Latest reviews about Amtrak - train travel

Loriel13 says "Relaxing alternative" about Amtrak - train travel

Loriel13 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:21:03 GMT

So you live in the Boston area. You have relatives in the New Jersey area yuo haven't seen in years - you have just recenty reconnected. You need to get there within a few days - so booking a plane flight that was lesss than $700 was impossible - (plus, I couldn't find a relative that wanted to pick me up at either Newark OR Philly. I an't blame them.) But, you do not want to drive all the way down to South Jersey. The traffic, the gas prices, getting sleepy behind the wheel, can't frive a standard that long due to several back surgeries??? The alternative is...Amtrak. I took Amtrak from Boston (I chose the 128 Station - less crowded and no traffic) to the "Metro Station" in NJ, and returned on the Acela train 4 days later. I was sared to at first because of the "rif-raf" problem I had on the train 8 yrs ago on a Boston to VA Bch trip. Alas, my hears were waylaid as I settled into my comfy seat on the southbound "Northeast Corridor" train. They have a shack car - and BONUS - a "quiet...

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AngelaWLaFon says "Amtrak: I'll be back on track!" about Amtrak - train travel

AngelaWLaFon — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:43:08 GMT

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...

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GomerPyle says "Fun on the move!" about Amtrak - train travel

GomerPyle — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:02:00 GMT

Amtrak catered to my needs quite admirably. THe private rooms made things nice for my partner and I and the constant motion of the train was soothing. Our steward was very nice and helpful.

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jamtjm says "Unless you want to be left in the cold don't travel by Amtrak in" about Amtrak - train travel

jamtjm — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:35:18 GMT

I am not a real fan of Amtrak rail travel. Back in January my husband & I decided to take a train ride for our 35th anniversary. Unfortunatly it was the coldest week of the year. We left out of Bryan, Oh, changed trains in Chicago before getting to our destination in Missouri. To start with our train was over 4 hrs late & we were at at an unmanned station. It was a small enclosed glass pavilion. It was heated which was good because windchills were way below zero. About 1/2 way or so into our wait the heat automatically went off & the door was locked from the outside. There was nothing posted that this would happen but at least we were inside. Our stop over in Chicago was almost as bad & we rushed to grab something to eat because our train was scheduled to depart within the hour. That also was late. We arrived at our destination several hours late. Our return trip home was pretty much unchanged. It was so cold in the station & we really weren't given information until almost the last minute...

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iristina says "Amtrak - check all options" about Amtrak - train travel

iristina — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:33:55 GMT

I travel often--air, car, and some by train. I have traveled with Amtrak a few times with "ok" results. My last trip was the worst. Service and notification was subpar when we encountered a 4 hour delay (2 before departure and 2 during the trip). However, I sent a note detailing my unhappiness and received a call from Amtrak. The representative apoligized and said we would receive a credit for future travel in the mail. We have not received anything in the mail yet, although it's only been a week. Hopefully something will arrive soon......

kimjackson says "Good way to see America without driving" about Amtrak - train travel

kimjackson — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:18:20 GMT

I travled at Christmas from Flagstaff, Az where I live to Kansas City, Mo. to see my cousins and their families. THe train goes through Winslow, Az Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Raton, New Mexico. Then it goes thruogh southeast Colorado, stopping at Lamar. The last part of the trip is through kansas towns like Garden City, Dodge City, Newton, Topeka, and Lawrenced before Kansas City. The snack bar was pretty good with hamburgers and ciikies to get me through. Ir also has a dining car I coludn't afford this time....

gstall32 says "Easy way to Travel" about Amtrak - train travel

gstall32 — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:05:52 GMT

I use Amtrak mostly to visit my girlfriend. Amtrak has great prices on all of their tickets and usually cost about the same amount I would spend on gas getting to my destination. I most frequently buy coach tickets, but even those are great seats. Image almost the seats on an airplane with more leg room. The staff on the train is always really nice, and whenever I call in to cancel or change a ticket I have, they make it so simple for me. Amtrak also offers many discounts to all types of customers. Students receive a discount, seniors receive discounts, children, and military. The trains are seldomely late, and the ride is a very smooth one....

LoveisJoy says "Disabilities Make Travel Challenging; Amtrak Makes it Easier" about Amtrak - train travel

LoveisJoy — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:25:09 GMT

For me, living with multiple sclerosis means that travel is challenging to the point that I try to avoid it at all costs. I cannot bear sitting for long periods in a car. I cannot stand the chaos and confined spaces associated with air travel. And the Greyhound bus that has leg room designed for someone the size of a 10 year old? Forget it. That leaves me with the one option that has turned out to be a better travel solution than most people would expect--Amtrak. Train travel via Amtrak has made it possible for me to comfortably visit a dear friend who lives two states away. Within 2½ hours I can travel to my destination in relative comfort--quite affordably.

I begin my trip by consulting the online train schedule at Amtrak.com so that I have an idea of when I would like to travel. Once I have that information, I call the customer service line (1-800-USA-RAIL) to book my tickets. (Note: customers can't book tickets online if they have special requests or want the 10%...

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MayJ1313 says "OMG!... xD How awesome!" about Amtrak - train travel

MayJ1313 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:48:42 GMT

OMG! i didn't know that there was such a transportation... i can't wait to travel... :]
but i thought there wasn't anymore travel trains... :o...
man i just can't wait... xD and soo much great reviews...
i'm more interested than i have never have been...
and it's in florida too? OMG! loL...

deesqbt says "amtrak- so easy" about Amtrak - train travel

deesqbt — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:53:20 GMT

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msreed2880 says "Traveling by train is the secomd best way to see the country" about Amtrak - train travel

msreed2880 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:55:03 GMT

Hello again it's me your friendly neighborhood critic. LOL Today my topic is: Amtrak Travel

The first time i ever traveled by train was when I was a child being shuffled between divorced parents. Needless to say I was scared, being my first time traveling alone on a train, but as soon as I met the nice lady behind the Amtrak ticket counter, my fears lessened as she assured me and my Mom that I would be in good hands. Now as I boarded the train and said good-bye to my Mother one of the conductors noticed i was traveling alone, and took me under his wing so to speak. He helped me find my seat, and checked on me from time to time. Now i know that this is part of his job description, but I felt then and still do feel that he went above and beyond to make a little girl feel safe and secure until she got to her Father. My trip was not a long one (I was going to Philly from Baltimore)but my experience had impressed me so that now a days Whenever I have to travel and it is permissable I travel...

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ekatzmarek says "So much better than riding the bus!!" about Amtrak - train travel

ekatzmarek — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:15:30 GMT

I absolutely love traveling with Amtrak!! I despised taking the bus (small seats, rude employees) and decided to give Amtrak a try....WOW... i was amazed! I can stretch my legs out in front of me from my seat, the restrooms are large enough that you can easily fit with your small child that still needs help with the potty. The snack car made traveling with a child much much easier, and the fold down tray table made a way for my daughter to color and keep herself entertained in a comfortable way! I'll NEVER ride the bus again!...

OER says "Amtrak's "All Florida Pass" is the best value in travel." about Amtrak - train travel

OER — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:35:25 GMT

I was somewhat skeptical when my daughter told me she was buying an "All Florida Pass" for the Amtrak trains. She said that one could use it any time to go anywhere without restrictions of any kind. One could also request sleeping accomodations when one boarded, She said that we did not have to make reservations ever. All we had to do was turn up at the station just before the train arrived and get on the train. All of this for a whole year, and only for $250 per person. I thought it was another of my daughters pie in the sky schemes. But she did turn up with the two $250 "All Florida Passes" and we have now used the passes a number of times. It was just like she said. One has total flexibility. On can even change one's mind regarding destination while on the train, and go further or closer.

The Amtrak trains in Florida, unfortunately are not as nice as in other parts of the country, but they get you to your destination in a tolerable manner. For longer trips it offers relief from driving,...

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Nitabrit says "AMTRAK IS FINE, BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE NO TIME CONTRAINTS" about Amtrak - train travel

Nitabrit — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:54:30 GMT

I like travelling on Amtrak from Saint Louis to Kansas City, MO but, they have got to do something about their schedule. You should be aware that Amtrak does not own the tracks and the freight trains always have the right of way. When returning from Kansas City, our train has always been no less than 2 hours late....