We (retired couple) are planning our first Amtrak trip. We will fly from Louisiana to Chicago then board Amtrak. We are just traveling to see the country. I'm thinking about going from Chicago to Seattle, then to Sacramento, then back to Chicago. Would it be better to do this in reverse? We can go any time before June, but we don't like REAL cold weather(anything below 40). I'm thinking about April or May. Would the scenery be good then? Any advice would be appreciated.
Questions for !st Amtrak trip
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OlympianHiawatha
Engineer
Off the hand that sounds like a nice itinerary, but I'm curious as to why you chose to fly to/from CHI? Why not pick up the City of New Orleans in LA and enjoy a true all rail adventure?
Has the CONO started running CHI-NOL-LAX?Is this the new route from Amtrak instead of to Florida?(I know you meant NOL!) :lol:
Lots of iteneraries are possible but I'd TAKE THE TRAIN from New Orleans to Chicago,then either take the California Zephyer to SAC,ride the Costal Starlight to Portland and Seattle,then take the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago or vice versa!Great scenery either way,early May is maybe better to be sure of no real cold or mud slides in the mountains but late April is pretty nice too!Everyone on here will be happy to help yall,I think this is most folks favorite routes,its sure mine!
If it were me, I'd take the Zephyr to Sacramento first and then the Empire Builder to Chicago. There is a slight chance you could miss the good scenery in the Colorado Rockies if the train were to be late going eastbound. And you will see the Oregon mountains, which are very scenic, northbound on the Coast Starlight. Southbound a lot of that will be in darkness. And the Empire Builder eastbound is definitely better. You will see at least part of the Washington Cascades during daylight, particularly if you choose to go in May, and you will see Glacier Park in all daylight as well. And the Mississippi River in Minnesota is pretty too; you will see than in daylight. Westbound, it could be hit and miss for the Mississippi and Glacier Park.
Either way, enjoy!
Either way, enjoy!
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Thanks so much for the quick replies. Thr reason we're flying to Chucago is we have a free ticket that we have to use before June. I rode KCS passenger trains 40 years ago, but none since then. My husband hasn't ridden since he was a small child. We've never ridden Amtrak, but have always wanted to.
the_traveler
Engineer
I agree with the above. I'd take the Zephyr westbound for guaranteed scenery in daylight west of Denver. It will be morning to mid day, so it should be light. Eastbound, it wil be afternoon to evening, and it may get dark Many rate this as the most scenic stretch on Amtrak!
How about New Orleans to Chicago via Los Angeles? :huh: My kind of trip!
sunchaser
Conductor
If it were me, I would go from Chicago, Il, to Sacramento, Ca (or Emeryville) on the California Zephyr.
Then, I would take the Coast Starlight up to Seattle, Wa.
From Seattle, then take the Empire Builder back to Chicago.
And if possible, return to your home by the City Of New Orleans.
If you choose to go all the way to Emeryville on the California Zephyr, you will need to stay overnight to catch the Coast Starlight the next day.
If you get off in Sacramento, you would not need to, but if you like trains, there is the California State Railroad Museum within walking distance of the Amtrak Station.
If you choose this itinerary, the temperature should be getting warmer up further north as you travel that direction.
Welcome to the board, and have a great trip!!
p&sr
OBS Chief
I'm with JayPea here. But I'd take the Zephyr to the end of the line (Emeryville). Amtrak has busses to San Francisco from there (no extra charge when ticketed from Chicago), in case you have time to spend the night. Then the next day you could ride the Cable Cars, have lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, ride the Heritage Streetcar along the Embarcadero and Market Street, and take the CalTrain from San Francisco to San Jose (where there is another fine light-rail system to enjoy). Then catch the Northbound Coast Starlight in San Jose at about 8:30 PM, and enjoy seeing the Bay Area by Sunset as you begin your northward journey overnight to Seattle. May is an excellent time of year for Train Travel... before the Summer crowds, yet plenty of daylight for enjoying the Scenery.
Yall keep reminding us how great these Western trains are,guess were gonna hav e to saddle up and take another journey as the traveler would say!Your suggestion is excellent!!!Thanks!
sky12065
Conductor
Kind of a moot point! Taking a trip on the train shown below would undoubtedly be your "kind of trip" too!How about New Orleans to Chicago via Los Angeles? :huh: My kind of trip!
the_traveler
Engineer
You bet!
Seeing that it goes round and round - all I can do is think of how many circle trips I could do on it! :lol:
Seeing that it goes round and round - all I can do is think of how many circle trips I could do on it! :lol:
And how many AGR points you could earn! :lol:
p&sr
OBS Chief
Cute little Train! Looks like the one on the Beach in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Reminds me of the Train in the Santa Barbara Zoo... which gives great views of the Animals (including the new California Condor free-flight exhibit), a Lagoon (Bird Refuge), and (briefly, between trees) the Pacific Ocean... and which goes right next to the Tracks for the Big Trains too! (Surfliners and Coast Starlight).Kind of a moot point! Taking a trip on the train shown below would undoubtedly be your "kind of trip" too!
Here's a pleasant (but incomplete) list of such little trains:
http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx...7d-46e1be2defd5
I love this forum! So many quick replies and such good advice! We will definitely go west on the Zephyr. Do you have any tips on when and how we should buy our tickets? I got the Amtrak Mastercard, so I can accumulate some points( I have just 6000 so far). Thanks again.Cute little Train! Looks like the one on the Beach in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Reminds me of the Train in the Santa Barbara Zoo... which gives great views of the Animals (including the new California Condor free-flight exhibit), a Lagoon (Bird Refuge), and (briefly, between trees) the Pacific Ocean... and which goes right next to the Tracks for the Big Trains too! (Surfliners and Coast Starlight).Kind of a moot point! Taking a trip on the train shown below would undoubtedly be your "kind of trip" too!
Here's a pleasant (but incomplete) list of such little trains:
http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx...7d-46e1be2defd5
the_traveler
Engineer
Great choice!
Tips on when to buy - ASAP! You can reserve up to 11 months early, and the earlier you reserve, usually the lower the fare. And with Amtrak's very loose cancellation policy (NO penalty), there is no reason not to do so! (Even if you find a lower fare later, all you have to do is cancel the original reservation and rebook at the lower fare!)
Use the Amtrak MC for everything! I use mine for "luxuries" like food and gas and things I must have like Amtrak travel :lol: - and my credit card bills average like $500-$1500 per month. If that is multiplied by 12 months - that's a free trip every year!
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Yeah,but what about the other 11 trips you take on the never ending circle of America!Youre on the road more than Willie Nelson!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:Great choice!
Tips on when to buy - ASAP! You can reserve up to 11 months early, and the earlier you reserve, usually the lower the fare. And with Amtrak's very loose cancellation policy (NO penalty), there is no reason not to do so! (Even if you find a lower fare later, all you have to do is cancel the original reservation and rebook at the lower fare!)
Use the Amtrak MC for everything! I use mine for "luxuries" like food and gas and things I must have like Amtrak travel :lol: - and my credit card bills average like $500-$1500 per month. If that is multiplied by 12 months - that's a free trip every year!
Glad the newbie is here,I use my AGR MC also for everything I charge,its a great deal for a worthy cause!(My trips on Amtrak! :lol: :lol: :lol: )As the traveler said(aka "the master of AGR")buy early and often!
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If you guys are retired, as we are, you probably qualify for the 15% off Senior Rate (62 or 63 years old) Unfortunately its 15% off the railfare, excluding the accomadation charges (sleeper, business class) but if a heck of a lot better than nothing
G
Guest
Guest
Also check the weekly and advertised specials,from time to time they have buy obe,get one free but thats usually only in coach and when you buy a fullIf you guys are retired, as we are, you probably qualify for the 15% off Senior Rate (62 or 63 years old) Unfortunately its 15% off the railfare, excluding the accomadation charges (sleeper, business class) but if a heck of a lot better than nothing
fare ticket!remeber,rail passes are a great buy also for Long Distance travel and in sleepers its two can travel as cheaply as one and all meals are included
in the diner as they say,except appetizers and alcohol!
Great tips again. Do you think my husband could get his own MC so we could get more bonus points? Now I just have to go forth and charge(on my MC, thatis)!Also check the weekly and advertised specials,from time to time they have buy obe,get one free but thats usually only in coach and when you buy a fullIf you guys are retired, as we are, you probably qualify for the 15% off Senior Rate (62 or 63 years old) Unfortunately its 15% off the railfare, excluding the accomadation charges (sleeper, business class) but if a heck of a lot better than nothing
fare ticket!remeber,rail passes are a great buy also for Long Distance travel and in sleepers its two can travel as cheaply as one and all meals are included
in the diner as they say,except appetizers and alcohol!
Sure,lots(most)couples have seperate accounts noadays,just one can get the credit for the sleepers though since the price is the same,anything charged onGreat tips again. Do you think my husband could get his own MC so we could get more bonus points? Now I just have to go forth and charge(on my MC, thatis)!Also check the weekly and advertised specials,from time to time they have buy obe,get one free but thats usually only in coach and when you buy a fullIf you guys are retired, as we are, you probably qualify for the 15% off Senior Rate (62 or 63 years old) Unfortunately its 15% off the railfare, excluding the accomadation charges (sleeper, business class) but if a heck of a lot better than nothing
fare ticket!remeber,rail passes are a great buy also for Long Distance travel and in sleepers its two can travel as cheaply as one and all meals are included
in the diner as they say,except appetizers and alcohol!
the train ngets points too(alcoghol/appetizers/shacks/souvenirs etc.)Careful or theyll start calling you the taveler #3!(Im jr.! :lol: )Its like the old saying,shop till you get a free ride!!! :lol:
the_traveler
Engineer
As Jim said, many do. The only thing is you can not combine point to get one award. (Such as if your account had 12,000 points and his had 8,000 points, you can't combine them for a 20,000 point award!)Great tips again. Do you think my husband could get his own MC so we could get more bonus points? Now I just have to go forth and charge(on my MC, thatis)!Also check the weekly and advertised specials,from time to time they have buy obe,get one free but thats usually only in coach and when you buy a fullIf you guys are retired, as we are, you probably qualify for the 15% off Senior Rate (62 or 63 years old) Unfortunately its 15% off the railfare, excluding the accomadation charges (sleeper, business class) but if a heck of a lot better than nothing
fare ticket!remeber,rail passes are a great buy also for Long Distance travel and in sleepers its two can travel as cheaply as one and all meals are included
in the diner as they say,except appetizers and alcohol!
However, what you can do is if your account has 20,000 points and his has 20,000 points also, you can redeem for an award going west and he can redeem for an award going east!
(Remember that a sleeper award includes the room for up to 2 people AND the rail fare for up to 2 people AND all meals in the dining car for up to 2 people! )
the_traveler
Engineer
Is that like the Beaumont Amshack or the San Marcos Amshack? :lol:
This sounding better all the time!As Jim said, many do. The only thing is you can not combine point to get one award. (Such as if your account had 12,000 points and his had 8,000 points, you can't combine them for a 20,000 point award!)Great tips again. Do you think my husband could get his own MC so we could get more bonus points? Now I just have to go forth and charge(on my MC, thatis)!Also check the weekly and advertised specials,from time to time they have buy obe,get one free but thats usually only in coach and when you buy a fullIf you guys are retired, as we are, you probably qualify for the 15% off Senior Rate (62 or 63 years old) Unfortunately its 15% off the railfare, excluding the accomadation charges (sleeper, business class) but if a heck of a lot better than nothing
fare ticket!remeber,rail passes are a great buy also for Long Distance travel and in sleepers its two can travel as cheaply as one and all meals are included
in the diner as they say,except appetizers and alcohol!
However, what you can do is if your account has 20,000 points and his has 20,000 points also, you can redeem for an award going west and he can redeem for an award going east!
Yeah,I spent so much time in these dumps waiting on trains I get arthritis in my fingers and brain and cant spell or type!Of course San marcos is so much better,you have a roof over your head while you wonder when the Eagle is gonna show up!In Beaumont you wanna hop a freight or a work car or anything that comes by to get the heck outta there!Then you can get a SNACK out of the vending machines in Houston while spending most of your life in that dump!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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