Amtrak - train travel Review

Amtrak Train Travel

My first trip on an Amtrak train was with my fifth grade Odessey class.  We were going to Washington D.C. on a field trip to see the sights and hopefully learn some American history.  I loved it.  I remember more about the fun on the Amtrak than the visits to the monuments of our nation's capital.  For years I saved my removable pillow cover that was autographed by my school friends.

That was a few years ago and my interests, needs and standards have certainly changed a bit.  Two years ago I drove to Washington D.C. myself along with my oldest child.  I was met by our host and never had to drive in Washington D.C. between a combination of our host's car, the Metro and taxi cabs.  Still, I did not enjoy the drive up to Northern Virginia or to D.C. at all.  I am a confident and capable driver but where I live a traffic jam means that a turkey is trying to cross the road with four jakes and she and I both know that she has the right away.  Two years later I want to take my daughter, who is herself entering fifth grade and embarking on the American history S.O.L.s,  back to D.C. and we have an invitation to Old Town.  I simply do not want to drive up there so I called Amtrak.

Traveling alone with a child can be scary and I was a bit nervous I'll admit.  After our trip there and back, my fears have been calmed and I would certainly use Amtrak again.  In fact, I am sure that I will as my daughter has studied all of the routes that Amtrak travels on the maps in the AmTrak stations and made a list of all of the places we can go on Amtrak.

What was traveling on Amtrak like?

First of all, the check in was so easy.  There was no line.  (Obviously this may not always be the case.) I simply gave them my name and showed them my i.d. and my AAA card for my 10% discount and I was handed my tickets.  The train was on time.  In both stations it was a mere few steps from the ticket counter to the train and I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever run through a huge airport again.  (Yes dear, when you're ready to take my to Argentina to go fly fishing I'll get over it.)

On the train I found our seats to be comfortable with major leg room compared to an airplane or bus.  And yes, once again they brought us our little pillows but we were too stoked to sleep.  There was a bit of what I will call "Trackulence" which is a bit of shifting from side to side but it way better than turbulence.  On the return trip, which was at night, I found that I was able to drift off to sleep.

Yes, there are bathrooms.  What can I say?  They were clean but small.  I brought lots of hand sanitizer.  There's also a food car but it's mediocre and overpriced.  On the return trip we were smart enough to pack a picnic.

My Viewpoint:  I would certainly travel by Amtrak again.  I was able to do some sewing, some reading, some napping and have a picnic dinner instead of driving for four hours.  One tip I will share though is that to get the best prices you should book in advance. I called and got prices but didn't jump on the tickets.  At that time the price quote was $91.00 for one adult and one child both ways with an AAA discount.  Two weeks later, the same tickets were $151.00.  Oh well, I learn a $60.00 lesson but I now I have another option besides driving or flying as I travel.