Update on train trip to South Carolina Game in 2012

[drail14me]

Just got a call back from Amtrak about the possible train trip. They weren't as kind as I was hoping they would be but here's what it's looking like so far:

Depart Meridian at 0700 on Friday, Sept 28.
Arrive Columbia at approximately 1900, Friday Sept 29

Depart Columbia at 0700 on Sunday, Sept 30
Arrive Meridian approx. 1900, Sunday Sept 30

Stops would be in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Atlanta. Depending on the numbers getting on at each station that might change.

5 coach cars and one lounge/cafe car

Total cost $132,050
5 coach cars will hold 350 people
IF we can get 350, the cost would be $377 per person

Still waiting on Hotel and transfer bus costs but we're estimating that hotel will be about $250 a night and bus $25 per person.

So, train, bus and hotel will be $902 for single occupancy, $1304 per double, $1706 for three, and $2108 for four.

These prices just include train, bus and hotel. Meals, drinks and game tickets are not included.

Thoughts?

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[Arthur2478]

$377? Way too expensive. You could fly out of Jackson for that much.

 

[benatmsu]

I'd rather fly

No you wouldn't. As cheap as you are, I still bet you would rather pay a little extra to not have to fly.

 

[aTotal360]

unless you got some FF miles saved up.

 

[drail14me]

I checked Orbitz leaving Jackson on Friday, Sept 23rd and returning on the 25th. The price was $463.

 

[rem101]

Assuming it takes about 2 hours to fly, plus approx. 1 hour at each airport.

 

[DavidKellumNicknameGenerator]

You get on I-20 and haul *** for 9 hours. It's kinda boring, but if you were to leave early in the morning, you could hit Atlanta around late morning before traffic gets bad, and you'd be in Columbia about 3 hours later. When you got there, you'd also have a car to get around in and use for tailgating, which you will need since the stadium is surrounded by parking lots and grassy areas that people charge for tailgating.

 

[Arthur2478]

unless you got some FF miles saved up.

In the ballpark:

 

[OxpatchReb]

We've taken the train from NOLA to Chicago and also from NOLA to ATL and it was awesome. No security ********. No waiting around after getting to the airport an hour (and a half for nervous travelers) early. No lost luggage. Fewer delays. Room to move around on the train, scenery, bigger seats with room to stretch out (if you get a roomette or suite you can actually sleep), decent food, showers and most importantly, a bar car.

Seriously, vacations are supposed to be fun. There is NOTHING fun about flying anymore. On a train, you get to basically hangout, drink, eat and party all the way there. About 2 hours before you get there, you take a shower, change and get ready to party. You walk off the train relaxed, buzzed up and ready to get it on immediately. Driving or flying, you get there tired, pissed, dirty and ready for a nap or to just crash.

Even if the train is the same price as flying, do it. It's a MUCH better way to travel. As long as the travel time doesn't screw you out of good vacation time and the price is the same or less, I'd take the train every time. Not to mention, train wrecks are about a billion percent more survivable... maybe.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Hell, you won't be done checking in, etc. til about 9pm, there goes happy hour, dinner, etc. The stuff I really enjoy about traveling.

Planes aren't fun, but that's why I fall asleep at takeoff and wake at landing. 4 hours > 12 hours of traveling. That said, train > driving. At least you can sleep the whole way home when you're tired and hung over.

 

[MedDawg]

I love the idea of riding a train full of State fans to an away game. I might do it. Only thing for me is starting in Merdian. I'd have to leave at 3:30am to get there at 6:30am.. Still, that would be one heck of a party, and like they said above, flying isn't much fun anymore. And rental cars are expensive.

 

[OxpatchReb]

when you're traveling for sporting events and don't have extra time to add for extended travel time. If you're trying to do a weekend from Friday to Sunday and not miss work, you would be correct in that flying gives you more time at your destination without having to take off work and that alone makes it the better way to go

I guess what I meant was that if it <span style="font-style: italic;">doesn't</span> affect your vacation time at the destination, trains rule. When we went to Chicago, we just added an extra day to the front and back end of the trip to account for the travel time and it was epic. Overnight train trips are badass. Dinner that evening on the train as **** goes flying by, drinking in the viewing car that evening while you play a board game or watch a DVD in the room if you prefer, a little train poontang and you're off to dreamland. You wake up whenever you want, breakfast with mimosas, more scenery, movies, lunch (room service is free btw) and books or whatever to pass some time, a little more train nookie and then you're there. You're not tired, you're not hungry, you're showered, dressed and ready to drop your **** off at the hotel and see the sights/meet up with folks. It's simply the best way to travel period when you aren't affected by time. If you can add an additional 12 or 18 hours to the front and back of your trip and take a train, trust me, it's worth it. If you can take Friday and Monday off and do the train, you won't regret it.

But you are right in the context of this thread. For a sporting trip to Columbia where people can't take Friday and Monday off for travel time, flying would be preferable to get the most out of your trip. ****, I wish I could fall asleep before take off and wake up at the gate. If I could do that, I'd probably fly more also. And yeah, I've tried Ambien/Lunesta on longer flights. There just isn't a way for me to get comfortable enough to really sleep. I get into this weird, halfway point and lay there, uncomfortably, half asleep, partially awake, state and arrive feeling hungover and tired. Suckage.