america by train?

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

hi everyone, I am a 21 year old student and im trying to plan my summer. i was looking into a number of things like the j1, travelling asia and australia. ill be staying away from europe as i did that this summer. but i was just looking for some advice on travelling across america by train i was on the amtrack website and you can get a ticket that allows for a certain ammount of train journeys within a certain time period i was just wondering would this be the best way to go about it or by individual tickets?( i was thinking about travelling in a clockwise direction down the east coast across then up the west then back across to the east and home)? ps any other recommendations on what to for the summer would be much appreciated too

jackbhoy

The pass does work out as really good value. The alternative of booking individual tickets can also be very cheap if you book well in advance, I think tickets are realeased 90 days in advance of travel and most of the really cheap tickets go within a day or two of this.

I did NYC to Chicago and then Chicago to New Orleans last year and loved it. It's a great way to see the country and you really meet some "interesting" people on trains in the states, particularly in the south going through places like Alabama and Mississippi!

Manic Moran

I went the other way around, twenty years ago! If you pick the stops well, you basically fall asleep in one city, and wake up in another.

Remember, the people who take long haul trains in the US are doing it for the journey as much as to get to where they're going. You will have a very different experience on Amtrak than on a European railway.

Some of the rolling stock is getting a little tired now, though.

NTM

puzzle factory

im too drunk to read the small print,but im 99% sure that theres a big body of water between ireland and america,so your looking at a place or boat or maybe a really fast train that can acua plane.

Civilian_Target

Most of the passes I've seen limit you to 10 journeys over 90 days, which is pretty reasonable but some people might find that limiting.

Be aware that traveling by train in the US is about the most expensive way you can go. The trains are really nice: comfy, good food, friendly - but they're slow and more expensive than bus or plane.

I think your plan is good though, personally I'm looking forward to doing Boston to New Orleans by train at some point next year, then maybe on down through Texas into Mexico...

You might find this map useful
http://www.mapmash.in/amtrak.html

ihsb

I only did short-haul trips via Amtrak, between Seattle and Vancouver BC and Seattle and Portland. Both times they were comfy and clean but delayed and a time consuming way to travel as you have to queue to get seat allocations etc.

JohnMearsheimer

I've done Washington DC to Chicago and Seattle to Vancouver. The seats were massive and had power outlets. There was wifi on the Seattle to Vancouver trip. Loads of toilets in our carriage as well. DC to Chicago was 21 hours, thought it was gong to be boring but it was actually great time for a bit of thinking while watching Ohio roll by outside the window. I think freight trains get priority over passenger trains in the US so that's why they can be so slow. I think Amtrak do a pass for 750 dollars, you get 18 trips and can use it over a 6 week period. There are other cheaper passes with less trips.