Tagged Questions

5
votes
1answer
56 views

Public transportation considerations for children in North Eastern USA

My wife and I will be going to Fairfield, CT in April with our 2 kids (2yo and 9mo), we might be going to NYC for a day or two. My question comes with public transportation and the kids, I know if ...
4
votes
1answer
112 views

Amtrak shared roomettes — am I allowed to sell the unused bed to another traveller?

In Europe, a common option on sleep trains is to book night accommodation in space shared with one or more strangers. This is cheaper than a private compartment, but more expensive than having only a ...
6
votes
1answer
93 views

What are the limiting times at an Amtrak train to get respective meals?

When booking a roomette on an Amtrak train, meals are included. Based on the time of boarding and detraining, how do I know if I'm entitled to a particular meal the same day? For example, if I arrive ...
5
votes
1answer
51 views

Mount Pleasant, Iowa, USA — how to get from the Amtrak station to the Burlingon Trailways bus stop?

Amtrak train 6 arrives Mount Pleasant at 9:54 (AM). From Mount Pleasant to Iowa City, Burlington Trailways operates a bus leaving at 14:55 (2:55 PM). The Amtrak station is at 418 North Adams Street ...
6
votes
1answer
115 views

Amtrak on-time statistics for arbitrary stations?

I've heard that trains in the USA are often very late, for a variety of reasons; see e.g. What is the state of train travel in the USA? and its answers. But then again, the only country where I ...
7
votes
2answers
229 views

Is it worth booking Amtrak in advance?

Do Amtrak prices vary depending on how far in advance you book them, or are they the same price up until the day of travel?
6
votes
1answer
166 views

How busy is the Boston to New York Amtrak?

One of the answers to How rigorous are Amtrak in enforcing luggage rules? made me wonder how busy the Boston to New York train gets at the various points of day? Also, what is busier: weekdays versus ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views

How rigorous are Amtrak in enforcing luggage rules?

Looking at Amtrak trains between NY and Boston, I found that all had "no checked luggage" save for a midnight train (less than ideal for a relaxing vacation). Looking at this reference, it's not ...
3
votes
1answer
120 views

Should I take the “scenic route” from Indianapolis to Washington DC?

I'm going to USA on a business/pleasure travel for 1 week in mid-September, and booked open-jaw flight to Indianapolis and then flying home from Washington DC. Since this is would be my first time in ...
7
votes
1answer
548 views

Amtrak “large sharp objects” restriction: Are small knives included?

The Amtrak list of prohibited items includes the following: Large sharp objects such as axes, ice picks and swords Does this include small knives (such as a Victorinox SwissChamp, with a ...
2
votes
0answers
77 views

9 Days between Minneapolis and New York? [closed]

Me and my fiancée are travelling from Minneapolis on June 9. June 18 we are departing from New York, JFK. What should we do/see in between? Suggestions may very well include: A nice train itinerary ...
6
votes
1answer
277 views

Dinner service out of Los Angeles on Amtrak Southwest Chief

Is dinner served in the dining car of the Southwest Chief after it leaves Los Angeles going eastbound at 6:15 pm? I'm asking because usually dinner service starts earlier on Amtrak trains.
10
votes
2answers
341 views

What can a railroad company do to you if they find you riding in an open box car?

Suppose you hitch a ride in an empty unlocked box car that is a part of a freight train, for example in the continental US. Do railroad companies actually care about that? Do they have people ...
7
votes
1answer
141 views

Is it better to travel by train or plane when there is risk of snow in the eastern US?

Train travel in the eastern US is a more viable option than in other parts of the country. Whether it's cheaper or shorter than air travel depends upon a number of variables and can be researched on ...
13
votes
3answers
153 views

What options do I have for scenic long-distance train journeys in North America that last for 2 nights or more?

I'm looking to take a trip (or two, or three), in North America via train. I want to take a sleeper train and have some time during the day to see interesting things out the window, I don't just want ...
13
votes
3answers
478 views

Are there electrical outlets in the sleeper cars of the California Zephyr?

I will be taking the California Zephyr the entire journey, and I planned on getting a lot of work done on my laptop during the journey. I will be staying in a roomette, I've taken Amtrak on the North ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views

Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver - What is the border crossing like northbound?

I'm pondering using the Amtrack Cascades train to get from Seattle up to Vancouver. The ticket price seems pretty good, the views are supposed to be great, and it seems to be fairly quick too! When ...
15
votes
3answers
757 views

What is the state of train travel in USA?

I'm planning to go to the USA for some months. I'd like to travel there by train, but I heard that trains aren't really widely used in USA. So my questions are: How is the rail network in the USA? ...