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I am wondering something else... are trains usually full, or is it more likely that there will be extra space and the train won't be totally booked?
Is the seating assigned or are you free to sit where ever within the coach seating? I'm just wondering if it's likely that we'd be able to find several seats, some unoccupied, to have more space. I remember situations like this on planes many times when flying.
Seating unnasigned so you take your chances.
Coach seats much more comfortable than busses and planes.
Sleeper compartments are demand-based pricing so $$$ jump through a number of price buckets as the train fills up. Therefore flexibility of dates can yield savings.
Sleeper costs are per room, not per person and include all meals.
Delays are common, but not guaranteed. You can track the on-time progress of the train you're thinking of taking on Amtrak.com to get an idea ahead of time.
My sleeper room on The "empire Builder" didn't include any meals. You can try to go coach all the way and if you can't hack it you can always try to upgrade to a sleeper mid trip. If they can they will accommodate you. The grilled pacific king salmon I had in the dining car was very good and very fresh.
I love riding the train and I'm a younger person so I don't mind at all riding and sleeping in coach. It is nice to be able to get up and stroll around, hang out in the lounge car and watch the landscape go by. Last couple of times I rode the train you will be on (Texas Eagle) there was about 1 person for every two seats so most of the shorter people were stretching out on the two seats and sleeping. The seating is already pretty spacious...I guess it could be compared to business class on an airliner. Once it hits Chicago though I imagine it would fill up.
I've been on Amtrak from Boston to Atlanta (via Washington DC) and Boston to Lincoln, NE and back (via Chicago and Albany) in coach and had no problem sleeping. I'd suggest bringing a small pillow for yourlower back though. Often, it's easy to get people to move around so family can be together, but don't expect it.
Took Amtrak after 9/11 from L.A. to Ohio. I was in coach and remember it being okay. The fact that you go to the dining car to dine and they had a bar on a lower level was helpful. Also they had a movie viewing car so just getting up and moving around made it doable. Now, with 3 kids I don't know but kids are more resillient then adults it seems.
You didn't state how long this trip would be. Mine was only about 2.5 days.
went from Cleveland to cali and back last summer over 15 days. was fantastic. met fun people. sleeping was fine.if you must have the waldorf maybe this wont do. but one nite at the waldorf is 15 on Amtrak.and you really SEE the country. bring food and beverage onboard. you wont regret it unless kids/spouse are hi maintenance.i traveled solo that time; 50 year old guy. be well and have fun!
I would say the seats aren't more comfortable than coach on an airplane although one does have a lot more legroom.
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