First time Amtrak- DAL to NFS with kids...is it doable?

[Spoon]

Hello Everyone. Thank you in advance for reading this post. My husband and I want to take our kids, ages 10, 9 and 2 on a FUN week-long

getaway. We are trying to escape the Texas heat this summer and try out our new passports, so are planning a trip to Niagra Falls, ON.

However, as I route the trip, I have a few concerns and was hoping to get some advice:

1. We will catch the Texas Eagle either in DAL (Dallas) or MIN (Mineola). Dallas is a manned station, Mineola is unmanned, but closer to our house. Anyone know if there is an advantage either way? Parking free but unsecure in MIN, $7 in DAL

2. Texas Eagle to Chicago should be no problem with layover at Union Station. We should have fun looking around, and kids are excellent travelers. However, my HUGE concern is CHI to BUF (Buffalo-Depew, NY). We get off of the Lake Shore Limited at 9:08 am and don't leave on the Maple Leaf to Niagra Falls, ON (NFS) until 3:10 pm. This seems like a problem looking at the station there. Should we get a cab there (if that is possible) and try to cross the border this way? I called AirBus and they said $239 Yikes! Hotels in ONT that I called don't pick up at Amtrak.

3. BUF to NFS going through customs. Older posts says this is very slow. Has this improved? If not, this day of our travel could be the worst for the kids. Well, for me, actually. Kids think everything is fun, usually.

4 Return trip seems to be a problem as well. Maple Leaf departs at 10:22am and arrives BUF at 1:21pm. However, we catch the Lake Shore Limited at 11:55 PM. Yikes! I had a crazy thought of taking the Maple Leaf on to Syracuse, NY or Utica just to intersect the Lake Shore Limited and our sleeper car earlier in its route. This seems better than waiting in the station at BUF.

5. IF this doesn't seem to be a good first time trip for kids, any other routes I should consider? We can leave on a Saturday and return the next week on Sunday.

6. Just a general Amtrak question. Do you arrange ground transportation ahead of time when traveling by train where there is no one to pick you up?

I have fond memories of traveling in the late 60's from Omaha, NE to Portland, OR with my family on a beautiful passenger train with observation decks. I don't remember the packing or planning that was involved with the trip. I just hopped on board and had a blast walking up and down the length of the train. I know you can't go back, but my older boys would absolutely love this trip if I can make it work. My 2 1/2 year old daughter is very easy going and flexible, but I don't want to push her too far. I'm hoping if I think things through ahead of time it would help.

Thanks to everyone. I am enjoying reading forum and appreciate the wonderful posts.

Spoon

 

[Ryan]

You could probably stay on the LSL longer and transfer to the Maple Leaf further down the line (LSL and the ML share tracks past Buffalo, so you'd be backtracking, but get more train time). It wouldn't be a guaranteed connection, but with a timetable and a watch you could pull it off (may not be a good idea for a first time rider with a family, though).

Honestly, I'd just rent a car at Buffalo and drive up to the Falls. Then you've got a car available to get around while you're up there, then drive back to Buffalo to get the train home.

 

[henryj]

Hello Everyone. Thank you in advance for reading this post. My husband and I want to take our kids, ages 10, 9 and 2 on a FUN week-longgetaway. We are trying to escape the Texas heat this summer and try out our new passports, so are planning a trip to Niagra Falls, ON.

However, my HUGE concern is CHI to BUF (Buffalo-Depew, NY).

Thanks to everyone. I am enjoying reading forum and appreciate the wonderful posts.

Spoon

I did the same trip, only I was going all the way to Toronto. So let me issue this warning. With three kids you will go crazy at the Buffalo-Depew station. There is nothing there and it is in the middle of NOWHERE. The station is way on the outskirts of Buffalo nowhere near the city center or the Falls. There is absolutely nothing to do except watch an occasional freight train rumble by. There is a mall several miles away where you can spend some time. Take a cab as the bus service is poor, running every two hours during the day. I strongly suggest that you find another way to get from the station to Niagra Falls. Either take a cab or see if there is some other type of commercial service available. The time I went the Maple Leaf was over two hours late making the wait even more agonizing.

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Niagara_Fa...ation_Links.htm

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Magic_Mist_Limousine.htm

The Buffalo-Depew station is not far from the Buffalo airport. Perhaps take a taxi to the airport and catch a limo from there to the Falls. Do some research on the internet and make some calls. Maybe someone more familiar with the situation can also help out. Whatever, do not plan to just sit at that pitiful little station, you will go nuts.

Try this taxi service. One way trip from the airport to Niagra Falls Ontario is only $85 flat rate for up to five people. Call them.

http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Airport_Sh...agara_Falls.htm

If you can't afford any of this then at least take a cab to the mall and have lunch while you wait for the Maple Leaf.

 

[sunchaser]

Welcome to the board.

You did not say if you were going to ride in coach or get a sleeper.

If you can afford it, I would get a family bedroom. You will probably need to call to book it, since you have 3 children, but they MAY okay it since one is 2 years old. This will give you all meals in the diner, free coffee, bottled water & juice which will save some money, access to a shower & a place to play/sleep for all of you.

Also, you should as soon as possible-the prices can go up as you get closer to your trip dates.

Have a great trip!

 

[Ryan]

That would help, but not on the LSL - Viewliner's don't have family bedrooms.

 

[sunchaser]

That would help, but not on the LSL - Viewliner's don't have family bedrooms.

I was referring to the Texas Eagle.

 

[the_traveler]

I too was going to suggest taking a cab from the Depew station (BUF) to the Buffalo Airport and renting a car there, then driving to Niagara Falls. (It is only a few miles to the airport, and they have many car rental companies.) It is a very easy drive to Niagara Falls - both on the US side and on the Canadian side.

One word of caution - make sure to carry your Passports (for everyone). You may easily enter Canada, but without the Passport, you may not get back into the US!

As long as you have your tickets, I would chose MIN. This is part of the reason I leave from KIN. Besides being closer, parking is free, in PVD, I would have to pay to park. If you have a lot if luggage, you could either drive to Dallas the day before to check it, or just carry it on at MIN. The Superliners have a large luggage rack on the lower level for storage. You could check the luggage in CHI for the trip to BUF. (Single level trains do not have this rack.)

 

[Ryan]

That would help, but not on the LSL - Viewliner's don't have family bedrooms.

I was referring to the Texas Eagle.

You and I both know that, but I doubt the OP did.

 

[Bob Dylan]

If you really want to see the Falls I think renting a car from the airport is the way to go, good tip! Ive made this trip many times (I have relatives in Ontario)and the comment about the Depew Station is correct, sort of like hanging out in Beaumont or Sanderson waiting on a train! Dont think you need/want to drive all the way to Dallas to park, I'm not familiar with Mineola, usually the train just blows through if no-one is getting on/off there, have you considered Longview which is a major connection point for the busses to/from Houston and Shrevport and is a staffed station with luggage check!

If renting a car is not possible, the tip about a cab to the Buffallo Airport (it's not far nor expensive)is a good one, the shuttle busses will take you to Niagara Falls, New York fairly cheaply! As to staying in Ontario vs. New York, with the Canadian $$ strong now vs. the Eagle $$, and considering the prices here in the summer (it's VERY CROWDED and PRICEY in the summer) yall might want to consider staying on the NY side, crossing the bridge by foot is not the hassle that going on a train or via vehicle is but you will need your passports for sure!

Other considerations are if you can find a motel/hotel that includes breakfast since food tends to be pricey here, even junk food! Also on the Ontario side you can buy passes that include all the major attractions (ie The Maid of The Mist,Trip Behind and Under the Falls,Butterfly Conservetory and the Shuttle busses that run along the River on the Canadian side.Seeing the falls lighted @ night is really neat!

Usually the West bound LSL is late, they call it the Late Shore Ltd., I would NOT suggest riding the Maple Leaf past Buffalo since there would be a 5 or 6 hour wait and the Syracuse station is nothing to write home about either.You could ride to the Buffalo Exchange Street Station which is downtown, spend some time looking @ the great old buildings (City Hall is especially good here, google it up and take a look), eat, then take a cab to the Depew Station about 9PM since the train doesnt get there until midnight or so. If you ride the shuttle to the airport youd have to hang out @ the airport, same difference, renting a car you would have to turn it in, then get to the station also!

Not trying to discourage you but the Viewliner sleepers on the LSL are pricey, and no family bedroom, perhaps as you asked consider going just to Chicago, there is plenty to do there, and as the other posters have said the Family Bedroom is much more comfortable, the Eagle is a good first trip, cheaper than the LSL and while the falls are a must see in this life , a first trip to Chicago is an excellent plan!You might want to consider once you reach Chicago catching the Empire Builder to Wisconson Dells,WI, it's a great water themed resort for families, easier and cheaper than Niagara Falls,you can google it up!Hope this helps, the info is free, the envy from this poster is certain!

 

[caravanman]

Hi,

May I say congratulations on your spirit of adventure, I am sure your kids will remember the visit all their lives!

When I took the train from Chicago to Buffalo Depew, I got a cab at Depew into Buffalo City. The cabs are available at the station in Depew. (cost was about $25 I think, it was a few years ago..) I stayed in Buffalo, and just visited the falls by local bus, about $2 each way. We walked into Canada across the rainbow bridge, and then back, clutching our bottle of maple syrup!

There are two stations serving Buffalo, BFX is in the city, BUF is outside. The Chicago train calls only at Depew.

I feel sure that you could get a bus from Buffalo into Canada itself if you prefer to stay in Canada than the US when visiting the falls.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn in Buffalo, and they had a free shuttle to get to the bus and BFX station, but not to BUF.

Where else could you go? Now you have your passports, the world is yours!

Bon Voyage,

Eddie (ps QUICK EDIT. You can get a greyhound bus all the way from Buffalo to Toronto for $18 adult..)

 

[daveyb99]

1. We will catch the Texas Eagle either in DAL (Dallas) or MIN (Mineola). Dallas is a manned station, Mineola is unmanned, but closer to our house. Anyone know if there is an advantage either way? Parking free but unsecure in MIN, $7 in DAL

I would go with Mineola and save the driving and parking to Dallas. (IF you want more train time and do not mind the driving/parking costs, then go to Fort Worth -- the fare is not too much different that from DAL). The only downfall is if the TE is late, dinner might not be available out of MIN. But my experience is last seating is after 7:30pm, so the train would have to be 2+hours late to miss out.

On a side note, run by the RedBox and rent a couple of $1.00 DVDs. Great and CHEAP entertainment. Then, walk from CUS to the Sears Tower to return them (it is a short walk, about 5 minutes). There is alot to see in CHI, check your bags at the Lounge at trek around. You should have plenty of time between the TE and LSL early boarding.

Another note: Be at the station before the scheduled departure time. The Eagle can and does make up some time between DAL and MIN, and even though the 1-800 might give you an estimated departure time, you could easily be left as the train is only stopped long enough to unload and load -- maybe only a couple of minutes. Yep, you will wait if the Eagle is running late, but you will not be left behind.......

6. Just a general Amtrak question. Do you arrange ground transportation ahead of time when traveling by train where there is no one to pick you up?

I will certainly have some numbers handy to call if I do not have a pre-arranged ride. Either way you will be fine.

 

[the_traveler]

Then, walk from CUS to the Sears Tower to return them (it is a short walk, about 5 minutes). There is alot to see in CHI, check your bags at the Lounge at trek around.

2 small corrections. The Sears Tower is now called the Willis Tower! And they could only get into the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago if they were arriving or departing in a sleeper. (If both segments are in coach, they could nor use the Metropolitan Lounge at all!)

 

[NS VIA FAN]

Take a taxi from Depew to the Buffalo Airport.

Coach Canada has buses from the Airport to Niagara Falls Ontario at 10:45am, 1:20pm and 8:40pm fare is $10 and takes about 1 1/2 hrs.

Returning, a bus leaves NF at 4:55pm and is back at the Buffalo Airport at 6:30pm. Have supper at the Airport to kill some time then taxi back to Depew.

http://www.coachcanada.com/coachcanada/index.asp?_lp.lang=en

 

[rogerVarland]

Putting the pieces together, I'm not sure the LSL from CHI - BUF makes for a fun trip give the price of sleepers for a family or the prospect of overnight coach. Unless, THE FALLS are the holy grail for the summer. I would support the suggestion for Chicago (a pile of things to do) or adding the short extension to Wisconsin Dells. If you really want train time, then add DC. In fact with the time you have, you could do a couple of days in DC and CHI both. I too am envious. What a great gift to your kids! Happy travels.

 

[Dan O]

No suggestions on the train but hope you get to spend a bit of time on Goat Island. It was a lot less crowded than the Canadian side and has some trees and grass to enjoy. Plus the views of the falls aren't bad. Hope you have a good trip. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Dan

 

[Spoon]

Thanks to all who posted responses. I really appreciate all the replies. I'll research the suggestions. This forum is a real blessing! Hope I can return the favor soon with good information.

Spoon

 

[JSmith]

I live in Buffalo, and I agree with everyone who says to forget about connecting with the Maple Leaf at BUF. I would either rent a car (although I don't know if crossing the border in a rental car presents any issues) or take a cab to the airport and a bus to Niagara Falls. If you rent a car, you could spend some time in Buffalo on the day you head back on the LSL, since the train doesn't leave until midnight. The Buffalo Zoo is great for kids and the Museum of Science is a bit quaint in places but hosts some excellent traveling exhibits. I don't know when you are planning your trip, but they have a Sesame Street "The Body" exhibit running for the next few weeks and then in the rest of the summer is a robotic dinosaurs exhibit. The waterfront along Lake Erie and the Niagara River is wonderful for strolling or picnics in the summer. Just tossing some ideas out there that would be a better way to spend time than waiting in the Depew train station!

Feel free to send me a private message here if you'd like any more suggestions or ideas for Buffalo and Niagara Falls from a local.