Any train travelers here? I'm thinking of doing a cross country Amtrak trip one day. What am I in for? Something about having my own little cabin on a train, staying up late, and slowly falling asleep to the sounds and vibration of the train seems so comfy.
This but folded up across a row of coach seats, with one knee on my backpack and the other calf resting on my tray table. I love napping in Amtrak coach seats. Consider starting from Chicago instead of going coast to coast. Most of the East is endless trees going by, much duller than the varied scenery of the West.
>>2904855trains are nice and i always think about and plan to take them but 90% of the time the 30min $50 flight is just superior... this happeend to me earleir for melbourne to sydney
>>2904983But think of the glimate! Flying is so much more wasteful of resources than ground transport.
I wouldn't want to stay on Amtrak for more than about 36 hours but those 36 hours are comfy and it's an enjoyable way to get to a place, as long as there's a route
>>2904855If you want to take a train trip for its own sake and don't specifically want to go somewhere in the US, do the Via Rail Canadian. It's roughly the same price as Amtrak (cheaper, often significantly, in the off season - that is, from November to March) but the food is significantly better, the staff is generally friendlier, and the cars are in better shape. I've done both and it's not even close.
>>2904855The trains are old and the clientele even older. It's like a cruise ship on land, if the cruise ships were ran by the government. But if you're not fussy about shit like that and just want the experience, it's very nice.
>>2904855If you really want to commit and aren't set on having a bedroom (they're super expensive), look into the USA rail pass anon. It's normally $500, which is a bit steep, but usually goes on sale for $250 or so around January. (When you buy it, you have 6 months to start using it, and you can refund it if you don't use it.) Once you start using it you have 1 month in which you can ride ten trips / "segments", enough to pretty comfortably get you cross-country and back and do a few stops as well.The downside is you're in coach, no way around it. But honestly, if you know what you're doing it's manageable. The seats lean back far. Get a blanket, pillow, sleeping mask, etc (remember luggage is free on amtrak as long as you can lug it). If possible, buy food during your stops and bring it on board, because the cafe car sucks and is overpriced and the dining car is decent but *way* overpriced. They give you hot water for free, so you can make noodles and oatmeal and such if you bring it on. The wifi is trash or nonexistent, so get a hotspot, but keep in mind you won't have cell service all the time. The power outlets are reliable.Honestly I treat it like a weird moving camping trip. The scenery is unbeatable.It's not for everyone but it's probably by far the cheapest way to do a full cross-country trip, and certainly an experience. The social aspect is overhyped but you meet some cool people in the observation car, I've had fun chatting with randoms in there.I've done it twice so far. First time I took the Zephyr, stopped briefly in Chicago and Denver, did longer stops in LA/San Diego, SLO, Klamath Falls, Seattle, and Fargo. Second time I stopped in St. Paul, Seattle again, LA, Flagstaff, and Albuquerque. It's surprisingly popular, on the long-distance routes you'll always meet a few other people doing the rail passAll that said, it's a lot of fun but not very practical. What >>2905032 said about government-run land cruise ships is pretty accurate.
>>2905030>the staff is generally friendlier,are the train staff in Canada all black too?
>>2905256The scenery in the eastern states is basically a wall of trees. But out west you genuinely feel like you are seeing the country. Sleeping across two seats is doable if you fold yourself up somewhat. Use the tray table to rest your knee. A mini blanket is a must. And yes, bring food and booze too - you're not supposed to drink your own booze in coach, but it's easy to escape attention.>>2905032Amtrak riders almost seem selected at random. The one thing they all have in common is plenty of free time on their hands. No hurried wagecucks ride long-distance trains.
>>2905030There's also the rocky mountain express if you want something even more luxurious
>>2905502>The scenery in the eastern states is basically a wall of trees.you should try the bald knob train trip @ cass, wvyou can see 20 mi at least on a clear day at the top and there's good views on the way up once you get high into the leatherbark run holler you know they have scenic tourist trains all over the east...the problem is the seats are usually uncomfortable, the trains are crowded and not well maintained, and some cars are closed with non-opening windows so you won't get nice photos and they don't carebut the open cars are fine
>>2905646And those scenic trains aren't subsidized like Amtrak. It'll run you $100+ for a 30 mile out and back ride.
I do amtrak a lot, biggest issue is it's pretty boring after the first 2-3 hours. Sure it gets good, but you gotta make sure your train is passing at the right hours. Just rent a car, drive around montana, and you'll get what you want. Ain't shit from Chicago to most montana anyways
>>2905688The Amtrak trains out west nearly always have interesting characters on board who want to chat for hours, in my experience. People start conversations easily. Midwest and East, everyone keeps to themselves and avoids engaging with strangers, though every now and then there's an exception. (The last two travelers who started small talk with me were both Hispanic females.) So in addition to a general lack of scenic views, you also feel the lonely hours pass by. Best to break up your trip with 24 hour stays in various towns. Get out and hopefully talk to somebody local. And always check bus schedules if the train timings are unsuitable for you, or the fares are too jacked up.
I've done KL to Bangkok before, booked a full first class sleeper cabin for myself on the Thai side, loaded up with a shitload of beers, some gummies and a bucket of kfc. Watched movies half the time. Was bliss>>2904983>Australia>trains Are you retarded?
I've traveled a few times on night trains in Europe. They're pretty convenient because you leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, ao you don't really lose any useful time and get the full day on arrival.
>>2904855That bag makes me think you are super gay and lame
