I've had overnight train travel experiences in Norway and Kenya, and it sounded implausible that I had yet to enjoy slow train travel in my own country.
And so we booked our tickets for a trip aboard the Sunset Limited, an Amtrak train which runs from Los Angeles to New Orleans over the duration of nearly 48 hours.
For Train Travel in General
1. Pack snacks. Some trains have dining cars, however not all of them have uncooked food or the food is prohibitively costly. You may also have the ability to get snacks, but chances are they are not all that wholesome, and the selection may be bad. When you are stuck on a train track 12 hours from everywhere, the last thing you want is to be famished, so come prepared with an assortment of stuff to nibble on. Bonus points for healthy snacks, especially because you are not likely to get a great deal of exercise on board.
2. Wear shoes. In some countries it's against the law not to wear shoes, but in all nations, it is just a fantastic idea. I'm not saying you can't slide them off when you're sitting at your chair or as soon as you've hunkered down at the observation car, but wear sneakers whenever you have to walk somewhere and please, under every single circumstance it is possible to think of, wear sneakers in the restroom.
3. After a very long day and a long night with canned train air, you're likely to need to take a shower. No can do ... however, the next best thing is a good wipe down with a wet wipe. I find them particularly beneficial for waking up in the daytime. As for the toilet paper, a few trains will probably have it, others will not at all, however all will be running a bit low by the time the ride is finished.
4. If you'll be on the train for more than 1 night, get a sleeper. Pet-e-pure.com I really don't mind riding coach. In reality, the chairs are very comfy and way roomier than attempting to squeeze into a plane seat. They may even recline quite nicely. I can sleep for one night in these seats ... and "sleeping" is likely a stretch. Over one night, however, and I'm a mess. I've spent nights in sleepers on trains, even though, and I sleep incredibly well, therefore the excess price for your sleeper is worth it. There's nothing like the lull of the train to stone a individual to sleep.
5. Unplug. Some trains have begun to offer free wireless online service, but I strongly recommend you leave the laptop off. Among the greatest things about riding a train is the fact that it epitomizes the concept of slow traveling. This is your chance to pull out a diary, catch up on a great book or simply see the picture roll by.
For Amtrak Train Travel Specifically
6. Check for discounts before booking. I am able to say for sure there are not any long-standing discounts for media or former Peace Corps volunteers riding on Amtrak, but you will find cheaper rates for children, military personnel, AAA card holders, students, seniors and an entire slew of different people. The company also regularly has deals on certain lines, and there is also a guest rewards program which allows you to earn points as you journey (sort of like frequent flyer miles). Check before you book to see if you qualify for a discounted ticket.
7. Expect employees to become angry with Amtrak but not with passengers. I really don't know what's happening at Amtrak's corporate office, however the employees on the trains aren't happy about it. While the staff aboard the Sunset Limited was quite considerate to the passengers, even when passengers voiced worries or had difficulties with something on the train, I discovered the staff tell them that they should call the corporate office and say something regarding the matter. The employees would go on to say that they'd attempted to cover the problem themselves with headquarters, but that "they do not listen to whatever we say." So expect problems and do not expect employees on board to be in a position to do anything about them. And do not take it personally if they appear frustrated or dizzy. It's not you, it's the firm they work for.
8. Bring a blanket or sweatshirt. The Sunset Limited was cold, particularly at night. The air conditioning was up so high I could hear the fan running. Even when you're traveling at the south in the dead of summer, prepare for freezing conditions.
9. Fully charge any electronics before boarding the train. If you want to use a cell phone, iPod or laptop on the train, it better come fully charged because you might not find an outlet in an Amtrak train. The Standard 1 coach automobile had outlets at every seat, our car didn't have any. You would think that the observation car (in which folks hang out, play cards and relax away from their own chairs) would have them but there was one single socket in the whole car and a long line of people waiting to use it.
10. Do not compare prices with different kinds of transportation. By the time you compare the price of your ticket and the price of any food you bought on board together with the period of time it took you to reach your destination, then you might wonder why you didn't just fly. Amtrak isn't inexpensive, especially if you get a sleeper car. But accepting the train in the United States is not about getting somewhere fast or inexpensively. It's about enjoying a type of travel that might also be a lost art. And, in case more people begin utilizing the trains that we've, maybe someday it will grow to be a common, easier and more affordable way to travel around the United States.