On top of that, even tho Amtrak will eventually get you there you still have the next days plans that are all jacked up.
I assume the rail pass is or was a way of trying to get passengers aboard the trains, rather than having empty seats?I wonder if the Amtrak Rail Pass could work not just for coach travel over a set number of days. Could Amtrak offer a Rail Pass for sleeping accommodations, on LD trains if you book 2 or more trains back to back, at the same time?
Until the Pass was reintroduced after COVID, sleeper upgrades were allowed on the USA Rail Pass on payment of the accommodation charges.I wonder if the Amtrak Rail Pass could work not just for coach travel over a set number of days. Could Amtrak offer a Rail Pass for sleeping accommodations, on LD trains if you book 2 or more trains back to back, at the same time?
Lets say you book a sleeper in 3 different connecting Amtrak trains, say the Coast Starlight from the Bay Area to Seattle, the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago, and the Zephyr from Chicago back to the Bay Area. Considering the cost if you book sleepers on those 3 trains, I wonder if Amtrak could devise a discounted rail pass if you take 2 or more successive long distance trains with sleepers included?. A greater discount for 3 successive trains, even greater for 4. Have no requirement for travel times as long as you book each train, back to back, during the same year with booking at the same time. Allow several day layovers between each train. It might be difficult for peak season travel, but how about for the off season?
Otherwise known as BidUp.I think Amtrak would accept a passenger with a sleeper discount over having no occupancy in that sleeper. I guess it could depend on just how much of a discount would be acceptable to Amtrak.
A few years ago, one could purchase an Amtrak rail pass that was valid for 15 days, or 30 days, and you could take as many Amtrak coach rides as you could fit into that 15 days. No "segment" rules, you just made your bookings and set off.Anyone know the longest trip ever done while using the USA Rail pass…which has to occur, completely, within 30 days? Remember, this is in coach only. If you do know, what was their itinerary?
Fantastic! The main thing that bothers me is the food selection. For microwavable hamburgers, etc. I realize that I could also occasionally pay for the diner too. So, I planned on taking a medium sized ice chest and have ingredients for sandwiches and fresh fruit, etc.A few years ago, one could purchase an Amtrak rail pass that was valid for 15 days, or 30 days, and you could take as many Amtrak coach rides as you could fit into that 15 days. No "segment" rules, you just made your bookings and set off.
I used that pass several times on my visits to America, and remember travel distances of 12,500 miles over the ticket validity of 15 days.
I was just enjoying the train experience, mostly riding long distance routes back-to-back. Ridership was much lower back then, and I almost always had the two seats just for myself.
Last year two friends of mine did SWC-SL-CONO-CL-NER-DE, but they also have plans to do EB-CS-TE-CONO-CRES-CARD-CZ-CS-EB. You can do tons of itineraries if you are creative and include hotels. They are restricted by their starting point, but if your starting point is a hub you probably have more options. Be creative1Anyone know the longest trip ever done while using the USA Rail pass…which has to occur, completely, within 30 days? Remember, this is in coach only. If you do know, what was their itinerary?
Have you taken multi day Amtrak train trips? I would recommend folk to "get a feel" for a long distance overnight ride before booking a very extended rail pass trip.Fantastic! The main thing that bothers me is the food selection. For microwavable hamburgers, etc. I realize that I could also occasionally pay for the diner too. So, I planned on taking a medium sized ice chest and have ingredients for sandwiches and fresh fruit, etc.
I'd think that lack of (ahem) fiber would become an issue if doing 15 or 30 days' near-nonstop travel. I'd make sure some of those snacks consist of, oh, fresh fruit and pumpkin seeds and peanuts and other minimally-processed foods, and do some energetic walking at the stopovers. Just my view. I'm neither a doctor nor do I play one on TV, or on TikTok.My thinking about food aboard the train is not to be too "fixed" on getting my regular foods, and accept that some "less healthy" options are not going to seriously damage me for a day or two. By planning ahead, as one has to do by reserving the trains anyway, one can buy some fresh food between rides even on back-to-back itineraries. (There are very few connections where one does not have several hours between them.)....The often quoted advice to brink plenty of snacks, (which can be healthy option snacks) is also important "just in case."
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