Amtrak

[Mikemarc]

Anyone ever take a long trip on Amtrak?

Really don’t wanna deal with air travel over holiday..and hear Amtrak is very easy and convenient.
Am I a moron even asking?

 

[MulletCork]

Not sure what you would define as a "long trip" but I've taken Amtrak a couple of times up to South Kingstown, RI to see friends over the past few years.
I lived in Rhode Island for 4 years and made the trip up and down the disaster that is Route 95 in Connecticut way too many times. Took other routes as well, but Southern CT just is awful for traffic.

So I decided to take a flyer one time on Amtrak from Metropark to RI. Gotta be honest, it was pretty pleasant. I brought lunch, a couple of mixed drinks in insulated containers and listened to music and read. Was nothing like riding on NJ Transit, at least in my experiences. Train was quiet and it was much less stressful than that commute I always made back and forth from RI to NJ.

Now that was only about a 4 hour ride, so I'm not sure how far you are looking to go. But in my handful of times taking this route, I found it to be ok for me, traveling solo.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Anyone ever take a long trip on Amtrak?

Really don’t wanna deal with air travel over holiday..and hear Amtrak is very easy and convenient.
Am I a moron even asking?

not at all. Love taking the train if a good option. I've only done trips back and forth to Boston though. Other option I've considered in past is driving down to Baltimore (3 hours for me) and picking up train there. Saves a little $$. Good luck if it comes to be.

As Cork said. "stress Free". Smooth Quiet ride. And you get to see a lot of things on the way you'd never see otherwise.

 

[Mikemarc]

There is a train from Newark on the 29th. Arriving in Jacksonville the 30th in the morning.

Cheaper than flying..for a coach seat. Are overnight trains on coach miserable?

 

[Mikemarc]

There is a train from Newark on the 29th. Arriving in Jacksonville the 30th in the morning.

Cheaper than flying..for a coach seat. Are overnight trains on coach miserable?

so by long..I mean overnight 12 hour trip lol

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Anyone ever take a long trip on Amtrak?

Really don’t wanna deal with air travel over holiday..and hear Amtrak is very easy and convenient.
Am I a moron even asking?

Traveled a few times from NC to NYC. Long-distance US rail travel is nightmarish in "normal" times. Can't imagine what it'd be like with COVID and over the Holidays. On second thought, yes I can imagine it: nightmarish but like Groundhog Day, the movie.

 

[RUevolution36]

There is a train from Newark on the 29th. Arriving in Jacksonville the 30th in the morning.

Cheaper than flying..for a coach seat. Are overnight trains on coach miserable?

Yes. My in laws thought a train trip to Chicago would be fun and interesting. They got a cabin in the sleeper car. After the trip they said never again. Sleeping sucks, and the nice scenery isn't so nice in lots of places.

I have taken amtrak for work and to Boston from here before. Those trips are nice... but were only a few hours... and business class and up only.

 

[bamrinnj706]

Took Amtrak home from International Bowl since had to be at work the next Monday and thought it would be the least likely to be impacted by weather. Crossing the border sucked. Two hours while they checked passports. But otherwise it’s ok as long as you have something to entertain yourself. Food isn’t great in the dining car either

Get stuck in a bad seat on a plane it only sucks for a couple of hours. On a train for 12 hours can’t imagine

 

[kupuna133]

My limit on a train is 4 maybe 5 hours. No problem getting on the business Acela trains (business class only)between Boston and D.C. Once you are outside of that corridor clientele gets a little dicey. Business associate who was afraid of flying would regularly take the overnight trains to Chicago and Charlotte to visit clients. Would tell us about the clientele that would share his space. Who knew that dealers, pimps and hookers also liked the serenity of rail travel?

 

[hoquat63]

Took train to Toronto for bowl game ( long wait at border, otherwise fine)
Also went to Montreal no problems, to Boston (got home quicker than those that flew due to weather problems flying. Only disaster was from Denver to CA - huge delay, but sleeper was fine