Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am planning a trip to Boston (from Chicago) and I was considering taking Amtrak since I'm just sick of flying and I have plenty of vacation time to allow for the longer travel time. But, then I checked the ticket prices and, holy cow... to get a "room" with a bed is $550+ each way! The trip takes 22 hours, so would have to sleep somehow.
Who in their right mind would pay that much when you can fly for about half of the one-way cost and be there in 4 hours? Honestly, it's no wonder Amtrak doesn't make any money...
I would still like to do it if there's a way to get a substantial discount, but I haven't found anything yet.
The only time Amtrak makes sense in my book is if you are using it on the Northeast Corridor (Acela) or have a medical condition that precludes you from flying.
Amtrak is on my " bucket list" but cost is what never gets them off the list and onto the..........done......list.
I know, I have wanted to take a trip by train for a long time now, especially since I despise flying. I'm actually considering driving, but then, I don't know, that seems silly. I just wish I didn't have to fly since it's expensive and unpleasant. I would love for there to be a more pleasant way to travel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by annerk
The only time Amtrak makes sense in my book is if you are using it on the Northeast Corridor (Acela) or have a medical condition that precludes you from flying.
Yeah, that is probably true. I know it's good for getting between Milwaukee and Chicago, as well, since my MIL did that multiple times a week for years. I just cannot believe how expensive the sleeping rooms are!
If anyone knows of a way to get a good discount I would love to know.
Their "senior" discounts are about 15%. For anything less than a 48 hour trip most people just sleep in their seats, which are quite comfortable. We're just starting to plan a trip to Canada in the Fall and may get a bedroom for the Vancouver-Montreal leg. Some people love trains enough to pay the fare.
I am planning a trip to Boston (from Chicago) and I was considering taking Amtrak since I'm just sick of flying and I have plenty of vacation time to allow for the longer travel time. But, then I checked the ticket prices and, holy cow... to get a "room" with a bed is $550+ each way! The trip takes 22 hours, so would have to sleep somehow.
Who in their right mind would pay that much when you can fly for about half of the one-way cost and be there in 4 hours? Honestly, it's no wonder Amtrak doesn't make any money...
I would still like to do it if there's a way to get a substantial discount, but I haven't found anything yet.
Don't forget that the cost is not just for the transportation from Chicago to Boston. It also includes a night that you would otherwise have to pay for a hotel if you were driving, and you get your meals included if you book a roomette on the train. When my husband and I got a roomette on the auto-train, they gave us a bottle of wine with the dinner. All things considered it's not *that* much more than flying.
Their "senior" discounts are about 15%. For anything less than a 48 hour trip most people just sleep in their seats, which are quite comfortable. We're just starting to plan a trip to Canada in the Fall and may get a bedroom for the Vancouver-Montreal leg. Some people love trains enough to pay the fare.
There is also lots of legroom between seats on the Amtrak trains.
Don't forget that the cost is not just for the transportation from Chicago to Boston. It also includes a night that you would otherwise have to pay for a hotel if you were driving, and you get your meals included if you book a roomette on the train. When my husband and I got a roomette on the auto-train, they gave us a bottle of wine with the dinner. All things considered it's not *that* much more than flying.
I disagree. It's a 15 hour drive which can be done in a day, especially with two drivers. In a car that gets 20 mpg (most get more) it would take 50 gallons. At $4 a gallon, that's $200. Breakfast can be had at home, lunch can be packed along or even if you get Subway, that's $15 for two. Dinner again can be something along the way for $15 for two. So total cost to drive, including tolls, is under $300. Taking Amtrak is almost double. Even factoring in wear and tear, it's still cheaper to drive, especially if there are two or more.
PS: The bottle of wine they gave you they paid $4 for.
PPS: If you did decide to get a hotel room along the way, you can get something just off of I-90 for under $75 if you aren't terribly concerned about amenities.
Yeah, that is probably true. I know it's good for getting between Milwaukee and Chicago, as well, since my MIL did that multiple times a week for years. I just cannot believe how expensive the sleeping rooms are!
If anyone knows of a way to get a good discount I would love to know.
True, that would be another route that makes sense. There are a handful of others in the US as well--the Pacific Surfrider is another. The key is that those are all short routes that you wouldn't bother with a sleeping room for.
The train is the best way to travel the Northeast corridor, but you have to have a severe phobia to not want to just fly from Boston-Chicago. It's a relatively short, inexpensive flight.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.