11 ms·

I tried to roughly replicate the trip booking estimate but the closest I could get was a 77h trip (a bit over 3 days), with one change in Chicago and one Emeryv

by 404mm 2y ago

I tried to roughly replicate the trip booking estimate but the closest I could get was a 77h trip (a bit over 3 days), with one change in Chicago and one Emeryville, CA. Price was about $1430. In contrast to that, you can get a 7hr direct flight for about $430 (delta, round trip, luggage not included). Or a full size sedan for about $500 (one way, 3 days, does not include estimate of $400 on fuel). I wish trains were more affordable because (I think) the experience is worth it.

ghaff 2y ago
Interestingly, I discovered last year that returning from the UK to NYC by ship was in the same general price ballpark as a business class flight. This is admittedly a lot more than economy. But, if you had the time, included eight days or so of good food and entertainment.
- bobthepanda 2y ago
  With long distance pricing or really any sleeper, one needs to consider that the ticket price basically includes hotel as well since you’re sleeping there and they need the facilities to handle that, meals etc.
- gosub100 2y ago
  I've never looked into this. How often do they sail? I can't imagine more than weekly or even monthly. I would definitely consider it though.
  - ghaff 2y ago
    It varies by time of year--but monthly in a given direction is probably a rough estimate. Go to Cunard. Mostly Queen Mary 2 although I think they have a new ship that does some transatlantic as well. For crossings, my understanding is their ships with stabilizers etc. are better able to handle the North Atlantic than the average cruise ship. Dates lined up for me on a trip late last spring and I enjoyed it. Would consider doing again.
    - 0xffff2 2y ago
      I don't know whether QM2 or other Cunard ships have any special equipment for crossings, but pretty much all cruise ships have stabilizers. Other cruise lines also do trans-Atlantic crossings cruises when re-positioning ships between seasons.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
howenterprisey 2y ago
After a little playing around (prices vary per day of week & how many months in advance) I found $1049 (for a private room still), 81h, departs 20250417. Of course you could also tough it out in coach, in which case I found $198 (!), 85h, departs 20250418. The northeast corridor sales they've been doing recently are quite something. I swung NYC to Boston for a mere $16 (usually 10x more, especially on the weekends - and the other way was $20). Even at that price my car had only 3 people left by the time we were in Rhode Island.
- fastball 2y ago
  Are you just pricing this out on the Amtrak website?
  - howenterprisey 2y ago
    Yep! Although when it comes time to book I'd recommend the Android app because that experience is better (less login jank). It'd be nice if we had something that showed a calendar with prices for each box airline style, though. Someday...
    - wilted-iris 2y ago
      Someone built this! https://railforless.us https://railforless.us
- m463 2y ago
  also, the luggage you can carry is significantly different than a plane. - one personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and - two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each checked: - 2 Bags Free - Up to 50 lbs. and 75 linear inches* - 2 Additional Bags - $20 each - Oversized Baggage (76-100 linear inches*) - $20 each so ~ 300 lbs of luggage and the oversized stuff you can take is comprehensive. (bikes, ebikes, surfboards, skiis, musical instruments, golf clubs, guns, etc...) https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/baggage-policy/baggage-special-items.html https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/baggage-policy/baggage-specia...
bobthepanda 2y ago
Does that sedan trip include the cost of lodging? Because that is built into the cost of Amtrak.
- jojobas 2y ago
  Then a sedan fits at least 4 people.
  - bobthepanda 2y ago
    A 5 person sedan plus bags for a cross country trip would be fairly uncomfortable. The Amtrak fare also has two free checked bags per person.
- 404mm 2y ago
  It does not, you’re right to point it out. Maps showed about 1 day and 18 hrs so I accounted for 3 day rental but lodging slipped my mind. So probably another $200-$400, if leaning towards economy options.
  - cj 2y ago
    I once drove from SF to NYC. If you drive 8 hours per day it takes over a week. I stayed in at least 4-5 hotels (I pushed the driving to 12 hrs/day)
    - Retric 2y ago
      It really depends on how you’re calculating driving time. 5 days * 8h/d * ~73 MPH will take you from SF to NYC, which only needs 4 hotels on the way. However, if you’re including stops in that 8h or fail to avoid traffic it can take a lot longer.
      - skybrian 2y ago
        It seems like this misses what I think is the point of a driving trip, which is to actually see the country? I'd give Denver to SF two weeks, to see some of the national parks and actually get out of the car and go on hikes. If you're spending all day driving, might as well fly? Though, there are other reasons to do it, like if you're moving stuff along with your car.
jojobas 2y ago
Are you talking transportation or entertainment? For transportation it mostly stops making sense over 1000km, anyone's time is more valuable than any price difference. The only exception is overnight sleeper trains between major cities.
_jules 2y ago
There's a pass you can buy. ~$500 for any 10 segments.
0xbadcafebee 2y ago
US trains are not worth it in coach. A Greyhound bus is more comfortable with the same amenities and takes about the same time. If you have lots of money to burn, a train with the sleeper car or roomette is a better experience. You can at least lay down and have more room to relax, the windows are less grimy, you get better shades, lights, and much more room to lay down and relax. The whole point of mass transit is it's not a car, so comparing it to driving is apples and oranges.
- bentley 2y ago
  Amtrak can be decently comfortable by coach, and the ability to stand, walk around, change cars, and (on Western routes) vary seating position by visiting the lounge car outclasses Greyhound in every way.
- nrclark 2y ago
  In my experience taking both, Greyhounds are significantly faster and far less comfortable. Maybe it's different in other places in the country, but this was my experience in coastal California: Greyhound buses run more-or-less on time. The routes are direct, they're predictable, and they will take you where you want to go. They also don't have a dining car, spacious bathrooms, room to walk around and stretch your legs, etc. If somebody has diarrhea, everybody on that bus is going to know it and smell it. Amtrak is more comfortable in every way. It's also usually late, and subject to delays because of low rail priority. You can't really count on it for anything other than "it'll leave eventually" and "it'll get there eventually". While on the train, it's really quite pleasant - as long as you don't care about arriving when the schedule said you would.
  - saagarjha 2y ago
    I had essentially the same experience–I did SJC to SBA a few times a year when I was in college (which for the non-Californians here, is a destination that does not really have an airport you would want to use). I took Greyhound the first few times and then switched to Amtrak, even though it took 2-3 hours longer. I'll take that every time just by being able to get up and walk around. And the views coming in around Point Conception as the sun sets are priceless :)
blinry 2y ago
Author here :) I paid $70 for the section from New York to Chicago, because I slept in the coach section there. For the section from Chicago to Emeryville, I treated myself to a roomette, and paid $775 – so $845 in total. Yeah, I also think it's unfortunate that flying is so much more affordable. But, as another passenger said on the train, taking the train is also three times the experience! And when you have a sleeper ticket, three meals a day are included.
potato3732842 2y ago
Greyhound is a little over $200 for one adult. Probably $300 when accounting for all the overpriced rest area and bus station fast food you'll eat. It says 3 days and Google Maps says ~2day drive time so I'm assuming either the passengers or driver swap busses at several points. That would be a miserable trip and I'd pony up the extra money to fly though.
fatnoah 2y ago
In 2007, I did a loop of Boston -> Chicago -> Sacramento -> LA -> San Antonio -> Chicago -> Boston, and the total cost for an all-sleeper trip was < $2000. It was a great experience and one that I'd totally do again. Time passed so much faster than flying. Being able to take in the scenery, get up and walk around, have a mean w/some wine, etc. couldn't be beat.
fsckboy 2y ago
>I wish trains were more affordable because (I think) the experience is worth it. I understand the sentiment you are trying to convey, but if you need the price to be lower to be worth it, that's the definition of "not worth it" :) It is a nice experience, worth the time; I was not sensitive to the price. I booked last minute because it was a spur of the moment trip, and iirc we snagged a bargain rate because of that.

by 404mm 2y ago

ghaff 2y ago

Interestingly, I discovered last year that returning from the UK to NYC by ship was in the same general price ballpark as a business class flight. This is admittedly a lot more than economy. But, if you had the time, included eight days or so of good food and entertainment.

bobthepanda 2y ago
With long distance pricing or really any sleeper, one needs to consider that the ticket price basically includes hotel as well since you’re sleeping there and they need the facilities to handle that, meals etc.
gosub100 2y ago
I've never looked into this. How often do they sail? I can't imagine more than weekly or even monthly. I would definitely consider it though.
- ghaff 2y ago
  It varies by time of year--but monthly in a given direction is probably a rough estimate. Go to Cunard. Mostly Queen Mary 2 although I think they have a new ship that does some transatlantic as well. For crossings, my understanding is their ships with stabilizers etc. are better able to handle the North Atlantic than the average cruise ship. Dates lined up for me on a trip late last spring and I enjoyed it. Would consider doing again.
  - 0xffff2 2y ago
    I don't know whether QM2 or other Cunard ships have any special equipment for crossings, but pretty much all cruise ships have stabilizers. Other cruise lines also do trans-Atlantic crossings cruises when re-positioning ships between seasons.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

howenterprisey 2y ago

After a little playing around (prices vary per day of week & how many months in advance) I found $1049 (for a private room still), 81h, departs 20250417. Of course you could also tough it out in coach, in which case I found $198 (!), 85h, departs 20250418. The northeast corridor sales they've been doing recently are quite something. I swung NYC to Boston for a mere $16 (usually 10x more, especially on the weekends - and the other way was $20). Even at that price my car had only 3 people left by the time we were in Rhode Island.

fastball 2y ago
Are you just pricing this out on the Amtrak website?
- howenterprisey 2y ago
  Yep! Although when it comes time to book I'd recommend the Android app because that experience is better (less login jank). It'd be nice if we had something that showed a calendar with prices for each box airline style, though. Someday...
  - wilted-iris 2y ago
    Someone built this! https://railforless.us https://railforless.us
m463 2y ago
also, the luggage you can carry is significantly different than a plane. - one personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches, and - two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each checked: - 2 Bags Free - Up to 50 lbs. and 75 linear inches* - 2 Additional Bags - $20 each - Oversized Baggage (76-100 linear inches*) - $20 each so ~ 300 lbs of luggage and the oversized stuff you can take is comprehensive. (bikes, ebikes, surfboards, skiis, musical instruments, golf clubs, guns, etc...) https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/baggage-policy/baggage-special-items.html https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/baggage-policy/baggage-specia...

bobthepanda 2y ago

Does that sedan trip include the cost of lodging? Because that is built into the cost of Amtrak.

jojobas 2y ago
Then a sedan fits at least 4 people.
- bobthepanda 2y ago
  A 5 person sedan plus bags for a cross country trip would be fairly uncomfortable. The Amtrak fare also has two free checked bags per person.
404mm 2y ago
It does not, you’re right to point it out. Maps showed about 1 day and 18 hrs so I accounted for 3 day rental but lodging slipped my mind. So probably another $200-$400, if leaning towards economy options.
- cj 2y ago
  I once drove from SF to NYC. If you drive 8 hours per day it takes over a week. I stayed in at least 4-5 hotels (I pushed the driving to 12 hrs/day)
  - Retric 2y ago
    It really depends on how you’re calculating driving time. 5 days * 8h/d * ~73 MPH will take you from SF to NYC, which only needs 4 hotels on the way. However, if you’re including stops in that 8h or fail to avoid traffic it can take a lot longer.
    - skybrian 2y ago
      It seems like this misses what I think is the point of a driving trip, which is to actually see the country? I'd give Denver to SF two weeks, to see some of the national parks and actually get out of the car and go on hikes. If you're spending all day driving, might as well fly? Though, there are other reasons to do it, like if you're moving stuff along with your car.

jojobas 2y ago

Are you talking transportation or entertainment? For transportation it mostly stops making sense over 1000km, anyone's time is more valuable than any price difference. The only exception is overnight sleeper trains between major cities.

_jules 2y ago

There's a pass you can buy. ~$500 for any 10 segments.

0xbadcafebee 2y ago

US trains are not worth it in coach. A Greyhound bus is more comfortable with the same amenities and takes about the same time. If you have lots of money to burn, a train with the sleeper car or roomette is a better experience. You can at least lay down and have more room to relax, the windows are less grimy, you get better shades, lights, and much more room to lay down and relax. The whole point of mass transit is it's not a car, so comparing it to driving is apples and oranges.

bentley 2y ago
Amtrak can be decently comfortable by coach, and the ability to stand, walk around, change cars, and (on Western routes) vary seating position by visiting the lounge car outclasses Greyhound in every way.
nrclark 2y ago
In my experience taking both, Greyhounds are significantly faster and far less comfortable. Maybe it's different in other places in the country, but this was my experience in coastal California: Greyhound buses run more-or-less on time. The routes are direct, they're predictable, and they will take you where you want to go. They also don't have a dining car, spacious bathrooms, room to walk around and stretch your legs, etc. If somebody has diarrhea, everybody on that bus is going to know it and smell it. Amtrak is more comfortable in every way. It's also usually late, and subject to delays because of low rail priority. You can't really count on it for anything other than "it'll leave eventually" and "it'll get there eventually". While on the train, it's really quite pleasant - as long as you don't care about arriving when the schedule said you would.
- saagarjha 2y ago
  I had essentially the same experience–I did SJC to SBA a few times a year when I was in college (which for the non-Californians here, is a destination that does not really have an airport you would want to use). I took Greyhound the first few times and then switched to Amtrak, even though it took 2-3 hours longer. I'll take that every time just by being able to get up and walk around. And the views coming in around Point Conception as the sun sets are priceless :)

blinry 2y ago

Author here :) I paid $70 for the section from New York to Chicago, because I slept in the coach section there. For the section from Chicago to Emeryville, I treated myself to a roomette, and paid $775 – so $845 in total. Yeah, I also think it's unfortunate that flying is so much more affordable. But, as another passenger said on the train, taking the train is also three times the experience! And when you have a sleeper ticket, three meals a day are included.

potato3732842 2y ago

Greyhound is a little over $200 for one adult. Probably $300 when accounting for all the overpriced rest area and bus station fast food you'll eat. It says 3 days and Google Maps says ~2day drive time so I'm assuming either the passengers or driver swap busses at several points. That would be a miserable trip and I'd pony up the extra money to fly though.

fatnoah 2y ago

In 2007, I did a loop of Boston -> Chicago -> Sacramento -> LA -> San Antonio -> Chicago -> Boston, and the total cost for an all-sleeper trip was < $2000. It was a great experience and one that I'd totally do again. Time passed so much faster than flying. Being able to take in the scenery, get up and walk around, have a mean w/some wine, etc. couldn't be beat.

fsckboy 2y ago

>I wish trains were more affordable because (I think) the experience is worth it. I understand the sentiment you are trying to convey, but if you need the price to be lower to be worth it, that's the definition of "not worth it" :) It is a nice experience, worth the time; I was not sensitive to the price. I booked last minute because it was a spur of the moment trip, and iirc we snagged a bargain rate because of that.