Rail Pass: LA to Seattle coast starlight, etc.

Skeets · Jan 21, 2020

I did it! I bought my rail pass and got my “segment” tickets today! Though I have been riding the rails many years this will be my first time to use a rail pass! I’m just riding just for my love of the train!! What have been your favorite memories of cross country train travel? Here’s my trip!!! 1. LA to Seattle; Coast Starlight... one overnight in Seattle. 2. Seattle to Chicago; Empire Builder. 3. CHI to NYC; Lake Shore Limited....one overnight in NYC. 4. NYC to New Orleans; Crescent... one overnight in NO. 5. NO to CHI; City of NO. 6. CHI to Emeryville; Coast Starlight. 7. Emeryville to Portland, Coast Starlight, one overnight in Portland...... and 8.... Portland home to LA!

Willbridge · Jan 21, 2020

Skeets said:
I did it! I bought my rail pass and got my “segment” tickets today! Though I have been riding the rails many years this will be my first time to use a rail pass! I’m just riding just for my love of the train!! What have been your favorite memories of cross country train travel? Here’s my trip!!! 1. LA to Seattle; Coast Starlight... one overnight in Seattle. 2. Seattle to Chicago; Empire Builder. 3. CHI to NYC; Lake Shore Limited....one overnight in NYC. 4. NYC to New Orleans; Crescent... one overnight in NO. 5. NO to CHI; City of NO. 6. CHI to Emeryville; Coast Starlight. 7. Emeryville to Portland, Coast Starlight, one overnight in Portland...... and 8.... Portland home to LA!

Will you have legs in sleepers or business class?

jiml · Jan 22, 2020

Nice itinerary, but are you sure you can duplicate a segment? Segment 7 is a train that you've already taken. I realize the endpoints are different, but you're still retracing your steps in the same direction, whereas Segment 8 would be no problem. Pretty sure this used to be a no-no.

In addition to seconding Willbridge's question above, I'm also curious if you plan to try booking this online as opposed to with an agent. Please advise of your progress.

the_traveler · Jan 22, 2020

I’m pretty sure you must book with an agent, who I think will say that #7 is not allowed. Yes, you can have 2 segments on the same train, but you would have 3 (#1, #7 and #8). A way around this is to not request #7 at all, then separately purchase #7 - since #7 cost less than #8!

Skeets · Jan 22, 2020

I Purchased my rail pass online Then went to my local station where it was printed out for me. Then I gave the agent my written itinerary I would like… She made the tickets for me and I am set to go!

Skeets · Jan 22, 2020

Skeets said:
I Purchased my rail pass online Then went to my local station where it was printed out for me. Then I gave the agent my written itinerary I would like… She made the tickets for me and I am set to go!

Oh, and coach all the way.