AMTRAK - Price difference?

Wishbone Ash

I'm in the process of booking a long haul AMTRAK (USA) train journey from one city to another.

I have the option of flying to City A and getting the train to City B OR flying to City B and getting the train to City A.

The one way fare differs by over $100 depending on direction of travel (on same route).

Is this normal?

The fare doesn't particularly bother me but I was just wondering. Thanks for any assistance.

Absolut

It could have something to do with the availability/popularity of the segment.

Amtrak in general isn't worth it IMO, unless it's your only option. The service isn't that great, it's not always much faster than Greyhound, but still a lot more expensive.

Wishbone Ash

Absolut wrote:

It could have something to do with the availability/popularity of the segment.

Amtrak in general isn't worth it IMO, unless it's your only option. The service isn't that great, it's not always much faster than Greyhound, but still a lot more expensive.

Thanks for the reply Absolut. It's not my only option. It's just something I've never done and would like to try. I'd also like to see some of the countryside between the different states. I'll probably end up getting a flight anyway as Mrs Wishbone Ash has no interest in trains. (She calls me an 'anorak' ). I'd like to do the Greyhound also but there's NO POSSIBILITY of her travelling by bus.

Raskolnikov

I'd be very careful about using Amtrak, I used the Hiawatha service from Chicago to Milwaukee last year, all I can say is never again. A two hour journey turned into four hours and due to some electrical failure we were left without heating on the train. The whole operation made Irish Rail look like the height of German efficiency.

True, it is the only experience I've had with Amtrak, many Americans will give similar accounts.

Wishbone Ash

Raskolnikov wrote:

two hour journey turned into four hours

I spent 3 days on a delayed Calcutta to Madras 'express' years ago but it was quite interesting. Boarded on a Tuesday and got there on a Friday.

twinkletoes

A year and a half ago I used Amtrak going from New York to Washington...it was fantastic no delays great service and then got the overnite train from Washington to Atlanta..again perfectly on time and no complaints re service..it was a brilliant experience..had our own compartment for sleeping in..price included breakfast and dinner...fab.From my experinces I would reccommend Amtrak.

RuggieBear

Amtraked from Boston to San Francisco and back again via Seattle and Minneapolis. Absolutely fantastic experience and would reccomend it to anyone who isn't in a rush.

for A to B travel the Train is slower and much more expensive than flying within the States

Bradidup

If you have the time go for it, best way to see the country !!!. Amtrak is union run, over staffed and inefficient like CIE was back in the old days. There is the exception of the "Talgo" high speed train used on some of the western intercity lines which is a different story, they are expensive and "wierd looking" http://www.photosbystevenjbrown.com/narp/cascades/talgo.html My memories of US rail travel is the sound of the warning bell ringing as the train approaches the station.

Wishbone Ash

Bradidup wrote:

over staffed and inefficient like CIE was back in the old days

Has it changed?

xebec

Bradidup wrote:

the "Talgo" high speed train

That's one cool train! If given the choice I'd definitely take a trip on one of those.

Ruu_Old

Yeah agreed with some of the responses. Amtrak is really comfortable and good value but some of their trains have been horribly late the last year. I can't remember exact figures and it could have been certain lines.

DO0GLE

Used Amtrak last year to travel from Washington to New York. We got a tip from a staff member, to show our passports when buying the tickets which intitled us to avail of their international discount fares. Worked out to be very cheap and the trains were very comfortable.

Wishbone Ash

DO0GLE wrote:

We got a tip from a staff member, to show our passports when buying the tickets which intitled us to avail of their international discount fares

What if one books online?

random_banter

It wasnt a very long haul trip but I got Amtrak from San Diego to Los Angeles a few years ago, it was about a 3 hour trip and I really enjoyed it! Very comfortable, punctual, and for a mere 10 dollars each way I could upgrade to business class which was even more comfortable and had free food etc. I booked online and got a student price as far as I can remember. The scenery was fantastic too, the train hugged the coast pretty much all the way, surfers everywhere!

I'd certainly reccomend it, far more enjoyable than a bus and very efficient from what I could tell. Great way to see the country while sitting on your ass!

Also, it could well be to do with the popularity and time of day your train leaves etc. I remember when I was booking the prices were a bit steeper at peak commuting times.

DO0GLE

Wishbone Ash wrote:

What if one books online?

Don't know bout that. We just went into the train station in Washington the same day as travel and bought the tickets. Can't remember the price but it worked out to be much cheaper. Perhaps ring them and enquire about buying international fares.