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Across the USA by Train for Just $213

dereklow.co

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Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#11

Post by JoeAltmaier »

smackfu wrote: post #10

One tricky bit with a one-way train journey like this is that the train travels all night. So roughly 1/3 of the scenery you go through, you won't be able to see at all. If you have something in particular to see, like the badlands, it might only be visible going eastbound and not westbound.

Agreed. Unless you're parked in a railroad yard for 10 hours waiting for an engine, like we were. Feels pretty vulnerable; not a place I'd choose to sleep normally.

On the plus side: I can say I've slept in an abandoned rail car on a siding now.

Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#12

Post by ipsin »

hornd wrote: post #5

This is sort of my dream, but every time I've checked prices they have been astronomical, upwards of, say, $800 to go from Emeryville to Florida (just a regular coach seat).

The $459 rail pass mentioned in the article seems like a good option (15 days, 8 stops), but you have to be in love with the idea of taking the train.

Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#14

Post by dogma1138 »

hornd wrote: post #5

This is sort of my dream, but every time I've checked prices they have been astronomical, upwards of, say, $800 to go from Emeryville to Florida (just a regular coach seat).

Unless you buy a flexible ticket it's much closer to 300, y you can go on amtrak and check it now, I see a 321 option with 3 trains :)

Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#16

Post by dogma1138 »

ipsin wrote: post #12
hornd wrote: post #5

This is sort of my dream, but every time I've checked prices they have been astronomical, upwards of, say, $800 to go from Emeryville to Florida (just a regular coach seat).

The $459 rail pass mentioned in the article seems like a good option (15 days, 8 stops), but you have to be in love with the idea of taking the train.

Or be Sheldon Cooper.

Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#17

Post by austenallred »

When I lived as a poor vagabond couch-surfer in China, I did almost 100% of my traveling by train.

I'm convinced there's no better way to travel.

When you travel by airplane, you're pretty much rapidly moving from huge city to huge city. You miss everything in-between, from the terrain to seeing how people outside of the cities live.

Even driving from one place to another, you're confined to the freeways. You see a little bit more, but you're still in this weird world which was built around the freeway.

When you travel by train, however, you follow the lay of the land. That takes you into some interesting, fascinating places. Combine that with the fact that you can get a sleeper car and food, and it's an entire experience, not just a rush to get from point A to point B. I spent most of my time reading and looking out the window. It's bliss.

Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#18

Post by hornd »

ipsin wrote: post #12
hornd wrote: post #5

This is sort of my dream, but every time I've checked prices they have been astronomical, upwards of, say, $800 to go from Emeryville to Florida (just a regular coach seat).

The $459 rail pass mentioned in the article seems like a good option (15 days, 8 stops), but you have to be in love with the idea of taking the train.

Yea I didn't know this existed! Looks great.

Re: Across the USA by Train for Just $213

#19

Post by hornd »

dogma1138 wrote: post #14
hornd wrote: post #5

This is sort of my dream, but every time I've checked prices they have been astronomical, upwards of, say, $800 to go from Emeryville to Florida (just a regular coach seat).

Unless you buy a flexible ticket it's much closer to 300, y you can go on amtrak and check it now, I see a 321 option with 3 trains :)

I guess I stand corrected. I was just looking at this last week and I would swear the prices were in the $800 range, although it's possible I'm going crazy.
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