Ever rent an Amtrak sleeping car?

[pokerfan]

I did once on a trip to Glacier Park. It was marvelous.

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Did you have your own toilet and sink?

Was it a little room?

It looks like fun!

[pokerfan]

6. We didn't but those are available

[Taverner]

2. Aren't they REALLY spendy?

It's always been the cost that prevented me - why pay $400 for a trip when you could fly for less.

[pokerfan]

7. For the scenery

And it offsets the cost of motels if you are driving. But to go a long distance, flying is cheaper/faster.

[Drum]

3. Me too.

Not really long trips---Cincy to NYC, NYC to Boston---but very wonderful experiences!

[MrCoffee]

4. I looked into it not that long ago

Seattle to LA...I couldn't believe how expensive it was!

[galledgoblin]

5. once, traveling from Buffalo to Albany when the coach seats were sold out

it was marvelous, but yeah, very costly. nice one-time treat, though.

if you share a suite with another passenger, do you both pay for seperate full-cost tickets, or is the cost split between the two of you?

[pokerfan]

8. It was just me and the gf

;)

[appal_jack]

9. Once. Good stuff.

I was living in NYC and doing a summer internship in Athens, GA back before I owned a car and when Greyhound was on strike (1990?). Since I refused to cross the picket line, and hate flying, Amtrak sleeper was the way (I think coach was sold out, cuz I was poor back then and would have ridden coach if it was an option). Spendy, but a very restful and scenic way to travel.

-app

[pokerfan]

10. Now all they need is on board Wi-Fi

[harmonicon]

22. and to bring smoking back

Unfortunately more and more train lines are going smoke-free. I used to love to kick back in a train car with a cigarette - the older kind of trains where you could open the windows too!

Ok, let the flamez begin.

[galledgoblin]

25. actually, I kind of agree with that

not the sitting in your seat to smoke part, but I like the idea of a smoking car on longer trips, especially one where you could go outside on a small railed deck.

not that it would ever happen...

[SoCalDem]

38. We were all set to go from So Cal to Seattle by train, until

my friend at Amtrak told us they are all non-smoking trains.. The price was not a deal-breaker, but that was.. So we will drive.. The scenery is the same, and we can stop whenever we like to sightsee..

It would NOT kill them to have a club car that allowed smoking..

but if they can sell those pricey trips without "our kind", I guess that's fine..

we bought a comfy car, and are in no hurry :)

[lizerdbits]

11. Yes

I've been in the single that has it's own toilet from DC to FL and a 2 person from DC to MT (My parents got the 3 person with their own toilet and shower.) Did you get off at Essex? (We didn't get on there on our way home because you can't check luggage at that stop.) I have relatives in Helena/Missoula so we usually get off at Havre and drive down. We went to Glacier for several days and stayed at the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex. I hope to get back up there someday, I love taking the train and it's a beautiful area.

[pokerfan]

12. For those who are interested in fares

I just priced the trip I took to Glacier. Prices are one way but are representative of the relative costs of upgrading to a sleeper.

Two Coach Seats: $148.00
Superliner Roomette: Add $128 per bedroom
Family Bedroom: Add $155 per bedroom
Bedroom: Add $373 per bedroom

________________________________________
The Superliner Roomette is ideal for one or two passengers, with two comfortable reclining seats on either side of a big picture window. At night, the seats convert to a comfortable bed, and an upper berth folds down from above. Roomettes are located on both upper and lower levels of our double-decker Superliner train cars.
* Meals included
* Picture window
* Two reclining seats which convert to a bed; upper berth which folds down from wall
* Available on both upper and lower levels of the Superliner
* No in-cabin toilet or shower; restrooms, showers nearby in same train car
* Electrical outlets
* Climate control
* Individual reading lights
* Garment rack
* Fold-down table
* Fresh towels and bed linens
* Soap and shower amenities
* Personal service (turn-down, coffee, paper, make-up bed)
* Bottled water
* Daily newspaper

________________________________________
The Family Bedroom spans the entire width of the car and has two picture windows. The sofa and two reclining seats convert to beds and the two upper berths fold down from above. Located on the lower level of Superliner sleeping cars, these bedrooms include two adult-sized berths and two child-sized berths.
* Meals included
* Space for up to two adults and two children
* Upper and lower berths
* Sofa (converts to lower berth)
* Two reclining seats (convert to a bed)
* Electrical outlets
* Climate control
* Individual reading lights
* Garment rack
* Fold-down table
* Fresh towels and bed linens
* Soap and shower amenities
* Toilet and shower available nearby in same train car
* Personal service (turn-down, coffee, paper, make-up bed)
* Bottled water
* Daily newspaper

________________________________________
The Bedroom is ideal for two passengers (but can accommodate three). Each room has a large sofa with two individually reclining sections, and a reclining easy chair. At night, the sofa converts to a comfortable bed, and an upper berth folds down from above. All Bedrooms feature private, self-enclosed restrooms with toilet, sink and shower.
* Meals included
* Designed for two passengers
* Upper and lower berths
* Armchair and sofa (converts to lower berth)
* Private sink, vanity, private toilet and shower
* Electrical outlets
* Climate control
* Individual reading lights
* Garment rack
* Fold-down table
* Fresh towels and bed linens
* Soap and shower amenities
* Personal service (turn-down, coffee, paper, make-up bed)
* Bottled water
* Daily newspaper

[KitchenWitch]

13. From where to Glacier?

[pokerfan]

14. Spokane

Granted it's a short trip but it shows the relative cost. It looks like it's a little less than a full doubling to get into the cheapest sleeper.

[tigereye]

15. that looks lovely and cozy!

we talked about going on a semi-cross country train trip - I don't think you can go all the way anymore, though.


It's nice to be able to let someone else worry about the "driving" and just enjoy the scenery!

[whistler162]

27. Technically no, but.....

You can go from say NYC or DC to Chicago and then switch to another train to go to LA, San Francisco, or Portland/Seattle or the other way.

It is a great way to travel. You are able to see sights you might never see if you where driving or flying.

[madrchsod]

16. in the early 80`s my wife went from chicago to flagstaff by train

since she was a bartender and waitress she thought nothing of tipping the porters and bartenders very well...after about 6-8 hours the wait they were waiting on her "hand and foot" they even babysat our son so she could ..well spend more money at the bar...

my parents traveled the entire united states by rail.....

[no name no slogan]

17. Once, from Chicago to Minneapolis

It was only for a daylong trip (no overnight), but it was nice to relax in. It was me and one other person, and it cost about the same as it would have for both of us to fly.

I'm hoping to do it again some time in the near future.

[ThoughtCriminal]

18. Best Vacation we ever had

Amtrak Economy Roomette from LA-Portland-West Glacier.

Only negatives: the bed is a little hard and the upper bunk has no window.

[Demoiselle]

19. Yes..years ago (18, maybe) took the kids and my husband..

Kids were 9 and 11, I think. Got on the train in Philadelphia, rented two bedrooms (joined) with private bathroom, went overnight to Chicago. Spent morning and early afternoon in Chicago and then got on the train for Santa Fe at about 3 in the afternoon. Rented a "family" bedroom/. Woke up the next morning as we pulled in to Dodge City. Arrived in Lamy, which is as close as you can get to Santa Fe by train because they couldn't blast their way through the mountains there, the next afternoon. It was FABULOUS. What a way to really see the country! I took a map of the US along and the kids traced our journey on it.
We did the same thing a couple of years later. Spent some time at a dude ranch near Livingston Montana, the drove north to Havre and got on the train to Seattle. That was great too..only problem, the train goes through Glacier Park in the middle of the night, which sort of puts a crimp in sight seeing.
Neither trip was cheap...but they were wonderful experiences. I LOVE TRAINS.
The trains west of Chicago were (are?) particularly nice, food is good and they have those vistadome cars which are great for views.

As an old hand, I would also say that it's easier to sleep in a bed that runs lengthwise to the train instead of crosswise, like the one in your picture...the rocking motion isn't as disturbing.
TRAINS ARE WONDERFUL.

[pokerfan]

21. Ever wonder why trains rock?

It's actually quite fascinating (to me anyway). The wheels are slightly tapered which and on fixed axles which keeps the cars centered on the track. If the train drifts to one side, one side will begin to roll on a larger circumference than the other side. So that side will begin to get ahead of the other and since the axle is allowed to pivot in the middle, the train actually steers itself back to the middle of the track (or slightly off center if it is in a corner where one side must travel a longer distance).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_oscillation

[BlueJazz]

24. Pretty Cool!...Thanks for posting. Love stuff like that!

[oedura]

20. Regarding the wonderful scenery ...

...everybody keeps mentioning as something that makes an occasional trip by train worth the cost, I must disagree.

It might be different out west, but I went up to St. Louis from from central Texas a few years back (with a private compartment one way), and the scenery was nothing to get thrilled about. We must have gone by every desolate, dirt poor, out-of-the-way, shanty-town and automobile graveyard adjacent area of the U.S. in between Texas and Missouri.

Just about every time I looked out the window, I had the same thought..."Great place to dump a body if you were a serial killer."

[rug]

23. You should be a travel writer.

[devilgrrl]

30. for NewsMax!

:sarcasm:

[oedura]

34. Hey...

...just telling it like it was.

If you'd seen it, you'd have said the same thing.

[whistler162]

26. A roomette , yes I have.

I took the California Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento and then the Empire Builder from Portland to Chicago using a roomette. The rest of the trip was in a coach seat. Very enjoyable.

[1]

28. one time. boston to washington dc for a wedding. the train left at midnight...

arrived sometime in the morning.

i slept like a baby (the motion of the train and all) and i awoke to a newspaper and a pot of coffee.

that had to be the greatest trip i have ever taken. i hate planes.

i love trains...

[Zoigal]

29. Just got back from Boston..

Room from Chicago to Albany had a sink, toilet. LA to Chicago, unfortunately didn't, but the bathrooms/shower
were right down the hall. Great trip. Meals come with the tickets, too. z

[devilgrrl]

31. I want to take one to Albuquerque

They are pricey though :-(

[1]

32. worth every penny. just do it. you will be amazed...

and how many times do you get to be amazed in life?

[devilgrrl]

33. Here's the catch. The train travels overnight, you can't see much in the dark.

Both east and westbound trains travel through the night. :-(

[pokerfan]

35. One has to sleep sometime

I tend to miss a lot when I sleep.

:)

[devilgrrl]

36. Exactly, that's why I'd still like to try it.

Those coach seats can be uncomfortable, they hurt my butt. :-(

[1]

37. that is the beauty part...

"The train travels overnight, you can't see much in the dark."

that is the beauty part...

take a plane. what do you get to see? lines. security check points. people taking off their shoes? a bunch of sweaty folks sitting next to you? loud children running up and down the isle? a bag of peanuts? (if you are lucky) confusion. chaos. horror!


take the train. in a sleeper cabin. and you get to snuggle in your bed through the trip and wake refreshed at your destination. a cup of coffee and a newspaper awaiting for you. ahhh...

you will not want to get off the train and you will never want to travel any other way again.

i love trains...

[devilgrrl]

39. Uh, I've seen the Grand Canyon from the air and it was pretty damned cool.

So was seeing Ireland. I've never seen so many shades of green, absolutely fascinating.

I like trains too. The trip from London to Inverness, was amazing.

:spank:

[1]

40. people's differences are so funny... i prefer snuggling with my pillow...

zzzzzzzz'ing away as i move across the planet.

i'll google pictures or watch the discovery channel if i want to see the grand canyon from an airplane...



i suppose this means we will never match across those 29 dimentions of eharmony compatibility.

oh, well...

[Book Lover]

41. Holy Cats!

I just ran the numbers on the Amtrak site. I'd rather buy a Vanagon and sell it after the trip's over!

[China_cat]

42. Going that way from Charleston to St. Louis

in Sept.

With the price of gas the way it is, driving would have cost just as much. I can't fly because of medical problems (not allowed to take needed meds on a plane).

What most of the people talking about the price don't realize is that your meals are included, the roomettes and bedrooms are one price for -2- people (you still need 2 basic tickets but the rooms don't charge extra) and you get privacy and a way to really rest. No way I could do almost 36 hours in a regular train seat.

[RebelOne]

43. Yes, so much better than coach.

I took a trip from Miami to New Jersey once. It cost me as much for a sleeper on Amtrak as it would have to fly, but the travel experience was worth it.

[Lyric]

44. I'm looking into it for a trip to California sometime later this year, but

the cost is kinda scary. Two round-trip tickets from Pittsburgh to San Jose, plus accommodations in a "superliner roomette" for the 43-hour "long leg" of the trip (and coach seats for the smaller jaunts) comes out to about $1600. And that's the price for booking almost six months in advance.

But I hate airplanes, so...lol