How could one travel from Raleigh to NYC on Silver Star with family?

[Mel]

Hi all,

I'm very concerned about seating arrangements on a Silver Star train from Raleigh to NYC. Apparently, it starts in Miami almost a full day before, so won't it be nearly full before it gets to Raleigh? How can I be assured to keep all 4 of us (2 adults and 2 children who definitely need supervision) together? I'm really concerned and worried, and don't know how to arrange this.

Thanks for all help!

Mel

 

[Mid Atlantic]

Relatively few people travel all the way from Miami to NYC. I've travelled between Raleigh and DC on the Silver Star several times and Amtrak provides enough coach seating to allow a family of 4 to sit together.

 

[xyzzy]

92 usually arrives Raleigh less than 2/3 full, sometimes 1/2 full. A lot of people ride 92 within Florida. There's not usually a large crowd at RGH to board 92 because most locals prefer to ride 80 (the Carolinian), which has a more dependable schedule northbound because it originates in Charlotte instead of Miami. The tradeoffs are that 80 is often nearly full departing RGH and seating on 92 is more comfortable, plus 92 has a full dining car.

 

[Michael061282]

also after Richmond, the train becomes departures only, no once and board north or Richmond. If you have to, you could pair off one adul and pne child until the the seats become available... just make sure you clear that with the coach attendant before hand, some of them get a little prickly about moving seats sometimes.

 

[Amtrak Cajun]

The coach attendants will try to keep families together, just ask them about the seating for the family and they should accomodate you quite easily.

Have a safe trip.

 

[Mel]

Wow, thank you so much for all of the advice! I really enjoyed reading all of your responses.

So, it looks like the 92 will be less full when it gets to Raleigh, even though it's been coming from Miami, yes? Or, if it is fairly full, the coach conductor will try to make sure that our family can sit together? Dumb question: should we ask about this in the station, on the platform, or on the train? I am a severe newbie when it comes to train travel in the US, I'm afraid! (Traveled extensively by train in Sweden 10+ years ago, but it was much different!)

Also, you all mentioned the 80 -- would anyone here recommend that option? I know it's smaller, but would it be more full than the 92 because of it's route? Would business class on the 80 be preferable to/comparable to coach on the 92?

I guess what I'm asking is, what would you all do if you wanted to take a trip with your family?

 

[Mel]

*Oh, and one other thing:

What is everyone's opinion on the Roomette/sleeper? I noticed it will only let you buy a room for two people; would it be an option to buy two coach seats AND a Roomette, and let us walk between the two of them occassionally with the kids, or would that be a no-go?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Mel]

Also, would the Christmas holiday have any huge impact? (I would imagine it would! ) We will be traveling December 19 to NYC.

Does this impact which train and/or sleeper/business class to choose?

Thanks so much everyone! I will tell every possible Amtrak-enthusiast about this amazing board.

 

[xyzzy]

92 this Sunday will be full at Raleigh, but so will be every train in the system.

When you go to board, tell the coach attendant at the loading location that you need however many seats together. Sometimes they can accommodate this right away, other times they may ask you to take seats temporarily until they can sort it out. Don't ask the ticket agents inside the station; they don't play any role in seat assignments. (This is not an airline where your boarding pass has a specific seat assignment.)

You may find that 80 is less expensive than 92. North of Raleigh they run the same route and travel at about the same pace, although 80 makes a few more stops than 92. Personally I'd ride 80, and personally I don't think business class on 80 is worth the extra money.

Generally speaking Amtrak does not condone rotating use of sleeper space. You may find it's moot because sleeper space near Christmas will be close to selling out, if it's not already.

Whatever you decide, buy your tickets soon or you risk higher fares or no availability at all.

 

[Shanghai]

If you could afford roomettes, you would be assured of seats together, plus meals are included in the fare.

You would not be permitted to have your passengers switch between coach and the roomette. Sometimes,

the conductor may allow you to switch, but I think it is highly unlikely. Generally, only proper sleeper

passengers are permitted in the sleeper cars.

 

[Notelvis]

Mel -

Regardless of whether you ultimately choose train #92 (Silver Star) or #80 (Carolinian), you might want to consider boarding the train in Cary, NC.

Cary is 9 miles southwest of Raleigh, offers more and safer parking if you are leaving a vehicle at the station, and - most importantly, generally boards fewer passengers northbound than does Raleigh.

At the very least, if your family is unable to sit together when you first board the train (a real possibility during the Christmas travel season), you SHOULD be able to get everyone together when the train reaches Raleigh. Passengers getting off the train in Raleigh will vacate their seats before the new passengers boarding in Raleigh are able to get on the train.

 

[Jim Kiley]

An other advantage of boarding at Cary, you can claim the seats of the people getting off at Raleigh if 4 seats are not available at Cary. As always, the seating in the center of the car provides a smoother ride.