10 Things I Learned in My First Solo Amtrak Ride | Empire Builder Route Experience
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
- Join me as I delve into the intricacies of Amtrak travel and discover why it's an adventure worth embarking on. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first train journey, these insights will help you make the most of your Amtrak experience.
Website: alexleemon.com
Pinterest: /thealexleemon
Chapters:
0:08 Flexibility is key
1:00 Tamper your expectations
1:30 Bring cash
1:59 You won't see every place
3:09 Oh Montana
3:58 Sleeping on a moving train
4:44 Your bunk
5:14 My thoughts on the Roomette
6:20 Gravity on a moving train
7:20 Shower situation
9:45 Highlights Reel
The Empire Builder is known for delays as the track it runs on is very busy with industrial rail traffic. To make sure to see more of Glacier National Park, consider breaking your journey in East Glacier. The wonderful very old railroad hotel is right near the station. The staff picked us up when we arrived in an old-fashioned station wagon. It was so nice to spend two days in an area of spectacular scenery. If you prefer more room while on the train, consider booking a bedroom instead of a roomette. It is great to have one’s own tiny bathroom. It was pretty easy to shower in it as the area is so small! Next Amtrak trip…why not consider one of the most beautiful routes in the western US…on the California Zephyr through the Rocky Mountains!
Solid tips! Thank you so much. The California Zephyr sounds amazing!
For me the roomette is the choice since I'm solo. I prefer the bed placement of the roomette to the bedroom. Laying in the direction of travel is much nicer for me then laying across the train.
@@shalakabooyaka1480 Yes! I have thought of that as well... you must feel like you're about to roll off the bed in the room.
Amtrak train is the vacation...delays are a welcome for me. More time spent on the tracks. I always plan on being late.
Heh -- tip number 11: Bring a power strip. There are very few outlets -- 3-4 at most -- and they are in inconvenient places. I ride Amtrak sleepers a LOT (I call them "Amtrak vacations") and I love the experiences. I use a CPAP machine at night, I always have a phone, I sometimes bring a light (the light can be very dim for knitting, writing, and reading) and I occasionally bring a laptop. Choose a power strip with as many outlets as you can. The one I bring has 8 and has 4 USB power outlets.
Yes! So true about the power situation. I brought a small multi-outlet charger and it was ok... the small brick kept falling from the plug so your advice is spot on. A normal house power strip with the weight at the end and a normal plug would have worked so much better... plus you get several outlets.
I too am a CPAP user. I plan on booking the Texas Eagle from Chicago to Tucson, in coach. Aside from the tips you already shared, are there any other insights on using a CPAP on Amtrak? Thank you advance.
@@joe18750 : One really important thing: DO NOT USE THE HUMIDIFIER if you have a modern CPAP machine with integrated humidifier chamber (mine is an AirSense11). The train rocks and rolls enough to get any water in your humidifier sloshing around, and any splashovers will do really bad things to the machine.
That's a long trip in coach. I'm not sure you'll have outlets in coach, and I'm not sure they'll work. You're also likely to get questions from fellow passengers (I suspect the crew is familiar with CPAP machines). I haven't ridden coach on any of the long-distance trains in decades, but I've heard reports from others that AC power in the coaches is spotty.
If it's at all an option for you, I strongly recommend upgrading to a sleeper. Roomettes and bedrooms on that route (Texas Eagle/Sunset) are among the most affordable of all the long-distance routes, though they're still not cheap. I think you only need two nights for your trip. Don't forget that your meals are included in an upgrade. Buying meals in the diner is very expensive, especially for the quality. Eating more than lunch and snacks from the Cafe is worse.
In any case, enjoy your ride!
@@thomasstambaugh5181 you’re a gem of a man, Thomas. Thank you.
I sleep better on the train than at home. It is like a rocking cradle and the horn sounds comforting.
Glad to hear. I honesty thought that'd be me too!
Me too
Same, I sleep great on the train
A shower on the train is part of the adventure. It makes you appreciate things .
Hello Alex,
Thanks for relating your experience with Amtrak. I've taken the Empire Builder several times, and enjoyed it. For those considering a trip of more than 8 hours, I suggest booking a "roomette", or "bedroom". Especially if you're older than 50. Trying to sleep in coach can be miserable. Besides, meals are included, as well as access to the Amtrak "clubs". "Metropolitan" room.
Secondly, bring lots of "wet wipes". Third, bring some rubber "door stoppers" to wedge into the gaps in your sliding door, walls, etc, etc. Everything squeaks, and will drive you crazy.
Fourth,...Have some fun! I view my trips as a great adventure! Mark
Solid advice! And I never thought of the rubber door stopper... that would have been great at stopping that sliding door from rattling. Thank you for chiming in! I can't wait for my next ride.
L have never been in a sleeper on the Builder, I have been on from Portland, Or. to Milwaukee, Wi.on many trips. I sleep very well on couch. I have done the trip at age 65+.
Thank you for sharing…
You are introducing people to other options of traveling our amazing country.
5:32 On Roomette size. I started thinking “train ride” upon retirement a few years ago & watching videos. The Roomette tour videos with camera shot perspectives seem like plenty of room. Someone posted a size of 3-1/2 feet x 6-1/2 feet. We tried an experiment in our 3-1/2 foot wide hallway, chairs & small table, with cardboard end walls. Also tried to imagine it as bunk beds. We had to rethink the plan!
Well done!That's a creative way to plan and you won't be surprised when you get to the train.
I take my showers when the train stops at a station, I make it very quick.
I fell in love with Eastern Montana from looking out the train window. On the North Dakota/Montana border, looking south, you can see Fort Union National historic site showing a fur trading post from the 1830’s right on the Missouri River. When I say on the border, I mean the parking lot is in Montana and the actual fort is in North Dakota. My room attendant pointed it out to me so the next time I was on the EB, I got off the train at Whitefish and rented a car right at the station and drove around Montana for several days and obviously caught it again and continued on my way.
The EB is by far my favorite route and I’ve taken most of them at least once.
I think your perceptions and tips are on point. ✔️
Someday, when I no longer have the pressure of having to get back at a certain day or time, I will do that. Driving around is the best way to get to know the place. Great experience!
I took that exact train with my family in the family room. leaving Portland Oregon they gave us a box lunch coming out of the station , I thought that was cool. I enjoy the trip and love having breakfast in the dining car.
I thought all the meals were great!
I was on the train with you. I also rode solo and it was the best trip I took. Did a total of 8 trains on my trip. Great video!
Oh wow, what a coincidence! I would love to know what other trains you rode. Which routes? what was your favorite and which one you would recommend? lol so many questions. Thank you!
@@alextravelssolo I started in Virginia on the Northeast Regional, then from DC on the Capital Limited overnight in bedroom (via bid up), can’t say much about scenery as mostly night travel, but wonderful staff and trip. Then Empire Builder to Seattle. From there overnight on the Coast Starlight in roomette. Amazing END trip views, first part was okay. I stayed in Santa Barbara due to arriving late in LA, didn’t feel good about that. From SB to LA on Pacific Surfliner, business class. This was nice trip, some ocean scenes. I then connected on Southwest Chief, bedroom, again with bid up, then back to Chicago. Then the Cardinal in roomette, and ending back on Northeast Regional, both times business. Each train had its own unique special scenery, staff, rooms, etc. Loved them all and planning my next trip which will be NE Regional, Capital Limited, California Zephyr, Texas Eagle, Cardinal, NE Regional. I may alter that one with skipping the Capital Limited and going to NY for the Lakeshore Limited.
What an amazing experience! Are you documenting your trips? I'd definitely read/watch if you are. I only had a week off from work and time was limited so Empire Builder was the one. Checked that from the list... I am planning more travel and may take another train ride this year. But I have a bunch of air travel credits that need to go so will likely fly somewhere. Planning still.
@@alextravelssolo I am not much for technology but have composed a video that I probably will upload at some point.
We are taking our first trip on the Zephyr in May 😊🙏😁
The Zephyr is on my bucket list!
I took the Zephyr last summer. The views were great from California to eastern Colorado but Nebraska was a lot of corn fields and no so interesting. The best view is along the Colorado river in the mountains and the low lands of western Colorado. May is probably a good time to go, I went in July and we had to travel slow because the rails were too hot.
Very nicely done! Thank you for sharing your experience. Will be traveling on the Empire Builder this summer with family.
Enjoy!
My first amtrak experience began on this train in Portland, OR in 1998. I rode coach. Had a bathroom bag and freshened up as needed. (Wash cloth, deodorant, toothbrush, ect.) My entire trip was solo from OR to SC. Due to delays, they paid for my hotel in DC as well as providing funds for food and travel the next day. It was a fantastic experience and I met so many wonderful people. I will say the vibe was different after leaving the Empire Builder but PA was beautiful to see from the train also. The worst for me was not being able to stop and explore lol
What a great experience to go all the way to SC! Delays are part of train travel in the US, hence why flexibility is my #1 tip. I do agree that the worst part is not being able to get off and explore. I would like to do another trip where I get off for a day or two and then get back on and continue.
Hubby and I will be on the Empire Builder next week. After that we will be on the Capitol Limited and finally, the Silver Star. We will start in Richmond, BC (on a connector bus that takes us to Union Station in Seattle) and will end in Fort Lauderdale. Four nights and five days in total. We love riding on Amtrak but have only done the Coast Starlight (four times). One of those trips was terrible. Bad weather washed out tracks and we had to find a way to our destination. It all worked out though and it hasn’t put us off Amtrak. If you travel you have to expect a few bumps in the road occasionally or you might as well stay home (where unexpected things can happen too). We do fine in a roomette and that could be because even after 34 years of marriage we still enjoy each other’s company and get along very well. I didn’t find the showers too bad and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them. If one had any kind of mobility issues it could be difficult. The food has always been very good and the service is wonderful. We used to do road trips but my husband never got to enjoy the scenery because he was always driving. It’s nice that he can relax and enjoy the ride.
What a great journey awaits you! I hope the bumps are minimal and you two have a wonderful ride. I've heard great things about the Coast Starlight and since I am on the west coast of the US, that may be next, it's on the list for sure. Sunset Limited is another route that I may take this year. Happy & Safe travels and thank you for your perspective!
Thank you for the video!
I love traveling by Amtrak! Went from Boston to Texas...... To Arkansas to visit my son who is in the Air Force.... And from Boston to Florida. Can't wait to get back on the rails! One thing that i thought was funny - is my "sleeper" car was always directly behind the engine that had to blow the horn all night long for all the intersections we would cross over....so sleeping was a little tough...but after a while i was able to get use to it. Hoping to take the Zephyr some day
What an amazing adventure! Yes, hoping to do the zephyr too!
I rode the Empire Builder last year from Portland to Chicago. It's much better west to east from a view perspective because of the schedule. The train was just entering Montana at daylight, so we were able to see Glacier NP and other scenic portions of Montana in the daylight, also Minnesota and Wisconsin. I was in a bedroom, and I really liked having the extra room, but also had trouble sleeping, especially the second night through North Dakota because of the rough tracks. It was my first overnight train trip and now I'm hooked. It sounds like you are too.
Same here! Already planning two more trips. Stay tuned.
I took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle 22 years ago with my then 8 year old son. We had a blast! We had a bedroom then. I'm now retired and I have booked. a Roomette on the California Zephyr next month, round trip traveling solo. I'm excited!
I hope you have an amazing time!
I just took my first long-distance Amtrak trip. The California Zephyr was incredible! You'll love it.
@@jennifermann7180 It's on my list. Can't wait!
We did the eastbound trip from Seattle. We were able to see Glacier NP in daylight. This was in February when days are short. We didn't have any problems showering. Definitely leave a good cash tip.
Nice. Eastbound train and a stop at Glacier NP is on my list!
With Amtrak one of the only areas where passenger trains have priority is the Northeast Regional/Acela between DC and Boston.
Good to know! Makes sense as it is used for longer distance commuting too.
I love traveling on Amtrak. I have traveled in a sleeper car solo and with my daughter.
Great family experience!
I had a bedroom on the california Zephyr and I had a roomette on two other of the lines. I totally agree that a roomette is fine for 1 person not for 2.
Yes! You can totally fit two people in the roomette but it's less comfortable for sure.
Thanks for the tips! My husband and I are taking our first Amtrak trip on the Southwest Chief in August in a Roomette. We can't wait!
Have fun!
@@alextravelssolo Thank you!
Very good assessment of train travel in the U.S. I've made many trips on the Capitol Limited train, the Pennsylvanian train, the former Three Rivers train, and one trip on the Auto Train. The Capitol Limited can be hit-or-miss in punctuality. The Pennsylvanian is generally okay. The Auto Train was only slightly delayed (30 mins) on my northbound trip, but I've heard it can get really delayed.
Thank you for your perspective. Sounds like you've traveled by train in the Northeast quite a bit. I hope the recent bridge collapse does not mess with the train schedules too much but I'm sure the impact will be felt.
Great video, thank for posting!!
Thank you!
Enjoyable, informative video -- thanks! I love riding Amtrak and the on-board meals, too!
Glad you enjoyed it! Love the meals and the staff.
I have been riding Amtrak since their conception and you have some very good advice in this video. The only thing I disagree with is your advice about not using the showers aboard Amtrak.
If you Amtrak across the country, you are definitely going to feel like grabbing a hot shower that second morning. So, why not take advantage of one of the least used services aboard Amtrak? It’s free to all sleeping car passengers, it’s clean, they supply nice towels, soap, etc.
I always get a bedroom aboard Amtrak, which has its own shower, but I like to use the public shower downstairs (on an Superliner) anyway, because it’s bigger.
Yes, I would think that after a few days, you'd want a hot shower too. And your fellow passengers would appreciate that! haha. Thank you for your comment!
We just took the Empire Builder from WI to Seattle and saw Glacier National Park in daylight both ways. We had no delays and it was breathtaking. I don’t think you should tell people to plan that they would go through in the dark.
If you take the Empire Builder in February when the daylight is much shorter, East to West and the train is ON TIME, you will get to West Glacier, MT (Glacier National Park) in the dark, that is a fact. The official Amtrak scheduled stop is at 9:27PM. I'm glad you enjoyed the view in the daylight.
Nice job. Very informative.
Glad you enjoyed it
I traveled by train many times in Europe. I loved it. I find all of your tips to be helpful and informative. The highlight reel at the end was beautiful. Keep creating content!
I'm glad you found them helpful. Traveling by train in Europe is on my list! Thank you.
Well done great video 😁👍
Thanks for the visit!
Tuned in from Kenya 🇰🇪
Very informative!😊
Glad it was helpful!
thanks for the great info! I am riding in a few months over my birthday from Detroit to Seattle on the Empire builder. I will be traveling alone for my first ever train ride in the USA. I have a roomette from chicago to seatte, but I am flying back. I always wanted to do a long distance ride and this seemed to be the best route. reat tips about showering. I will probably do the same thing., Maybe just a sink referesher. I also plan on bringing my video camera and doing a video as well.
Great plan! I hope you have a great birthday, enjoy the ride and look forward to seeing your video!
Just an FYI, legally, freight is supposed to yield to passenger trains but the government doesn't enforce it.
Yes, so I've heard. Thank you for the comment!
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. I think you were viewing the trip as transportation to a destination, rather than the trip BEING the experience which is how I see it. Completely fair, just a different perspective. I'll be spending Christmas travelling solo in a 'roomette' for 4 days across Canada aboard 'The Canadian' and I am already excited for the experience.
I've been eyeing the Canadian too... and Christmas in those parts sounds just magical. I hope you have a wonderful time and keep the adventure going!
Thanks for your tips. I have been hoping to take on a solo train trip one of these days, as my husband and I used to do it but his health isn't reliable any more... he's ok staying at home, but the rigors of travel would be too much. I love train travel. I easily sleep in the bunks, love the motion, and I like a room or roomette as there's privacy. I've traveled solo a few times over the years and I've had some great experiences. It's not for everyone, but using some good sense and planning, it can be safe, interesting and refreshing not to be compromising all the time as one does when traveling with a companion. My husband is generally a good travel companion, but there are some things he just doesn't enjoy and so we avoid those, even if I'm interested. Traveling on my own, I'm free to do what I want. I like the idea of stopovers too. I've never seen Glacier Nat. Park!
I totally understand your points. My husband literally traveled the world already, far more than me so he is ok staying home now and letting me explore solo. True, you can be smart in the planning and do it safely. I hope you can get out there soon!
Good review. I just did a cross country and back Amtrak trip in a roomette. I enjoyed it. My only complaint was the smell of unshowered folks. I showered while the train was in motion. It required balance. You can shower during the long stops. I opted out of eating in the dining car because I didn't want to sit by a smelly person.
Yikes! That would be a reason to dine in your room. Thanks for sharing.
Very nicely done video. I subscribed to your channel. I have taken the California Zephyr solo, and the Lake Shore Limited, with a friend. Both trips were in a roomette. The Empire Builder is next.
Thanks for the sub!
It sounds like you felt safe alone. Was it easier to talk with other passengers? Thanks for the tips.
I took the Adirondack years ago from NY to Montreal and it was so rocky I had nausea the whole way. The rain came through the leaks in the roof and it was hard to find a dry seat. Too bad we don’t have better trains in the USA like in Europe.
I did feel safe. Each sleeper car has various configurations but the one I was in had about 10 roomettes and not all were occupied. During the course of the ride you do get to chat with other passengers adjacent to you, and especially during dinner time. The car attendant is always nearby and there are constant checks from the staff. I would not hesitate to take another solo ride. The cars are not super modern or new but I think they are probably in better shape now than when you rode from NY to Montreal. Safe travels!
I'm taking the Empire Builder on Monday from Chicago. Thanks for all the tips! I live on a sailboat and I expect that walking around on the train will be somewhat similar.
You live on a sailboat, so yes, the rocking and rolling will be a piece of cake! Have a great time!
The beds are essentially a standard single at 32 to 36 inches wide.
The upside is that the seats are also that wide, compared to the 16" wide seats on a 737
True! Bigger than even lie-flat international business class.
Pretty much everything you say is true, although I disagree with the movement of the train cars disrupting sleep or walking. If you've ridden on a public bus, it's more-or-less the same sensation, except that acceleration and deceleration are less apparent, and there are no speed-bumps or potholes to suddenly jar you.
I have not ridden on Amtrak for a very long time now (I live just outside of Everett, WA, by the way!), and so _for me_ it would be a very nostalgic experience! However, that nostalgia will come at a price for younger, _modern_ riders: _most_ (though not all!) of the train cars are decades old, and _do not_ have modern digital accommodations, such as computer/TV screens or WiFi. The _only_ cell phone service you will get is from outside towers and WiFi hot spots as you travel, _not_ from the train cars themselves, so treat reception like you would in a car traveling through isolated areas. There are also limited places to recharge your built-in device batteries.
So, I would recommend bringing other forms of entertainment _in addition to_ a phone/laptop/tablet. The views and companionship are certainly a big part of the experience (and if you _don't_ want either of those, then take a commercial flight), but if you tire of these, bring a book or something else to help you pass the time. This will be especially important for children, who will want to _run_ about, so you will need things to occupy them!! (I would know- I was little when I rode Amtrak too.)
100% agree on the ways to occupy yourself while riding. I went on this ride because I wanted to be unplugged so it worked for me, but if you're expecting to have wi-fi onboard (from the actual train) you'll be disappointed. A book is always a great companion. Love Everett WA by the way!
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The train station in Spokane is located in an unsafe part of town. Keep your eye on your luggage and any shady people that might board the train looking to steal your luggage. There are many homeless people and drug users that hanging around the streets and train station.
Thanks for the tip!
I find that the best time to use the shower is when the train is stopped waiting for a freight train to pass.
Ha! That would be a good time to shower!
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Montana is NOT Flat. Western Montana is the Rocky Mountains. Eastern Montana is Change-In-Elevation-Challenged. OK, Flat as Pancake. But it is beautiful in its own way.
How much should you tip the car attendant? I have always travelled coach, and it never crossed my mind I might tip the car attendant, Car attendants for the sleeper rooms obviously deserve a tip as they do so much for you morning, noon and night, converting your room to bedroom and back, delivering meals, etc. But how much? and when? Once a day? At the beginning of the trip? At the end of the trip? All of the above? I'm usually a generous tipper as I know all kinds of jobs are difficult, and hard work deserves a reward, as well as ensuring I'm well taken care of. And how about coach car attendants? Do they need to be tipped? They are nice and helpful, but don't perform any major services, usually.
I tipped my car attendant one time at the end of the trip. It was a 2-night journey so I gave him $30. This comes out to $15 per person per night. I'm not saying this is what you should do at all and I'm sure others do it differently. To me, between $10-20 per night is a good range. This would also depend on the amount of extra work they may have done on your behalf and how much you could afford to tip. As a side note, I peeked into a family room as I was exiting the train and it was completely nuked... as if a tornado had hit it. The family that was in there those two night had small children... the car attendant had to clean up considerably after them. That situation requires a higher tip, IMHO.
Thanks for sharing your advice! Is there WI-FI on Amtrak trains? Is it fast and reliable?
I think technically there might be on some trains but for practical reasons, I generally assume there is no Wi-Fi.
Keep, I on your luggage.
Indeed, good tip.
Alex, nice video. But I have to take issue with something you said at the very beginning. "In the United States passenger travel on the rails gives way to cargo and freight...so a lot of the times in that process your train may be delayed, and you may be delayed getting to your final destination so pack your patience.” You're sadly correct that often passenger trains are delayed by freight. But it's really not true that "passenger travel...gives way to cargo and freight." Passenger trains, by law, have the right to go first, ahead of freight. Sometimes physics and geography make that impossible, but about 70 percent of the time it's the result of deliberate decisions by freight railroad "hosts" to put Amtrak at the back of the line. It's illegal, and Amtrak has a case pending against Union Pacific right now before the Surface Transportation Board looking for some enforcement and penalties. I don't mean to sound so pedantic, but all of us in the traveling public need to demand our right to be on time. When we say things like "passenger gives way to freight," we're excusing illegal behavior by the freight railroads, and telling travelers that they should expect to be late and not get where they're going on time.
Thank you for your perspective!
You miscarriage from the Amtrak you need to plan ahead on which direction of travel you’re gonna take and what time of year it is
Taking the eastbound train, almost guarantee you the entire run in the Rockies in the daylight. The the westbound train depends on the time of year, and if it’s running on time if you’ll be able to see any of the scenery in the daylight or not
I enjoyed your video however I found the music in the background disruptive and too loud
Thanks for the feedback
I could not see the necessity of paying such a gratuity on that nature? Isnt it already included in the fares of the ticket or the extent of the tipping culture in the US?
Where are the RR police when these stupid kids go crazy with spray paint? It's so common now that they even make HO-scale MODEL trains with graffiti. I've been around railroads my whole life, and I can also tell you that you did NOT see this crap 60 years ago.
whoa! HO model trains with graffiti too? I guess art imitates reality. Thanks for your comment!
I don’t think this person likes trains. It seems like a very negative review.
Thank you for both of your comments!
We must have watched different videos. Alex seemed to me to be a very pleasant lady sharing her insights.