Advice on 3-4 day amtrak trip

[catbus]

My husband and I have decided to go on a amtrak trip this January. We have 3 nights/4 days for the trip. We live in the Seattle area, so would like the trip to either end or start in Seattle (we'd fly one-way to the other end of the trip). We have previous been on the empire builder from Chicago, so would like to try other routes. The routes I'm interested in are: Coast Starlight, California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief. Any ideas on a good combination and where to start/end the trip (somewhere with major airport access). So far, the best combination I could come up with is to fly into one of the major cities on the Southwest Chief route, take it to Lax, stay overnight in Lax and take the Coast Starlight up to Seattle. Not sure where to fly into, maybe Albuquerque? Other ideas? Thanks.

 

[gswager]

Albuquerque is a good idea. It has excellent public transportation. Bus #50 give you a direct link between the airport and its transportation center which is right next door to Amtrak. I've used it several times if I fly one-way and ride on train on the way back, vice versa.

SWC is the best on-time performance and I recommend to fly in first because you will see the ocean in daytime on Coast Starlight.

As for CZ, I think Reno is possible but I'm not sure how to get there from the airport. Other one is Denver.

If you want the entire coast trip, fly to San Diego and take Pacific Surfliner to Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo and stay overnight. Then, you'll catch the CS on the way back home, if you want the small town atmosphere.

 

[the_traveler]

Unless you want to stay in LA, it is possible to make a same day connection between the westbound SWC and the northbound CS. The SWC is one of the best OTP trains, and is scheduled to arrive LAX @ 8:15 AM (many times it's early), and the CS is scheduled to depart @ 10:15 AM.

If you do decide to go to SAN, there is a Surfliner departure ~6 AM that connects at LAX to the CS.

A connection from the westbound CZ to the northbound CS is possible in SAC. The airport in RNO is fairly close, and Hertz says they will reimburse cab fare for up to $10 to their location at the airport, so I would say the cab fare is $10. Denver is also possible. You will get the most scenic rail portion on Amtrak (IMHO B)), but the airport is WAY out from downtown (like 20-30 miles )!

 

[WhoozOn1st]

Denver is also possible. You will get the most scenic rail portion on Amtrak (IMHO B)), but the airport is WAY out from downtown (like 20-30 miles )!

I've been looking into Denver transit, since I'm headed there myself soon. DIA is indeed a long ways out, but Denver transit has the skyRide bus service. Fares can't be beat.

Denver Transit

 

[the_traveler]

Denver Transit

I noticed the link they have is to "THE Amtrak"! :lol:

 

[catbus]

I would love to do the california zephyr from Denver, but the problem is that it leaves at around 8am, so I'd have to fly in the night before and I'm not that interested in a night in Denver. Also, I really want to take the whole Coast Starlight route. Even with the on time performance, 2 hrs is cutting it too close for the lax connection and since we'd be taking a sleeper car, I don't want to have to catch the next one and miss out on a sleeper if they are full. I don't mind staying in lax for a day and night as we'd probably go spend the day at Universal Studios. Also might take a Surfliner up to Santa Barbara (already going to San Diego this year) and stay there.

What is the most scenic part of the Southwest Chief? Which direction is best? Looks like most of the part between Albuquerque and Lax is during the night. Also looking at the Sunset Limited. Which is more scenic, the Southwest Chief or the Sunset Limited? This is during Winter time. Thanks.

 

[reisert]

I would love to do the california zephyr from Denver, but the problem is that it leaves at around 8am, so I'd have to fly in the night before and I'm not that interested in a night in Denver. Also, I really want to take the whole Coast Starlight route. Even with the on time performance, 2 hrs is cutting it too close for the lax connection and since we'd be taking a sleeper car, I don't want to have to catch the next one and miss out on a sleeper if they are full. I don't mind staying in lax for a day and night as we'd probably go spend the day at Universal Studios. Also might take a Surfliner up to Santa Barbara (already going to San Diego this year) and stay there.
What is the most scenic part of the Southwest Chief? Which direction is best? Looks like most of the part between Albuquerque and Lax is during the night. Also looking at the Sunset Limited. Which is more scenic, the Southwest Chief or the Sunset Limited? This is during Winter time. Thanks.

One caveat about the Sunset--timekeeping is a major issue whereas it is much less problematic for the Southwest Chief.

 

[gswager]

What is the most scenic part of the Southwest Chief? Which direction is best? Looks like most of the part between Albuquerque and Lax is during the night. Also looking at the Sunset Limited. Which is more scenic, the Southwest Chief or the Sunset Limited? This is during Winter time. Thanks.

I would say westbound due to the most scenic view at AZ/NM border (west of Gallup), if you're using ABQ because wintertime has shorter daylight hours. For the entire SWC, the most scenic is between Lamy, NM and Trinidad, CO in the mountaineous area.

I've never been on Sunset Limited before, so I can't answer the question.

 

[catbus]

Ok, still working on this. I've come up with 4 choices, any opinions/advice would be great on both itineraries and connection times:

1. California Zephyr from chi to sac, then Coast Starlight from sac to sea. Connection time between is 8 hrs, may connect in Emeryville, connection time 4 1/2 hrs.

2. Coast Starlight roundtrip sea to lax, lax to sea (spend night in lax)

3. Fly to lax, spend a couples days in area, one way on Coast Starlight lax to sea (reason: husband thinks roundtrip is too much of a repeat in scenary).

4. Southwest Chief from chi to lax, then Coast Starlight from lax to sea, Connection time between is 2 hrs.

 

[GregL]

In May '07,we were on the CZ eastbound from Emeryville, the scenery is outstanding west of Denver. That same trip we were on the Empire Builder it too has awesome sights east of Seattle, but you already know that! Have fun, whichever way you deceide to go1

GregL

 

[the_traveler]

1. California Zephyr from chi to sac, then Coast Starlight from sac to sea. Connection time between is 8 hrs, may connect in Emeryville, connection time 4 1/2 hrs.......

4. Southwest Chief from chi to lax, then Coast Starlight from lax to sea, Connection time between is 2 hrs.

The guaranteed connecting point between the CZ and CS is at SAC. This is partly due to the (anticipated) delays.

The connection between the SWC and CS is guaranteed. And even though the arrival time for the SWC is 8:15 AM, I have seen it arrive many times between 7:30 and 7:45 AM!

There are advantages to all your choices (scenery wise). The best views (IMHO) on the CZ is between DEN and GSC, while the best views (scenery wise) on the CS are south of SLO. Too bad they both can not be seen on one trip!

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Take the Coast Starlight to LAX and then take the TE to Chicago, then fly home?

 

[catbus]

Take the Coast Starlight to LAX and then take the TE to Chicago, then fly home?

That'd be cool, but the CS takes 1 night, then 1 night in LA, then it takes 3 nights on the TE. I only have 3 nights. Also, the 3 day a week schedule of the Sunset Limited doesn't work that way (it leaves on my second day). Thanks though. I'm am looking for other options.