Why is Amtrak so expensive? (cost, hotel, hotels, bridges)

[High Plains Guy]

Now that I live in a town that has a major rail going through it, I'm suddenly aware of and interested in rail travel. But I've looked into pricing, and it's pretty ridiculous. I mean, the seats themselves aren't oppressively priced, but the roomettes are (I can't sleep in a chair). So it made me wonder, why is Amtrak so expensive? I want to contribute to this keeping this form of travel alive, for nostalgic reasons more than anything, but if it's cheaper to take a plane somewhere then that's how I'll always travel.

I just really romanticize the idea of taking an affordable train trip for a vacation, and can't bring myself to pay those prices. Is train travel dying? Or is it just a rich man's method of travel?

[hertfordshire]

For the same reason that First Class is more expensive than Economy when flying. You're using a lot of space, and getting more amenities and service.

[Alaskan Mutt]

If your plans are flexible check roomette prices for different days of the week. Also, with Amtrak the sooner you book your trip the better the chance of getting a lower price. Waiting to see if you can get a lower price rarely works with Amtrak. Often to get a substantially lower price you have to book your trip several months in advance.

[projectmaximus]

Never done it myself but I've heard they offer significant discounts on available roomettes the day of travel. That's risky but perhaps something to look into.

[PDD]

Originally Posted by High Plains Guy

Now that I live in a town that has a major rail going through it, I'm suddenly aware of and interested in rail travel. But I've looked into pricing, and it's pretty ridiculous. I mean, the seats themselves aren't oppressively priced, but the roomettes are (I can't sleep in a chair). So it made me wonder, why is Amtrak so expensive? I want to contribute to this keeping this form of travel alive, for nostalgic reasons more than anything, but if it's cheaper to take a plane somewhere then that's how I'll always travel.

I just really romanticize the idea of taking an affordable train trip for a vacation, and can't bring myself to pay those prices. Is train travel dying? Or is it just a rich man's method of travel?

If you only travel for short duration's during the day then a coach seat is reasonable.
If you're traveling overnight of for multiple days then a roomette is like a moving hotel room with meals, only smaller.

Rich man's travel is private jet or for the less wealthy, first class airfare.

[emm74]

Originally Posted by PDD

If you only travel for short duration's during the day then a coach seat is reasonable.
If you're traveling overnight of for multiple days then a roomette is like a moving hotel room with meals, only smaller.

Rich man's travel is private jet or for the less wealthy, first class airfare.

Yes, exactly - it's not just the transportation cost, it's also the lodging. It's not cheap but if you were driving yourself and staying overnight in hotels, it's not bad.

I personally love traveling by train. Being able to get up and walk around, walk to the dining car, plenty of leg room, a place plug in phone, computer, etc. I'd do it more if I had enough time, I fly because I have limited time off work and don't want to use it all up just getting from point A to point B. I'm sure I'll travel by train a lot more when I'm retired.

[Dd714]

And the funny (or sad) thing is, Amtrak is subsidized by the taxpayer at a cost of about $1.5 billion a year.

[Stagemomma]

Prices vary wildly from one day to the next.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by Dd714

And the funny (or sad) thing is, Amtrak is subsidized by the taxpayer at a cost of about $1.5 billion a year.

ha-ha!

[PDD]

Originally Posted by Dd714

And the funny (or sad) thing is, Amtrak is subsidized by the taxpayer at a cost of about $1.5 billion a year.

As are our roads and bridges and the interstate highway system.
Do you get a tax rebate if you don't use the interstate highways?