Amtrak Too Expensive

[Susan French-Brown]

I tried to book a trip with Amtrak, as I love to travel by train. Amtrak is by no means a luxury trip and you must put up with constant delays and often not being on time to your destination. But, I adore train trips. When I priced a trip from from Port Charlotte, Florida to Denver Colorado with a "roomette" for me and my husband, it would cost almost $4000.00! Who in their right mind would pay that kind of money for that trip? We could fly for less than half of that amount! We have taken European Cruises for less than $4000.00. Back in the early 2000's we took an Amtrak multi-city trip from Port Charlotte, Fl. to New Orleans, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago and we had a full bedroom. The cost of that trip was much less than 4000 for both of us. Amtrak has priced themselves way out of my travel budget. It is truly a shame as it is a wonderful way to travel. I don't believe the cost of diesel or the cost of rail repairs has very much to do with the cost raise. These trains make these trips whether we are on them or not, and Amtrak does not own the rails so they are not paying directly to repair them. Rather than have half empty trains riding the rails, it would make more sense to lower the prices and fill the trains. Our government would surely be going "green" by substantially subsidizing Amtrak rather than cutting their funds. Amtrak has priced themselves out of existence and that is truly sad. My Grandchildren will never know the fun of an Amtrak vacation.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

When you did that trip, you probably took the Sunset Limited to NOL. That train wenty all the way to LAX. The rest is simpler. Now, the SL east of NOl has been "suspended" so to get to DEN you have to go through WAS and CHI. That greatly increases the cost. Even with the SL East, it would still be expensive because there was/is no convienient route to DEN from Florida. It's the routes and endpoints, not that Amtrak is doubling fares. They might increase but not double in a few years.

 

[Ispolkom]

If your dates are flexible, you should be able to get cheaper prices. Looking at dates in July, which I would think would be high season, I find roomettes between Port Charlotte and Denver at below $3000. As far as prices go for sleeper accommodations go, though, I'm happy that Amtrak is charging what the market will bear for scarce resources, thus decreasing the subsidy that Amtrak needs from us, the taxpayers. In my experience, sleeper cars are running pretty darn full, even at the high prices Amtrak charges. Supply, meet Demand.

Oh, to check at ticket prices, try Amsnag. I find it invaluable.

 

[Blackwolf]

Yes, Amtrak has raised their fares recently. It is a subject that has gotten mixed feelings from a vast majority of those who frequent this forum and others just the same. But I would personally argue that the company has gotten nowhere near "pricing themselves out of existence" in terms of fares. I do consider Amtrak in its current state, when traveling by sleeper, to be a luxury. Heck, even having trains to travel on as a mode of transport and not just a tourist excursion is in itself a form of luxury; the alternative would be to fly sardine class with all the non-pleasures involved, cram into the Mutt Bus and really hate life, or do all the work yourself AND pay for it too by driving.

But time and time again, even with the new fares, the cost of traveling sleeper long-distance aboard a train has remained relatively the same when adjusted for inflation between now and 50 years ago. If anything, Amtrak was underpricing its services on many routes to attract business. That is a problem no more, if anything the issue has turned 180 degrees and now Amtrak is selling out on many of their routes on a routine basis. If you are 100% full on your trains at the lower price, it would be insanity not to raise the rates here and there until a happy-medium is reached where market demand and cost equalize. Amtrak is subsidized, the same as all travel options (and to a lesser percentage at that,) but it is still a business. They need to recoup costs where they can, and even perhaps strive to make a profit!

Don't get me wrong in saying that $4000 is a touch steep for travel costs alone, but have you attempted at using such tools as AmSnag to see if dates before and/or after the ones you initially want to travel on are going for less? If you are looking at peak season and/or are looking to book a trip less than five months out from this current date, then you are going to pay more. An unfortunate truth, but the fact none the less. Rail travel is exploding in popularity (finally) but the capacity to carry more passengers is stagnant. East coast sleeper stock is rising over the next few years, but outside of that, nothing else in the next decade is really taking serious shape just yet.

 

[Texan Eagle]

I tried to book a trip with Amtrak, as I love to travel by train. Amtrak is by no means a luxury trip and you must put up with constant delays and often not being on time to your destination. But, I adore train trips. When I priced a trip from from Port Charlotte, Florida to Denver Colorado with a "roomette" for me and my husband, it would cost almost $4000.00!

What dates are you looking at? Are your travel dates fixed or flexible? I did a sample price-check for travels in May 2012, and on some days, for example, departing on Tue, May 15th, the total cost for two passengers including roomette accommodation (and that would include all meals on the train for both) comes to $1475.00 Another example, if you depart on Sunday, May 13th, it comes to $1597. 00, both much lesser than the $4000 amount you are quoting. Yes, on some days the fare can be very high, but that is because people are willing to pay that much, not because Amtrak wants to run their trains "half empty". Amtrak fares are like airline fares, when demand increases, fares soar.

By the way, just to be sure, I hope you are not adding TWO "roomettes" while checking fares? Between you and your husband, you need to add only ONE roomette. It will accommodate both of you, and give both of you all meals.

I don't believe the cost of diesel or the cost of rail repairs has very much to do with the cost raise. These trains make these trips whether we are on them or not, and Amtrak does not own the rails so they are not paying directly to repair them.

In fact, since Amtrak does not own most of the rails it runs on, it is at the mercy of the freight railroads about how much money they demand to let Amtrak trains run. One example is Union Pacific company asking for something like $750 million to allow Amtrak add more service to Sunset Limited route.

As someone suggested, if your travel dates are flexible, use the Amsnag website to find out prevailing fares on your route for 30 day period at once. You may be able to score a real good deal

 

[jmbgeg]

Compare your fare to first class airfare. I did did SPK-Cleveland and it was the same (and I had a bedroom).

 

[PRR 60]

Compare your fare to first class airfare. I did did SPK-Cleveland and it was the same (and I had a bedroom).

Why would you compare it to first class airfare? Coach is just fine for a four or five hour flight. Coach is not as fine for a three day train ride. The comparison should be between the class of service that is acceptable for each mode.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Compare your fare to first class airfare. I did did SPK-Cleveland and it was the same (and I had a bedroom).

Why would you compare it to first class airfare? Coach is just fine for a four or five hour flight. Coach is not as fine for a three day train ride. The comparison should be between the class of service that is acceptable for each mode.

He meant comparing F to a Bedroom. F is the most expemsive airfare, Bedroom the most expensive rail fare. Also keep in mind that airline comfort has been going down since the 1990s. AA even removed MRTC.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I just found tickets for you at only $1600 for two adults even in the middle of summer high season! I do not see how you could have found $4000.! Your prices are WAYYYYY off target!

 

[henryj]

I assume you are going round trip. I booked a test round trip in July and it was only $2819 for two adults in a roomette. That is for three nights on the train each way for a total of six nights on three different trains, the Silver Meteor, Capitol Limited and California Zephyr, all meals included, etc. It looked reasonable to me. Then again if you are trying to get full bedrooms both ways that is going to be expensive. After all that is first class travel. You have to look at first class air fares for a comparison. Have you tried different dates or Amsnag to try and get a lower rate? http://biketrain.netfirms.com/amsnag/amSnag.php If you really want a train trip you can do what I often do and that is to fly to my train ride. I live in Houston, Tx and train options are somewhat limited. You could also take the train one way and fly back. I often do that as the train ride on the front end is part of the vacation, but when it's over I just want to get back so I fly. Of course we have SWA here and they don't penalize you for taking a one way flight. The train trip one way was something like $1550 for two adults in a roomette.

 

[dlagrua]

Long Distance rail fares are usually higher in price than airline fares. Add a bedroom or roomette and they are definitely higher in price. Rail travel is therefore for people who enjoy it, don't want to fly, don't want to be degraded by the "blueshirts" and are willing to pay more for it.

 

[Guest]

Remember that the cost from Florida to Denver includes three nights accommodations in each direction, along with meals. If you were to add up vacation costs you would have paid for meals and hotels for those days, the price gap narrows.

I can only speak for myself, but I've had many more delays from airlines than I've had from Amtrak.

Be flexible and check other dates as others have suggested. If that doesn't work, think of us on the train while your on the plane.

 

[pennyk]

In 2010, I traveled from Orlando to Denver (Silver Meteor roomette, Cardinal bedroom, CZ bedroom). I then went from Denver to Seattle on AGR. From SEA I returned to Orlando on the EB (bedroom), CL (bedroom), SM (roomette). I made the reservations 11 months in advance and the entire trip cost slightly over $3,000, excluding the AGR portion.

I did not compare the cost to flying because that was never an option for me.

 

[RSG]

Bear in mind that in many instances, trains rarely travel half-empty, particularly outside of the winter months. Ridership of Amtrak is at an all-time high, so the lack of popularity isn't the reason for the high fares; in fact the opposite is more likely true.

Also, despite the lower fares others have found, realize it may be cheaper to stop at an intermediate destination, rent a car, and then drive to your final destination. It's not quite as carefree, but if you are going to want a car at your destination anyway, it's an option. Just do so at a major stopping point to avoid sky-high rental car rates.

The biggest issue, IMHO, is the dearth of north-south trains in the interior West.

I tried to book a trip with Amtrak, as I love to travel by train. Amtrak is by no means a luxury trip and you must put up with constant delays and often not being on time to your destination. But, I adore train trips. When I priced a trip from from Port Charlotte, Florida to Denver Colorado with a "roomette" for me and my husband, it would cost almost $4000.00! Who in their right mind would pay that kind of money for that trip? We could fly for less than half of that amount! We have taken European Cruises for less than $4000.00. Back in the early 2000's we took an Amtrak multi-city trip from Port Charlotte, Fl. to New Orleans, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago and we had a full bedroom. The cost of that trip was much less than 4000 for both of us. Amtrak has priced themselves way out of my travel budget. It is truly a shame as it is a wonderful way to travel. I don't believe the cost of diesel or the cost of rail repairs has very much to do with the cost raise. These trains make these trips whether we are on them or not, and Amtrak does not own the rails so they are not paying directly to repair them. Rather than have half empty trains riding the rails, it would make more sense to lower the prices and fill the trains. Our government would surely be going "green" by substantially subsidizing Amtrak rather than cutting their funds. Amtrak has priced themselves out of existence and that is truly sad. My Grandchildren will never know the fun of an Amtrak vacation.

 

[jebr]

Compare your fare to first class airfare. I did did SPK-Cleveland and it was the same (and I had a bedroom).

Why would you compare it to first class airfare? Coach is just fine for a four or five hour flight. Coach is not as fine for a three day train ride. The comparison should be between the class of service that is acceptable for each mode.

Out of curiousity, why would coach not be considered "fine" for a three-day trip? Granted, I've never done one on Amtrak, but I've done many two-night Megabus rides without a problem. And there's no sleepers there, along with worse seating than Amtrak.

 

[greatcats]

Yes, such trips can be expensive, but some others have pointed to different ways of figuring this. I live in Arizona and plan to attend my college alumni week in New Jersey in mid-May. From what I came up with on Amtrak, to book a roomette just for myself round trip from Flagstaff to New York runs anywhere from $1,400 to over 1,700 with the itineraries I planned. I refuse to pay this for a trip when I will spend one week on the east coast. I considered driving, but roughly figuring in gas, meals, and motels for the travel portions of the trip, it would come out to a near equivalent amount. Therefore, I also refuse to drive this trip. ( although I like driving. ) I would not consider Greyhound for a cross country trip, although trips of a day or less I would under some circumstances. My conclusion was to fly this trip, leaving May 8 and returning May 15 Phoenix-Newark. I have booked a nonstop flight on the United website for $299 plus fees and have used airline miles to book a rental car for my stay. I am not a big fan of flying with TSA and all, although do profess a loyalty to United.

Now my concert going friend and I came up with an idea yesterday and we have decided to pay this fare, because it is a pretty good value. We are not sure if we are going to actually make this trip, but it is refundable. Neither of us have travelled portions of this route: We will travel from Tucson, AZ in late October via San Antonio and Chicago to Washington, DC. Since my friend is disabled, I am regarded as a companion and was quoted a fare of $951.40. That is acceptable, but we will probably fly back, using airline miles. The point is that I snagged this fare seven months in advance when I came up with an idea.

 

[amtrakwolverine]

Has anyone actually checked to see if it really is $4000 like guest claims and not just here trolling? I find it hard to believe 4000 for a roomette for 2 trains. Do roomettes even go in the 1000 dollar range at the highest bucket?

 

[ParrotRob]

What makes you think the trains are traveling "half empty"? The fact that you're seeing high fares is indicative of the fact that they are traveling at or near capacity.

Everyone that complains about the price of ANYTHING, be it railfare, gas, airfare, anything is forgeting one simple economic principle - prices fix THEMSELVES at what the market can and will bear. If the high bucket for that trip really is $4000 (and I didn't look), then obviously SOMEONE is paying it. Just because it's beyond your capability or desire to pay it does not mean it's overpriced. It's just overpriced for you.

 

[Ispolkom]

Compare your fare to first class airfare. I did did SPK-Cleveland and it was the same (and I had a bedroom).

Why would you compare it to first class airfare? Coach is just fine for a four or five hour flight. Coach is not as fine for a three day train ride. The comparison should be between the class of service that is acceptable for each mode.

Acceptable to whom? Prices are what they are because of what people are willing to pay. Some people have no difficulty traveling in coach on Amtrak (my father-in-law enjoys meeting new people), others hate flying, or TSA security theater, while for others speedy arrival at destination is paramount. Each consumer makes his or her own calculations based on his or her own tastes. The concept of a "fair" price is, I think, without meaning, since each consumer would peg it differently.

EDIT: ParrotRob was considerably more succinct than I.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Has anyone actually checked to see if it really is $4000 like guest claims and not just here trolling? I find it hard to believe 4000 for a roomette for 2 trains. Do roomettes even go in the 1000 dollar range at the highest bucket?

I have checked and I have not found any fares for $4000. The Guest said it was for a roomette so not a bedroom. That would not put the fare so high.

 

[RRUserious]

I think the trouble is that the Amtrak route map is a skeleton of what used to be. It goes overland, so if a particular pair of cities didn't survive the slaughter, then you end up with an absurd route. Airlines go point to point, and the cost is extremely low if the departing city and arriving city are a popular pair. So as I always say, if the scenery in betwen is of no value or importance, then most times the flight cost will always win out. Look at other countries and I think you'll find the grid much more complete. The U.S. government nursed aviation along from the very first plane, giving it lucrative mail contracts. Only after the rail system had been thoroughly ravaged was there political support to keep what was left from disappearing.

I think modern travelers know precious little about transportation history. They do these online searches with zero context and then find comparisons outrageous. Most, I'd say nearly all, simply click the "best deal" and leave it at that. For some reason, a few seem to feel a need to search out rail fans and demand an explanation. I think it would be better to seek education rather than satisfaction. Rail was the victim of two industries: automobiles and airlines. Sort of a battered baby syndrome. We are the heirs to a massive problem that created: energy dependence and the urge to send young people over seas to kill people and in some cases come back in a box themselves. And even their grieving relatives won't understand this context that made it all "necessary".

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I think the trouble is that the Amtrak route map is a skeleton of what used to be. It goes overland, so if a particular pair of cities didn't survive the slaughter, then you end up with an absurd route. Airlines go point to point, and the cost is extremely low if the departing city and arriving city are a popular pair. So as I always say, if the scenery in betwen is of no value or importance, then most times the flight cost will always win out. Look at other countries and I think you'll find the grid much more complete. The U.S. government nursed aviation along from the very first plane, giving it lucrative mail contracts. Only after the rail system had been thoroughly ravaged was there political support to keep what was left from disappearing.

I think modern travelers know precious little about transportation history. They do these online searches with zero context and then find comparisons outrageous. Most, I'd say nearly all, simply click the "best deal" and leave it at that. For some reason, a few seem to feel a need to search out rail fans and demand an explanation. I think it would be better to seek education rather than satisfaction. Rail was the victim of two industries: automobiles and airlines. Sort of a battered baby syndrome. We are the heirs to a massive problem that created: energy dependence and the urge to send young people over seas to kill people and in some cases come back in a box themselves. And even their grieving relatives won't understand this context that made it all "necessary".

You have a good point. If Amtrak still had the Floridian without poor tracks then the OP could have gotten the the trip in a Roomette for less than $2000 total. The old Burlington Texas Zephyr might have helped, too.

 

[sechs]

Why would you compare it to first class airfare? Coach is just fine for a four or five hour flight. Coach is not as fine for a three day train ride. The comparison should be between the class of service that is acceptable for each mode.

Then, why do people do coach for a three day train ride?
I think that you're interjecting your personal preferences. It makes more sense to compare apples to apples.

Sleepers on Amtrak are much closer to first class on international flights, than first class on domestic flights. Now we're talking dollar signs.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Why would you compare it to first class airfare? Coach is just fine for a four or five hour flight. Coach is not as fine for a three day train ride. The comparison should be between the class of service that is acceptable for each mode.

Then, why do people do coach for a three day train ride?
I think that you're interjecting your personal preferences. It makes more sense to compare apples to apples.

Sleepers on Amtrak are much closer to first class on international flights, than first class on domestic flights. Now we're talking dollar signs.

Even international First Class passengers have to suffer the whims of airline travel. Most International F is far from having a private room. Unless we talk First Suites.

 

[zepherdude]

I just ran numbers on the trip, I do not know where they are starting from in Florida, so I started from ORL to DEN for 2 passengers on June 14 was $1874.00 one way. Round Trip is $3748.00 on 3 trains each way. All rooms booked as roomettes with meals included as Amtrak Policy states.

In comparison, I did the same trip on Delta same date, destination one way for 2 passengers, First Class is $1133.00. Round trip is $2266.00 with 2 bags included in FC, meals, drinks. One can say what they want to about the TSA, I would rather go through that instead of 3 trains any day. It is also cheaper to send clothes ahead via UPS and not lug suitcases anymore, when it is feasible.

So the bottom line is $4000 is not out of line for roomettes on Amtrak. I love to take the train, kick back, feet up, read and do what people do on Amtrak. I like comfort as well. I would get pretty restless in coach on 3 trains. They are not running half empty. I watch the Coast Starlight often, it runs consistently with 3 sleeper cars and 3-4 coach cars. We know the East Coast is blowing numbers away. I think sleeper prices are what they are. If people will pay the price for sleepers Amtrak will take their money and not look back or loose sleep.