Ideas sought - West Coast to Maine!

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Rail_Gurlz

Train Attendant
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
39
Getting ready for a cross-country trip with step-mom. Sacramento, CA to Lisbon, ME with a couple of days in NYC for fun. The planning is a bit complicated so if yall have some ideas to smooth it out would love to hear.

We are thinking Zephyr from Sacramento to Chicago then Lake Shore to Boston with a couple of days layover in NYC and wrapping it up with the Downeaster from Boston to Maine.

Im not sure how to link them all together. Is there a train specific travel agency or is it better to buy individual segments through Amtrak?

Do these segments make sense or is there a more efficient and scenic route we should consider?

Our trip is scheduled for mid-October. I know we need to hustle as the roomettes book quickly.
 
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Rail_Gurlz said:
We are thinking Zephyr from Sacramento to Chicago then Lake Shore to Boston with a couple of days layover in NYC and wrapping it up with the Downeaster from Boston to Maine.
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Sorry, why are you taking the Lake Shore to Boston if you're then going to NYC, only to come back to Boston later?
 
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I recommend you do California Zephyr from Sacramento to Chicago, Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to NYC, Northeast Regional or Acela Express from NYC to Boston, and then the Downeaster from Boston to Maine. The Zephyr is almost certainly the most scenic Amtrak route, and while the Lake Shore isn't super scenic, there definitely are some nice parts of the route. The ride from NYP (New York Penn Station) to Boston isn't particularly scenic, but there really aren't any better alternatives. I haven't taken the Downeaster, but I've heard it's very nice, so that should be an enjoyable ride. As to how you should book it, I recommend using the multi-city tool, which will allow you to choose each segment and the dates, while having it all on one reservation.
 
At the beginning of September the NY section of the Lake is expected to return. If that happens, the above post is pretty sensible, although some folks find the occasional views of the LI Sound on the right a nice view. Keep in mind that the Downeaster leaves from North Station, the Lake Boston Section, or the NYP trains arrive in South Station, self transfer is required.
 
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PVD said:
At the beginning of September the NY section of the Lake is expected to return. If that happens, the above post is pretty sensible, although some folks find the occasional views of the LI Sound on the right a nice view.
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I also feel like even if the NY section doesn't come back next month, it still might make more sense to switch to an Empire Service in Albany and take that to NYC, than to do an unnecessary roundtrip to/from Boston. I just don't see any case where CHI-BOS-NYP-BOS makes sense.
 
Mystic River Dragon said:
How about CHI to NYP on the Cardinal, then up to Boston from New York, then the Downeaster?
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True, the New River Gorge is gorgeous, but if choosing this routing I'd recommend scheduling a one-day layover in Chicago. It's not unimaginable that the CZ would be three hours late into CHI, breaking the connection and most likely putting you on the LSL in coach.
 
Mystic River Dragon said:
How about CHI to NYP on the Cardinal, then up to Boston from New York, then the Downeaster?
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That's also a good plan. I will note that the Cardinal is running to NYP again no sooner than November, so if they're traveling anytime soon, they would have to switch in DC. Plus, the Card takes around nine hours longer, usually has significantly higher prices, and runs thrice-weekly. If they can make it work, great, and they'd be getting the best scenery on the east coast, but that's difficult.
 
Mystic River Dragon said:
Oops, my error. I forgot the Cardinal wasn't going all the way to NYP for a while.
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Hey, if they're willing to make a pretty easy transfer in D.C and have to go in coach or BC for the final stretch, it doesn't make much difference. I think the bigger issues are that it's expensive, a longer ride, and thrice-weekly. Especially when you're connecting to/from other trains, it can be really difficult to make the fares and schedule work.
 
I'd recommend just buying each chunk of tickets separately, perhaps calling Amtrak to link them together as necessary. (By "each chunk", that's any length of travel where there's more than 24 hours between trains. So if you're going to NYC, spending a couple nights, then going from there to Maine, I'd book Sacramento - NYC on one ticket, then NYC - Maine on the second ticket.)

Maybe I'm misreading the initial post, but are you wanting to go from Sacramento, to Boston, then down to NYC, and then back up to Maine through Boston? Unless there's a very specific reason why, I'd suggest not going to Boston before NYC, and if you're wanting a few days in Boston doing that after NYC.

That said, my suggested itinerary would be:

First booking:

Book Sacramento - New York Penn

Sacramento - Chicago on California Zephyr

Chicago - New York Penn on either the Lake Shore Limited or Capitol Limited to Northeast Regional. While the Cardinal is quite scenic, the transfer at Washington Union Station and connecting train's arrival time into New York City is too late for my taste (getting into a city at midnight and still having to find my hotel and check in isn't my idea of a fun vacation,) and both the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited have scenic portions. I'd pay a bit more for the Lake Shore Limited, but not a lot more. The connection in Washington, DC between the Capitol Limited and Northeast Regional is rather easy, and if you're in sleeper you'll get access to the ClubAcela. Coach would be fine for the final jaunt up to New York City on the Northeast Regional.

Second booking:

Book New York Penn - Lisbon, ME, assuming you're not wanting an extended stop in Boston

NYC - Boston: Northeast Regional coach should be fine, though if you're wanting to splurge Acela First Class is quite enjoyable from what I've heard. I've never thought it worth the money myself, though.

Important note: You will need to transfer between either Boston Back Bay or Boston South Station to Boston North Station. Amtrak does not provide transportation for that connection. If you don't have a lot of luggage, the subway from Boston Back Bay to North Station is pretty convenient and does not require transferring lines. If you need a taxi/Uber for luggage, transfer at Boston South Station as the trip is shorter.

Boston - Lisbon, ME: Downeaster. I've never taken this train, so not sure if there's any particular place/class to use on this train.

Hope that helps, and ask any questions you may have!
 
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Rail_Gurlz said:
I'm not sure how to link them all together. Is there a rail specific travel agency or is it better to buy individual segments through Amtrak?
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Here is an outfit that has much experience arranging rail travel both here and overseas:

https://www.traintravelconsulting.com

I actually used them during 1990 to obtain air travel and a Eurailpass. I also had a now deceased girlfriend who lived in Menlo Park and used them when located there for air travel & cruises; never heard a discouraging word.

But that was back in the days when transportation providers paid commissions, and agents could make a living from such. Nowadays they charge. I think you can collect enough information from this site to decide if first you choose to make this journey and by what routing.

I haven't been near a travel agent for anything since the time noted - and I have been going overseas annually of late. On the other hand, my Sister uses one simply because it's "worth the $250 fee". For example, on a trip she made to Australia, she was unaware they have a visa requirement. The agent was of course. "Oh my God, Gil, what would I have done if I got on the plane without one?" Another from her."it's so convenient; I just make a phone call." "What if I'm booking with Qantas and I click on the wrong button?"

To each their own.
 
The Cardinal is a good idea - if you can get a good fare. But it can be late into NYP or WAS. I'd suggest getting off in Charlottesville - scheduled time is 3:19pm. So even if a couple hours late you still have time to check in and then have a good dinner and to bed early. Charlottesville is an interesting university town with lots to see in a walkable distance from the station including restaurants. The Hampton Inn almost overlooks the station. Next morning you can take the Crescent at 7:09 or the much more reliable train from Roanoke at 8:48 (couple hours later on weekends) which arrives NYP at 3:17 after a nice daytime ride up the NEC.

Of course this would only work if you have time to add a day into your schedule. On a long cross country trip we find it is always good to have some down time built in. Add another day to your trip and you can take a tour into Virginia countryside and see Jefferson's Monnticello and James Madison's Montpelier as well as various wineries and the attractive UVA campus.
 
If you are planning on booking a sleeper for any part of your trip and there is some flexibility in your travel dates, AmSnag... http://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php ...will let you pick a travel date with the cheapest sleeper. As an example, an AmSnag search just now for SAC to CHI on the California Zephyr showed that upcharges for a Roomette run the full gamut of $314 to $765 with three intermediate upcharges. Bedrooms, unfortunately, are all at their highest level of $1662 during that same period.

Let AmSnag be your friend.
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cpotisch said:
niemi24s said:
If you are planning on booking a sleeper for any part of your trip and there is some flexibility in your travel dates, AmSnag... http://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php ...will let you pick a travel date with the cheapest sleeper.
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That's not the current version. You want this page.
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I'm well aware that my link is not to the current version. I recommend the older version to those who may be newcomers to AmSnag because I deem the older version easier to use than the current version. Now that the OP has links to both versions she can make up her own mind about which she wants - without you telling her which one she wants, thank you.
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niemi24s said:
cpotisch said:
niemi24s said:
If you are planning on booking a sleeper for any part of your trip and there is some flexibility in your travel dates, AmSnag... http://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php ...will let you pick a travel date with the cheapest sleeper.
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That's not the current version. You want this page.
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I'm well aware that my link is not to the current version. I recommend the older version to those who may be newcomers to AmSnag because I deem the older version easier to use than the current version. Now that the OP has links to both versions she can make up her own mind about which she wants - without you telling her which one she wants, thank you.
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Except for the fact that the OP is traveling with her step-mom, and that version only lets you see prices for one person.
 
Yall rock. Thank you.

So, Chi-Bos-Nyp-Bos was something to the effect of lets book Chi to Bos with a two day layover in NYC. As is obvious, we are newbs. Our only train trip together was Sac - Reno on snow train. Short and sweet.

Im going to share your tips and links, thank you so much!
 
A few other things to consider.

The Downeaster runs multiple trips between Boston (North Station), and Maine (all go to Portland,some run onto Brunswick).

Business Class on all Downeaster trains is a bargain, and I highly recommend it.

The Cafe Car is a cut above other Amtrak cafes as it offers unique products, many of them from local suppliers.

One thing that the Downeaster trains do NOT offer is checked baggage service, plan accordingly.

Further Red Cap service is not offered at North Station.

For travel between New York City, and Boston, I highly recommend ACELA service, and ACELA First Class if your budget allows.

ACELA, and the vast majority of Regional trains do not offer checked baggage service either.

Red Cap service is available at New York Penn, and Boston South Station.

Plan sometime to explore Boston as well, here is a quick overview.



Ken
 
Woohoo!

Trip is booked!

Sac to Chi Zephyr roomette

Chi to NYP LSL roomette

NYP to Brunswick Acela BC & Downeaster BC

We are catching fall colors, staying a few days in NYC. Save some money and whooping it up!
 
Rail_Gurlz said:
Woohoo!

Trip is booked!

Sac to Chi Zephyr roomette

Chi to NYP LSL roomette

NYP to Brunswick Acela BC & Downeaster BC

We are catching fall colors, staying a few days in NYC. Save some money and whooping it up!
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Congrats and have fun! I'm going to be on the Downeaster for the first time in a couple weeks (when it will have the one and only Great Dome). Hopefully we both have a good ride!
 

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