Using Amtrack for USA travel?

murphydog999

Has anyone used Amtrack for any length of time for USA travel? Been looking at a few routes, Seattle to L.A. / New York to Miami, stopping off for a couple of days along the routes, has anyone any experiences?

Many thanks

cabbage

Hi

i've just come back from America. We travelled Amtrak from Seattle to Chicago and then Chicago to New York. Both trains were late running. The line is owned by Canadian Pacific for their freight trains and they usually take priority over the route.

We were so late into Chicago that instead of having 5 hours there we had less than one hour.

The route from Seattle to Chicago takes in the Rockies. Sometimes they have guides from Trails and Rails giving talks but they didn't board our train.

The sleeping compartments are compact and bijou (ie you have to open the door to put your shoes on). The tickets we had included all meals and the food was good and hearty.

The route from Seattle to Chicago took 2 nights with another night between Chicago and New York.

Have a look at https://www.seat61.com for some ideas and videos

angelil

We used Amtrak in February to travel from New York City to Washington DC for a 2-night stay before returning to NYC.

We had an excellent experience. While the ticketing system is slightly bewildering to a newbie, this was really the only downside. The trains ran on time right down to the minute, seating was spacious and comfortable, the free wifi was great, and it is SO affordable (NYC-DC is a 3hour journey, and it was only $100 each return - and for that we got some excellent scenery thrown in too).

Would recommend to others, and we would do it again ourselves too.

agrinnall

My advice would be to scrutinise the timetables carefully, you may find yourself having to board or get off in the wee small hours at intermediate stops.

martindow

Seat61

http://seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm

is an excellent resource for details of international travel.

My experience is limited to NY to DC and it was a very pleasant way to travel. I'm not sure how typical an earlier poster's experience of good timekeeping is. Both of my trains were late and long distance trains can be hours late apparently.

claire16c

I did NYC to DC and trains were on time.

Seats bigger and much comfier than in the UK. Book in advance to get the cheapest fares.

I also joined their frequent traveler programme as I could earn American Airlines miles through it.

Their trains can most definitely be late though, just the same as here.