![]() Though federal law dictates that passenger trains should have priority, the freight railroads ignore this rule with virtually no consequences. Amtrak owns just 3% of the track that it operates on and relies on agreements with freight railroads to run elsewhere. Trains sometimes run hours – or even days – late, but the delays can often be attributed to freight companies that give their trains priority over passenger services. If you’ve ridden trains in Japan or Switzerland, you’ll likely be disappointed by Amtrak’s punctuality. The historical Union Station, Los Angeles © Kit Leong/Shutterstock Does Amtrak run on time? It can be sticker shock to see the price of sleeper rooms, but this price also includes three sit-down meals per day in the dining car, which can be a tad expensive otherwise: lunch starts at $13.50 and dinner averages $23. Long-distance trains have coach seating as well as private sleeper cars. Ticket prices depend on the distance you’re traveling and the type of seat. However, riding the train across the USA is a completely different kind of journey, and it’s one to savor. How much do Amtrak tickets cost? Do I need to book in advance?Īmtrak is sometimes cheaper than flying, but it’s almost never faster. Architectural highlights include Seattle’s King Street Station, with a gleaming white Italianate plasterwork ceiling and an inlaid marble compass on the floor, and the unabashedly art deco Union Station in Los Angeles, where the former Harvey House restaurant has been converted into a brewery. The Pacific Surfliner travels along the coastline in Del Mar, California © courtesy of AmtrakĪnd it’s not just the journeys that are scenic: some of the train stations used by Amtrak are beautifully stuck in time. These seats cannot be booked and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The observation car is a delightful social space where travelers strike up conversations with strangers and families entertain children at the handful of booth tables and are a true travel experience. #Train across america windowsBut you can’t go wrong with any of Amtrak’s long-distance routes, half of which have “sightseer lounges,” observation cars with floor-to-ceiling windows and seats that face them. The California Zephyr, which runs through the lonely deserts of Nevada and winds up Colorado’s Rocky Mountains on its route between Emeryville (near San Francisco) and Chicago, gets our vote as one of the world’s most amazing train journeys. ![]() ![]() ![]() Amtrak’s network includes beautifully named 15 long-distance routes, such as the California Zephyr between Chicago and California, the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles and the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Los Angeles. Seattle, Chicago and Los Angeles are hubs for multiple lines, but unsurprisingly, the more populous eastern USA is better served than other parts of the country. The USA might be known for its love of cars and road trips, but you can actually ride the train down the whole coast of the western US from Canada to Mexico and even travel to several national parks by train.Īmtrak passenger train rolls into Whitefish, Montana, USA © Danita Delimont / Alamy Stock Photo Where can I travel in the US on Amtrak?Īmtrak crisscrosses the entire country from north to south and east to west, racking up 21,400 miles and serving 500 cities in 46 states, as well as a handful of destinations in Canada. If you’re considering exploring the USA by train, here’s what you need to know for your trip.Įditor’s note: please check the latest local COVID-19 travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice. The USA has shown renewed interest in revitalizing its train network: Amtrak set a record of 32 million riders in 2019, and President Joe Biden recently announced plans to bolster the country’s infrastructure and build new train lines. As more Americans are vaccinated and travel restrictions start to lift, travelers are itching to get away after more than a year of sticking close to home. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |