First-time long-distance trip!

[Tennessee Traveler]

Congratulations on your first trip - I think you will enjoy it.

Your plan to maximize your time during the day in the Observation car on the Zephyr is a good one. Very nice place to watch scenery and meet other travelers, and the cafe will be right below you for snacks, etc.

Only other thing I might add is to monitor the situation with coach passengers being able to dine in the dining car. Traditionally you would be able to do so, but right now they have a (hopefully temporary) restriction on this. But if the restriction gets lifted before your trip, definitely have a couple of meals in the Zephyr dining car - definitely recommended!

Safe Travels

With the mask requirement now extended until January 18, 2022, do not expect the dining car be opened for coach passengers as long as masking and social distancing is required for ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION including trains.

 

[Tennessee Traveler]

That's good to know about the LSL splitting in Albany, and since I'm getting off in Erie, it doesn't matter if I'm on the 448 or 48. Thanks! I'll just have to be diligent to listen for the stop in Erie so I don't miss it!

I imagine I won't sleep much if at all on the first "day," since I'll want to be awake to see the good Utah/Colorado scenery when it gets light (and initial travel jitters would probably keep me awake for a while anyway). I'll probably end up sleeping the most after Denver. (I've seen the plains in great detail when I first drove from PA to the West on I-80......I don't think I'll miss a lot in Nebraska). If I can I'll nap a bit at first, then try to get to the viewing lounge for sunrise.

I'm not as concerned about seating on the LSL, as I grew up in that region and have seen the Great Lakes a lot. Though sunrise over the lake is nice. I'll probably try to sit on the left side of the CZ if I can, since I've read some comments that indicate the north side tends to have more interesting views. Though if I get to be in the viewing lounge when I'd like, I suppose it wouldn't matter much.

I do hope I'll be able to have a dining car experience! If not, then I'll just go again someday when I can. (The price of a roomette didn't seem worth it to me this time, since I'm a fairly light eater (especially when traveling) and might not even want all the meals in the dining car, and I'm an easy sleeper so coach won't bother me. And I'll want to meet other passengers and enjoy the viewing lounge, and a roomette might tempt me to stay in there too much.)

Otherwise, I'm sure my carry-on food and the cafe will suffice (I've seen the menu and I will do fine with it!)

Assuming the CZ arrives in Chicago on time-ish and I would have several hours to wait, is there anything fairly close by Union Station in Chicago I should go see? Also do you think the price to get into the Metro Lounge would be worth it? ALSO also, would I be able to leave my baggage somewhere at Union Station if I decided to go see (or eat) something nearby, or would I be better off carting all my stuff with me? (I will have a suitcase, backpack, messenger bag, and a throw blanket and pillow....)

First, dining car will not be opened to coach passengers until after COVID mask requirements, etc exist and they have just been extended to January 18.

Instead of purchasing a day pass to the Metropolitan lounge, buy a business class seat on the 448 car on your train since it includes waiting in the Metropolitan Lounge and boarding from the lounge. The reason the 48 business seats are sold out is because there in no 48 business coach to New York. Only the 448 has business class(remember its the same train) as the business coach continues to Boston from Albany, NY. The 448 business class coach is 1 seat and 2 consist and is the last half of the snack bar coach - very nice especially if you can get a seat on the one seat side.

 

[PVD]

As long as it isn't tom'w. no Albany-Boston section due to storm as far as I know.....

 

[AndyK33]

That's a bummer about no dining car for coach passengers, but the cafe will be fine for me. I'll have to do the dining car on a future trip! I'll only be on the trains for one dinner, anyway.

I waited a little longer to book my ticket, and the price went down! Booking a business class seat for $163!