Long Amtrak Train Trip Starting 26 August!

[Meengla]

With just barely 36 hours to go, I have started to gather for the trip and packing. From a backup phone to backup glasses to passport to munchies to toiletries and much more. I like to tip the hospitality staff as much as in my capacity and so gotten a lot of $1 bills for the Cafe Car staff and others.

 

[Watandar]

What is this Amtrak rail pass ? Is it some sort of hack to travel a lot using Amtrak ?

 

[Meengla]

What is this Amtrak rail pass ? Is it some sort of hack to travel a lot using Amtrak ?

You may Google. Basically, It's a cheap way to travel on Amtrak trains. Amtrak officially offers it at $500 per Rail Pass and is around for decades. You can take 10 'Segments' per Rail Pass within 30 days once your first trip begins. A very cost effective way to see this great beautiful country. Let's look at my own trip--as per the map given in the OP first page: It will take me only 4 of the 10 segments to cover 4877 miles by the time I reach Seattle. And two of those 4 segments are breathtakingly beautiful. But the trade off is that there are limited seats for the Pass holders and you can only travel on Coach/seats, which is very tiring on routes. While I am satisfied with my route in this trip, I made a mistake of not allowing enough overnight stays in my trip and that remains a concern. But too late to fix that.

 

[Davey Crockett]

It was just a couple weeks ago I drove from central Arizona to Camp Perry, OH and back. On the trip to Perry, I left my house at 0610 local time and stopped for the night about 45 miles west of Tulsa. Roughly 1100 miles or so.

If you ever do the trip again, visit....

 

[Davey Crockett]

With just barely 36 hours to go, I have started to gather for the trip and packing. From a backup phone to backup glasses to passport to munchies to toiletries and much more. I like to tip the hospitality staff as much as in my capacity and so gotten a lot of $1 bills for the Cafe Car staff and others.

Tipping is a very good practice. Locals will appreciate it and give you suggestions you will not see online.

 

[Davey Crockett]

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

I don't mind but let me ask first if @Meengla snore haha, as much as i want to hit the roads, but I still have to pay bills so work don't stop grind don't stop.

You're welcome:

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

And here i am thinking twice over taking a road trip in my 2022 Hyundai, and been a brat and complain about not having a camper lol I agree that traveling the old school way has its own thrill, @AZ_HighCountry wanna add some stories from back in the day?

Let's not.

 

[Solomon2]

With just barely 36 hours to go, I have started to gather for the trip and packing. From a backup phone to backup glasses to passport to munchies to toiletries and much more. I like to tip the hospitality staff as much as in my capacity and so gotten a lot of $1 bills for the Cafe Car staff and others.

Tip: bring soap and shampoo for the shower. Don't be put off if there's something stored inside: just ask the porter to clear it for you. Some trains are supposed to supply towels but I'd bring a hand towel just in case.

 

[Watandar]

@Meengla I think Amtrak does not have seat tv entertainment and I have heard the Wifi can be spotty so you might download some TV shows and films beforehand. Also you make take some books to read along the way.

 

[Meengla]

Tip: bring soap and shampoo for the shower. Don't be put off if there's something stored inside: just ask the porter to clear it for you. Some trains are supposed to supply towels but I'd bring a hand towel just in case.

I am only traveling Coach seats; no access to shower on the train.

@Meengla I think Amtrak does not have seat tv entertainment and I have heard the Wifi can be spotty so you might download some TV shows and films beforehand. Also you make take some books to read along the way.

Thank you. Yes, I am taking my tablet with me and just now an SD Card installed and also downloaded some You Tube videos (I have a Premium subscription).

I should be packing and doing laundry but dragging my feet. The start of the trip is horrible: Close to 2 AM tonight/tomorrow and that is if the train comes on time!

 

[Watandar]

I am only traveling Coach seats; no access to shower on the train.

That sucks. What about the station layovers ? Is there a big enough station on the way with a decent lounge and showers ?

 

[Meengla]

That sucks. What about the station layovers ? Is there a big enough station on the way with a decent lounge and showers ?

I am planning to pay $35 to access the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge at the Chicago Union Station: That access allows not only showers but also snacks and priority boarding to the Zephyr train. The Zephyr train is a highlight of trip: Very scenic and very popular. If I can get a window seat on that due to the priority access then great.
But my 19+ hour train has to reach Chicago not-too-late to avail the Lounge. If on time then I have about a 4 hour window to avail the Lounge. If the train is late then forget it. After the 19 hours, add 50+ hours on the train to California on the Zephyr--and without any shower. That would suck big time!!