, I could not see where the discount was applied. The e-mail I received did not have a code or direct link for the discount and it was not mentioned on the website. Second, the Lakeshore Limited, a train you say you love, is an overnight train with a relatively short connection at Chicago that could be missed because of delays. I know, you suggest staying over until the next day. Finally, the cost of a roomette was so high, I would have been better off staying overnight at hotels along the way and buying my own meals. What a disappointment.
The thing with staying at hotels is that for Amtrak travel on the long routes, the train only goes once a day (or sometimes only 3x/week) at the exact same time, so regardless if you get off and spend a night at a hotel, you will still have to get on the next train at about the same time you got off one the night before. So you still have to spend a night on the train. No way to "skip" the overnight stretches.
Great to hear the Amtrak positives! Thank you!
I would add, that in order to choose a specific roommette or bedroom, you have to call Amtrak's phone number (vs booking online). Very easy!! Amtrak's phone representatives are great!
Also curious about comparing customer service in other countries--if there is problem, or complaint , vs Amtrak, where they take complaints quite seriously and may even compensate monetarily for them
Re: the level of on-board service---I took an overnight train, Paris to Rome, with a rude, indifferent, condescending Italian "attendant"--ugh. There are rarely Amtrak attendants /staff who are just "going through the motions" (not rude, just "meh") but in general--95% of the time-- they are, as you say, good to excellent!
Looking forward to your 'take" on trains in India--especially the sleepers. An adventure, to put it mildly!
Longer distance trains operated by ČD (Czech Republic) and PKP (Poland) have some pretty legendary dining cars. Excellent food all cooked to order, prices are completely reasonable too. Some ČD routes even offer a happy hour.
Love your positivity. I think coach would be fun to try
On a recent train ride from NOL (New Orleans), we were told to line up about 50 minutes before departure to get our seat assignments. They seated me next to a person also going to the same stop. This made it easy for the crew to find us about 10 minutes before our stop.
hi Im rose I live in japan, I follow your channel and watched ur vids..very helpful, and cant wait to try train in america from La to ny... thank u for all the videos.
Until recently, I've never had a bad experience related to Amtrak travel. I've done three round-trip, cross-country. Yes, sometimes a little late, but never missed a connection. Always booked myself on the Amtrak website. Last month, I tried to book a Portland Or to Portland Me round-trip but couldn't get the final train of the trip to load, so I gave up. That was the first negative experience I've had. Love Amtrak travel. Thanks for sharing this info!
Ditto.
I've been trying to use the app to go between NYC and Portland Oregon. I gave up.
I agree with you two. I don't find it hard to book on either the Amtrak app or the website. I tried to price a possible trip on both Via Rail and from London to Scotland, and I found it nearly impossible. I never took an overnight train in Europe, but have been on day trips in both Italy and Spain. I bought my tickets at the station. I don't remember if this was the case on Renfe in Spain, but in Italy, you have to validate the ticket before boarding. If the conductor finds you without a validated ticket, you will be fined. This was also years ago, before people could download the tickets to the phone.
UK Rail fares can be very low if you book tickets in advance. You have to monitor the sites. I have travelled London-York, for example for £5. Last minute tickets are expensive.
Had a terrible 1st experience on the California Zephyr last month. Won't do it again!
I suspected the data would confirm what I also perceived. Thank you for the comparisons; very helpful.
Just because the other systems have worse internet services, try Jay doesn't mean Amtrak's is good. Especially frustrating here on the Cardinal route, the app just says "no train on that date" and has no function to get you to the closest date. Since the train runs on two different calendar days, this means you can't always tell what calendar day I should be using.
I love your videos...when I win the lottery...WHEN....I just want to take a trip from L.A. to Chicago....lol...that's all I want to do. lol (Sleeper with a bathroom). lol
I love traveling on the train but the attendants are very good about 50% of the time based on my experience.
I do like the ease with which I can book my commutes on Amtrak.
As far as internet service goes, the train pulls the internet from the cell towers near the train. So it will not be as fast as high speed broadband at your home.
US is. BIG! Takes days to cross, Europe, Japan ect are shorter trips. I look forward to Amtrak trips in Retirement! As a solo traveler, is coach okay or would it be worth 1 person getting a roomette
Thanks for this - looking forward to experiencing Amtrak for the first time later this year
We did a trip on ViaRail about 10 years ago from Toronto to Jasper, AB. Our travel dates were open, and I'd read somewhere that there were some great last-minute deals. We ended up getting tickets at 50% off for a sleeper car. Not sure if that's an option anymore.
Love you guys - so smart & sweet & common sense. Thank you
I’m disappointed at how they handled my complaints. First, my roomette car was 85+ degrees for about 24 hours: I had a bad headache for more than a third of my trip. The assistant conductor told us to call. Then, my room attendant knocked my hearing aids off the area they were in the charger near the only plug, and damaged them. One hearing aid was not working and cracked. It’s currently being repaired and I’ve been without it for a month, and the office is inconveniently not close to my home. When I got a call from Customer Relations, I was told the attendant didn’t file a report so there was nothing they could do! I had told her I was reporting the incident so she should do what was required on her end. SO it’s just my word against hers? They emailed me a $100 voucher off my NEXT trip. That is not enough to entice me to train again, unfortunately. Any suggestions for better complaint filing?
We just did the Texas eagle - hopped on in St Louis. Not a fan of the flexible dining. We had done the Canada via rail several years ago and we did not remember the ride being as rough as this one. We had a bedroom and glad we had the extra space especially since there wasn't an observation car. Once we joined the sunset limited the food improved with the traditional dining and having the observation car was so nice. It was amazing how grumpy some people got if you sat in "their" seat. We did get a little motion sick which I didn't expect. Amazingly the train was on time.
Amtrak vs ViaRail, At least I can book a trip fully across the country journey in the north of the USA, in one booking with Amtrak. ViaRail I need to book at least two trips NS to Toronto and then Toronto to Vancouver. Based on my knowledge of Trains in Japan, which isn't much, most of Japanese trains being Shinkansen Bullet trains, or tourist or over-nighters do you really need a meal on them. Amtrak wins because the overnight routes even in top sleeper prices are cheaper, and many more than just four routes that are just tourist related, than the four overnight trains in Australia
Thanks for the information. Good video.
Thanks so much and Hail to AMTRAK. Your Video about bookings and Railway Amenities on Amtrak is far Superior to international traveling. I really enjoy engaging with the Staff on AMTRAK. AMTRAK does have Greater Customer service than that of other Countries. Love your Videos 😊
Thanks very informative.
Amatrack has a 30% off sale right now. 5/17 for summer travel June through August I believe. Is this more common than those bigger discounts? 🤔
I was spoiled with Germany's train system in the mid 80s. I hear it's no where near as punctual as back then.
Have you done a video on when or how often Amtrack does a 50% or better sale?
The coolest train I've ever heard of is out of London, Kings Cross Station from platform 9- 3/4. 😉👍
We rode the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Inverness. We were glad to have the experience, but we would not do it again. Inadequate breakfast, "suite" was only a door that opened between the two adjacent rooms. Ladder was bolted to the beds, so it was difficult to get into the bunks.
I agree with most of your points, but their can be problems with booking some trips on the Amtrak website. For example, If I'm going from Dearborn to Boston, Amtrak used to allow people to take the Wolverine from Dearborn to Chicago, and then take the Lakeshore Limited from Chicago to Boston. Now I have to book two separate trips. If I book it as one trip, then Amtrak would force me to take a bus from Dearborn to Toledo, wait several hours in Toledo, and board the Lakeshore Limited at 3 in the morning if it's on time. Maybe Amtrak charges more by making people book this as two separate trips, but it is annoying.
Have you guys thought of doing the Trans Siberian train route?
they need to revamp and or do away with the flexible menu. the Texas Eagle which goes from Chicago to LA through San Antonio still only gives you the flexible from Chicago to SA. the train that runs from New Orleans to Chicago (via SA) drops the traditional for flexible at SA and let me tell you, those passengers were PISSED! at the loss of 'good' meals for microwave 7-11 food.
You guys need to collab with Kara and Nate!
I totally thought the answer was going to be "show up late AF to every single stop.
Amtrak blows chunks!!!!
Swiss Rail has lively food service - or they did 25 years ago. My Caledonian Sleeper experience was a HUGE disappointment. And if the weather is bad, postpone your train travel to Cornwall (bus replacement service is not a treat).
Great Video as ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a quick question for you experts, I saw a video of yours, a couple of years ago... about
tipping on Amtrak,,,, Could you do a update on tipping again please??? Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Other trains might have worse (or no) app but that doesn't really make Amtrak's good. You have to call in to make specific requests (like a specific roomette) and in my experience it was pretty hard to get a specific route set up if you are doing more than just riding one specific train from to points that are both on that train route.
I am having trouble trying to book a multi-train trip on the website. Every time, after I add one train to my "cart", it disappears when I try to add the second train. In other words, it is only letting me book one train at a time. What am I (or the website) doing wrong?
We just did the Southwest Chief. Going west out of Newton KS for the 1st time ever in our train travel we had a bad experience with the attendant in the dining car. My wife and I were introducing our bro/sis-in-law to train travel and that was not a good intro for them. However on the return trip the entire staff shined! There was an abundance of elk and they announced all the time where to see them. Also informed us of other interesting tidbits along the way like you were describing for the Zephyr. Both over the intercom as well as personally walking thru the aisle. We still love Amtrak but that dining car experience was a bust for us.
Thank you. Very good and honest assessment.
Greetings! I am a fan of your channel! I need some advice. I will be traveling solo and am wondering if getting a backpack with anti theft would be a good idea?
My wife and I took via rail from Edmonton to Vancouver.
It took us less time to travel to Vancouver than it took to book the tickets.
Via rail is a crown corporation and like any other government departments in any country the primary objective is to confuse the population.
I've always enjoyed your videos and find your detailed tape-measure info very helpful. I was wondering if you've ever checked the headroom in the Superliner rooms or anywhere throughout the cars. I am curious as to what the ceiling height is in the Superliners. Thank you
Just curious: Did you folks consider using a VPN to “pretend” your location was Japan, so you could book the sleeper train?
I had seen one of your earlier videos where you were in Chicago and had tried a new (for you) pizza place. You both ended up liking it. What was the name of that restaurant please? I'll be traveling to Chicago for the first time & I want to try a Chicago style pizza. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing
Eurail Pass??? Multiple countries but one rail pass that covers them all that are in the EU. Unless it's because you aren't native speakers of the language which maybe the reason. What about Australia, have you ever done the Ghan, Indian Pacific, etc or any of the other overnight services such as Rovos Rail, Andean Explorer or any of the Belmond trains(yes I am aware they are a class above or even a couple classes above but they are still beautiful trains and overnight journeys.
The hallways look narrow on amtrack. Could you show us how to navigate them? Thanks
Thanks for all the info about the trains. In one of your other videos you mention an adapter that you have for sale. I am wondering if it is a surge protector? I am looking for one to take on a cruise. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Having gone from Baltimore to Miami in a roomette, please advise travelers to NEVER book a roomette over a bolster, especially if the train has to travel on stick rail like the RF&P. You will NOT get any sleep.
How do you know which roomettes are over a bolster? And can you request a particular roomette when booking?
Maybe I'm too stupid,but I'm not able to book several trips at once in the app. I have to choose a ride......purchase. Next trip....purchase. And so on.....
I can't put several rides into the basket and pay. Ot it's just me.......🤷🏼♂️
What do you recommend for knowing what sights you are seeing on the train?
I prefer the website over the app. Is there a difference between the iPhone app and the Android app? Regardless, clicking on schedules on the app takes you to the website. What would help picking a train route would be if Amtrak reinstated the traditional timetable vs. the pathetic "personal timetable" they currently have. I understand not printing paper timetables to give out, but what's wrong with putting a pdf file up on the website and letting the customer print it if they want?
Hey thought about an Indian trip???
Comparing trains in the US to other countries really isn't fair. The two of you look at trains as a destination, whereas every other country treats them as transportation. You recently gave a bad review for the new Borealis train, yet it's modeled after the only three profitable runs on the East Coast.
Tourism isn't going to make money for Amtrak. Instead, they need to focus more on "commuter" routes. If they can make enough to get into the black with those, maybe they can then subsidize the tourist routes.
When I take Amtrak it is not as a tourist. If the Amtrak schedule fits my needs at the time it is preferrable to air or car. It is certainly safer and more comfortable and less stressful than either. #1&2 reasons(either order) are virtually no TSA with all it's restrictions and time consumption and the generous luggage allowance with almost no chance of lost luggage. Unlike air travel. you arrive between 30min to an hour, or prehaps a little more ahead of boarding depending upon the station. Amtrak stations in medium to large cities are in old time downtowns which are ofte near to business and/or tourist sites so hotels are nearby and transit is easily available( often cabs will station nearby when arrivals are scheduled.) Amtrak serves many locations where air travel is not convenient or requires multiple connections.
Can one person do a sleeper car and does it cost less?
The sleeper car is a set price(for one). An additional person strangely enough isn't double the price tho. Go figure!
Nice!
Does Amtrak have good air conditioning in the summer for sleeper cars? and if it doesn’t work can they move you to another room?
So you two seem to take it in instride. Is it because you have traveled this route b4. Or that you are o k waiting for someone to help.
I cannot imagine having an attractive booked to meet up with an excursion and it is late 😊
Have you two both talked about people who are handicapped and please. I have some meds needed to be refrigerated can I use them. I do need a shower chair for shower and get round on the trains.
You will not be able to move around the train if on a superliner which is 2 floor cars if in a wheelchair. The handicap bedroom is on the 1rst floor, but the dinning car and observation car is on the 2nd floor and no elevators or lifts from the 1rst floor to the 2nd floor, only stairs available. The sleeper car attendent can bring your dinning to your Ada bedroom.
There's a TH-camr named "bald and bankrupt" that posts occasional passenger train videos, such as the BAM: "The BAM: Russia's Unknown Trans-Siberian Train". Probably the longest (in the world) sleeper trains are located in Russia. But other countries have overnight sleeper trains: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Australia, India, Argentina, Malaysia, Indonesia, to name a few. Cuba has had passenger train routes, but the tracks are in need of repair. May not be running currently, due to lack of diesel fuel.
Bald and Bankrupt is a sleazy, sketchy person according to rumors I've heard (he was friends w/ another YTer I follow). B and B was kicked out of Russia a year or 2 ago and banned from returning. There's a real good YT channel with European train reviews called Simply Railway, hosted by a French train lover named Thibault. He's particularly fond of overnight sleeper trains and has plenty of videos on those.
@@SarahRenz59 Yes, Simply Railway offers interesting train videos. In particular, the "Santa Claus Express" sleeper train filmed in Finland may be of interest. YT: "Nonstop Eurotrip" recently posted a 4-day train video from Kazakhstan.
Will I be able to plug up my phone in one of the bedrooms?
Yes, but if you need to plug in more than 1 device at a time, bring a small power strip.
🙏🙏👍👍
Amtrak shut down my App after I changed my ticket.
When you have a monopoly... $$$$$$$$$$$$
I've used the website to book - but not since COVID. I have no problems with getting my Amtrak tickets. I always get a room if available - otherwise - business is my choice, but it's not an overnight.
The complaint about AMTRAK being late is mostly the host rail tracks' fault. Amtrak does have faulty equipment once in a while - but mostly it is congestion on the tracks. Plus the idiots that pull out in front of trains [all trains] - it has a ripple effect all through the area of the incident.
I've been following a YT through Japan [and he can also speak the language] and he's always having to get food to take with him, explain to the person at the ticket window where he needs to go and are there reservations if he wants a seat on a certain side of the train? He's travelling to out of the way places - not necessarily from large city to large city.. Just like you said, but he can also communicate and he doesn't always get what he really wants.