Anyone travel by Amtrak on vacation?

[Longhorn]

I think we have our travel plans set, though no reservations have been made. I was looking for a fairly low-key vacation since I may still be in the midst of chemotherapy. I wanted to go someplace cool but I also wanted to see our daughter in Denver and our son at Camp Pendleton sometime this summer. So here's the plan:

We plan to fly from Austin to LAX on a Thursday morning, rent a car and spend two days with our son (hoping he can get leave!) Then on Saturday morning, we plan to take the Coast Starlight train to San Francisco, getting in Saturday night. We'll spend Sunday in the area and then on Monday morning, catch the California Zephyr from San Francisco to Denver, getting in late Tuesday. We'll spend Wednesday and Thursday in Denver with our daughter and then fly back to Austin Friday morning. We already have tickets to see Prairie Home Companion at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison on my birthday! We've been there twice just to visit but never for a concert or show and Garrison Keillor is one of our favorites!!!

We're going to get a "roomette" for both train trips because we'll have our own room with dining room meals included. Any suggestions from those who have made such a trip before? Where should we stay in San Francisco (without a car)? We'll be arriving at the Emeryville station. Thanks! :hi:

[fizzgig]

1. the only time i took amtrack was 1996

and it was not the most pleasant experience. there were several delays and we were several hours late getting to our destination. we didn't have a sleeper, so i think that had something to do with it.

your trip sounds like it's going to be a blast, i'm so jealous that you're taking the zephyr. it's something that i've always wanted to do and that trip should be absolutely beautiful.

[Longhorn]

2. I've driven along some of the CZ route and it's certainly gorgeous!

The Coast Starlight also follows the coast much of the way from LA to San Francisco so it should be pretty, too. I found an Amtrak message board and learned that there can be delays. I'm hopeful our schedule allows for those delays, especially since there's never a time when we have to make connections between trains or planes without a day or more in between.

Thanks for sharing! :hi:

[XemaSab]

3. Expect "delays" of up to 8 hours

not only getting into your station on time, but leaving the station on time. x(

[Longhorn]

5. How likely are delays on leaving the station

when both trips begin first thing in the morning at the beginning of the line?

Thanks! :hi:

[XemaSab]

9. Not that likely

But if you're going across the country, you WILL be late. x(

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. Delays come from the fact that Amtrak doesn't own its own tracks

If there are a lot of freight trains on a particular day, Amtrak has to yield to them.

"That's no way to run a railroad!"

[mainegreen]

4. I've enjoyed travelling on Amtrak.

Not as good as Europe's rails of course, but IMHO infinitely preferable to air travel.

[Longhorn]

6. The only time I've been on a train

was just for the fun of riding it -- an attraction, not actual transportation. I'm really excited about traveling by train through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country! :)

[Zavulon]

7. I have taken Amtrak for three vacations.

Not once did I arrive within even four hours of my scheduled arrival.

Never again.

[Longhorn]

10. I wonder if there's a site where I can check how often the trains I'm taking

are delayed? A four-hour delay would sure make a late night but we don't have to be anywhere early the next morning. Thanks! :hi:

On edit: I found a site! Here's the data for getting into Denver the last four weeks: http://www.amtrakdelays.com/cgi-bin/train.cgi

Not too bad -- even early a few times!

[whistler162]

23. SOBEIT.....

http://www.amtrakdelays.com/

Be advised the times aren't always updated.

Also you can check the Amtrak site.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. I have taken Amtrak twice. It was a pleasurable experience on

both occasions.

[Longhorn]

11. That's good to hear!

Thanks! :hi:

[Parche]

12. Amtrak

I booked my Aunt From New Jersey on the Coast Starlight package, all the way down the West Coast
she had a great time

Emeryville, they give you a shuttle voucher to the city

There are tons of great hotels downtown and Fishermans Wharf

:hi:

Economy bedroom is a great way to go, as you get the 3meals a day

[Longhorn]

13. Thanks!

Are you saying that a trip to the city from Emeryville is part of the fare or that we can buy a transfer at the station?

I'm going to start checking out hotels. This is such fun! :hi:

[Parche]

14. Fare

It depends on what kind of package you get, but yes it is included

We use a lot of great wholesalers here, that have alot of great hotels everywhere,

And Amtrak has a special package department that you can do their tours, along with hotels, transfers and whatever you need
It is Yankee Holidays, they are great to work with, I book a few with them when I can!!!

[Parche]

43. PM Me

If you have any other questions....:hi:

[stuntcat]

15. I take it once or twice a year

I ride it between VA and New York City, and a couple of times East & West across VA. I like how you can walk right up and sign in and step on the trains, especially at our station here in Alexandria, it's so easy. Getting in and out of airports takes hours, it's just DUMB now.

I've never stayed overnight on a train before though, or eaten on one. I hope everything goes smoothly, I'm sure it will.

And have fun at the show. The time I saw him he also had Odetta on stage! That was exciting :D he always has guests, you'll have a great time.

[Longhorn]

16. We got to see him in Austin about the time the movie came out.

His radio program sold out in an hour but they added a second show, not for broadcast, that we got to go to and it was outstanding! I can't wait to see him in that beautiful theater in the foothills!

[Gormy Cuss]

18. The Zephyr has some great scenery.

I've only taken the Starlight north of Emeryville but everyone raves about the scenery on the southern route. Since you will only be in the Bay Area for two evenings, I'd recommend looking for lodging near one of the Amtrak motorcoach shuttle drop off points -- either near the Ferry building/Embarcadero or Fisherman's Wharf area.

Either place is perfect as a base without a car because the Embarcadero area has both BART and MUNI rail connections and there's a streetcar and buses based in the wharf area. Both areas have many lodging choices nearby or a short cab ride away. Lodgings nearest these areas are priciest but convenient for connections to the train. For more choices near the Embarcadero area look for smaller hotels around Union Square (Villa Florence on Powell Street is one -- a cable car line runs on the street in front of it.) There are also some very nice classic hotels in this area like the Westin St. Francis and the Sir Francis Drake. In the wharf area, look for additional hotels on Lombard St. (Cow Hollow Suites has great suites, some with views of the GG Bridge.) Lombard Street has many decent motel type lodgings and some dumps, so exercise caution before booking there.

[Longhorn]

19. What do you think about this hotel?

Argonaut Hotel @ Fisherman's Wharf - a Kimpton Hotel
495 Jefferson St
San Francisco, CA 94109
USA

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&htid=915510&itid=241329627&from=i


They have a pretty good price for a four-star hotel in SF!

Thanks!

[Gormy Cuss]

20. The Kimpton group hotels are all good, smaller hotels.

The Argonaut is newish and in a TERRIFIC location for a short, first time stay in the city. I've never stayed there or nor seen the rooms but I've had only good experiences with Kimpton hotels-- I used to stay at their hotels before I moved to this area and have recommended them to friends and colleagues.

[Longhorn]

21. Thanks!

They've got such a good price and the pictures look great! I think I'll go ahead and reserve. I sure appreciate your help! :hug:

[whistler162]

22. If there aren't any washouts/fires on the route

it should be a great trip. Be prepared for delays even on the best of days.

I took the Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento and then a day later took one of the Capitol Corridor trains onto Emeryville and then into San Francisco by bus. Book the train to San Francisco and then chose where to get off the bus, the Ferry building is a great location.

Emeryville to Denver will be a great trip going through Utah and the coming down into Denver from the Rockies.

Definitely do a Roomette on both routes. If you are lucky a Parlour car will be hooked onto the Coast Starlite and it will be a extra treat. I have only taken the Starlite from San Jose to Portand in coach but the view up north is great.

Have fun especially at A Prairie Home Companion.

[Longhorn]

27. I'm glad I have time built into our schedule in case there are delays.

Thanks for the encouragement and information! :hi:

[whistler162]

30. You are welcome.

[Sequoia]

24. I took that train before.

Went from Los Angeles to gulp...Grand Junction, CO which I totally don't recommend. Took the other train from GJ to SF. Along the way there was Truckee and Salt Lake City, UT. I was watching an old Jimmy Stewart movie, called Night Train I think and there was a scene where he was outside on a train which happened to be the very tracks I was on going through Colorado because I recognized the river next to the tracks. You're going to have a lot of fun.

[Longhorn]

28. How cool is that?

I've been on three cruises and I'll bet any land scenery is going to be more interesting than most of the views on a cruise (except Alaska!)

Thanks for sharing! :hi:

[galledgoblin]

25. often

it beats driving from one end of NY State to another.

[MichiganVote]

26. We've taken it from Michigan to the mountains twice. Worked out well both times.

Some delay b/c of the shared tracks but other than that, no problems. The staff is very accomodating and the train is clean. We've used the sleepers and while its not a great restful sleep its not not terrible. People are friendly and our baggage was easy to retrieve. I especially like the train up (spring break ski trips) as the snow and streams are beautiful. On the way down the mountain we have gone toward evening with dinner in the diner at sunset. Very pretty.

[Longhorn]

29. I wish it was easier to get to Denver from here.

We have to go almost to Chicago and then take a bus in order to catch the CZ. One day, we'll take the Texas Eagle to Chicago, though, just because I love Chicago. :)

Your trips sound wonderful! :hi:

[MichiganVote]

33. We usualy left from Kalamazoo, Mi. and then rode to Chicago for the train to go to Denver.

Yeah, they were good trips. Kids liked them anyway. :) Good luck!

[Longhorn]

35. I was born in Indiana but we moved to Kalamazoo when I was just a few weeks old.

Then I lived in Battle Creek from ages one to ten and Indianapolis until I was 16. I've been in Texas ever since but I sure miss the Midwest, especially in the fall! :hi:

[MichiganVote]

40. Oh yes the Fall can really be beautiful in West Michigan...or..it can really stink :)

This year the weather has been all over the place. Some really severe storms and lots of flooding. I couldn't live in Texas. Too hot and dry, not enough water for me.

[Longhorn]

41. Frankly, I agree, but my husband of 32 years has a business here

and I'm not likely to get him to move. I tried! :) I'd love to live in Colorado but we'll just have to visit instead. At least I'm in Central Texas, one of the prettiest and most liberal parts of the state! :D

[MichiganVote]

42. I always wanted the mountains and the lakes. A girl can dream.....

[DarkTirade]

31. Yes... more than 20 years ago.

Don't remember a whole lot, I was only 5. :)

[VolcanoJen]

32. Chimpy McSmirk wants to veto Amtrak funding, again.

Just like clockwork.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g98AFb5Ghf0NLu_ZIzSp8q0VJUVwD916R7SG0

[Longhorn]

34. There's a shocker!

Just when we need alternative forms of transportation the most!

[VolcanoJen]

36. Hey Longhorn, here's a cool YouTube of the California Zephyr...

... travelling from Denver to Provo! Nice interior shots of the cars; long videos!

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMNpB2rOxI

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU_vmcvaAgU&feature=related

[Longhorn]

38. Wow, that observation car is really cool!

I really enjoyed the videos and I'm going to look at some more. Thanks! :hi:

[lost-in-nj]

37. I took Amtrak for the first time to Florida this spring

we hit someone in NC and killed them
suicide by train......
but then I took it to Delaware with Thomcat
and it was a much better experience
one of these days I will be taking it to Boston with my girlfriends !1!

:hug: :hi:



I hope you have a wonderful vacation
full of great memories.



lost

[Longhorn]

39. That must have been horrible for everyone!

I'm glad you had a good train experience after that!

I should check out any routes that go up through New England -- what a great fall trip!

Thanks! :hug: