Less crowded days?

[crabby_appleton1950]

Is there a day of the week when one could expect a less crowded train? Are week days best; weekends; etc?

Thanks

 

[Long Train Runnin']

On which routes? With some of the longer ones I think it helps to look at when the train arrives vs when it leaves. Or on the NEC I believe that Saturday afternoons would be the least crowded.

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

On which routes? With some of the longer ones I think it helps to look at when the train arrives vs when it leaves. Or on the NEC I believe that Saturday afternoons would be the least crowded.

I'm planning a roundtrip ABQ-SAN for mid-July on the SWC between ABQ-FUL (and the the Pacific Surfliner for the FUL-SAN secetion). I'm interested on which day would be best to depart ABQ going, and FUL on my return.

Thanks

 

[Acela150]

IMO with the LD trains it's a crapshoot. Holiday periods are usually more full. Mid July will be vacation time so hard to guess.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Generally, when it's not a Holiday period or something like Spring Break, Mardi Gras etc is going on, Tuesdays- Thursdays tend to have the lightest traffic, the airlines have done this for years with their cheapest rates!

Amsnag.net, developed by one of our members, Paul M., will let you see the rail fares and sleeper prices for up to 30 days @ a time up to 11 Months in advance! ( doesnt include any discounts you may be eligible for but you can save lots of money if you're flexible on your travel dates)

 

[chakk]

I think you will find the train through Albuquerque to be quite crowded every day in peak summer months, including July.

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

I think you will find the train through Albuquerque to be quite crowded every day in peak summer months, including July.

My original idea was mid-May, before most schools let out for the summer. Maybe I should re-think July?

 

[afigg]

My original idea was mid-May, before most schools let out for the summer. Maybe I should re-think July?

July and August are the busiest months of the year for ridership for Amtrak system wide. Of course, the pattern will vary for the specific trains or services. But in general, July and August are the peak months for the LD trains with June and May only a little less busy. As for the days of the week to pick from, I would say that LD trips over Saturday night are often available at lower bucket prices.

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

My original idea was mid-May, before most schools let out for the summer. Maybe I should re-think July?

July and August are the busiest months of the year for ridership for Amtrak system wide. Of course, the pattern will vary for the specific trains or services. But in general, July and August are the peak months for the LD trains with June and May only a little less busy. As for the days of the week to pick from, I would say that LD trips over Saturday night are often available at lower bucket prices.

As I plan to go via a roomette, it'd not really affect me, other than perhaps dining car service? Would that be a good assumption?

Thanks

 

[SarahZ]

Yes, the dining car will be busier, along with the lounge car. You'll also have more foot traffic near your room.

Mid-May would probably be better, as most kids are still in school.

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

Mid-May would probably be better, as most kids are still in school.

I think you're right. And I'm guessing the stations would be less crowded, more of an opportunity for me to find a seat while waiting for the train.

 

[PaulM]

As I plan to go via a roomette, it'd not really affect me, other than perhaps dining car service? Would that be a good assumption?




Thanks

Maybe I'm missing something here; but crowded dining cars, lounges, waiting rooms, etc. also translate into higher fares. Fares are the best proxy for how crowded a LD train is.

 

[TinCan782]

Don't know the dates but a couple of events that affect Pacific Surfliner ridership are the Del Mar RacetraCk season and Comic-Con in San Diego. RESERVATIONS!!!

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

Don't know the dates but a couple of events that affect Pacific Surfliner ridership are the Del Mar RacetraCk season and Comic-Con in San Diego. RESERVATIONS!!!

Comic-Con International 2015, July 9-12, San Diego Convention Center. I'm OK going mid-May. Had thought mid-July, but don't want all the families with kids out of school.