Everyone’s first thought to travel is fly or drive. They’re tried and true methods, but they both have their own problems. Flights can be delayed or canceled all together. Not to mention they can be expensive. So, driving looks like the obvious option. You can choose when you leave, and you don’t have to worry about how much you pack! However, cars can be stuck in traffic, you have to stay alert while you’re driving, it can take a long time, and gas is expensive.
So, what else could you do? We recommend traveling by train! It sounds old school, but it’s tried and try. Trains operate on a pretty tight schedule, so you’re much more likely to leave and arrive on time. You don’t have to remain alert while you’re traveling, you can eat and drink, and sleeping is always an option.
We took the Amtrak from Huntsville, AL to New Orleans, LA, and we want to give you our thoughts!
Eating and Drinking is Encouraged
Stopping on the road eats up precious time, and you’re absolutely not supposed to be drinking anything alcoholic. That’s a beautiful advantage of the train. There’s a separate car for food. It’s not a five star dining experience, but it’s fairly cheap and has several options to satisfy your hunger. Behind the dining car, there’s a bar cart. Passengers can enjoy alcoholic beverages as they watch the world go by!
If you stay in a sleeping car, one beverage and meal are included in your ticket price. If it’s a longer ride, you’ll get every meal. Our train ride was an eight hour journey, so lunch and dinner were both included in the price. They can even bring it to your cart!
There’s Different Tiers of Cars
Not every car on the train is the same. You can choose how expensive transportation is based on your budget. Airlines usually have a set price for everyone in economy. On the Amtrak, your experience is up to you! There’s the lowest, general faire seats. It’s four seats around a table. You’re in a large, communal are with other passengers. On our trip, we chose the sleeper cars. They’re small, but they are more private. It’s a small room with two seats, a sink, two beds, a table, and (sometimes) a private toilet. Lastly, the larger cars can seat about eight people, and you still have the advantage of a private area!
More Allowance for Luggage
Airports are well-known for being strict about baggage. If you travel by train, your allowed much more and much heavier baggage. You want be struggling to decide what to take, what to leave behind, and where you’ll shove it so it fits under the seat or in the overhead bins.
On the Amtrak, every person is allowed two checked bags AND two carry on bags.
Freedom to Move Around
On airlines, you must remain buckled into the seat until you’re told it’s okay to move around the cabin. Even when you’re allowed to get up, there’s very little room to move around. It’s just a hallway. On Amtrak, you’re welcome to move around freely – even when the train is in motion. There’s places like the dining and bar carts to venture to as a way to stretch your legs. You’re more than welcome to stretch your legs, grab a drink, grab a snack, go to the restroom, etc. whenever you want.
Train Stations are Often in the Center of Town
We all know the stress of landing in a destination and immediately worrying about how you’re supposed to get to your hotel. Airports often require a lot of space to function properly. Due to this, they’re often outside of the city. Train stations are often the opposite. You will pull into the middle of cities or a short drive away. You’re already at your destination when you get off the train. It mays getting to your accommodation much less stressful.
The Amtrak may not be the most glamorous way to travel, but it’s easy to fit into your budget, you can see so many cities on the way to your destination, and the freedom to move around makes a huge difference. Check online to see the destinations offered for the train. It’s a scenic ride that takes away the stress of being alert while driving or stressing about security and delayed flights. We’d absolutely recommend giving the train a try for your next vacation!
