Bus or Train Travel

[tuixiu]

We usually take the Amtrak when going between Washington DC and New York City. It is about $120, 3 hours 20 minutes which isn't too bad compared to flying time considering arrival at Penn Station from where we can walk to our usual hotel.

[Chuckanut]

There is always BoltBus and MegaBus as an alternative to Greyhound.

[anethum]

I took BoltBus last year between Seattle & Portland. It was excellent. I was taking my bike with me, and all I had to do was load it and unload it myself in the big baggage area. No box needed, no dismantling, and no charge.

I've taken various excellent bus lines between DC & NY. It takes an hour longer than Amtrak but it costs a fraction of Amtrak's lowest prices. There is similar excellent service between Boston-NY. Most of these buses (including BoltBus in the Northwest) have WiFi now.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut There is always BoltBus and MegaBus as an alternative to Greyhound.

In addition to that last post - no personal experience, but I'm looking into options to get my DD up to the Duluth area from the Chicago area for a job she took as a nursing assistant at a large summer camp.

I came across info on MegaBus, and it seemed that many posters on various forums considered it a big step up from their experience on Greyhound. I'm not sure why that would be, seemed to be similar $, maybe just a factor of the route?

We aren't crazy about having her drive alone 6-7 hours to get there, but bus/train schedules are not convenient. Can probably get a flight for ~ $160 each way, (if she can get all she needs for the summer on the plane!).

-ERD50

[NW-Bound]

Why does this thread make me think of this movie?

[GalaxyBoy]

Took a train on vacation a few years back from Richmond to Portland, ME. Great trip and was considered part of the fun. Took all day, but driving would have, too. Had to change stations in Boston via the T, which was interesting.

The northeast corridor above DC is a bit different than the rest of the system. The tracks are dedicated to Amtrak which removes the conflict with the "money trains" carrying freight. Makes for a short layover in DC, though, as they have to change locomotives.

Compared to flying I thought it was great. Wide seats and the ability to walk around whenever you wanted. Plus a club car that served beer. Meals were a bit skimpy, though, being cold boxed lunch if I recall correctly.

I don't remember what the price was, but I seem to think it was cheaper than flying.

[Nemo2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound Why does this thread make me think of this movie?

"Those aren't pillows!"

[Mr._Graybeard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelyman "Riding on The City Of New Orleans..."

My wife and rode the Amtrak version from Chicago to New Orleans and back a few years ago. We had a first-class "roomette" -- not for the claustrophobic, especially the upper bunk. Otherwise it was pleasant enough. We pulled out of Chicago in the evening and by the following morning we were rolling through Mississippi cotton fields. We may have changed some cars in Memphis, Tenn., but I was asleep.

We shared a dinner table with a lesbian couple who had visited Milwaukee for a Pridefest softball tournament. That part of the trip reminded me a bit of the cruise ship experience.

The coach car looked kinda grim, but who enjoys sleeping in a sitting position? I've felt that way and worse while flying to Europe.

[Mr._Graybeard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo2 "Those aren't pillows!"

There were some great Chicago cues in that film, including the El Rancho Motel on the Old Skokie Highway (US 41), which the boys thoroughly trashed.