Do you enjoy Train Travel?

Train travel in America?

• I am an international undergrad student in North Carolina. I am planning to travel by train during my spring break, which lasts 10 days. I feel i can enjoy the scenery during the trip ...show more

• Answer:

  The scenery on some of the routes is spectacular, and you get to meet people on the train. Distances in the US, however are vast. A train trip from NC to SF would take 5 days and cost about as much as a plane. You might consider flying for part of it. That would give you a chance to see a few cities as well as scenery. The most beautiful trips (in my personal order): California Zephyr from Denver to San Francisco. Two fabulous and VERY different cities plus the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Coast Starlight from San Francisco to LA. Two great cities, the dramatic Pacific Coast and the Central Valley of CA. Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle. The high plains. Northwest Corridor from Boston or Providence, RI to New York City. All trains make stops, but most stops are 5 minutes or less. Every 5-8 hours or so there's a much longer stop to change train crews and take on water and supplies. These stops are about half an hour. Because freight companies own the tracks, passenger trains often have to pull off to a siding (rails along the side of the main track) to allow the slower-moving freights to pass. These are usually unpredictable (except on the Lake Shore Limited outside Chicago, and between Houston and San Antonio, I believe) You sleep in your seat. Seats are much more comfortable than planes with MUCH more legroom. Food is expensive, but you sit 4 to a table with your fellow passengers. You can also hang out in the Cafe/Lounge car and meet people. My advice is to go to www.kayak.com to get an idea of plane fares, and www.amtrak.com for trains. Trains are often late, sometimes half a day late. Don't fly out the same day your train is scheduled to arrive. Stay a couple of days (there are youth hostels in many cities) and see the city.