USA Rail Pass for just $299 (1/10-1/17/25)

[Bob Dylan]

What's it like to visit a hostel as a retirement age man in America? Do you get any weird reactions or are they welcoming to you? Do you see many Americans your age? I know hostels exist here but I don't know anyone who visits them and it seems super niche here.

I've stayed @ HIs all over the US, and find them excellent as Ed says.

There is mix of Young, Middle Aged and Seniors like me, and people from all over the World stay @ these jewels.

Some even have Private Rooms for reasonable prices, and Dorms for Males and Females where you share the Bathooms.

All include a Free Breakfast, and use of the kitchen if you wish to prepare your own meals.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I must admit, the idea of hostels never entered my mind until I started reading your posts here. Now I am a tad intrigued, especially as I see the costs of traditional lodging skyrocket. I have always joked that I wouldn't stay anywhere that has plastic drinkware, but am beginning to open my mind a bit. It's not like I NEED a large, plush room in which I might spend maybe 10 hours in a day, although I note that private rooms can be somewhat pricey in hostels as well. Just as if I would travel to Europe I would never do a couchette, you will not find me in a dorm at my age. Like many things, I suspect this requires a great amount of care and research. But generally you know what you are getting with a Marriott, Hyatt or Hilton.

Most Hostels have Private Rooms with their own batheoom @ reasonable prices.

The one in Chicago on Congress is especially nice, and usually half of what Windy City Hotels charge!

 

[dadonatrain]

Not to criticize all the msgs re hostels, but I’d like to ask another Q about using the rail pass since that’s what started this thread.

Once I reserve a coach seat on a leg using the pass, does Amtrak assign me to a specific car and seat like they do when you book business class or am I allowed to pick any coach seat in any coach car subject to availability?

 

[caravanman]

Your ticket bought via the railpass will be treated exactly the same as any other coach class ticket. Some Conductors have particular cars that they require passengers to certain destinations to use, sometimes they allow free choice of actual seats, sometimes they assign you to a specific seat on boarding. There is not any option to book/reserve a specific seat by the passenger in coach class. You can choose lower level or upper level seating, where available, when you actually book your train reservation / pass segment.

 

[zephyr17]

Not to criticize all the msgs re hostels, but I’d like to ask another Q about using the rail pass since that’s what started this thread.

Once I reserve a coach seat on a leg using the pass, does Amtrak assign me to a specific car and seat like they do when you book business class or am I allowed to pick any coach seat in any coach car subject to availability?

They only do that on Northeast Corridor BC. Outside the NEC even Business Class is not pre-assigned.

You do not get pre-assigned seats in coach anywhere or BC outside the NEC on any ticket type.

Seat assignment methodology varies across the system by station, train and even by individual crew. While picking one's own seat from those available (not having a seat check above it or a person in it) is common, it is far from universal. You may be assigned a seat by the conductor prior to boarding, you may be assigned a seat at the car door by the attendant or the conductor. You will probably be assigned a car at least based on destination. Even when it is choose it yourself on many if not most long distance trains certain rows are designated by signs for groups of three or more and groups of two.

 

[tgstubbs1]

You can choose lower level or upper level seating, where available, when you actually book your train reservation / pass segment.

I used a pass once and I seem to recall that because the lower level was extra cost it wasn't an option. Maybe this is different now or differs on some trains?
You can't see quite as well from a lower level but I seem to remember it was often mostly empty so it might be a good option if you can get it.

 

[zephyr17]

I used a pass once and I seem to recall that because the lower level was extra cost it wasn't an option. Maybe this is different now or differs on some trains?
You can't see quite as well from a lower level but I seem to remember it was often mostly empty so it might be a good option if you can get it.

Lower level now is a no cost choice. My recollection is it always has been, but in any case it definitely is now.

I do not know if technical restrictions, which Amtrak is rife with, cause restrictions with pass holders choosing lower level, but lower costs nothing and is not considered an upgrade.

 

[Cal H]

When we were riding on the pass last fall the conductors seemed to reserve the lower level for disabled passengers and those traveling with them.

 

[caravanman]

When we were riding on the pass last fall the conductors seemed to reserve the lower level for disabled passengers and those traveling with them.

I have not used these passes in their current form. At one time, although one could buy the pass online, folk had to phone Amtrak to reserve pass seats, or visit a manned station counter. (Always fun for overseas customers... )

My impression now is that one is emailed a code when you buy the pass, and you enter that code on the regular Amtrak website to book and pay for tickets? If that is so, I assume one can select upper or lower level seating, as when booking regular paid seats?

I understand that the lower level is intended for less able passengers, but is still bookable by anyone?

I did try it one time, thinking to spread out on the spacious floor to sleep, but the conductor got a tad annoyed with me being underfoot, and she woke me up!

 

[zephyr17]

When we were riding on the pass last fall the conductors seemed to reserve the lower level for disabled passengers and those traveling with them.

I understand that the lower level is intended for less able passengers, but is still bookable by anyone?

Anyone can choose the Lower Level option at ticketing.

The default "Coach seat" is upper level.