Support NeoGAF

[Arkos]

So I was supposed to take a trip from NC to DC recently and it got canceled due to the storm, anybody ever done that? It was like 8 hours.

Also, since I'm not planning on riding any time soon (and mods let me know if this is inappropriate please) what is the deal with taking AN INNOCUOUS SUBSTANCE on Amtrak? I have heard such varying things, I wasn't going to do it just to be safe, but if anyone has any input I'd be interested

Edit: Oh great, top of page, wonderful. I meant to say that I don't use any illegal substances.

 

[biggersmaller]

Took Amtrak from Minneapolis to New Mexico after taking it to Chicago several times. It was utter shit for the many of the same reasons flying sucks, without the added benefit of traveling at 500 mph:

Trains were late, service sucked ass, food/drinks were expensive (albeit tasted better), and there are weird ass 'train people' you have to deal with. You know, people who really fucking love trains.

 

[p_xavier]

I love travelling by train, recently I did Ottawa to Vancouver through Montreal, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. As long as you travel first class it's great. You meet people have a few hours to visit cities etc.

 

[Jeff Albertson]

And this thread just made me realise that England is indeed very small

I have to travel to the other end of the country for work on Wednesday and decided the train journey at 5 hours was far too long so I'm flying which takes an hour.

Those private rooms look pretty swish though

 

[JBourne]

I took a train from VA to Boston a couple months ago. The trip up was really pleasant. The stops were infrequent, and our car stayed pretty empty the entire time. My only issue was that they blocked all streaming services on their wifi, so I had to set up a hotspot to use Netflix.

The trip back was significantly worse. Constant stops, car full of people who would go out and smoke at every one (I usually don't mind the smell, but all of it mixed together in a traincar was like death), rude staff, passengers coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths. It was a wretched experience.

Get a private room.

 

[The Technomancer]

Love it personally. Both scenic and relaxing in my experience. Slower then flying and a tad expensive but when I can afford it I really like the train

 

[Manmademan]

Took it from philly to boston for PAX. Better than driving because I could get work done. But to LA? Forget about it. Get over your hangups and take a plane.

 

[IceCold]

Take a Xanax or something and fly. You are going to waste ~5 days of your time just to commute. fuck that.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

So I was supposed to take a trip from NC to DC recently and it got canceled due to the storm, anybody ever done that? It was like 8 hours.

Also, since I'm not planning on riding any time soon (and mods let me know if this is inappropriate please) what is the deal with taking weed on Amtrak? I have heard such varying things, I wasn't going to do it just to be safe, but if anyone has any input I'd be interested

Edit: Oh great, top of page, wonderful. I meant to say that I don't use any illegal substances.

Did Philly to Virginia. Wasn't bad. 6 hours. My only issue was having to switch locomotives in dc (electric to diesel and vice versa). Far better than having to make the drive and cheaper than flying and more relaxing than either.

 

[royalan]

Take a Xanax or something and fly. You are going to waste ~5 days of your time just to commute. fuck that.

Took it from philly to boston for PAX. Better than driving because I could get work done. But to LA? Forget about it. Get over your hangups and take a plane.

Not really asking for advice on how to suck it up for air travel. Thank you tho,

Thanks to everyone who read the OP and shared their experiences on train travel? I'm enjoying the feedback and considering all of it.

 

[Chili]

I think some people are confusing metro trips or local trains with the comfort and relaxing atmosphere of the long-distance Amtrak trains. Flying is such an inelegant way of travelling. It's about getting from A to B as quick as possible and that's it. Great if you're in a hurry, but taking the train is about slowing down and relaxing. It's not about getting somewhere, it's about how you get there. The Amtrak isn't particularly luxurious, but it is very comfortable and offers a great way to see the beautiful country instead of just flying over it.

Don't listen to the people who say you will be bored. You won't be. The scenery passing by your window will keep you interested, as will the folks on the train, chatting with your fellow travellers in the dining car and chilling out in the lounge car. By all means take books, your tablet and consoles but you'll be surprised how little you will turn to them.

Do you know which route you will be taking? I guess the Southwest Chief from Chicago? I have taken the California Zephyr from San Francisco to Chicago and it was one of the most wonderful train journeys I have taken. I've also had the pleasure of journeying on the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight and Lakeshore Limited. Amtrak service staff were always excellent and the coaches have always been extremely comfortable. Even if you don't have a sleeper the seats are insanely spacious on the long distance trains.

 

[Baron Aloha]

I traveled from Atlanta to Baltimore once and from Baltimore to New York another time. I had a blast both times. Folks just seem more social on long train rides. I met a few people on each trip and had interesting and funny conversations with them both times and I'm not exactly an extrovert.

 

[Jayayess1190]

I love trains, the longest journey done has been the Auto Train and the Silver Star from Philly to Winter Park. It is well worth it. I would love to do a cross-country train journey.

 

[goodcow]

Even if you don't have a sleeper the seats are insanely spacious on the long distance trains.

They're spacious, but for any multi-day trip, I would strongly advocate for the sleeper. I can't fall asleep in coach, and the lack of a shower without a sleeper ticket does make you feel disgusting. Even after 20 hours on the Lakeshore Limited, by the time I get to Chicago I feel pretty gross.

 

[Ra\/en]

Longest train ride i took was Paris --> Munich. It was about 6-7 hours I believe. I enjoyed it for the first 3-4 hours, but after a while I just kinda got bored.

I definitely prefer flying. Often more crowded and you have to deal with airports, but at least it is faster.

 

[UrokeJoe]

Did a train, automobile, and plane trip once. The train part sucked ass because of the frequent stops.

 

[Chili]

They're spacious, but for any multi-day trip, I would strongly advocate for the sleeper. I can't fall asleep in coach, and the lack of a shower without a sleeper ticket does make you feel disgusting. Even after 20 hours on the Lakeshore Limited, by the time I get to Chicago I feel pretty gross.

Oh, absolutely. Take the sleeper option if you can. I was travelling on the rail pass which just includes the base ticket and you can only upgrade to the sleeper if they have room when you are already on board.

 

[SecretMoblin]

I've gone from Minneapolis to Chicago via train a few times and took a ride from the Twin Cities to Portland and Seattle (via Amtrak) as a young teenager. I get that parts of it may seem idyllic, but the scenery from Philly to LA is going to be mostly boring. Trips through the mountains are really the only remarkable aspect to the scenery. I love it here in the Midwest but beauty is not one of its strengths.

If you have enough to occupy yourself with and are able to carve out your own personal space on the train, then it should be fine. But a few of the issues you have with flying are there with train travel, too.

If you take Amtrak it sure as hell ain't going to be romantic, even if you spend most of it sauced to your eyeballs, unless... (see points below)

I've taken a train from Connecticut to North Carolina (Amtrak) and it was pretty awful. The trip was supposed to take 11ish hours each way, but due to delays and having to share the track with freighters (Amtrak has to give way apparently), the trip back was closer to 27 hours. Uncomfortable seating, irritable staff, under-stocked dining car. Miserable trip.

On the other hand, I've also taken the Trans-Mongolian-->Trans-Siberian for a nice leisurely 2 week trip and what I wanted from it (and got) was exactly what you want from train travel: romanticism. Going by train is old world, but it feels very cool and adventurous.

So, I think you should go for it, and you can achieve that 'feel' you want to experience, but only if you prepare yourself.

1) Expect and accept delays and just roll with it
2) Bring tons of train/mystery books to occupy you
3) Talk to people. Seriously. It'll spice up your journey.
4) Mark out things to look for on your route (landmarks, historical spots, nature points, etc.)/get a guide book
5) Spend a little extra money to treat yourself if you can dining car/room-wise

or

6) If you don't have much money, pack yourself lots of treats (food, drink, etc.)

^

all of this, excellent.