I usually get the roomette, I'm a solo traveler, However most of my awake time is in the lounge car. where there is room and you meet a lot of people. Always made a couple of new friends. Priceless
We had a really lazy sleeping car attendant on the Silver Meteor. He grumbled when we asked to dine in our room. He never showed up to get our room ready for the night. I complained to Amtrak Customer Service and received a $500 voucher.
We must have had the same attendant as you on the Silver Meteor. We had to turn down the beds our selves also! He asked us what time we wanted him to do it but he never showed up. I never thought to complain though.
I just love this couple they provide so much information that helps and guide you for you’re train travel. I’m from Cincinnati and we have the Cardinal. I’ll be traveling to Chicago this summer.
Same here. I'm across the river from you in KY had have watched their videos religiously because we are planning our first trip to Chicago this year. It's nice to have a little insight of what to expect. 😊
I have a special spot in my heart for the Cardinal. I am from Cincinnati aknd I am old enough to remember when Union terminal was a busy place with many trains coming and going any day. Now the Cardinal is the only train that goes through there and that makes me sad.
I just wish the Cardinal ran daily. It’s so convenient and affordable. I can get on a block from my hose here in Maysville, KY at about 11:30 pm , sleep most of the way to Chicago, and have breakfast before the train arrives.
Roomette top bunk sort of like being in an MRI machine. We got two bedrooms and had the wall pushed back. Lots of room!! Pricey, but worth it if this is your trip of a life time.
I can only speak for the Viewliners but nothing even close to the experience of a.head MRI in an old machine. My fiance and I found the Viewliner Roomette to be quite spacious due to how well thought out it was. I has the upper bunk and didn't find it tight at all.
For one person the roomettes are great. More than enough room to be comfortable. For two people, not so much. You had better be very close to your roommate because you will be very close to your roommate! 😁
Agreed. I have traveled in a Viewliner roomette with my husband. Enough space, albeit snug, for two half days with an overnight in between. But: we have traveled in small RVs and lived in express-style hotel rooms while away on business, been married for 25 years and lived together 15 years before that, and have a respectful relationship. Even with all that, we agreed to only use the roomette toilet if there was an emergency.
@@trishoconnor2169 Ha, ha. I wouldn't go that far, but both the roomette or bedroom require that there be no more than one person that is plus-sized or has limited agility.
My fiance and I took Amtrak for the first time in November. We had a Roomette on a Viewliner and found it to be quite roomy and comfortable. She's not exactly a tiny woman either. We had a Viewliner I on the way up, Viewliner II on the way back. Definitely prefer the Viewliner II. We both agreed to use the toilet in the hallway. We didn't want the trip to end.
Last year my train (Southwest Chief Chi to LA) was cancelled due to downed trees on the track, leaving me stranded in Chicago partway through my trip. Amtrak put me and hundreds of other travellers up in a nice hotel for the night and then refunded my points plus about 15000, the very next day.
Last September I was contacted by an Amtrak agent that my sleeping car was removed due to an equipment shortage on the Westbound Southwest Chief out of Chicago. I was given the option to ride coach, get re-routed onto the Westbound Texas Eagle, or a refund. I opted for the re-route at no extra charge. It was a longer ride, but I didn't mind it. Amtrak will do whatever possible to make accommodations for passengers-a far cry from what airlines will do.
actually had an experience similar to this just about 2 weeks ago! they put us in the swissotel in chicago and that was a great sleep! then i got to have a whole day in chicago by myself to explore before continuing my journey. overall im very satisfied with that expericence despite my delay
I love your channel! You've been so helpful. I was surprised how jerky & rocky the train was heading to Glacier. When walking through coach, the train hit a big bump. I almost fell on top of a girl that was sitting in an aisle seat. I felt so embarrassed, but glad I was able to catch myself before I fell on her.
Absolutely, plan on a full day between connections, overnight at your connecting city. Alleviates the stress. . Due to unforeseen circumstances, Amtrak trans can terminate anywhere along the route. This has happens due to wildfires, landslides, freight derailments. I always have a "plan B"... look at the major cities along your route, find the nearest hotel to those stations. Locate the airlines that serve those destinations ahead of time. Just having this knowledge will make you confident instead of lost should the worst happen. Difference between "oh my god, what am I going to do" and "crap, but I got this".
It is not a bad idea to pad air travel schedules as well. I usually give myself 3-4 hours for a connection at an airport and it makes all the difference. At my last trip through ATL, I hit the lounge for some drinks and meal, had a massage, then took a nap in Minute Suites. It completely changes the ATL experience almost to something as relaxing as taking Amtrak.
I once took advantage of a layover in Amsterdam to create an extra 'mini-vacation' within a longer trip. Instead of booking our flights back to back, or even with a few hours layover, I scanned down the flights and found one with over 12 hrs in between. We got to Amsterdam late afternoon, I had a room booked right off one of the main squares. We hit a coffee shop, then my husband (a musician) grabbed his saxophone, and I grabbed a seat at an outdoor Cafe to watch as he went from one little street busker or group to the next, joining in, as a crowd started following him, lol! (He's a bit of a crowd pleaser.) He left all the extra tips for whichever act he'd joined in with, and got back to my table saying "That was FUN! Now let's eat!" Then we grabbed a few hour's sleep and headed out to the airport the next morning for our last flight. (Don'tcha just love it when a plan works out!)😊
Regarding sleeper accommodations, I am the nearly 70 year old who uses the upper bunk. Easy to do in a Viewliner, due to the headspace and my having no significant physical impairments. I have doubts regarding comfort in a Superliner, but I know I can do it. If I had doubts, the spouse and I would set up some form of test space at home to trial claustrophobia and climbing (probably require two different layouts, but I like that sort of inventive challenge).
Thank you for all of your videos, they have helped me when I travel with Amtrak! Just a note about business class, another perk is that they are often not as full and there are often less kids. So if you are looking for a quieter ride it can be great! I can only speak from my trips from Chicago over toward Detroit however.
I think of travel insurance as being for if you become seriously ill when it's too late to get refunded for a trip you have to cancel. That's something that can happen to anyone at any time, but becomes more and more likely as you get older.
First timer in a roomette, i found it comfortable with two, we left the seats in sleep position to lay around in it, grandkid had the top bunk, very comfortable
Great information! We recently purchased that global USB charging adapter that you recommended. It's handy for domestic or overseas travel. We also got the CSR card to use with our Chase World of Hyatt card. We're looking forward to lounge access and 3x travel. You guys upped our game!
Great info for newbies!! I take amtrak alot up & down the East Coast and for plenty of years. I mostly get coach seating because it is cheaper, but with that cheaper seat you also get rude people Lol!! People forget they are in shared spaces and they LOVE talking on their phones (and not with earbuds in). I have heard many a conversation both ways, Lol!! I plan on taking business class to Savannah for a family reunion. I will get there the day before b/c the time antrak arrives in Savannah I might (probably) will miss Friday's activities. Have you guys ever ridden the train from NYC (I get on in NC) to FL, especially in coach? Its a hoot 🤣🤣
I always travel by myself so a roomette is fine for me. My brother and his wife get roomettes across the hall from each other if there aren’t any bedrooms available. To be honest, they don’t even care if their rooms are right across that hall haha…
Just recently took the AutoTrain from Lorton VA to Sanford FL sharing a roomette with a friend heading down. Yes, is kind of tight space even for regular size people, however it beats driving on I-95 and got there 1/2 hr ahead of time. If you are bringing your car along, if you show up 1/2 hr to 45 min before last call for the car, your car will probably be available within 1/2 hr of arrival. I guess since the last car wasn’t full, there were no lines for bathrooms or showers! Overall it was a good experience.
You Guys Are Awesome. I took Business Class A Couple Times Out Of Chicago Union Station Just For Free Lounge Access. It really wasn't much more than Coach. But now i get a Roomette. Rooms are way too expensive. You Are Soooo Right. Never take an Amtrak and Expect being On time.
If you believe that Amtrak Roomettes are small (and they are) ; at one time railroads offered a single room with a bed in a car called a "slumbercoach" . Those rooms were very tiny and there were something like 40 of them in a car.
Or Pullman sleepers. "Here are your coach seats. Look, now they are bunk beds! At least we give you curtains for privacy!" Even more odd to our minds today: that was the peak of travel luxury at the time.
Although I have only done overnight on the Autotrain (coach), I love and learn so much from your videos. So glad we didn’t get a roomette as I would have been like the gentleman you described! I have always planned personal travel that required any specific arrival date and time with built in extra days so that I arrive at least a day early. I realize that I am blessed to be able to incorporate any additional costs into our budget, but the relaxation I am able to experience while traveling is priceless! Allie, I was wearing the same headband while watching this!
Please be aware that Amtrak customer service can be unreasonable. Recently on the Southwest Chief that was supposed to connect with the Coast Starlight on morning of arrival at LAX. The Chief ran 8 hours late... so I called Amtrak Reservations and arranged to pick up the Starlight the next morning. Upon arrival at LAX was told that I could have taken a 5 hour bus ride out of Victorville connecting in Bakersfield for Emeryville... to pick up the Starlight that evening. Nobody including the conductor informed me of this mandatory diversion. I was refused any kind of assistance in LAX because I failed 'to know' about the mandatory diversion. Was forced to get my own hotel accommodation, meal, and transfers for the overnight at LAX. As a senior traveling in an H room, I felt this completely ignores any policies Amtrak has for the wellbeing of its customers.
tesbernstein, from your description, it does not seem that there was anything "mandatory". It sounds you discussed the situation with AMTRAK and agreed with a solution they offered. That is not "mandatory". Did you ask if there were any other options, or did you just accept the first solution they offered? And you don't say whether taking the Starlight the next morning worked out OK, or if there was some other problem.
@@youtuuba When I reserved the CS for the next morning the agent assured me that there should be overnight accommodation in LAX offered and I had no reason the doubt it.
@@tedbernstein3809 , there is no overnight accommodation AT Los Angeles Union Station unless you want to sleep on a bench. There is still something missing from your story.
@@youtuuba When they comp an overnight stay at LAX they provide vouchers for cab, nearby contracted hotel, and meals. Just like they do in CHI where they use Swisshotel. Was comped once before at LAX for a very late train that missconnected with the northbout CS. That is what they should have done this time.
Hearing what you are saying about the Roomet, top bunk space reminds me of my days in the Navy on the ships. At least on the ship we kind of had wider bunks & those are normal 3 high.
Re: cruise ship connections. That's just people not following the cruising guidelines of arriving at the port city the day before. Not an Amtrak problem.
Did you notice that Amtrak has changed the pricing on last minute trips? Seems like if you wait till the last minute you can get a better deal on a roomette. I just checked Reno to Sacramento on the 30th and it went from $447 for a roomette to $256. I noticed when booking they don't show how full the train is anymore either.
One Big thing to me on the ZEphyr, that really surprised/surprises Me....Just the first hour seems pretty small at first but Become/Feels much bigger after that and quite comfortable. of Course were all under 200lb, and the Big Picture windows which might help. Anyway, absolute Wonderful Memories with my kids!! First trip, back in 2016?, with the first daughter...came into California, from Chicago, 1/2 hr early. I was Surprised after hearing All the Late issues being the number 1 negative! Well, then the next 3 times/trips 2-4 hrs late, not to mention 1 derailment that cancelled our train x 3 days...lol. Guess we got lucky on the very first trip
The 1 Auto Train we took north yrs ago was very late (station arrival at 5pm in Lorton). Didn't upset us because we had another day and a half on the road. Many were upset as they had plans for that nite . Today I could understand there frustration if they had reservations at a motel or event that day.
I booked my 12 day trip using the 800 number and came out cheaper than I expected. One service the lounges have is luggage storage if you have a long layover between trains. We did that in Chicago so we didn't have to take our luggage with us to eat etc.
My wife and I have never had a problem with the roomette, I usually sleep on top and I've always considered the small rooms very cozy. Right now, two things are preventing us from traveling on the train. Two to three hour delays (especially on the SW Chief) and the dining car situation. Apparently they still won't let people traveling in coach eat in the dining car. Along with that, the price of meals has gone way up. Both of us would love to do another train trip but it doesn't look like that is going to happen in the foreseeable future.
jerryprice....your comment makes no sense as written. You state that you and your wife usually take a Roomette, then complain because 'they still won't let people traveling in coach eat in the dining car'.....what's that to you if you are traveling in a sleeper car? And the price of meals has not gone up if you don't have to pay for them at all, which is the situation for sleeper passengers. As for the 'dining car situation', what are you talking about? On my recent trips within the last year or so, every train I have been on west of Chicago has had the normal dining car meals for sleeper passengers (I don't know if they were letting coach passengers into the dining car). And those meals were the same kind I used to experience years ago. I know that for a couple years and during COVID there were a lot of dining restrictions and reduction of food services, but unless things have gone south since last summer, you might be not traveling on AMTRAK due to out of date understanding of the current situation.
@@youtuuba Let me clarify that. We have traveled first class as well as in coach. Back before all this covid silliness coach passengers could eat in the dining car the cost just wasn't included in the ticket. However that was okay as we were never more than two nights out. Now only first class passengers get to eat in the dining cars, Hell! that was half the fun getting the opportunity to talk with interesting people. It's true food costs have gone up I understand that but even traveling in coach I should have the opportunity to enjoy a meal in the dining car. We really wanted to take another trip this summer but after a lot of careful research it just isn't feasible. Not only that Amtrak is having a terrible time being on time especially on the SW Chief.
My wife and I aren’t small people, but the Sleeperette is just fine. I’m fine with coach, but my wife prefers the privacy and the beds. I don’t expect to sit up in bed. I crawl into the upper berth and love it. We always plot extra time. The last time that we took Amtrak to a cruise we arrived three days early. After the 15 day cruise through the Panama Canal, we stayed in Miami overnight before boarding to use a rail pass for the next two weeks.
The Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in NYC is great. I took the train to NYC to spend the day in the city. When I arrived at NYC I went to the lounge and the food offerings took care of breakfast. Then I took a few snacks to get me through the day. About an hour before my train left I ate again at the lounge and got a few snacks for the trip home. So I saved about $ 30.00 by not buying street food, bagels, ect. It was certainly relaxing and made the day better. I accessed the lounge for free with a voucher but I would consider spending $50.00 for access. It's really only costing me about $20.00 more when subtracting the cost of food on the streets. Well worth $20.00 to be upstairs relaxing where you have the lounge bathrooms, nice seating, no noise,, ect. You also get to pre board your train before the folks downstairs.
I rode "business class" on the East coast..= coach seats with dirty windows.. I had few problems with the roomettes... the door rattled when to train was at cruising speed...(I stuffed a pack of matches into to gap)....worked fine. The sleeper in the Zepher going East to West had a swamp gas smell when someone use the toilet.. GOOD TIMES!
😅Not necessarily. If you live near one stop and travel frequently to another place further down the line, it's great. I live in Memphis, and taking the City of New Orleans down to New Orleans is great. You leave Memphis around 8-ish in the morning, arrive in New Orleans around 3:30pm, with plenty of time to get your stuff into your room before you head out to explore, have dinner at a reasonable hour, etc. Then, coming back, it leaves New Orleans at like 1:40 in the afternoon, plenty of time to have a leisurely brunch before leaving, then you arrive back in Memphis around 10:30 that night. The train takes about an hour and a half longer, but it sort of adds to the novelty of the trip, and is MUCH less hassle than ripping down there in a car, then having to deal with driving and parking, etc., when you get there. Also, after you've rambled New Orleans for a day or two, it's nice to kick back and snooze or just chill and watch the scenery coming home. WAY better than driving, I think!
@@deb7518 I have to go to Cleveland in May. I looked at taking Amtrak from Philly to Cleveland. Total time of the trip by train: 17 hours. Driving time: 7 hours. Flight time:
I've been all over the US on Amtrak; Seattle, Orlando, NYC, Chicago, L.A., Atlanta, San Francisco, D.C., Houston, Portland, & some less populated cities.
After watching your video and so many other train travel videos I'm still confused about one thing. Just one thing? LOL. But seriously my concern is. If my train is seriously late and I end up at a station and have no transportation to get to a hotel what do I do? Are all Amtrak stations open 24/7 where I could just sit inside and be safe until morning or when I could obtain a taxi / Uber / bus to my final destination?
NO....Chicago will kick you out at mid-night till 5 am....It happened to me and 2 Amish families. My heart pounded outside setting on the steps till 5 am. 👀👀👻👻
I think the roomette is better for solo travelers; the bedroom is better for a duo. Last year, I booked an Amtrak ticket at the last minute; I got business class because it was cheaper. I'm glad I booked business class because it has more leg room than the coach.
I've had the same "better seats in coach" experience in business class as well. For me, business class mainly makes sense for the north east corridor (or other routes where coach is unassigned seating) - in the NE corridor business class is assigned seating so you can get seats together.
I'm from Australia, we only have The Ghan (Great Southern during the Ghan off season) , The Indian Pacific, that have Twin bed rooms at floor level, though even the smallest of those suites have a private bathroom, though we don't have a straight corridor on those, the XPT which take two nights to get from Melbourne to Brisbane, the only one that used to have fold down it came straight out of the wall on the Overland between Adelaide before it became a daylight train. The only advantage that I see, and it is only for the Family cabin is the windows on both sides of the train, but still not that good because all you see for filming is ground level stuff which often includes other trains. That said I probably wouldn't do Roomettes for much longer than one night.
Thank you the recommendations in this piece. We have used Amtrak Vacations in the past and it was enjoyable. However, I like the idea of using your website for recommendations on our next trip. We also want to e able to use our reward points. Concerning travel insurance, does amtrak work with us if we have to cancel a trip last minute.?
We recently took the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville in a Roomette. The roomette is cramped for two people. The first night the tracks were ROUGH… impossible to get any sleep. The seats in the roomette were much worse than coach. Our room attendant was very good. The dining car staff was quite rude. All of the carriage equipment was quite old. The menu initially appeared appealing but same selections every day? We arrived 6 hours late. Called to complain a few days after our trip and was informed we had already $300.00 credit toward any trip for up to one year. We were initially excited but not now. It pales in comparison to the EuroStar and Shinkansen.
NYC to Miami, 52 hours late arriving No food, no water, toilets overflowing. 1200 dollars for a bedroom Food was a burger 24 hours behind the scheduled time for dinner. No breakfast, no lunch, no dinner because they were supposed to arrive before these times
I have done Amtrak round trip three times, all three times on the Coast Starlight (aka Coast Star Late). Two times I went 1st class in a Roomette and the last time I went coach. Never again on coach. I am planning on a major cross-country trip this fall. Initially I was looking at booking a bedroom but saw your video which revealed that the bathroom/shower is tiny and basically unusable. I wouldn't be able to even turn around. Also, cross country with a Bedroom is extremely expensive so I have been exploring booking a roomette for the trip. It's just a little over half the cost of the same trip in a bedroom. That means I can take the train both ways rather than flying home. One thing you might want to mention in a future video is the lack of leg room in the roomette when the bunk is laid down. Your knees are against the door and this makes it a tad more difficult to get ready for bed.
I rode Business Class on the Coast Starlight in 2022, and aside from the free drinks, they had leather-covered seats (not worth the price), access to the Metropolitan Lounge at LAUPT (nice) and the ability to eat in the dining car at a price ($45 at dinner), which at that time was not an available option in Coach. (But I believe that it is now.) I think Coach was a better option. As far as on-time status is concerned, my Sunset Limited train arrived 7 hours late but that was not a problem. Later I had to transfer from the Empire Builder to the Capitol Limited in CHI and then to the Pennsylvanian in PIT. Although both arriving trains were a little late, I still made both connections with no problem. I was able to use the Metropolitan Lounges in Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia and they were all quite nice. Of course, I didn't have to pay for the privilege. In PHL, they have separate elevators leading to each platform, which is quite handy.
And now Business Class isn't offered on the Starlate. 😞 Definitely worth it to me for its other benefits (granted, my typical trip is between Tacoma and Portland). Gets you lounge access in Portland, which is nice -- the seats in the main concourse are like medieval torture racks!
We are going on a 6 hour trip to Seattle in a few weeks. We booked a roomette due to being immuno compromised from chemo treatment and we both wear masks at all times when around people and didn't want to wear a mask full time for 6 hours in coach. We feel better about being in a separate enclosed area. The price is about 7 times more than being in coach. We will have our meal in the roomette. Won't be sleeping in it. Kathleen
That roomette didn't look the least bit large to me in the photo you posted. So I wouldn't book one expecting it to be very roomy, but from what you're saying, I might just be surprised/shocked at just how much smaller it is compared to the picture which makes it look pretty small as it is.
I'm so nervous about the train timings! I am on the empire builder with a 2 night stay west glacier. I don't have any commitments except it gets in at 9.30pm so dreading it being 3h late or something! At least the hotel is across the road! Then of course, 2 days later, the train leaves at 9.30pm so hopefully that's on time!
Hey guys thank you for your content. I have watched a lot of your videos. They have been very informative. My daughter is at Disney for the college program. She is done in January and we are considering the auto train back to VA. We are looking at doing the roomette or bedroom because we will have to drive for several hours after the trip. Would you have any other advise for first timers, should I book online or call a Amtrak directly.
on the ny-wash route business class always has way more legroom than coach and as a solo traveler almost always got a 'double seat' whereas rarely do in coach
Not always. In the front of the car are 2 small seats that face each other. I am 6’2” and had to sit side ways. The next stop a girl couldn’t sit in her seat because I wasn’t a child. The conductor moved me to a normal seat in business class.
I have ridden the NY to Philadelphia and must say it was a pleasure. As soon as the train was under way, people who regularly commuted were very friendly and polite. The trip was memorable in the best way.
Many years ago, I used to ride the Crescent from New Orleans to Philadelphia. Back then they had the Slumber coaches attached in Atlanta. Yes, they were small, but you couldn't beat the price.
So just starting to think about our first cross country train trip. Seattle to Milwaukee. If booking a Roomette are we allowed to sit in other areas of the train besides the lounge cars. Say for example the coach car if seats are unoccupied?
Love watching your videos I find them very informative. I am from the Caribbean and would love to explore the USA by train. Hoping to travel from Miami to New Orleans, which hotels would you recommend there?
Hopefully 4 hrs between trains in LA will be enough. Coming in the day before wasn't an option, because the Sunset only runs every other day! Our return has a 45 min layover, but we have time to miss the train then. I was surprised that I couldn't book San Antonio to Vancouver as one trip ... had to do San Antonio to Seattle rt and then Seattle to Vancouver rt as 2 different trips. Those _do_ have a day in between!
Is there a list, that you know about, that lists lounge access charges and what they provide. Possibly the hours that they are open too. I will be traveling by myself on the USA Rail Pass.
When I took Amtrak years ago when I moved from the east to the west coast, you couldn't lock your sleeper roomette when you went out to the restroom or diner or wherever. ¿Is that still true? Anyway, very helpful, especially about the part about connecting trains being late since I would have to change in Chicago. Yeah, the roomettes were small. I didn't mind, but the one from Springfield to Chicago was microscopic. Fortunately, it was overnight and I just slept.
Very helpful video. I heard the woman say when "they" , meaning Amtrak (otherwise she would have said "we"), had to cancel a trip, that Amtrak would compensate for the cancelation. In what kind of instances would Amtrak cancel on? And how far in advance would Amtrak contact you in those instances?
I want to comment about the 30th St. station in Philadelphia metropolitan lounge… They have a coffee machine. They have a little refrigerator with a couple choices of pop and a couple choices of fruit drinks. They have about five different kinds of snacks mostly chips and a muffin they do have comfortable seats. they have elevators to take you down to your track ahead of they do have separate bathrooms that are very clean… It’s 1500 reward points… Just say
Trains are nor designed for leisure travel and vacation enjoyment central theme. They are primarily for transportation from one spot to another. Economics demand that the maximum carry capacity versus passenger comfort be a consideration.
What concerns me for a multi-day trip next fall using a roomette: I’m vegan and the options on the menu listed as vegan aren’t (cheese isn’t vegan). Very limited options. I don’t want to pay for a trip that includes meals when I have to bring my food or eat snacks from the cafe. Any ideas?
Meds are not an issue. You don't even go through any kind of search or security. There is power in every room. I recommend a power strip and lead cord for your CPAP.
CPAP isn’t a problem at all in a roomette. On the super liners in the west, you can put it right next to your head and use the plug at your feet with a long cord. I’ve even slept in the pull down berth with one. That arm rest/step ladder close to the door has plenty of room. You can have multiple things plugged into that plug at once.
Regarding roomettes and two occupants: If you and your partner have completed a stay in a packable tent or a older style Japanese hotel room and the relationship survived undamaged, you're good to go.
Thanks for the information. I do have a question, we will be coming north from Florida on the Silver Meteor in a Roomette to NYC. Then we have a 2 hr layover until we get the Northeast Regional to CT. Can we use the Metropolitan Lounge because we just got off the Silver Meteor because we are taking coach on the quick ride to CT? Thanks for your help. Stay safe and be happy. Love your videos.
I hold off on travel insurance, for those times I am travelling internationally. Domestically, my health insurance covers me and I can figure out how to get around in an emergency.
One-time performance for Amtrak really needs to be looked at based on whether you're traveling on the NE Corridor or off-corridor. For on-corridor travel, Amtrak's OTP is very, very good. The minute you travel off-corridor, all bets are off due to freight traffic. Freight consists are often too long to fit on a siding, preventing Amtrak and other, faster traffic to pass. Being on an Amtrak train and having to stop for however long while the freight consist in front has stopped to split off or pick up cars from sidings. Point being, it's often not Amtrak's fault for the horrible OTP off of the NE Corridor.
Not directly their fault, but if they would hold the freight railroads to their contracts then the on-time performance would be much better. What the freight lines forget is that Amtrak was created so that they (the freight lines) could get out of their legal obligation to provide passenger service.
NRPC/Amtrak is a private pax rail corporation, not a regulator. It's up to Congress to tell DOT/FRA that the law regarding pax train traffic having priority over freight needs to be enforced. Nothing that Amtrak itself can do to force them to yield to their traffic.
Greetings Allie and Rob. My Hubby Bear and I are planning a trip for 2027. We are looking at Train #8, the Empire Builder from Shelby, Mt to Chicago departing at 11:28 am arriving at 15:45, and connecting to Train #59, the City of New Orleans departing at 20:05 and arriving in New Orleans at 15:47. Do you have any recommendations on this route? Thank you. I truly enjoy your videos and most of your suggestions.
Roomettes on the Canadian. were manufactured by the Budd Company in the 1950s for ONE person. They all have toilets and wash basins. The only disadvantage is that the toilet is not accessible after the berth has been pulled down.
Some help. What if I travel from St paul mn to glacier natl Park. How do I do that? Do I uber to local hotel, but then how do I get to glacier? Another uber... or rent a car (if there's any nearby) sorry... my brain can't seem to figure train travel
When traveling long distance to a cruise port always plan to arrive 24 hr before departure. Never take Amtrak to a cruise port with same day arrival AND never take Amtrak in December because you could miss Christmas. Hmm! Maybe you shouldn’t take Amtrak anywhere.
If you follow this couple, they have multiple videos about the roomettes, and believe me, if you are not married or in a long relationship, this will not work. I got one, and it was enough for me.
If Amtrak wants to matter in the next 10 years, they have to fix their scheduling and on-time- arrivals. Thats just unacceptable. I badly want to travel by train. But I cant now.
Oh I so disagree with you regarding travel insurance . You are just focused on Amtrak making things right, but travel insurance covers more than just that
Adjoining? Yes. Connecting? Limited numbers of bedrooms but no roomettes. Being across the aisle works fine, and sitting in one during the day is no problem. Lots less expensive, too (traveled with my dad and my brother once, and three roomettes were still less expensive than one bedroom -- but I'm not using the word "cheaper" because they are in no way inexpensive; a round trip first class airline ticket costs less than a one way roomette on most of my routes).
