Missouri River Runner

[RailFanLNK]

Next year I'm planning a trip from KCY to SAS. (Kansas City to San Antonio) I plan on taking the #314 Missouri River Runner at 7:30am to STL with an arrival of 1:10pm. What is the difference of coach and business class? Any helpful tips on this trip? I will be booking this through AGR and using 30,000 points for the TE part of this trip. What is there to do in STL for 7 hours? Do the Cardinals play day games at all or are they all at night? I just noticed the connection from the TE to the MRR coming back is tight but it looks like there are options and we won't be totally out of luck. What are some of your ideas with these trains. I have never rode them before. My travel dates are: Depart KCUS on Wednesday June 30th at 7:30am and arrive San Antonio on Thursday July 1st at 10:25pm. I would then depart SAS on Monday July 5th and arrive back in KCY on July 6th at 2:10pm.

Al

 

[eee]

Business class on that train is usually 2-1 seating in comfy faux-leather seats. It's quiet, comfortable and you get a free newspaper and drink. Plus you don't have to be part of the coach boarding cattle call, rushing to find a good seat.

The Metrolink (light rail) stops at the Amtrak station. You can take that many places: Laclede's Landing for food/drink, one of the area's casinos, Forest Park, etc.

The Cardinals play some day games. If you're looking at a Cards game on Wednesday, June 30, they play at 1:15 that day. You should be able to get decent tickets for not too much money for a weekday day game. It's a very short Metrolink ride to the stadium, so short I'd probably just walk if it were me.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Next year I'm planning a trip from KCY to SAS. (Kansas City to San Antonio) I plan on taking the #314 Missouri River Runner at 7:30am to STL with an arrival of 1:10pm. What is the difference of coach and business class? Any helpful tips on this trip? I will be booking this through AGR and using 30,000 points for the TE part of this trip. What is there to do in STL for 7 hours? Do the Cardinals play day games at all or are they all at night? I just noticed the connection from the TE to the MRR coming back is tight but it looks like there are options and we won't be totally out of luck. What are some of your ideas with these trains. I have never rode them before. My travel dates are: Depart KCUS on Wednesday June 30th at 7:30am and arrive San Antonio on Thursday July 1st at 10:25pm. I would then depart SAS on Monday July 5th and arrive back in KCY on July 6th at 2:10pm.
Al

Since the Eagle is my home train Ill speak to that part: I tried to book the #22 from AUS-STL, connect to KCY on the RR #311/amtrak would not make it since its not a guaranteed connection (the Eagle has been on time recently but often runs late)!They told me that Id have to take #313 in the PM which would make the connection with the SWC in KCY iffy!

The Cardinal schedule should be out fairly soon this fall, you might go to the mlb.com website or even the Cardinals own! Most day games are played on the weekends and or on get-away days (where they have to leave town for a long road trip) but these are rare! Of course you can see the arch and the museum there are Casinos across the river (boats) and the Budweiser (hic) tour isnt bad!Some good Italian resturants in St. Louis too!

Sorry I have nothing on the River Runners, there was a few posts on this awhile back, you could look it up? If you want any info on SAS please ask, I lived there several years and its my favorite city in Texas! (Go!SPURS!GO!)

Also the times on the Eagles will change by next year when the decision is made on whether to run daily CHI-LAX or whatever comes out!And St. Louis has pretty good local transportation but most things are in walking distance of the new station, the old Union Station is a fancy mall but havent been inside, might be worth a look?

 

[chertling]

Next year I'm planning a trip from KCY to SAS. (Kansas City to San Antonio) I plan on taking the #314 Missouri River Runner at 7:30am to STL with an arrival of 1:10pm. What is the difference of coach and business class?

On the River Runner, the only real differences between Coach and Business class are: slightly wider seats with more legroom (1-Aisle-2 arrangement, opposed to 2-aisle-2), a guaranteed power outlet (although it seems like most of the coach cars now have outlets as well), and one complimentary soft drink.

Also, since you are boarding at KCY, I will warn you... parking there is not cheap. The rate for the station's parking garage is $10 per day. You may want to look into boarding the River Runner at one of the suburban stations, where parking is free (I would recommend Lee's Summit, rather than Independence)

 

[diesteldorf]

Next year I'm planning a trip from KCY to SAS. (Kansas City to San Antonio) I plan on taking the #314 Missouri River Runner at 7:30am to STL with an arrival of 1:10pm. What is the difference of coach and business class? Any helpful tips on this trip? I will be booking this through AGR and using 30,000 points for the TE part of this trip. What is there to do in STL for 7 hours? Do the Cardinals play day games at all or are they all at night? I just noticed the connection from the TE to the MRR coming back is tight but it looks like there are options and we won't be totally out of luck. What are some of your ideas with these trains. I have never rode them before. My travel dates are: Depart KCUS on Wednesday June 30th at 7:30am and arrive San Antonio on Thursday July 1st at 10:25pm. I would then depart SAS on Monday July 5th and arrive back in KCY on July 6th at 2:10pm.
Al

I like Business Class and the price shouldn't be much more. I also like having a dedicated bathroom for that car/area.

The Brewery tour is a great way to kill time and its free and you can get samples.

 

[RailFanLNK]

Yeah...Budweiser Brewery is probably out, we are going all the way to SAS for a once every 5 years 12 Step Convention dealing with the abuse of alcohol! :lol: So that might not be in the tour itenirary. What should I pick in SAS as a place to stay? I need something that I can get to the Amtrak station but I don't want a place with cockroaches, nor do I want a place that I loose count on how many forks are on the hotel restaurant table as well. The hotel will be strictly for sleeping and thats it. What would you suggest? Thanks! Oh about Lee's Summit...I will be driving in from Lincoln NE. What would be the best station to board at coming from the north. I'm familiar with the KC area because I had season tickets to the Chiefs for 17 seasons until just last year. (they got too expensive for crappy football)

 

[eee]

I've always parked at the Crown Center garage, connected to Union Station by skywalk. As long as you leave on an evening or weekend, it's free.

 

[the_traveler]

I will be booking this through AGR and using 30,000 points for the TE part of this trip. What is there to do in STL for 7 hours?

Are you doing this as a continuing trip - or such as stopping off in STL for a few days? You mentioned "what is there to do for 7 hours" - so it sounds like one thru trip. Is so, if you redeem an AGR award on the TE, since both ends of your trip are in the midwest zone, you could redeem from KCY-SAS for the same amount of points - and it will include BC on the River Runner!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Yeah...Budweiser Brewery is probably out, we are going all the way to SAS for a once every 5 years 12 Step Convention dealing with the abuse of alcohol! :lol: So that might not be in the tour itenirary. What should I pick in SAS as a place to stay? I need something that I can get to the Amtrak station but I don't want a place with cockroaches, nor do I want a place that I loose count on how many forks are on the hotel restaurant table as well. The hotel will be strictly for sleeping and thats it. What would you suggest? Thanks! Oh about Lee's Summit...I will be driving in from Lincoln NE. I'm familiar with the KC area because I had season tickets to the Chiefs for 17 seasons until just last year. (they got too expensive for crappy football)

Ask and you shall receive, we just finished a thread about San Antonio: my recommend is "The Best Western Sunset Suites", its a block towards town from the station, includes brekfast, is a completely modern/remodeled 100 yr. old building! Its five blocks from the convention center/riverwalk area (under the underpass to town), therealso a La Quinta Motel by the Dennys that direction for less $$ too! The River Walk and Convention Hotels are pricey, San Antonio is a tourist and Convention town, not worth the money IMHO! Theres lots oif good info on both cities on the webs/also jusk ask here and youll get great info! (ahem!) Sorry about the Bud tour, Im in a 12 step recovery program myself! Glad the info was there for the Cards, ive seen games in all three of the stadiums from the days of Stan the Man to the new place which is first rate and close to the station! (I am an Astro fan so cant root for the Cards!)

Hope this helps some! Are the Chiefs still in the leauge? LOL

 

[chertling]

...in the tour itenirary.

One other thing to note... if this is a "Tour" like you put together for your Singles group, there is a good chance there are not enough seats in Business Class to accommodate everyone. The Business Class section on the River Runner is only 1/3 of a single car. (The other 2/3rds of that particular car are the Cafe seating and serving area)

Coming into town from the North, KC Union Station would be the most convenient by far... but also the most expensive. (Unless the Crown Center parking idea that eee mentioned works)

Parking is free at both Independence and Lee's Summit...

Independence (13 Miles east of Downtown KC) would be more convenient than Lees Summit (20 Miles southeast of Downtown KC) However, I wouldn't be comfortable leaving my car at Independence overnight.

 

[AlanB]

I will be booking this through AGR and using 30,000 points for the TE part of this trip. What is there to do in STL for 7 hours?

Are you doing this as a continuing trip - or such as stopping off in STL for a few days? You mentioned "what is there to do for 7 hours" - so it sounds like one thru trip. Is so, if you redeem an AGR award on the TE, since both ends of your trip are in the midwest zone, you could redeem from KCY-SAS for the same amount of points - and it will include BC on the River Runner!

Just be sure to confirm that the agent is indeed booking you into BC, if as The_Traveler suggests that you are booking a through trip. Some agents will just book you into BC, other's follow the official policy that says "you only get BC if you ask for it."

 

[Rafi]

Since the Eagle is my home train Ill speak to that part: I tried to book the #22 from AUS-STL, connect to KCY on the RR #311/amtrak would not make it since its not a guaranteed connection (the Eagle has been on time recently but often runs late)!They told me that Id have to take #313 in the PM which would make the connection with the SWC in KCY iffy!

Actually, some clarification is in order here.

Booking from AUS-KCY, you CAN be booked onto #311 out of STL. Going from 22 to 311 is now a guaranteed connection. BUT, if you're connecting to the Chief out of KCY, Amtrak holds you in St. Louis because that's where the Metropolitan Lounge is for layover (despite the beauty of KCY's station).

So to summarize, 22 to 311 is now guaranteed and will come up as an automatic choice if you're not heading west of KCY on the Chief. If you are connecting to the Chief, Amtrak wants to keep that crowd in STL for the day. That isn't to say you couldn't do a multi-city booking (AUS-KCY and then KCY to wherever), of course, as both River Runners connect with the Chief.

Rafi

 

[Bob Dylan]

Since the Eagle is my home train Ill speak to that part: I tried to book the #22 from AUS-STL, connect to KCY on the RR #311/amtrak would not make it since its not a guaranteed connection (the Eagle has been on time recently but often runs late)!They told me that Id have to take #313 in the PM which would make the connection with the SWC in KCY iffy!

Actually, some clarification is in order here.

Booking from AUS-KCY, you CAN be booked onto #311 out of STL. Going from 22 to 311 is now a guaranteed connection. BUT, if you're connecting to the Chief out of KCY, Amtrak holds you in St. Louis because that's where the Metropolitan Lounge is for layover (despite the beauty of KCY's station).

So to summarize, 22 to 311 is now guaranteed and will come up as an automatic choice if you're not heading west of KCY on the Chief. If you are connecting to the Chief, Amtrak wants to keep that crowd in STL for the day. That isn't to say you couldn't do a multi-city booking (AUS-KCY and then KCY to wherever), of course, as both River Runners connect with the Chief.

Rafi

Thanks Rafi, guess the agent I talked with didnt know this which is no great surprise! I dont know if I want to spend the day in STL again, but if its an AGR award Id have to either stay in STL till the later train or book out of KCY for a one zone award on the new KCY-CBS loophole correct? :unsure:

 

[Rafi]

Thanks Rafi, guess the agent I talked with didnt know this which is no great surprise! I dont know if I want to spend the day in STL again, but if its an AGR award Id have to either stay in STL till the later train or book out of KCY for a one zone award on the new KCY-CBS loophole correct? :unsure:

Yes, if you want to go to KCY for the day, you'll have to purchase a ticket for 311 if you're going west of KCY. And those ticket fares aren't exactly going to break the bank, especially if you find one on the Weekly Specials page.

Rafi

 

[RailFanLNK]

At this moment, there's just two guys going to SAS, me and a buddy. But I also have friends who endured the "trip from hell" going to Toronto for the same convention in '05. Since that time, I have become more travel savvy and really REALLY learned alot from this forum. Just look at the info I have received today! I mean...priceless! So I have a feeling a few more guys will probably look at what I'm doing when they see the unattractive airfares etc. I also looked at Mega Bus today. Yes, I said the 7 word "M" word. I looked at that as an option from STL to KCY if my train is late. I also have a friend in KCY who might just pick up my car and save the expense of $50. Good bet, his brother might be one of them tagging along with me to SAS. He was totally jerked around in '05 getting to Toronto as well. Thanks!

Al

 

[Guest]

" The River Walk and Convention Hotels are pricey, San Antonio is a tourist and Convention town"

It's also a military town with the Lackland Air Force Base basic training, Fort Sam Houston and something else. Reservations can get hard if a class is graduating. I personally LOVE San Antonio except for the heat.

J

 

[Bob Dylan]

" The River Walk and Convention Hotels are pricey, San Antonio is a tourist and Convention town"

It's also a military town with the Lackland Air Force Base basic training, Fort Sam Houston and something else. Reservations can get hard if a class is graduating. I personally LOVE San Antonio except for the heat.

J

Try it in March and October/Nov./December for the Christams season, nice weather, less crowds (except Christmas) and beautiful! Im from an Air Force family so the military is like home ! You are correct about the heat from the end of April till Sept.

 

[RailFanLNK]

I will take extreme heat any time. I work in a brown oven (delivery truck), just can't stand the cold. I hate COLD, cold is painful, heat is uncomfortable. If its cold, its usuallly slick, and scooping the four letter "s" word. S-N-O-W! :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

I work in a brown oven (delivery truck) ... If its cold, its usuallly slick, and scooping the four letter "s" word. S-N-O-W! :lol:

My bathroom usually is an oven - and when it's brown, I sometime have to scoop the "other" four letter "s" word!

:lol:

 

[Sam31452]

Sights in STL:

1. Union Station

2. Old Court House

3. Union Station

4. Eads Bridge

5. Union Station

6. Cathedral (St. Louis)

and maybe the Museum of westward Expansion below the Arch, the hassle to get to the observation level of the arch is a waste of time.

I'm sorry but in a view of global and technological history the most important sight of Saint Louis are the leftovers of what was once the largest passenger terminal in the world.

 

[como]

Sights in STL:
1. Union Station

2. Old Court House

3. Union Station

4. Eads Bridge

5. Union Station

6. Cathedral (St. Louis)

and maybe the Museum of westward Expansion below the Arch, the hassle to get to the observation level of the arch is a waste of time.

I'm sorry but in a view of global and technological history the most important sight of Saint Louis are the leftovers of what was once the largest passenger terminal in the world.

Al, A few other sites in St. Louis

7. City Museum - different and fun

8. The Arch - I like the observation deck but it is a long wait.

9. Ride on Metrolink and you'll get a good luck at the city.

10. Hike or rent a bike and ride on the North Riverfront Trail - 10 miles next to the Mississippi River

11. Forest Park - a big city park with a great zoo, a great history museum and a pretty good Art Museum. A short Metrolink ride from Gateway Transportation Center.

 

[mucomix]

We have always used BC. Just to avoid the “Rail Bus” bunch but on about every trip on the MORR .The attendant has to chase someone out of dicking around in BC.

The long and short of it is we do like using the train. But I do have the $$ we do not have to ride the rail bus. In many ways that summarizes a lot of Amtrak’s problems as to level of service.

 

[pebbleworm]

By the way, the Zoo is free admission!

 

[stlouielady]

The morning Missouri River Runner east to St Louis has been keeping decent time lately. Of course, during the time you're going (summer), there's bound to be track work (it seems to be a yearly thing). The track is single tracked from, I believe, Kansas City to Jefferson City, so, bottlenecks sometimes do happen. I believe this summer, they bussed people to/from Jeff City during the track work, so, be aware of that possibility (sorry, can't remember whether the bussing was Jeff City to/from St Louis, or Jeff City to/from Kansas City).

I take these trains several times a year. Business class is 15 seats, 2-1 configuration. Half the car is the cafe, the other half is BC. It used to be on the front of the train, but, recently, they have moved it to the back of the train. (boo, hiss) The route follows the Missouri River for quite a bit of the trip (hence the name I guess). Wider seats, leg rests, a great deal of recline, outlets at each seat, a free daily paper, a free non-alcoholic beverage, and a cafe attendant to guard business class from the coach passengers! I'm not being mean, just having a little chuckle thinking back on my last trip. I believe the last time I took it, the cost was $14 to upgrade to BC. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask; I'll be on it again sometime in October.

As far as St Louis, there are TONS of things to do. As previously mentioned, Union Station is nearby, but, it's nothing more than a mall now, with some cheesy shops and a food court. There are a couple of sit down restaurants too. The Cards usually have day games on 'get-away day', which is normally the last day of the 3 or 4 game series. Those are usually are Wednesdays or Thursdays, and Sundays (unless they're on the national relevised game on Sunday night). The zoo is a great, free attraction. The Arch and Arch Grounds are free admittance; there's only a charge to go to the top (highly recommended, at least in my opinion), or to see any of the movies shown there. Casinos in the area also, if you're a bit of a gambler. A ride on the Metrolink from end to end; can ride all day for something like $4.00 (I can send the price information to you if you're interested, or, I can send you the link). Depending on your likes and dislikes, you can find something to do in St Louis to kill the 7 hours. Again, if you have any specific questions, let me know....

 

[DET63]

By the way, the Zoo is free admission!

Attraction Fees

Admission to the Zoo is FREE although there are fees for some attractions.

 

• Children's Zoo is $4 per person. Free admission the first hour the Zoo is open. Children under 2 are free.
  
• Conservation Carousel is $3 per person. All proceeds support the Saint Louis Zoo's conservation programs. The Carousel is free the first hour the Zoo is open.
  
• Zooline Railroad is $5 per person, per round trip ticket. You may leave the train, visit exhibits and re-board. Children under 2 are free.
  
• Motion Simulator is $3 per person.
  
• 3-D Movie is $3 per person.
  
• Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is $3 per person. Free admission the first hour the Zoo is open. Children under 2 are free.
  

Link