Long Amtrak Train Trip Starting 26 August!

[KingQamaR]

Looking at the US Map
Distances are huge when road tripping in America. Probably the most authentic experience of US. I’d love to do a long drive in US I did one in Europe LOVED it. . you guys are honestly so lucky and blessed you got a whole contingent to yourself’s that speaks just English … .

 

[KingQamaR]

Bit of an anorak here, but I love American bridges and tunnels. I’d say the ones I so in Italy Austria tunnels through the Alps might come close to the big US

 

[Starlord]

With your Green Card, I see no issues you going to Spain or any other European country. They know you already have the options for a decent life in America and wouldn't abuse your visit to Europe.
As for a road trip to Alaska, that's very a ambitious one!! The ALCAN highway maybe much better now but it still is a long journey and challenging. Try something within America itself: Maybe from Miami to Seattle, going diagonally northwest? Beautiful scenery!!

That was my first thought too, i am already living and working in America, i don't need to overstay my visa, so it should be a issue, but I am still undecided between Spain or Alaska. I do have another option and that is Dinosaur national Park or Zion National park in Utha, and drive through Colarado, I don't know if someone lives in Colarado that can give some information about hotels, where to stay or places to visit. But for a road trip even that will be a long trip, USA is insanely big and even driving through 2-3 states stack up 1000-1200 miles.

 

[Starlord]

Looking at the US Map
Distances are huge when road tripping in America. Probably the most authentic experience of US. I’d love to do a long drive in US I did one in Europe LOVED it. . you guys are honestly so lucky and blessed you got a whole contingent to yourself’s that speaks just English … .

Bro USA is huge, I drive from Tampa to Atlanta where my cousin lives, that trip is around 470-500 miles give or take, if you take 1-2 Gas/bathroom break that's around 7 hours of driving, mind you Georgia is next to Florida lol imagine driving from Florida to mid-west or west coast.

 

[Starlord]

@Meengla just look at the distance, all my excitement and enthusiasm die quickly when i see that distance lol

Also @KingQamaR that is just on the border of Utah, and its mid-west, if you wanna go to California or Washington add another 500-1000 miles (crying)

 

[Ali_Baba]

Except for gasoline (petrol) prices, the UK seems significantly cheaper than America to me. I have been fascinated by the UK and seen some everyday life and travel videos and marvel at that. Here in America, unless you want a dirty, smelly 'cockroach motel', it is rare to find any accommodation below $120. In my upcoming trip, even in mid week, my hotel in NYC is costing me $130 and it is a very basic hotel with a charitable 3 star ranking.

You can get better and cheaper hotel accommodation than that in the UK. So, that part is. ( Hotels are either overpriced or not good in the USA unless you pay top dollar for certain ).

If you do intend on a trip to the UK, and this forum is around, drop a note here and i am sure a lot of us Brits can tell you how to navigate the UK without breaking the bank.

You will - enjoy the fact that there is NO tipping culture of any type in the UK, or need to tip anyone !! Restaurants are optional as staff at restaurants are paid a living wage for their time.

 

[Meengla]

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@Meengla just look at the distance, all my excitement and enthusiasm die quickly when i see that distance lol

Nah, believe me I took a solo trip from South Carolina to the Dinasaur National Park and beyond in a beat up old Pontiac T 1000. I went as far as the Old Faithful in the Yellow Stone National Park! My target was Seattle but the car was making rattling sounds upon every wheel turn and a mechanic on the route told me to either fix it or sell it--I won't make to Seattle over the mountain terrain. I thought to at least see the Old Faithful geyser, which I did, and turned back to drive home to SC.
That was April 1994! I was young and foolhardy. Now by taking this train trip, I guess I am old and foolhardy! Haha!

 

[Starlord]

Nah, believe me I took a solo trip from South Carolina to the Dinasaur National Park and beyond in a beat up old Pontiac T 1000. I went as far as the Old Faithful in the Yellow Stone National Park! My target was Seattle but the car was making rattling sounds upon every wheel turn and a mechanic on the route told me to either fix it or sell it--I won't make to Seattle over the mountain terrain. I thought to at least see the Old Faithful geyser, which I did, and turned back to drive home to SC.
That was April 1994! I was young and foolhardy. Now by taking this train trip, I guess I am old and foolhardy! Haha!

Bro you live in Greenville or close to Greenville, I am so so jealous of you lol if i was living in Greenville, you bet i will be in Smoky mountains every other month for a mini vacation.
But yeah i notice when i first move to US, back in 2021 and i used to drive to my cousin i would not get much tired, now when i get back home even after 2-3 decent breaks, i am straight to bed for what we call in urdu (Qamar seedhi kerna) haha

 

[Meengla]

You can get better and cheaper hotel accommodation than that in the UK. So, that part is. ( Hotels are either overpriced or not good in the USA unless you pay top dollar for certain ).
If you do intend on a trip to the UK, and this forum is around, drop a note here and i am sure a lot of us Brits can tell you how to navigate the UK without breaking the bank.
You will - enjoy the fact that there is NO tipping culture of any type in the UK, or need to tip anyone !! Restaurants are optional as staff at restaurants are paid a living wage for their time.

America used to be much cheaper before the Covid Pandemic. No more. In late 2019, I took back to back cruises which included driving or flying to Florida, staying in hotels to/from, paying for car parking, all gratuities and shopping for and during the cruises. 31 days in total. Everything was a little less than $4000.
I can't imagine doing that for that money now.

 

[Meengla]

Bro you live in Greenville or close to Greenville, I am so so jealous of you lol if i was living in Greenville, you bet i will be in Smoky mountains every other month for a mini vacation.

There is a reason South Carolina is the No. 1 fastest growing state in entire America based on proportional population!! Imagine beating all other states in America--all 49 of them and the US Territories.
I don't like that but nothing I can do about it. At least my properties' values are going up

 

[KingQamaR]

You can get better and cheaper hotel accommodation than that in the UK. So, that part is. ( Hotels are either overpriced or not good in the USA unless you pay top dollar for certain ).

If you do intend on a trip to the UK, and this forum is around, drop a note here and i am sure a lot of us Brits can tell you how to navigate the UK without breaking the bank.

You will - enjoy the fact that there is NO tipping culture of any type in the UK, or need to tip anyone !! Restaurants are optional as staff at restaurants are paid a living wage for their time.

London is a rip off if you stay anywhere in Central London. If you travel to London on Saturday please avoid London ..
I was told by friends and colleagues they often stay at Heathrow Airport IBIS. For our none U.K. colleagues on here there is a good over line railway and underground links into central London.
Hotels around Wembley stadium are reasonable too .
And another good budget is Travelodge motels in Central London I was told.

 

[Meengla]

London is a rip off if you stay anywhere in Central London. If you travel to London on Saturday please avoid London ..
I was told by friends and colleagues they often stay at Heathrow Airport IBIS. For our none U.K. colleagues on here there is a good over line railway and underground links into central London.
Hotels around Wembley stadium are reasonable too .
And another good budget is Travelodge motels in Central London I was told.

I remember meeting a group of Brits on a Caribbean cruise and I said I am fascinated by London. To which the lady asked me: "Have you been to NYC?". I said, Yes. She said, then there is not much different in London except maybe a few historic sites!

 

[Starlord]

There is a reason South Carolina is the No. 1 fastest growing state in entire America based on proportional population!! Imagine beating all other states in America--all 49 of them and the US Territories.
I don't like that but nothing I can do about it. At least my properties' values are going up

I have some purani yaaden from South Carolina, so this state will have a special place in my heart. I keep thinking about taking a road trip to Greenville and to Gaitlinburg, but its just hard to relive through that memories. But if i get a offer of same pay and similar work from Greenville, you bet i will jump on it in a heart beat.

 

[Meengla]

I have some purani yaaden from South Carolina, so this state will have a special place in my heart. I keep thinking about taking a road trip to Greenville and to Gaitlinburg, but its just hard to relive through that memories. But if i get a offer of same pay and similar work from Greenville, you bet i will jump on it in a heart beat.

Wifey and I made good friends on a cruise with a couple from Tampa area (St. Petes Beach). They were here just a few months ago. The loved it here and would move except for the finances and family ties. They are sick of the every year hurricanes and the year around heat. In one hurricane, their boat got some damage. In another, their house got some damage. And recently they said they have water shortage /rationing.
To me, heat and humidity alone is a big No Go in Florida. A fellow cruiser from Miami once said 'It is like a warm, wet blanket over you all year around!'. YUCK!

 

[PK781]

look forward to the pictures. Also hope you have a good travel pack/gear/bag for the journey, and pack all those snacks as well!