80-Hour Train Ride Across America: San Fran to NYC on Amtrak's California Zephyr (Part One)
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Join me as I travel for a whopping 80 hours across the United States by train. In todays episode (part one of my journey), I board one of North Americas Most Scenic Trains - Amtrak's California Zephyr. This three day sleeper train will take me from San Francisco, across 7 different states, covering almost 4,000 km, eventually leaving me in Chicago.
I’ve booked the 'cheapest' sleeping accomodation for my 54 hours onboard, also known as Amtrak's Superliner Roomette. I'll show you exactly what the experience is like, from start to finish! Let's check out the dining, the amenities such as the observation lounge and the on board shower! Meanwhile, we'll be passing through the Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, Moffat Tunnel, Colorado River and so many cute towns.
Let's go!!
#amtraktrains #californiazephyr #sleepertrain
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Hej hej allihopa! ("Hey everyone" in Swedish) We are Chloé, the Kiwi, and Ludvig, the Swede. We met at a Ski Resort in Canada and have since been travelling the whole world together. Our aim is to provide you with helpful travel tips and entertainment from around the globe, hopefully inspiring you to EXPLORE MORE! We love adventure ...with a touch of luxury. You can expect to see lots of adrenaline pumping activities and out of the ordinary excursions, along with a generous dose of unique hotels, camper-van travel, train journeys and business class flights....
This UA-cam channel will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through our links.
This video took me days upon days to edit as I sifted through hours of footage. If you enjoy it, I would so appreciate a thumbs up and share it with someone else who might enjoy it! ...and stayed tuned for part two! :D
Took the same trip to Reno Nevada and back to Michigan.
Your video is accurate. My roomette was filthy. Looking under my roomette seat was life altering. And the bog odor always leaks into the hallway.
Food was good, airline food was a good description.
The scenery was beautiful!
When did you film this?
@chloeandludvig Great breakdown Chloe! - this route is on my list as well. I subscribed and looking forward to checking out all your other content - love your energy!
@@debbest8546 that’s really off-putting to know your roomette was filthy and toilet stink permeated the train car. I want to travel on the Zephyr, but now I better be prepared.
@@11buleria just pray you don't get Room 2....
Chloe, I took this trip with my parents in 1960(!!) with my parents and brother. I’ll never forget it, and I’m glad I got to thank my dad (a lifetime train nut) again for it before he died in 2010. It is an absolutely incredible way to get a feel for how magnificently beautiful this country is. I’m 70 now and I remember a lot of the trip.
Aw that is so lovely! I would love to take my family on this trip one day! I’m so happy you were able to relive some of the memories with me through the screen!
What a sweet memory you have carried for all these years. So lovely you told your father how much the trip meant to you. ❤
Before I ever rode the CA Zephyr myself, I bought my stepson a ticket westbound from Denver as a graduation gift. My brother in the Bay Area met him and they went on an epic road trip down to LA and back up Highway 1 before my son flew back to DEN. Later when I had my own CA Zephyr journey we had a common adventure to share. Tragically he died suddenly last Christmastime, but I'm your age and also realize how durable these shared life experiences can be. You're lucky to have traveled together.
🙏❤️ So sorry for your loss.
My 6 year old daughter and I took the Zephyr from Chicago to Davis, CA. It was an unbelievable experience for both of us!
Thats so cool!!! I can imagine it would be so memorable for a 6 year old!
@@chloeandludvig was this pricy for the train ticket
How did you keep her entertained for so long? Looking to take our 5 year old in a year or so
I took my 4 yr old boy from Iowa to Idaho. He did great. It's not as confining as a bus or a plane. We went to the observation car, ate in the snack bar etc. We took along things to play with, books to read etc. He made friends with other riders. I enjoyed it much more than flying.
@@1104ray if I remember correctly, it was about $1100 for the two of us. Yes, pricey compared to a plane ticket but the views and food included make it worth it.
I took the Texas Eagle from Arkansas to California in 1996 and loved it.
Here’s an old sailors trick for when your plates slide around. Dampen a towel and lay it out like a tablecloth. The damp towel clings to the table and holds the plates in place through most of the bumps and shimmies.
Ooooh fantastic tip there! I will remember this for next time🥳
I learned that trick from my Mom who worked in restaurants, to hold a slippery cutting board in place. Similar idea.
I dont watch videos like yours to plan future travels, videos like this one are the only way I can travel......me and my wheelchair dont do so well on transport and my body doesnt much like the movement anyway so Im very, very grateful that people like you are having the adventures for me to enjoy instead. I particularly enjoy your engaging style of commentary and have just subscribed. Im looking forward to your next video. Love from across the ditch.
Aw thank you for your kind comment Heather! Sorry to hear you are unable to experience these things yourself, but I am so happy you enjoyed the video! That's often how I love to explore new parts of the world or interesting experience - is watching them on UA-cam! Welcome to the channel :D
I hear ya. I'm just living vicariously
A train would always be better than flying! You actually get to see stuff, and relax. Thanks for sharing...great video.
Oh yeah! If you can allow for the time and cost it’s such a fun travel option! Thanks for watching 😁
You can see stuff but you can't actually engage with it. No hiking up that glorious side of that mountain, no stroll through that interesting little town, and no way to change your schedule if you should really want to stop and explore...
@@robbrown4621
Of course, you can. You are allowed 3 off train visits in any area for certain periods, then hop back on the next Amtrak.. I've done it for years, often spending a week or more in certain places. They are open tickets. You can also include special conducted bus connections across to other trains, i.e., Denver( Zephyr) down to Albuquerque(Southwestern), all on the same ticket price. More Americans should learn what wonderful opportunities are available on our Amtrak system!
Well, it depends for who. I travel by train 10 000 km a year. But I was only 6 times in plane. So for me flying is very exciting.
I really love that you did this. You are right, we get so used to just flying over everything, we fail to stop and see the beauty we would otherwise miss if we just flew from SF to NYC
Oh heck yeah! It was so much fun to travel by train and to see things I never would otherwise:) thanks for watching!
This is certainly one of the best train travel videos I've watched. Thoroughly enjoyed it - great job Chloe.
Thank you so much!! Means the world to me!!🤩
This stupid trip has been reviewed a dozen times! Boring!
Simple solution- don't watch.
Great video. I've lived in California for over 40 years and have never been on the California Zephyr, but this video has renewed my interest in taking a trip on this Amtrak line.
She's such a natural presenter. I really enjoyed watching this and am inspired to do the same trip.
Thank you! You totally should!
Just booked my Roomette from Denver to Colfax, CA for the Christmas Holidays. Glad to catch a glimpse of Colfax in your video.
Oh that’s awesome! Excited for you!!
I live near San Francisco and travel to Truckee and Lake Tahoe all of the time. When you return, try the winter in the snow. It’s gorgeous.
This is great. Experiencing it on video is like being there but without all the hassle of actually doing it! So, thank you!
Haha, love it! Thank you for joining me!!
My cousin and I did cross country and back on Amtrak over this last winter. We did three legs, Chicago to Sacramento, Sacramento to Seattle and then Seattle back to Chicago. We had the best time and I made a video for youtube of it. Your video is so much better than mine lol. I wish I had been as detailed as you were in this. I'm definitely going to share this. You really did a great job. I love your passion for the train. My cousin and I are always discussing further train journeys like the Ghan and Indian-Pacific in Australia or European options. Thank you for sharing your adventures
Awww loved reading this! Thank you! I'm sure your video was awesome! (this took me like 40 hours to make hahaha). Sounds like your trip was probably a lot longer than mine?
...and funny you mention the Indian Pacific... I'll be doing that in December! Stay tuned :D
@@chloeandludvig yes. It took us 9 days. 7 of which were on trains. It was also during heavy snow storms in the west and we were told that in the Sierra Nevada it was as deep as 12 feet I think. It was so beautiful! I’m watching your Caledonian sleeper video now. I’ve subscribed and I’m really enjoying your quirky personality and the details you put in your videos
@@chloeandludvig also really looking forward to your Indian-Pacific experience
Hi, avid amtrak enthusiast here. I always wanted to go on a long distance train trip like the California Zephyr or the Southwest Chief. Its so cool that you enjoyed yourself!
Awesome to hear - I hope you are able to travel on those yourself one day! It was a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget!
Born in LA. Growing up, traveled all around the western US. Enjoyed seeing so many places again and reliving memories.
That’s awesome- so lovely to hear!!☺️☺️
As a European, I've done all sorts of transport in SF/Bay Area, from the Bart, Muni to Caltrain, but Amtrak is still waiting for me, sounds fun. Great video (i also love train rides, went across almost half of Europe with train, its the best kind of way to see the most of the landscape, the Oslo-Bergen still being one of the most beautiful)
Train travel is incredibly isn't it?! Funny you mention the Oslo - Bergen train! ... we'll likely be doing this in Spring next year!
I really like this train review it's straight to the point not all kinds of goofy music are stupid pictures or dumb jokes. A lovely presenter
Why thank you so much! 😁
@@chloeandludvig you're welcome have nice day!
This is the first video of yours that I have seen and I am completely blown away! How do you only have 9k subscribers! 😮 the filming, the editing, and the storytelling absolutely incredible 😊 definitely subscribing ❤
Awwwww thank you Ashley!!!! Such a lovely comment to read. Appreciate it and happy to have you join the channel 😁
This is one of my dream trips. Being a native NYer, and having lived in SF for 7 years, I’ve taken Amtrak out of Emeryville, but I didn’t take it to NY, usually took it to other California cities.
This is my 1st time watching your channel, and I must say, you are one delightful young lady. You are so positive and enthusiastic to see new places, makes the video a joy to watch.
Some of the towns you mentioned, like Truckee, I’ve been to, and it’s a beautiful little town, you will probably love it. Great video, you’ve gained a new subscriber.
Oh wow you should definitely try the full journey then - I can highly recommend! Thanks for your very kind words - appreciate it so much! Welcome to the channel! :D
I enjoyed this immensely and have added the trip to my bucket list! Thanks.
Love this take on this train trip, your storytelling flow and editing are great and made for an enjoyable watch. +1 Subscriber.
Aw thank you so much Nick!! Made me smile really big! Cheers for the comment :D
Thanks for sharing, I will do it next year. I have taken the Empire Builder already from Seattle to Chicago, the Crescent from New Orleans to Washington DC, the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Seattle, the North East corridor, the Acela, and more, you name it... All trips are wonderful sightseeing and nice experience.... love your video. Thanks!
Wow - you sure have ticked off a lot of routes! I hope to do the same one day! Good to hear they’re all worth it. Th aka for watching!😁
Thumbs up on your wonderful video. I really enjoyed your narration and your wide-eyed enthusiasm for the trip. We're very experienced Amtrak travelers, and we always have a new trip on the horizon. Probably the one thing I have a minor complaint about is that you took most of your meals in your room. My wife and I look forward to the shared dining experience in the dining car, especially on a full train. We often get to sit with and meet wonderful and interesting people! And everyone there loves to talk about train travel. We've gotten many good inside tips about traveling on the train and about our destinations. I'd highly recommend not depriving yourself of this opportunity in the future.
Thanks so much for watching!! How exciting that you are avid Amtrak travellers. I definitely enjoyed my room service meals, but also loved the lunches I spent in the dining car. I was a little shy about having dinners in the restaurant with others on this journey - but will be sure to try it again on my next train!
Spoiler Alert >>> Train fare : $ 1900. USD . 2023. All aboard.....
That is a steal..
@@dixieboy5689 considering car mileage wear and tear, gas, lodging, food. It is not bad. But, a car can carry more and two or more to share
Good points .... but there is nothing like a train ride. This video shows that. Have a fun trip.
And the cheapest airplane ticket for the same distance costs..?
@@Koji-888 I get it. I just want to know exactly how much it is?
14:14 oooh Chloe, in case you did not know! There's a trick for that! They trained us to do it on US Navy submarines, because many times when we change depth by a lot, we have to equalize air pressure, which can create pressure in your ears! ok, want you want to do is take in a deep breath, then you hold your nose closed, and keep your mouth closed, and then you attempt to exhale through your nose. This should pop one ear, then the other. I believe it's called the "vasalva maneuver" but don't quote me on that. 🙂 You might have to do it more than once. Don't do it super hard, because you could pass out, lol. 🙂
Haha thank you for the suggestion!😎
Wow - you did a REALLY good job with this! I book a roomette from Denver to Glenwood Springs a lot, and will be going again next month. I am glad you got a chance to see this very scenic route. Keep up the good work.
P.S. Jeb Brooks is great. Another good Amtrak channel is Grounded Life Travel.
Aw thanks so much!! Appreciate it a lot! Yes I love Jebs videos! I’ll check out that other channel for sure too!
As a Kiwi who moved the to the US 10 years ago, its always great to hear the accent (and the fact you said "mince"). NZ will always be home but the US is just an amazing country with great people, and getting off the beaten track is the best way to see it
So cool, where about do you live? Hahahaha and yes "mince" would give it away! We love the US and can't wait to take more Amtrak trains to discover it further!
I've ridden the California Zephyr, from Reno to Glenwood Springs. I had always wanted to ride it after seeing it on "Huell Howser's: In Search of California's Gold" episode on PBS. I remember the train had this wonderful chocolate cake with crunchy bits in it. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Oh, and in Glenwood Springs, I stayed at the historic Hotel Colorado which had a large hot tub in the room. The area also had a lot of hot springs, but I wasn't staying long enough to explore them. My friend and I went to visit the Crystal, CO which has the Crystal Mill, the most photographed mill in Colorado. My friend had built a cabin in Crystal many decades back, so he knew the locals and the history of the Fogel family in the area.
I TOOK THAT TRIP IN 2022 FROM kENTUCKY TO CHICAGO TO ST DIEGO BACK TO CHICAGO IT WAS UNREAL I LOVED IT I LOVE TRAINS I USE TO TRAVEL IN TRAIN IN SOUTH AMERICA WHER I CAME FROM
Haha, Carquinez is pronounced kar-KEE-nez. I got everything wrong when I moved here from the US East Coast, so you’re not alone! I hope you enjoyed your trip. I take the train from Emeryville (which you pronounced excellently!) to Santa Barbara quite often as my son (a chef), d-i-l, and two darling granddaughters live there. It’s a lovely trip through the California heartland of our magnificent produce growing, and on into the wine country.
Thank you! Haha.. that's awesome - how great you are able to see those beautiful sights often!
BTW, Donner Lake (and Donner Pass, which the train also goes through) is named for the Donner Party. The Donner Party was a group in the early 19th century that was going to the west coast by wagon train, but got caught in a blizzard. Many of them starved to death, and some resorted to cannibalism. So you went in luxury through the exact place people gave their lives to get through.
I did the Amtrak South West Chief (LA to Chicago) a few weeks back. I will be posting a video about that in the near future. I absolutely loved it, but I also want to come back to the US and do more of their Amtrak runs, especially the California Zepher
Very cool! I’ll keep an eye out for your video! Definitely a route I hope to take one day! I’m the same - wanna tick off all of the Amtrak trains haha
What was the price?
Yes! Its been on the bucket list for awhile now. Scenery looks gorgeous an d train looks super. Nicely made video too 👍
You should totally go for it if you can!! Thanks so much for watching!😁
Fantastic video! Great photography and editing and, and your witty commentary is infectious. I just subscribed and I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. Hope you get to take the Empire Builder someday, it's equally impressive.
Thanks so much for this wonderful feedback Leon! I am so happy you enjoyed the video! I've only just started videography/editing, so that is a huge compliment. I absolutely must try the Empire (I want to tick them all off!)
You’re so positive and excited! I really enjoyed this video. 😊
haha, waaaay too excited ;)
I love how calm and relaxing the train ride is. Can't wait to take it again. Just waiting on it. I love your videos ❤ new subscriber here.
It was sooo relaxing! A very memorable trip! Thanks for joining us - so happy to have you! :)
Thanks for sharing this. I used to love riding the California Zephyr from Salt Lake City where I lived to Glenwood Springs, which is where I would get off with the friend I took with me to go skiing in Aspen where my aunts and uncles lived. My grandfather was born there. They would pick us up in Glenwood, then we’d drive to Aspen which was only about 30 minutes away. We’d stay at my aunt Annie’s. I remember one day we were skiing in the bright sunshine in Aspen, Colorado and that night we saw a great movie called Endless Summer at the movie theater. It was about some friends who went surfing all around the world on an Endless Summer. It felt so International. I felt like we were in a James Bond movie. I never rode it as far as you did but it certainly brought back lots of great memories. When you rode by Donner Lake in the Sierra Nevadas you were passing by a lake named after the Donnor Party. Look them up. It is a very sad story but one we were all taught as kids in Utah. They should have spent the winter in Salt Lake but thought they could make it before it snowed. A sad story of the Old West! Thanks again. 😊❤😊
Thanks for sharing Barry! That sounds like a wonderful trip. I have been ease rot ski in Apsen one day! I didn't realise Glenwood Springs was so close by.. might have tot take this train again one winter!
I wasn't aware of the Donnor like story until a few people commented on the video - such a sad story!
@@chloeandludvig Yep. It’s just a short drive up the canyon. Aspen is a much different place now though. Back then it was a small town where the people who lived there all knew one another and were very friendly to one another. The was a single chair lift on Little Nell with canvas blankets you could cover up with when it snowed. I thought that was so cool. I loved it when my uncle would come with us. I would learn so much from him about increasing speed in races. He was on the Olympic Team in the 50s and was friends with Stein Erickson who had recently opened his Ski School at Snowmass when it was first built. Then he moved it to Deer Valley in Utah where we lived 20 years later. It’s all different now, but still a wonderful place to ski. My two favorites are Aspen Mountain and the Highlands because I like steep and groomed which is what the Highlands are. Much like the King Kong lift at Park City or Wasatch at Deer Valley. If you like to ski, you would love Aspen. Maybe you could make a movie and get the California Zephyr (Amtrak) and the ski resorts to sponsor it. Endless Winter! Get off in the Sierra Nevadas at Truckee then go ski at Diamond Peak at Incline Village and maybe Heavenly a bit further south. Then go to Salt Lake and Ski at Alta or Snow Mass then Park City and Deer Valley. Then back on the Zephyr to Glenwood to ski Aspen then on the train again to Vail and maybe end in Breckenridge. Amtrak and the ski resorts might fund the entire movie because the Zephyr really is one of the most scenic and beautiful train rides ever.
one of the best train videos i’ve seen
I loved your enthusiasm, and your appreciation of just being there to enjoy it … I live in Canada and here I have travelled on the train many times, but I’ve only been on one train in the US
It’s something I can look forward to hopefully
Thanks for posting
Sandy from Toronto
Aw thank you Sandy! Appreciate it so much! Thanks for watching!! :D
Ever since I took this in the opposite direction for my honeymoon in 2018 (Chicago to Emeryville), I've enjoyed watching other people experience it. We stayed in a bedroom instead of the roomette. One thing that seems to be a constant on every California Zephyr video I've seen is that the attendants are all so nice and so good. I've yet to hear a bad thing about any of the Amtrak employees on the Zephyr, which is awesome. We had the same kind of experience you did with our attendant being super nice and very attentive. Our dining experiences were pretty fun because we spent all of them in the actual dining car, which is viewed as more like a social spot. They intentionally put people together, not only to save space/time with cleanup and serving, but to encourage people to meet one another, and we met a handful of awesome people.
After we got to Emeryville and spent a few days in San Francisco, we then took that Coast Starlight train down to LA, and that was incredible. Depending on the time of year you go, and we went in August, we got dinner in the dining car during the sunset over the Pacific Ocean right along the coastline. It was awesome.
So happy you also loved your experience onboard! I'd love to do it all again myself! I had a few meals in the dining car, but one I realised we were offered room service, it was far too tempting haha. I've just taking the Indian Pacific train across Australia (posting video in January), and every meal was spent in the dining car sitting with new people - definitely a great way to socialise as you say :)
With all the views you get see the trip becomes a vacation in and of itself.
Exactly! It became a whole vacation :)
My one and only train trip was many years ago. Your video was a reminder of how much I enjoyed it and made me want to do it again. Thanks for sharing!
Aw love that! I would also love to do it again someday - a very fun experience :)
Hi Chloe from Ireland . I have watched a lot of cross US Train Videos here on You Tube . But i have to say your video is the most enjoyable ive seen to date
The long run time makes us feel that we do are joining you in your tiny room jounery accross america. The production the commentry is all briallant .You show off long distace travel at its finest
I never seen any of your videos before this one and i was so delighted in what i saw i had to follow u on part 2 down to new york city. All i can is bravo bravo . You are wonderfull story teller and you deserve your own tv sHOW ON BROADCAST telly. So i short , i loved this video and cant wait to be in your suitcase for your next adventure. Keep up the good work Malcolm Ireland
Wow, thank you Malcolm. I had to read your comment aloud to my family it was so nice! Thank you for your kind words. Feedback like this encourages me so much - I appreciate you!
Glad to hear the shout outs to two of my favorite travel channels! This was an amazing video!
Thanks so much! I love Jeb and Trek!
I really enjoyed this video, well done and different than most bloggers.
Thank you Steve!! What a lovely compliment. Cheers for watching😀
I throughly enjoyed this video. Thank you. Such a fun watch. I want to do this.
Yay, that's flipping awesome to hear - so happy you enjoyed the vid!!! :D
I'm rewatching this while currently on the Amtrak 😊❤
I love that!! Are you in a roomette too!?
@@chloeandludvig No, it was a short trip. So I did coach, but you've inspired me to save to do the Califronia Zephyr in a roomette next year 😊
@@CurranSentilles Ahh that's the best news! I am excited for you to try it! :D
Love the Zephyr it goes through beautiful scenery!
It's incredible isn't it! :D
As a native Northern Californian (70 years) I cannot recommend exploring the North State enough. If you have the resources, you could easily spend a month, or three, traveling around this beautiful and diverse state. Best of luck.
Very cool - I shall put it on my list of places to explore! Thanks
I could imagine the hours of footage and editing it took you hope the video does well and gets you a bunch of subscribers.
Thank youuuuu! It did indeed bring in loads of new people to our channel! Very exciting :D It took about 40 hours haha
@@chloeandludvig well job well done my dear👏👏👏👏
I loved this video so much. I don't usually have the patience to sit through long videos, I actually watched this one in 2 parts but this video was worth every single minute of my life. ❤ Thank you for making it.
Oh that's the best news!! So happy you enjoyed it enough to sit through it. I prefer to make slightly longer vids if it means I don't have to cut the good buts out haha. Thanks for watchin!!
@@chloeandludvig since then I actually watched it again because I had to show this to my boyfriend. He enjoyed it, too. So from now on the California Zephyr is a bucket list item for us next our big dreams like moving to New Zealand. 💖
Oh I love that!! Haha, so much of my face on your screen, but glad you enjoyed it, hehe. So happy you've got it on your bucket list - also NZ is the best :)@@Nevi8711
Thanks for this video. I could listen to talk all the time. You have a very soothing voice.
That is such a wonderful compliment - thank you!!
very informative video and good landscape that you have been showing us.Thanks a Bunch
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the vid!!
Took the Zephyr from Calif.(Martinez) to Chicago then the Capital Limited to South Bend for a relatives wedding ...Also had a room-ett ....Such a great way to go ...Not as fast as flying but a bit quicker than driving...When i take the same exact trip in my motorhome, takes me 5 days...On the train, its 3 days because they dont stop and sleep at nite...
Ah very cool -- it's interesting that locals would still take one of these trains to get from a to b. I think if I lived in the US I would try to train as often as poss ;) though like you say, not as fast (or affordable I guess)
Took trip on amtrack earlier this year, Zephyr to Chicago then South Shore to South Bend. Loved it
For THAT long of a train ride, Id book the bedroom as I would probably be traveling with my husband. :)
Ahh yes, if I had Ludvig with me I think I’d do the same :)
Love your trip❤ I plan on riding in a sleeper train one of these days 😊 good video 👍
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the ride with me!
Family and I have done the CA Zephyr from Sacramento to Washington DC! Changed trains in Chicago. Did the Coast one from LA to Seattle. So much fun!! Food was yummy!!
Awesome!! Yes, the food was surprisingly good!!
Damn it. I was thinking of doing this ... and now I've booked flights and a roomette ... can't wait.
Yay that’s the best news!!!
Glenwood Springs is one of my favorite Colorado towns. It should be on your revisit list. Hot springs, history, and lovely people.
Yay it definitely is on our return list!! :)
Fun to watch you enjoy the little things on the train ride!
Never tried a long train trip in the U.S. and you’ve piqued my interest in trying it next spring.
Thanks so much for your video!
Yay that's awesome! I'm excited for you to give a go yourself! I wanna do it again already haha
My mom and I are doing this trip starting in Chicago next month. Great job pronouncing my home town, Ottumwa, IA properly! Loved the video thanks!
Yusss glad I did! Thanks for joining me! And have a great time!!! Woohoo
truckee/tahoe/donner pass are all closeby eachother. great area. gets very congested during tourist seasons but absolutely amazing. youll enjoy the desolation wilderness lake hikes if youre into hiking. all in the same area!
Amazing - it's definitely a part of the US we hope to return to! Looove hiking! Thanks for sharing :)
I usually like to take the ferry from SF to Oakland then to Emeryville to catch the train. A bit more of a hassle but I love riding the ferry across the bay.
Hi Chloe, the very best world SIM card is AT&T works on 6 continents. Just some food for thought, cheers thank you for your blog. 😸
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be sure to check out AT&T for next time!
Awesome and I definitely love it!
Yay thanks for watching Dave!!😎
@@chloeandludvig you welcome Chloe I love train travel especially on the Amtrak, I hope come visit my hometown Memphis Tennessee home the blues and rock and roll also BBQ we have amazing Southern hospitality!
Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed it 😊
Yay! So glad to hear - thanks for watching!
Hi, when I was 25 years old, I rode solo for 70:44 in coach, for 3,176 miles, on two trains, beginning in St. Paul, MN going to Los Angeles, by way of the Empire Builder and the Coast Starlight. My layover in Seattle was about 45 minutes. The cost for my coach seat (in 1981) was $249.00. That was my first ever Amtrak journey. The food in the dining car was good throughout, with the best piece of cheesecake I have ever eaten, severed on the Coast Starlight.
Train journeys are always awesome, great way to see the Country, those fresh air breaks are the best to walk it off lol. Look forward to your next adventure. Yeah from Sydney,,
The best right? I’m addicted now! You’ll love our next long train adventure! It might be in your neck of the woods!😆
You paid $1900 for ?? Your video, although well done, is a great example of why Amtrak, a government subsidized railroad sucks. Train travel should be cheap, and simple. While Amtrak is providing you with a roomette and vegetarian meals, regular Americans who just want to "get there" are priced out of travel. If two passengers travel together, same as you did, it would be $3,800 dollars. Amtrak is a railroad company. Not a fancy train spa. It was setup for inexpensive travel between major cities. Yet, most of America is not served by Amtrak, but their taxes subsidize it. It is approximately $500 dollars to drive from San Fran to NYC. If three are in the car, that comes out to $167 each. Yet, the tax subsidized railroad wants $$$$ for the same trip. Amtrak is a disgrace. A total rip off of the American taxpayer. As America crumbles, and crime increases and nothing works, and the government funds wars across the world, the choo choo called Amtrak continues to steal from the poor to provide the rich. Pathetic.
Wow, what an unhappy person that is. Perhaps it might have been more fair for grumpy gus to mention that the same trip can be done in coach class for less than one quarter of that amount.
Yeah I highly doubt that you're even American. You don't have valid opinions about the US. You also accidentally said the US is crumbling. You better learn how to speak English real quick.
@@rowanmulvey8632 .. Ok, so what is one quarter of $1900? Coach - $557 One way. This gets you a train ticket and that is it. So, why is my taxes subsidizing is nonsense? Do you think the American taxpayer who can't afford two adult tickets for $1114 should be paying for this? Do you subsidize your grocery store, the local mall, on and on? NO. But Americans are forced upon penalty of prison to pay taxes for this bullshxit.
If there was an extra person in the cabin, they would be travelling for free and including all meals.
Agreed. Amtrak is a monopoly with high prices, poor service, and a weak network.
I live in San Francisco & have taken the train you were on as far as Reno & once back from Salt Lake City. I thuoghly enjoyed your video & the time spent editing it. Great video. Thanks for sharing. 😀😀😀👍👍
I notice you don’t usually go to the dinning car where you can meet other people.
Oh that’s very cool! Perhaps you can try a longer journey one day?😁 thank you so much!
You need to go to Japan because I would love to see your take on their train culture and see what you think of their overnight sleeper trains or just any of their more luxury travel trains.
You are fantastic! You just gave me a new item for my bucket list. Excellent video, I just stumbled on it and I'm hooked!!
Yay David that’s wonderful to hear! So happy you enjoyed and welcome to the channel!😁😁
I love your cheerful descriptions and i love your accent!
Thank you haha 😝
I just found your channel and it's great. Happy Holidays and Greetings from Columbus, Ohio.
Oh yay so happy you like the channel! Thank you and you too! From Auckland NZ ;)
love how you took advantage of that coffee next to your roomette! :-)
Hahaha, you know it! That was one of the best parts about the Zephyr ;)
At 12:10, You are in Galesburg, Illinois. The building you see with the painted wall is the Discovery Depot/Childrens Museum. You either passed through the railyard on the way to the depot or they ran you down Passenger Main One or two. I work in the Railyard repairing locomotives.
My parents did this in the 90’s for their anniversary. I really wanna try this someday ❤
Oh thats lovely! Definitely do if you can!
Thanks Chloe, for the response ..
No worries 😁😁
OMG WHAT A FUN IDEA!!!!!! IM SO JELLY
Kind of want to this trip but on a winter time to check the scenery and check out New york before planning if I want to move there for a year for school.
I’d love to do this in winter! I think it would be even better!!
Awesome Video!! I always wondered about Amtrak, now I definitely have to try this! 😊
Thank you!! You should for sure!! 🤩
I travel by train every chance i get the farthest I've ever riden is 12 hrs in the ROOMETTES i love it, Safe travels❤
oh the Chicago Union station is massive.
12 hours is a decent amount of time!! Thanks for tuning in! :D
@chloeandludvig Hey You're Absolutely welcome, maybe one day we'll run into each other while riding the train. I'm planning a trip but I'm trying to decide on which to states I would like to visit.
That sounds like a great experience. However, many have said they had difficulties with wifi, for an 80 trip that would drive me crazy in the evening not being able to stream.
I would definitely recommend an eSIM. I found it worked fantastic for the majority of the journey. Airalo is fantastic. You can use our discount code chloeandludvig :)
Way too frequent advertisements with this vlog gf...
WOW!!! However, a fun journal of your voyage... Enjoy people. 😎
Oh really? I just kept the ads exactly as UA-cam placed them - they're the same as usual! It's only way we earn an income from our videos - so for the hours I put in, I think it's a good balance! Thanks for watching anyway! Glad you enjoyed :)
Those are some funky sun glasses you are wearing…
Thank you, it really wants me to take that trip.
Yay - you definitely should if you can! :D
The California Zephyr pretty much follows the same route the fictional Phileas Fogg traveled in "Around the World in Eighty Days" 😊
Really well made video! Thanks for sharing your journey with us. This is definitely something on my bucket list.
Thank you! You are so welcome, - glad you enjoyed the journey!
Donner lake is named after the Donner party- the ones that were moving west and were caught in a bad time/snow didn't end you might say
Gotta have the coffee!! ☕️
Amen to that!😜
Your a very beautiful lady and the scenery is very beautiful also I love your personality it's very positive and cheerful....
Thank you!! What a lovely comment to read. Thanks for watching :)
Great video! I’ve been wanting to ride the Zephyr. As for the Coast Starlight, I can recommend it highly. Thou I’ve only risen from SF to central Oregon. Food and accommodations are the same as the Zephyr. Thou, this particular train has a reputation for being delayed. Earning the nickname, “Coast Star-late” the longest I’ve ever been delayed was 5hrs. The cafe attendant called it, “The Coast Starlight: The Director’s Cut” and the one extreme as told to me by my car attendant, where one train was 23hrs late. But , it’s about the journey, not the destination.
You're adorable Chloe! Thanks for taking us along with you!🤗💕
Aw thank you! Such a lovely compliment... So glad you enjoyed the journey with me!
i love this video of urs! its like I found a gem ❤ keep doing this kind of vid. i love it❤
The cutest! Thanks so much Juls, appreciate it! I definitely will! :D
Some routes have National Park Service volunteers giving informative talks in the observation car. They have information on the flora and fauna, and geology, and history of your views.
In 1997 I rode the Amtrak from Flagstaff to Chicago to New Orleans to NYC to Seattle to LA and back for Flagstaff….for $250.00.
Hubby and l did the California zephyr from san Francisco to Denver awesome trip we are planning do this trip,as well
Awesome! A noticed most passengers did that route and hopped off in Denver! Excited for you to the the full journey!
Excellent video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!!😁
I really wish there was more retro coaches like the Pullmans from the 40's, make it more themed.
That would be awesome!!
I would love to travel on a 1940's Pullman. I would dress the part in retro attire, complete with hats and gloves.
Good point about a tight squeeze for two in a Roomette. I went from Chicago to Pasco with my dad a couple years ago. We actually got lucky. Our train from Connersville to Chicago was late due to a train ahead of us slightly derailing causing us to miss our connection in Chicago. Amtrak more than made up for us losing a day of our trip west (we flew back) by setting us up overnight at a nice hotel and then, to our surprise, giving us an upgrade from coach to Roomette which included free food that we wouldn't have gotten had we been in coach.
Anyway, we really enjoyed the Roomette, but our legs were half entangled sitting during the day (Something I might have enjoyed if I had been traveling with my wife. :)) It is a bit of a tight squeeze. I slept in the top bunk and it was a bit challenging climbing down to use the restroom at night without stepping on dad's bed and waking him up as I used the Roomette door to get to the restroom. But, overall, I am sure our experience was much better than it would have been in coach and we were very thankful for Amtrak taking care of us despite the missed connection. I would do it again.
Appreciate the video. Well done.
Oh wow very interesting! And great to know Amtrak really takes care of customers when things like that happen! I can imagine that would have been a wonderful surprise for you but yes, the roomette was definitely cosy - not sure I would like to stay in there with Ludvig my partner Haha. Thanks for watching!
@@chloeandludvig My dad was in his early 80s so guessing we may have gotten the upgrade for that reason. Or we got lucky. Enjoy your upcoming trips.