We Know: Train Travel Tips
How Should I Approach Train Travel?
Train travel is a great American tradition, and it's one of the best ways to see the country. It does, however, have drawbacks. It's one of the slowest forms of transportation, for instance, and it can be very public. Nevertheless, there is a real mystique to train travel that can't be matched by anything else.
If you're planning to travel by train and you're going to be on a train more than six hours, you should definitely consider private sleeper accommodations. Train travel is novel and fun for about the first hour, but after this it can get tedious.
With this in mind, here are some tips:
You should also be ready to strike up conversations with the staff and crew and fellow passengers. Part of the delight of train travel is meeting new people, and the staff in particular are knowledgeable and usually very friendly. If you have any problems on the train, you should speak to the staff right away; after you get off, you may have a hard time resolving things with Amtrak, but the staff on board are often empowered to make things right for you.
Is Train Travel Expensive?
In America, it can be. Our train systems cover a much larger area than the trains in Europe, they're much more lightly traveled, and there is simply no way to discount tickets. Sometimes if you purchase tickets in advance, you can find great deals; but for the most part, you should be ready to pay as much or more than you would for airplane tickets.
You should make sleeping car arrangements as far in advance as possible. These sell out fast.
What Should I Avoid?
Try not to plan a train trip at the last minute. Travel by train takes a little planning. Another thing to remember is that most people traveling a long time by train -- won't have a chance to take a shower! If you're going to travel overnight, shower before you go and try to get a sleeper car.
Also remember: |
|||||
|