16 September 2025: Should you travel by Amtrak?

In my last three blog posts, I described my train trips from Denver to Chicago and back last month.  Would I recommend travelling by Amtrak?  I can’t give you a definite yes or no because it depends on several factors.

With the exception of the high-speed Acela service between Washington, DC and Boston, I don’t recommend Amtrak if you need to arrive at your destination on-time or only slightly late.  Of course, the same could be said of flying, couldn’t it?

I also suggest you avoid Amtrak for overnight trips in coach class.  Unless you are able to sleep in uncomfortable circumstances, you are not going to get a good night’s sleep in an Amtrak coach seat.  I certainly didn’t!

But how about a first-class roomette or bedroom accommodation on the train?  Be prepared to pay luxury hotel rates for your room and meals.  But what you get from Amtrak is comfortable but not luxurious.  Personally, I don’t think it's worth the price.   

On the other hand, you may want to take a long Amtrak trip just for the experience if you’re not worried about the extra expense.  If your trip is overnight, get a roomette like I did if you are travelling solo.  However, roomettes which are supposed to accommodate two people are very cramped for more than one person.  Couples should pay the extra for a bedroom which is larger.

One of the pluses of traveling on Amtrak trains like the California Zephyr is the use of these double-decker Superliner cars on long-distance routes west of the Mississippi River.  Most of the seating (both first class and coach) is on the upper level which gives passengers better views.  The lower level is used for bathrooms, handicapped seating, baggage, etc.   

 

For day trips of less than about 300 miles, you may find that Amtrak can greatly relieve the stress of driving and may actually be faster.  When you consider the all the time and hassles associated with flying (arriving at the airport a couple hours in advance of the flight, security lines, waiting at the gate, cramped seats, etc.), the train compares quite favorably for shorter trips.

Also, you need to factor in the time it takes to get to and from the train station in comparison with time to get to and from the airport.  What about parking your car – is there reasonably priced parking near the station or can you get there by public transport?  And keep in mind that car rental companies usually don’t have agencies at train stations (they certainly didn’t in Chicago and that was a hassle). 

Speaking of car rentals, I am currently involved in a dispute over extra charges I incurred in Chicago from a rental car company.  I will report on the outcome in a future post along with some important lessons I learned.