![]() When visiting the USA while travelling by train, it's worth knowing that Amtrak trains often share their tracks with massive, mile-long freight trains that are given priority. Plenty of people do sleep in coach cars - you'll see whole families preparing to camp down with their own duvets and pillows. Some even have showers.Ĭoach seats, despite being the cheapest option, have generous proportions, ample legroom (often superior to many airlines' business class seats) and recline pretty far back. They also have a more conventional, private enclosed toilet. Roomettes are compact double cabins, some of which include an in-cabin toilet – only recommended for those who are very well acquainted with their travel partners.īedrooms are significantly bigger with more room to stretch out when the seats are arranged for day travel. Having said that, if you've packed like a pro, it needn't be that rough. If travelling overnight, you have a few accommodation options to consider - either book a roomette or bedroom, or rough it in coach. In addition, depending on what you decide to do about accommodation options (see below), you might also want to pack a pillow and something to snuggle under. That is to say, keep a cardie or jumper to hand - the temperature in Amtrak's coaches is uniformly regulated year-round, meaning that even if you're winding through the scorching Arizona desert, your car is likely to be on the chilly side. While we're not going to run through everything you might need (we have a whole feature dedicated to packing Dropdown content), Dropdown content we do want to share one of our top practical tips for USA train travel - take your own climate control. In fact, this is one of our favourite general USA travel tips Dropdown content - whether you’re travelling by train or not.įrom On the Road and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, to American Gods and Slow Road to San Francisco (to highlight but a few examples), there’s nothing like getting lost in a good book involving an epic journey to get you in the mood before you set off on your own. OK, so you might not be on the actual road, but reading novels about adventures across the US will do wonders to fire up your pre-trip excitement. Prices for these accommodations are included in your Premium Fare. Premium Fares: there are two premium services - Acela First Class (complimentary onboard food and beverage services, plus privileged access to Club Acela lounges) and Sleeper, with rooms and roomettes available on most long-distance routes. These enhancements vary by train and route, but include the likes of extra legroom and complimentary (non-alcoholic) drinks. This is your best option if you're given to travelling by instinct and on impulse - you might want the flexibility to hop off and explore those must-visit nuggets shared by locals during your journey.īusiness Fares: located in a dedicated car or section of the train, Business Class offers an "affordable, enhanced travel experience", as Amtrak describe it. Value Fares: available on all routes, with some change and refund options, limited availability.įlexible Fares: fully refundable with no cancellation fees, with reservations easily modified. ![]() Saver Fares: the lowest available fares, with limited availability, so book early to secure the best deals. In addition to the rail passes covered above, here's a run-down of the different ticket types: Once you know where you want to go, you'll want to book tickets well in advance - all passengers must have seats, and some trains (especially those travelling between major East Coast cities) can be booked solid. The Pacific Surfliner serves up seriously stunning views © Hilo Pictures/Shutterstock 3. For comparison, here are some sample one-way fares: These start from $499 for a maximum of ten journeys (called segments in Amtrak speak) taken over 30 days to over 500 destinations. If, having done your route research, you decide to take a seriously long-distance trip, it will be worth looking into booking a USA Rail Pass. Pacific Surfliner route - at under six hours, this 351-mile route takes passengers through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles Dropdown content, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of it tracking Southern California's Dropdown content coastline. Texas Eagle route - this epic 32-hour-trip from Chicago Dropdown content to San Antonio crosses the Mississippi Dropdown content River, traverses the piney woods of East Texas, Dropdown content and passes through Dallas Dropdown content before winding up in stunning San Antonio Dropdown content. Bourbon St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
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