Who here travels a lot on Amtrac? I have questions....

[liberalitch]

It has been 15 years since I have taken a train and obviously a lot has changed since then.
What kind of security mess will I have to go through?
How long in advance do I have to get there?

My honey wants a train ride and a stay in DC (Phoenix Park Hotel) for his B-day.

[donco6]

1. Where are you going to/from? eom

[liberalitch]

5. Newport News to DC

[politicat]

11. You should be fine, and there's not a lot of security.

You need to show ID, but you can keep your shoes on. Beverages are allowed, as are nail clippers. Last time I was at Union Station, there were no metal detectors. Nice thing about trains is they're actually pretty hard to hijack and drive into something, since they're on rails and ours are not nearly the target that subways are.

I travel back and forth to the Midwest and to Arizona on Amtrak, and I like it. It's far more comfortable, even in coach, because the seats are better. I get a lot more work done on a train than I do on a plane, and even more than I get done in my office (no phones to bug me!) You won't need to get a sleeper, so don't bother (unless train nookie is on your agenda, but I wouldn't recommend it.) It's a four hour trip each way. Don't pack too heavily if your train doesn't have checked baggage because you will only be allowed 2 carry-ons per person (not including laptop, purse, diaper bag etc.)

however, if you're amtraking, don't be tied to a fixed schedule. Trains do not necessarily run on time in the US, and you may (likely will) experience at least one delay. So be flexible and be a type B, who enjoys the getting there as much as the being there.

DC by train is lovely, by the way, and you really don't need to have a car in the city anyway since the Metro is so good.

[donco6]

17. What politicat said.

Should be a piece of cake for you.

[CottonBear]

2. Amtrak link:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

[villager]

3. I ride 2-3 times every year here in the west...

so far, vastly less hassles than flying (well, except if the train is late!) -- at least from a "baggage/long line" perspective...

[hedgehog]

4. My daughter travels frequently between Syracuse and Albany

and I have never seen overt evidence of any kind of baggage inspection. On the other hand, the east bound train starts in Toronto and is frequently late because of the inspection at the border. Easter morning the train was late getting in and late leaving the station because the Border Patrol went from car to car looking for illegals. Four men were escorted off the train and taken away by Border Patrol agents.

[liberalitch]

7. So I don't necessarily have to wear slip ons....

[villager]

8. you get to keep your shoes on the whole time!

You can probably bring lip gloss, too!

[MissWaverly]

6. It's tougher to leave DC than go there

maybe they know something we don't. But the process is usually you must have a ticket signed
with your name and a photo ID to get on the train, and they look in your purse; it's easier
than the airlines and if there's an orange alert; it's more stringent but nothing like air
travel. By the way, it's AMTRAK, now there's 2 types of service: regular and Acela express which is faster and all reserved train. I usually travel business class which is more expensive
but usually I have a seat; I can't stand to spend my trip standing in the aisle. It's been my
experience that the train fills up with people who have enough luggage to fill the Grand
Canyon and refuse to share; usually 2 people taking 4 seats. Flame me if you will but that is
what has happened to me consistently.

[longship]

9. Last time I travelled security was present but not heavy duty. updated

Basically, all the air travel hassles have not yet filtered down to Amtrak.

Travelling long distance by Pullman is really nice. An economy sleeper isn't that expensive when you factor in the "hotel" and meal expenses which are included in the price. The food is *outstanding*. The service, although a far cry from what it used to be, is also very good. Each Pullman car has a porter who attends to your needs personally. The economy sleeper is exceptionally roomy for two, very quiet, private, with comfort second to none. Once you try it, you may never travel any other way.

[pinto]

10. Go for it. I love Amtrak. (see post above for link). On a DC run

you might see more train side security these days. Otherwise I'm unsure, so I'm not much help.

As far as how soon to get to the station, you'd have to ask the Amtrak folks. In my experience (California) it's best to put any expectations of "on time" aside anyway. The Northeast corridor may be more timely.

Have a great trip.

[trackfan]

12. My wife and I noted that anyone could have brought a bomb

on board without being given a second look. There was a foreign guy with a big box sitting right behind us. We laughed it off. But there really was no visible security.

[angstlessk]

13. liberal, I am traveling from Newport News to Tuscon in mid Sept

I love traveling by train. You have a dining car and a club car. (at least when I went from RI to Fla) If you have ANY claustrophobia trains are the way to go, you can get up and walk from your car to the club car, sit there for the entire trip if you wish! I LOVE TRAIN TRAVEL!

[flyarm]

14. i do auto train 2x a year..from fla to dc..

there is absolutely no security!

none...i have never ever seen one car checked or one person checked with what they are carrying on train..not once..

fly

[abluelady]

15. I Ride From Richmond to DC Often

It is a very pleasant, quick ride--no security. They do ask to see your id, but that's it. Enjoy your trip.

[wryter2000]

16. I love Amtrak!

There's no security at any of the California or Nevada stations I've gone through except to show ID when you check in.

However, the freight lines have totally effed up the schedule. Trains sit for hours (no exaggeration) on side tracks while waiting for a freight train to run through. They've just reported that the Coast Starlight routinely runs 5 - 15 hours late because of this. I would NOT take Amtrak if you have to make a connection because you'd never make it.

You can check train status on-line. Find the train you're interested in and follow it for a while to see how late it runs before scheduling your trip. If you can deal with the horrendous delays, Amtrak is a joy. Wide seats with lots of foot room. Pleasant people. Great scenery. Good food in the dining car (not the snack bar).

Some day I will get a sleeper car and take the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago.

[Nay]

18. You'll have fun. I go from Richmond VA to DC once in a while, and

I love it every time. SOOOO relaxing.