A few amtrak questions for a first timer (LA>BOS)

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Hey everyone,

I'm thinking about taking an amtrak trip for the first time from LA to Boston and have a few questions regarding the trip.

What's the fastest route to get there? I'm less concerned about scenery (although it will be nice to see) and more focused on getting there a bit quicker.

How nice are roomettes/bedrooms? I'm definitely getting one of these for all legs of the trip, do you recommend a bedroom over roomette?

And finally how much do you think this'll cost me overall? LA to Boston w/ bedroom or roomette

Thanks so much for any help.
 
To best answer the question, 2 important points come up. Are you traveling solo or with a companion? The difference between a bedroom and a roomette is magnified when it is 2 in a room. Are your dates flexible? If they are, the difference a day or two in either direction makes can be significant. I'm sure someone will jump on and suggest using the Amsnag tool, a great program from a member that provides fare comparisons over date ranges. If you are traveling with a companion, keep in mind that the price is made up of one charge for the room, plus rail fare for each individual. Regular meals included.
 
Solo travel, flexible to dates how much does that change? Will check out Amsnag too thanks!
 
A roomette is generally ok for solo travel but some folks find it small for 2 people, and some people dislike or can't use the upper bunk. The Superliner (west coast to chi) will have a shower and multiple restrooms for use of the roomettes downstairs, one restroom upstairs, the bedroom has them in the room. while the viewliner (chi-bos) has a toilet in the roomette (an issue for many not traveling alone) shower down the hall. In bedrooms they are enclosed in the room. There are many you tube videos showing what the spaces actually look like.
 
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If speed is your primary concern, call Southwest Airlines [/snark]. Just kidding. However, you need a different mindset in these days of "one-a-day" long distance trains. Amtrak trains are often late; sometimes late enough to threaten connections. Amtrak will honor guaranteed connections to the extent possible, whether this means putting you on a bus to "cut the corner" between, say, Galesburg and South Bend if it looks as if you'll miss a connection in Chicago, or else putting you up in a hotel to catch the next day's train. Please note, however, that the next day's train may not have any available sleeper accommodations, so you could be downgraded to coach. You'll get a refund credit for the difference, but you may well prefer your private room and your lay-flat bed. So an overnight layover in Chicago (on your own dime) might be the best way to nip such a situation in the bud.

With that said, based upon your given parameters the obvious itinerary is to depart Los Angeles aboard the Southwest Chief. It departs at 6 pm and you do receive dinner upon departure as a sleeper passenger. The second day is spent traversing some pretty spectacular scenery in New Mexico and southern Colorado. Scheduled arrival into Chicago is on the third day at 2:50 pm.

Your next train would be the Lake Shore Limited departing Chicago at 9:30 p.m. You will not be served dinner upon departure, so have a good dinner in Chicago. As a sleeper passenger you may spend your layover in the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago (and also, as you are waiting to depart Los Angeles and/or after arrival in Boston as a sleeper passenger you may use the Metropolitan Lounge and/or Club Acela in those two cities, respectively) which you will find is much more comfortable than the general waiting area. There are complimentary snacks and soft beverages, and in Chicago you may use their showers. A small shower is available aboard the train for sleeper passengers, but a full-size shower which is not moving is a pleasant luxury. The next day you will have a bit of a boxed breakfast (a step down from the hot breakfast which is still available aboard the SW Chief, at least as of this writing) and a boxed lunch and dinner served enroute. Your arrival into Boston is scheduled for 8:01 pm (but be prepared for the possibility of a late arrival).

As far as the fare, I'm attaching a sample Amsnag printout as of this date for October 2018 showing the various days' fare from LAX to BOS for one passenger in either a bedroom on the SWC and a roomette on the LSL, or else a roomette on both trains. You can see the price difference a bedroom makes! As a solo traveler there is not much reason to prefer a Bedroom over a Roomette other than the tiny private toilet & shower in your own room.

Many other permutations are possible, such as the Texas Eagle between L.A. and Chicago or the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Washington with a Regional or Acela from there to Boston, but if your aim as a first-time Amtrak traveler is to get from Point A to Point B in the most direct and hassle-free manner possible, then this is the way to go. (And, especially for a first-time traveler, I agree that this is a worthy aim.) Have a great trip!

amsnag.laxbos.201810.pdf
 

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EH laid out it quite well. I noticed that already some days are sold out. Too bad Amtrak doesn't have the flexibility to add equipment as VIA does.
 
The fastest route would be the Southwest Chief (44 hours) from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to Boston (21 hours). I would say that since you're traveling solo, you should just get a roomette for both legs. On the Lake Shore Limited, which uses single-level Viewliner equipment, the roomette will have a large private storage cubby, a sink and toilet in the room, and a very comfortable upper bunk with a window and plenty of headroom. On the Southwest Chief, which is a bi-level Superliner train, the roomettes have significantly less space, so there's a much more cramped upper bunk without a window, no toilet or sink in the room, and no storage cubby. Bedrooms on Superliners are more or less the same as the ones on Viewliners. Because of this, there is a much greater disparity between Roomettes and Bedrooms on Superliners than on Viewliners. Still, as a single passenger, I don't think it's worth the extra cost.

As to the total cost, it looks like the lowest possible price is $821 for a roomette for both legs.
 
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The fastest route would be the Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago (21 hours), and then the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles. I would say that since you're traveling solo, you should just get a roomette for both legs. On the Lake Shore Limited, which uses single-level Viewliner equipment, the roomette will have a large private storage cubby, a sink and toilet in the room, and a very comfortable upper bunk with a window and plenty of headroom. On the Southwest Chief, which is a bi-level Superliner train, the roomettes have significantly less space, so there's a much more cramped upper bunk without a window, no toilet or sink in the room, and no storage cubby. Bedrooms on Superliners are more or less the same as the ones on Viewliners. Because of this, there is a much greater disparity between Roomettes and Bedrooms on Superliners than on Viewliners. Still, as a single passenger, I don't think it's worth the extra cost.

As to the total cost, it looks like the lowest possible price is $821 for a roomette for both legs.
Hmm, the OP is going from LA to Boston. Want to rethink your advice?
 
The fastest route would be the Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago (21 hours), and then the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles. I would say that since you're traveling solo, you should just get a roomette for both legs. On the Lake Shore Limited, which uses single-level Viewliner equipment, the roomette will have a large private storage cubby, a sink and toilet in the room, and a very comfortable upper bunk with a window and plenty of headroom. On the Southwest Chief, which is a bi-level Superliner train, the roomettes have significantly less space, so there's a much more cramped upper bunk without a window, no toilet or sink in the room, and no storage cubby. Bedrooms on Superliners are more or less the same as the ones on Viewliners. Because of this, there is a much greater disparity between Roomettes and Bedrooms on Superliners than on Viewliners. Still, as a single passenger, I don't think it's worth the extra cost.

As to the total cost, it looks like the lowest possible price is $821 for a roomette for both legs.
Hmm, the OP is going from LA to Boston. Want to rethink your advice?
Whoops. It really doesn't make much difference, but I flipped it around for clarity's sake.
 
If speed is your primary concern, call Southwest Airlines [/snark]. Just kidding. However, you need a different mindset in these days of "one-a-day" long distance trains. Amtrak trains are often late; sometimes late enough to threaten connections. Amtrak will honor guaranteed connections to the extent possible, whether this means putting you on a bus to "cut the corner" between, say, Galesburg and South Bend if it looks as if you'll miss a connection in Chicago, or else putting you up in a hotel to catch the next day's train. Please note, however, that the next day's train may not have any available sleeper accommodations, so you could be downgraded to coach. You'll get a refund credit for the difference, but you may well prefer your private room and your lay-flat bed. So an overnight layover in Chicago (on your own dime) might be the best way to nip such a situation in the bud.

With that said, based upon your given parameters the obvious itinerary is to depart Los Angeles aboard the Southwest Chief. It departs at 6 pm and you do receive dinner upon departure as a sleeper passenger. The second day is spent traversing some pretty spectacular scenery in New Mexico and southern Colorado. Scheduled arrival into Chicago is on the third day at 2:50 pm.

Your next train would be the Lake Shore Limited departing Chicago at 9:30 p.m. You will not be served dinner upon departure, so have a good dinner in Chicago. As a sleeper passenger you may spend your layover in the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago (and also, as you are waiting to depart Los Angeles and/or after arrival in Boston as a sleeper passenger you may use the Metropolitan Lounge and/or Club Acela in those two cities, respectively) which you will find is much more comfortable than the general waiting area. There are complimentary snacks and soft beverages, and in Chicago you may use their showers. A small shower is available aboard the train for sleeper passengers, but a full-size shower which is not moving is a pleasant luxury. The next day you will have a bit of a boxed breakfast (a step down from the hot breakfast which is still available aboard the SW Chief, at least as of this writing) and a boxed lunch and dinner served enroute. Your arrival into Boston is scheduled for 8:01 pm (but be prepared for the possibility of a late arrival).

As far as the fare, I'm attaching a sample Amsnag printout as of this date for October 2018 showing the various days' fare from LAX to BOS for one passenger in either a bedroom on the SWC and a roomette on the LSL, or else a roomette on both trains. You can see the price difference a bedroom makes! As a solo traveler there is not much reason to prefer a Bedroom over a Roomette other than the tiny private toilet & shower in your own room.

Many other permutations are possible, such as the Texas Eagle between L.A. and Chicago or the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Washington with a Regional or Acela from there to Boston, but if your aim as a first-time Amtrak traveler is to get from Point A to Point B in the most direct and hassle-free manner possible, then this is the way to go. (And, especially for a first-time traveler, I agree that this is a worthy aim.) Have a great trip!

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amsnag.laxbos.201810.pdf
This was incredibly helpful - thank you so much for this post. The reasoning for the quicker route that's less scenic isn't supposed to be knocking amtrak travel at all, in fact I'm quite excited to go on it. I just had a very scary experience on a plane and would rather stay on the ground to get back to the east coast.

Thanks again!
 
I had one more question that worried me. I saw someone mentioned that once they got stuck at random dingy stops in bad areas (i.e Michigan or somewhere not ideal) and had to wait for hours because of delays in bad areas with homeless people in the bus stops. Could this happen to me even if I have my own room?
 
On board the train? Not likely at all. The only way I can see something like that happening is if there is a grade crossing collision or similar which disables power from the locomotive and the crew has to evacuate the passengers from the train pending rescue. If that happens to you, you might want to consider investing in a couple of lottery tickets...you're that lucky!
 
On board the train? Not likely at all. The only way I can see something like that happening is if there is a grade crossing collision or similar which disables power from the locomotive and the crew has to evacuate the passengers from the train pending rescue. If that happens to you, you might want to consider investing in a couple of lottery tickets...you're that lucky!
Thank you ehbowen, I was worried about that. Would I have to worry about a huge layover in Chicago when I switch trains or is it fairly seamless? Sorry for the simple questions, just a first timer here with pretty bad anxiety.
 
Oh, as long as your trains are close to on time you'll have a layover of a few hours, but it's no big deal. There's a lot to do inside the station itself, food court and such, and much more available within walking distance. As a sleeper passenger you can use the Metropolitan Lounge to wait in which is comfortable and secure and where you can store your carry-on baggage for a couple hours if you wish to leave the station and explore. There are also showers available in that lounge, as well as complimentary snacks and soft beverages. The time will pass quickly enough.

Please note that if you check luggage, you can check it all the way through to Boston and Amtrak will transfer it between trains for you in Chicago. Two pieces of checked luggage are free. All you need to bring with you as carry-on is just what you will need for the trip (but do make sure that includes any special valuables and/or medication, of course).
 
I had one more question that worried me. I saw someone mentioned that once they got stuck at random dingy stops in bad areas (i.e Michigan or somewhere not ideal) and had to wait for hours because of delays in bad areas with homeless people in the bus stops. Could this happen to me even if I have my own room?
Unless you're taken off the train, there is nothing to be worried about. Even if there are dozens of homeless people outside the train, they can't come onboard. So long as you're on the train, it doesn't matter how scuzzy the area is.
 
On board the train? Not likely at all. The only way I can see something like that happening is if there is a grade crossing collision or similar which disables power from the locomotive and the crew has to evacuate the passengers from the train pending rescue. If that happens to you, you might want to consider investing in a couple of lottery tickets...you're that lucky!
Thank you ehbowen, I was worried about that. Would I have to worry about a huge layover in Chicago when I switch trains or is it fairly seamless? Sorry for the simple questions, just a first timer here with pretty bad anxiety.
The Southwest Chief is scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 2:50 PM. The Lake Shore Limited is scheduled to depart Chicago at 9:30 PM. Usually they will start boarding the latter around 8:30-8:40 PM. Add it all up and you will have about six hours in Chicago, so long as everything's on time.

As ehbowen said, sleeper passengers (and business class passengers) get access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago, which has showers, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a secured room where you can leave your bags. I would recommend you go straight to the Lounge when you arrive, drop your bags off, and then explore the city. There are ample things to do in Chicago, many within walking distance of the station, so I recommend you do some research and see what you might be interested in. Then you should probably make sure to be back in the station by 8:00 PM. Once it's time for boarding, everyone in the lounge will be escorted to the train, where you'll get priority boarding (if you're in a sleeper).

Hopefully this helps!
 
The info provided by the others is great with a slight correction: You WON'T be escorted to the Train from the Lounge. As a Newbie I suggest you use a, Red Cap to take you to/from the Train on their Golf Carts.

Just tell your SCA before arrival and the Check in Desk @ the Metro Lounge you'd like a,Red Cap.( tips,are appreciated by these helpful folks who are Amtrak employees!)
 
The info provided by the others is great with a slight correction: You WON'T be escorted to the Train from the Lounge. As a Newbie I suggest you use a, Red Cap to take you to/from the Train on their Golf Carts.

Just tell your SCA before arrival and the Check in Desk @ the Metro Lounge you'd like a,Red Cap.( tips,are appreciated by these helpful folks who are Amtrak employees!)
They escorted us to the train from the lounge in February. Might have been an anomaly but that's what happened.
 
The info provided by the others is great with a slight correction: You WON'T be escorted to the Train from the Lounge. As a Newbie I suggest you use a, Red Cap to take you to/from the Train on their Golf Carts.

Just tell your SCA before arrival and the Check in Desk @ the Metro Lounge you'd like a,Red Cap.( tips,are appreciated by these helpful folks who are Amtrak employees!)
They escorted us to the train from the lounge in February. Might have been an anomaly but that's what happened.
That is the first I have heard of passengers being escorted from the "new" Chicago Metropolitan Lounge. I have been through Chicago many times and I have never seen passengers being escorted from the NEW Metropolitan Lounge.

Generally, the lounge attendant will announce the train and give directions to the side exit door and to the gate.
 
The info provided by the others is great with a slight correction: You WON'T be escorted to the Train from the Lounge. As a Newbie I suggest you use a, Red Cap to take you to/from the Train on their Golf Carts.

Just tell your SCA before arrival and the Check in Desk @ the Metro Lounge you'd like a,Red Cap.( tips,are appreciated by these helpful folks who are Amtrak employees!)
They escorted us to the train from the lounge in February. Might have been an anomaly but that's what happened.
That is the first I have heard of passengers being escorted from the "new" Chicago Metropolitan Lounge. I have been through Chicago many times and I have never seen passengers being escorted from the NEW Metropolitan Lounge.

Generally, the lounge attendant will announce the train and give directions to the side exit door and to the gate.
Hmm. Well I guess it was an anomaly.
 
On my trips in Chicago since the new lounge opened, we also were not escorted but told to go out the side door and turn right. Everyone just followed someone who looked like they knew what they were doing..smile. There were personnel near the gates to give you a boost toward the proper train. Only Redcaps can give you an escorted direct trip to your train car.
 
On board the train? Not likely at all. The only way I can see something like that happening is if there is a grade crossing collision or similar which disables power from the locomotive and the crew has to evacuate the passengers from the train pending rescue. If that happens to you, you might want to consider investing in a couple of lottery tickets...you're that lucky!
Thank you ehbowen, I was worried about that. Would I have to worry about a huge layover in Chicago when I switch trains or is it fairly seamless? Sorry for the simple questions, just a first timer here with pretty bad anxiety.
The Southwest Chief is scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 2:50 PM. The Lake Shore Limited is scheduled to depart Chicago at 9:30 PM. Usually they will start boarding the latter around 8:30-8:40 PM. Add it all up and you will have about six hours in Chicago, so long as everything's on time.

As ehbowen said, sleeper passengers (and business class passengers) get access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago, which has showers, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a secured room where you can leave your bags. I would recommend you go straight to the Lounge when you arrive, drop your bags off, and then explore the city. There are ample things to do in Chicago, many within walking distance of the station, so I recommend you do some research and see what you might be interested in. Then you should probably make sure to be back in the station by 8:00 PM. Once it's time for boarding, everyone in the lounge will be escorted to the train, where you'll get priority boarding (if you're in a sleeper).

Hopefully this helps!
Oh, as long as your trains are close to on time you'll have a layover of a few hours, but it's no big deal. There's a lot to do inside the station itself, food court and such, and much more available within walking distance. As a sleeper passenger you can use the Metropolitan Lounge to wait in which is comfortable and secure and where you can store your carry-on baggage for a couple hours if you wish to leave the station and explore. There are also showers available in that lounge, as well as complimentary snacks and soft beverages. The time will pass quickly enough.

Please note that if you check luggage, you can check it all the way through to Boston and Amtrak will transfer it between trains for you in Chicago. Two pieces of checked luggage are free. All you need to bring with you as carry-on is just what you will need for the trip (but do make sure that includes any special valuables and/or medication, of course).


On board the train? Not likely at all. The only way I can see something like that happening is if there is a grade crossing collision or similar which disables power from the locomotive and the crew has to evacuate the passengers from the train pending rescue. If that happens to you, you might want to consider investing in a couple of lottery tickets...you're that lucky!
Thank you ehbowen, I was worried about that. Would I have to worry about a huge layover in Chicago when I switch trains or is it fairly seamless? Sorry for the simple questions, just a first timer here with pretty bad anxiety.
The Southwest Chief is scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 2:50 PM. The Lake Shore Limited is scheduled to depart Chicago at 9:30 PM. Usually they will start boarding the latter around 8:30-8:40 PM. Add it all up and you will have about six hours in Chicago, so long as everything's on time.

As ehbowen said, sleeper passengers (and business class passengers) get access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago, which has showers, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a secured room where you can leave your bags. I would recommend you go straight to the Lounge when you arrive, drop your bags off, and then explore the city. There are ample things to do in Chicago, many within walking distance of the station, so I recommend you do some research and see what you might be interested in. Then you should probably make sure to be back in the station by 8:00 PM. Once it's time for boarding, everyone in the lounge will be escorted to the train, where you'll get priority boarding (if you're in a sleeper).

Hopefully this helps!
Thank you guys! This was really helpful. One last question. If my girlfriend decides to take the trip with me is a roomette 2x the price or still the same? (is it meant for 2?). Don't want to pay double the price for one since they're already quite expensive.
 
All you have to do is call and have the Agent issue a ticket for an "Open Sleeper" ticket,( it will be a Paper ticket", not a e-ticket)and Pay for the Lowest Bucket Rail Fare for her.

It will not have the Room # on it, but she will be included in the Room charges you already paid, and she'll have the included Meals in the Diner.

If you're using AGR Points this isn't any longer true, you'll have to pay with Points for the Room Charges and Rail Fare for her!
 
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Thank you guys! This was really helpful. One last question. If my girlfriend decides to take the trip with me is a roomette 2x the price or still the same? (is it meant for 2?). Don't want to pay double the price for one since they're already quite expensive.
Actually neither. When you get a sleeper, the price consists of both an "accommodation charge" for the room, and then the "rail fare" for each person occupying it. The rail fare will always go to the lowest possible coach seat Value fare. Roomettes can fit two people pretty well, though the Superliners can be a little tight.
 
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