Atlanta Amtrak Station Questions...

[brownhornet]

I remember when I was in DC and had to take the Amtrak to ATL after 9/11 when the airports were closed. I vowed to NEVER do it again lol.

[jpatlanta]

I have taken this trip 5 times in the last 2 years one way as part of a trip where I needed to be in DC and then fly to other forward destinations. Its fine and leaves at 8pm Atl and gets into VA King street at 8:30am or so. I had a sleeper a few times but the whistle keeps me awake anyway and the recliners are really comfortable so not sure its worth the extra cost. The resturant onboard is also OK but not up to the standard of other Amtrak routes in the NE etc. The most annoying thing is stopping at some po-dunk towns but to me its still way better than driving.

The return to Atl is harder to me as its daytime and not as efficent to me so heading south I always fly.

The Atlanta station is an embarrasment and not easy to get to. Normally I get a drink at one of the bars nearby (little mall opposite) before departing rather than wait in the lounge then cross the street just beforehand. The city really needs to improve the station and its location should obviously be next to Marta and have at least one decent bar/resturant in the building etc.

Also I should also mention the Acela from DC further north is really good and much faster/efficient due to the electric tracks. The main station in DC after VA is what Atlanta should be using for inspiration for the new proposed station in the gulch.

[DTL3000]

I took this route when I moved up to New York because I didn't want to deal with the luggage restrictions of flying. I also wanted to just do it for the experience. It seemed like it took FOREVER(It was about 17 or 18 hours). I had a 5 hour layover in DC and that was cool since it was my first time up there and I took a quick strool around the Mall. Honestly the train isn't that comfortable if you have a regular(coach?) seat. They do serve drinks and snacks but they are kind of expensive and you end up stopping at a lot of podunk towns. I believe we stopped in Charlotte and they let us off the train for about 30 minutes to stretch our legs.

It's definitely not economical compared to flying. I've also taken the Chinatown bus and that is also a "unique" experience. It's $100 each way so honestly it's not much cheaper than flying. I believe the one to DC still runs regularly.