Senior Trip Itinerary & Questions -- June 2016

Hello!

I'm going to buy a USA Rail Pass for 30 Days, before I ask my questions I will post my Itinerary and all the info I have as to my approximate schedule. It begins at...

Segment 1: Fort Worth, TX (FTW) to Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX) -- 421 Texas Eagle -- 2:10 PM to 5:35 AM

Segment 2: Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX) to Oakland - Jack London Sq, CA (OKJ) -- 14 Coast Starlight -- 10:10 AM to 9:24 PM

Segment 3: Oakland - Jack London Sq, CA (OKJ) to Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA) -- 14 Coast Starlight -- 9:39 PM to 8:12 PM

Segment 4: Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA) to Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI) -- 8 Empire Builder -- 4:40 PM to 3:55 PM

Segment 5: Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI) to New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP) -- 50 Cardinal -- 5:45 PM to 9:58 PM

Segment 6: New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP) to Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) -- 55 Vermonter -- 6:45 PM to 9:59 PM

Segment 7: Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) to New Orleans, LA (NOL) -- 19 Crescent -- 6:30 PM to 7:32 PM

Segment 8: New Orleans, LA (NOL) to Houston, TX (HOS) -- 1 Sunset Limited -- 9 AM to 6:18 PM

Segment 9 and 10: Houston, TX (HOS) to Kansas City, MO (KCY) -- 6022 Thruway Bus to 22 Texas Eagle to 311 Missouri River Runner -- 1:05 Pm to 2:55 PM

After that I will fly home

______________________________________________________________________________

Here are my Questions:

- Are all of these segments correct? (I.E. Am I wrong on one segment)

-Can ALL of these trains carry my bike, provided I give enough notice and reserve it?

-Is the cost of the bike carrying service included in my Rail Pass?

- Places to go in each city?

-I will have my own camping gear (Hammock, Tent, ect...) So Ill be camping most of the time where i can find a spot, but if i cant find one I need to find a cheap hostel/hotel. Any suggestions?

- NO CAR

Thank you for your time!

The Houston to Longview Leg on the Thruway Bus is Segment #9, Texas Eagle #22 LVW-STL is Segment #10,Rail Runner #311 is Segment #11.

There are excellent Hostels in Sacramento, Seattle,Chicago,New York and Washington, Google up Hostel Int'l. for info.

Sorry I can't help with the Bike and the Camping info, but again Google is your friend here.

Remember you can upgrade to a Sleeping Car Room, which includes Meals, by paying the Upgrade charge, but all Segments and Upgrades need to be Reserved in advance and this can be pricey, these are popular trains.

The bike will need a paid reservation($10) and travel in a bike box($15) for each segment except the Missouri River Runner which is roll on/off . The bus , I don't know . The Amtrak site has a "Bikes on Board" info page you can search for.

Most large cities prohibit public camping. There might be commercial camping parks on the outskirts of the cities.

Unless you have a folding bike. No bike service isn't provided with the cost of a rail pass. On each train (this MAY change because of new Viewliner Baggage Cars) you would have to take your bike apart (wheels off, handlebars moved to the side) to fit it into an Amtrak Bike Box, you DO NOT want to this at each stop. Amtrak charges $10 per checked segment for the bike, plus $15 for the box (probably each time since you can't transport one). The throughway bus from Houston to Dallas (that will count as an extra segment) won't accommodate bikes. The only train that would accept an unboxed bike would be the Missourri River Runner for a $10 reservation fee.

I wouldn't try and camp in any of the BIG Cities your planning to visit. On the other hand I know of, and have stayed in except in NYP where I live perfectly nice Youth Hostels in every city on your itinerary except for Kansas City (where a Hostel doesn't exist) and Fort Worth (where it was a bit dodgy). Hostels should run you $30 more or less a night for a bed in a shared room.

Check out my long trips on my blog www.subwaynut.com/updates

You'll need to do some serious research on this, and stay up to date on changes to each trains scedhules, services, possible distruptions, and detours.

As for your bike, the Vermonter does not have a baggage car, and does not list that it accepts Bikes, further the thruway busses do not accept bikes (as mentioned already)

One note/suggestion about your plan, is that it bypasses one of the most bike freindly cities in the USA and that is Boston.

Since moving here I had ridden my Cannondale more than I ever did living in the country, as Boston's network of greenway trails, and rail trails in unmatched.

A great (albiet more upscale) hostel just opened.

http://www.hiusa.org/massachusetts/boston/boston

Ken

Other more bike friendly cities on your route (definitely more friendly than some of the ones you plan): Davis, CA and Portland, OR.

I used to be a bicycle commuter in Seattle, and I think that even though it is fairly bike-friendly, the steep hills and heavy traffic would be intimidating. You will need to use a bicycle map just to get out of town safely. I'd really, really recommend Portland as an alternative to Seattle!

WOW! thank you guys for the quick reply! I will make the appropriate changes and post here if I have anymore questions, you guys are awesome!

Alternate is to skip Houston, go on to SAS, then take the TE to STL, then 311 to KC. This way you avoid the bus which doesn't take bikes. or go NOL to CHI to KCY.

Digital0blivi0n said:

Hello!

I'm going to buy a USA Rail Pass for 30 Days, before I ask my questions I will post my Itinerary and all the info I have as to my approximate schedule. It begins at...

Segment 1: Fort Worth, TX (FTW) to Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX) -- 421 Texas Eagle -- 2:10 PM to 5:35 AM

Segment 2: Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX) to Oakland - Jack London Sq, CA (OKJ) -- 14 Coast Starlight -- 10:10 AM to 9:24 PM

Segment 3: Oakland - Jack London Sq, CA (OKJ) to Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA) -- 14 Coast Starlight -- 9:39 PM to 8:12 PM

Segment 4: Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA) to Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI) -- 8 Empire Builder -- 4:40 PM to 3:55 PM

Segment 5: Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI) to New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP) -- 50 Cardinal -- 5:45 PM to 9:58 PM

Segment 6: New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP) to Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) -- 55 Vermonter -- 6:45 PM to 9:59 PM

Segment 7: Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) to New Orleans, LA (NOL) -- 19 Crescent -- 6:30 PM to 7:32 PM

Segment 8: New Orleans, LA (NOL) to Houston, TX (HOS) -- 1 Sunset Limited -- 9 AM to 6:18 PM

Segment 9 and 10: Houston, TX (HOS) to Kansas City, MO (KCY) -- 6022 Thruway Bus to 22 Texas Eagle to 311 Missouri River Runner -- 1:05 Pm to 2:55 PM

After that I will fly home

______________________________________________________________________________

Here are my Questions:

- Are all of these segments correct? (I.E. Am I wrong on one segment)

-Can ALL of these trains carry my bike, provided I give enough notice and reserve it?

-Is the cost of the bike carrying service included in my Rail Pass?

- Places to go in each city?

-I will have my own camping gear (Hammock, Tent, ect...) So Ill be camping most of the time where i can find a spot, but if i cant find one I need to find a cheap hostel/hotel. Any suggestions?

- NO CAR

Thank you for your time!

Click to expand...

If you don't need to see HOU, you can also try from NOL

8) CONO to CHI

9) SC to KC

10) Missouri River Runner (314) to STL

11) TE to FTW

If you really wanted, you can use the 12th leg on the 8221 to HOU and then you'd end up in HOU instead of KC. Maybe you can drive home instead of flying.

Or better yet, how about...

1) TE to STL (2:20pm to 7:19am)

2) Missouri River Runner to KC 311 or 313 (9:15am to 2:55pm or 4:00pm to 9:40pm)

3) SC to LAX (10:45pm to 8:15am two days later)

4) CS to OKJ

5) CS to SEA

6) EB to CHI

7) Cardinal (or LSL 9:30pm to 6:23pm) to NYP

8) Vermonter (or Carolinian 7:05am to 10:53am or any Northeast Regional) to WAS

9) Crescent to NOL

10) SL to HOU (9:00am to 6:18pm)

If they let you take bus 8222 (7:45am to 1:40pm), you'd be home. I am assuming you would have to connect with the TE in FTW. So "buy" a 12th leg from FTW to anywhere you want on the TE and not use it. Or "cheat" and go on the TE from FTW to DAL.

You may have to spend a day in STL if they don't let you do same day TE to 311 or 313 to SWC.

The problem with the Vermonter is it comes from north of NYP so if it is delayed getting into NYP that 9:59pm into WAS could be much later. It would probably be better to choose a train that starts in NYP and doesn't get in that late.

Boys and Girls let's not forget that just because the OP will be taking 55 doesn't mean he/she can't check his or her bike to DC. It would be put on a train with a baggage car. Several years ago I checked bags from NYP to PHL and I was ticketed on 147. I just went to PHL the next day to claim them.

Coming from Los Angeles I might stop at San Jose an hour earlier (8:11PM) and take a Capitol Corridor the next morning to Sacramento (pay the fare) instead of using a segment.

My favorite HI Hostel is the one at 10th & H in Sacramento. Leave Sacramemento on the CS at midnight for Seattle.

The bicycle might be more of a hinderance than a help on a 30 day trip. Flying home with a bike might also be a problem.

Congratulations on the upcoming trip!

Just to qualify what I'm about to say, I'm a biker myself. I've bicycled cross-country a couple times with camping gear and loved it. But I find myself wondering about the utility vs. frustration/cost of you taking your bike on this trip.

You didn't mention how long you planned to stay in each location between train legs. If these times aren't extended, I'm not sure if it will be worth the hassle and expense of bringing your bike - especially given that you plan to fly back which entails even more expense for the bike.

Definitely take advantage of whatever hostels and inexpensive lodging you find. And also public transportation. But you could lighten your load and frustration immensely by leaving the bike and camping gear behind on this trip and focus on the train travel and city experiences you will have. Also note that many if not most cities you will be visiting will have reasonably-priced municipal bike rentals available if you want to explore the urban areas by bike.

Philly Amtrak Fan said:

Digital0blivi0n said:

Hello!

I'm going to buy a USA Rail Pass for 30 Days, before I ask my questions I will post my Itinerary and all the info I have as to my approximate schedule. It begins at...

Segment 1: Fort Worth, TX (FTW) to Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX) -- 421 Texas Eagle -- 2:10 PM to 5:35 AM

Segment 2: Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX) to Oakland - Jack London Sq, CA (OKJ) -- 14 Coast Starlight -- 10:10 AM to 9:24 PM

Segment 3: Oakland - Jack London Sq, CA (OKJ) to Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA) -- 14 Coast Starlight -- 9:39 PM to 8:12 PM

Segment 4: Seattle - King Street Station, WA (SEA) to Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI) -- 8 Empire Builder -- 4:40 PM to 3:55 PM

Segment 5: Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI) to New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP) -- 50 Cardinal -- 5:45 PM to 9:58 PM

Segment 6: New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP) to Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) -- 55 Vermonter -- 6:45 PM to 9:59 PM

Segment 7: Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) to New Orleans, LA (NOL) -- 19 Crescent -- 6:30 PM to 7:32 PM

Segment 8: New Orleans, LA (NOL) to Houston, TX (HOS) -- 1 Sunset Limited -- 9 AM to 6:18 PM

Segment 9 and 10: Houston, TX (HOS) to Kansas City, MO (KCY) -- 6022 Thruway Bus to 22 Texas Eagle to 311 Missouri River Runner -- 1:05 Pm to 2:55 PM

After that I will fly home

______________________________________________________________________________

Here are my Questions:

- Are all of these segments correct? (I.E. Am I wrong on one segment)

-Can ALL of these trains carry my bike, provided I give enough notice and reserve it?

-Is the cost of the bike carrying service included in my Rail Pass?

- Places to go in each city?

-I will have my own camping gear (Hammock, Tent, ect...) So Ill be camping most of the time where i can find a spot, but if i cant find one I need to find a cheap hostel/hotel. Any suggestions?

- NO CAR

Thank you for your time!

Click to expand...

If you don't need to see HOU, you can also try from NOL

8) CONO to CHI

9) SC to KC

10) Missouri River Runner (314) to STL

11) TE to FTW

If you really wanted, you can use the 12th leg on the 8221 to HOU and then you'd end up in HOU instead of KC. Maybe you can drive home instead of flying.

Or better yet, how about...

1) TE to STL (2:20pm to 7:19am)

2) Missouri River Runner to KC 311 or 313 (9:15am to 2:55pm or 4:00pm to 9:40pm)

3) SC to LAX (10:45pm to 8:15am two days later)

4) CS to OKJ

5) CS to SEA

6) EB to CHI

7) Cardinal (or LSL 9:30pm to 6:23pm) to NYP

8) Vermonter (or Carolinian 7:05am to 10:53am or any Northeast Regional) to WAS

9) Crescent to NOL

10) SL to HOU (9:00am to 6:18pm)

If they let you take bus 8222 (7:45am to 1:40pm), you'd be home. I am assuming you would have to connect with the TE in FTW. So "buy" a 12th leg from FTW to anywhere you want on the TE and not use it. Or "cheat" and go on the TE from FTW to DAL.

You may have to spend a day in STL if they don't let you do same day TE to 311 or 313 to SWC.

The problem with the Vermonter is it comes from north of NYP so if it is delayed getting into NYP that 9:59pm into WAS could be much later. It would probably be better to choose a train that starts in NYP and doesn't get in that late.

Click to expand...

Very good Ideas! I am working on a modified itenerary and your suggestions will make that lot easier thank you!

If your main goal is to experience the great cities and trains of the U.S., you've got a great plan. If you're looking for cycling joy, the comments above regarding urban cycling and trying to camp in urban areas are dead on. In the Bay Area and LA, there are very few legal campgrounds, and those are on the fringes, and any place that's good for unofficial camping is probably occupied by homeless people.

If you'd like to do some touring, think about connecting train segments with a bike ride. For example, if you ride from LA to Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo, you'll find camping spots along the way. You can take local transit from Union Station to a good starting point – say, Santa Monica and heading up through Malibu, Oxnard and Ventura to Santa Barbara. There's great riding all the way up to coast, and in the coastal mountains, to Santa Cruz. Or even keep going all the way to SF. You can catch a local bus along the way to hook up at SLO, Salinas or San Jose – bikes are welcome, unlike Amtrak. There's no luggage service in Paso Robles, so no bikes on or off the train, which is too bad because it's a good area for riding. There seems to be an inverse (perverse) relationship between the cycling potential of a station and likelihood of luggage service.

You can ride between SF and Sacramento, or points north, too. There are lots of options for that, including routes either up the coast range or the Sierra foothills. But the coast is spectacular, and there's great camping along the way.