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> It takes just over 3 days to travel from the Bay Area to NYC. The price is $281 [1]. How many days does it take to fly from SF to NYC? > Now if you throw in

> It takes just over 3 days to travel from the Bay Area to NYC. The price is $281 [1]. How many days does it take to fly from SF to NYC? > Now if you throw in some rooms, you are talking about first-class travel that includes all meals free. First class? I've done the trip in a room and there's nothing first class about it. The bedding was suspect. Everything in the room felt old and dirty. In the dining car, you don't even get your own table. They cram you with other passengers. And for much of the trip, your view consists of corn fields and miles long CSX trains slowly chugging alongside your train. And to add insult to injury they was hours late ( 9 hours if memory serves ) so if you have friends or family waiting to pick you up, make sure to tell them to set aside the whole day. If you are a light sleeper, then you are not going to have a good time because the train wheels on the tracks are very loud. If you have cash to burn, then try it out for the experience. But it's not a trip I'd recommend or take again.

cjensen 2y ago
My comment was in response to someone who was an order of magnitude off on price and time. Wasn't really meant as a review of the experience. Regarding your bad experience on the train... it seems to me that a lot of quality went downhill during the pandemic, and I'm wondering if you went before or after the pandemic started. On your comments about lateness and how hard it is for light sleepers. Your comments there are very true, and people who would be concerned with either of those should think twice before riding. I love riding long-distance trains. But I don't kid myself: it is way longer and more expensive than flying. There is a reputation on Amtrak for severe lateness. And the pandemic has made some things onboard worse. People should definitely read negative reviews and look for common issues; if the common problems would be a problem for them, that should be a deal-breaker.
- linearrust 2y ago
  > My comment was in response to someone who was an order of magnitude off on price and time. I agreed with you there. That commenter exaggerated the costs. My response was directed to the 'first class' portion of your comment. > And the pandemic has made some things onboard worse. My trip was many years ago. Before the pandemic. I personally don't think the 'first class' amtrak experience is worth the money unless amtrak upgrades everything about the experience.

cjensen 2y ago

My comment was in response to someone who was an order of magnitude off on price and time. Wasn't really meant as a review of the experience. Regarding your bad experience on the train... it seems to me that a lot of quality went downhill during the pandemic, and I'm wondering if you went before or after the pandemic started. On your comments about lateness and how hard it is for light sleepers. Your comments there are very true, and people who would be concerned with either of those should think twice before riding. I love riding long-distance trains. But I don't kid myself: it is way longer and more expensive than flying. There is a reputation on Amtrak for severe lateness. And the pandemic has made some things onboard worse. People should definitely read negative reviews and look for common issues; if the common problems would be a problem for them, that should be a deal-breaker.

linearrust 2y ago
> My comment was in response to someone who was an order of magnitude off on price and time. I agreed with you there. That commenter exaggerated the costs. My response was directed to the 'first class' portion of your comment. > And the pandemic has made some things onboard worse. My trip was many years ago. Before the pandemic. I personally don't think the 'first class' amtrak experience is worth the money unless amtrak upgrades everything about the experience.