Planning an "Around the Country" Trip

[Dan1221]

Hello everyone,

I live in Philadelphia, and have only ridden the NEC from PHL to NYP and WAS for work. Here's a quick outline of my plan.

PHL to CHI (Cardinal)

CHI to PDX (Empire Builder)

PDX to EMY (Coast Starlight)

EMY to CHI (Cali Zephyr)

CHI to PHL (Capitol Limited or Cardinal, got to get back to work!)

I think I'll be purchasing a 15-day, 8 segment pass. I've looked at some of the layovers in the cities; it looks like I'll be able to spend nearly an entire day browsing Portland. I'll arrive in Emeryville too late to catch the CZ that day, so I'll spend the night in San Fran. If there's time I'd like to stop in one of the towns in Montana or Idaho along the way as well. I plan on getting a roomette for the 2 nights on the CZ, and just roughing it in coach for the trip from Chicago back home.

If I've worked the details out right, I'll be leaving on a Friday, and returning home the following Sunday night, assuming I make a Montana/Idaho stop of course.

I'm sure many of you have done a long distance trip like this before, and I've read the FAQ's. I'm open to any suggestions of good places to stop on the Empire Builder. I might substitute an overnight stop along the CZ if they have something better to offer, maybe in Colorado?

So, I ask you professionals and aficionados, any glaring errors or omissions I've made thus-far? I plan on traveling light, so I'll also be in the market for a good backpack, so if you can recommend one, feel free!

Thanks!

 

[GAT]

I don't know if you have any flexibility in your routing, but if you do, I'd make one change to your itinerary, based on my west coast experience. Stay on the Coast Starlight all the way to Los Angeles. The trip across the Salinas Valley and then through the mountains to Santa Barbara is stunning, as is the coastal route from Santa Barbara to LA. Get a roomette and enjoy the Pacific Parlour Car's wine tasting and evening movie events as well as the spectacular scenery. It does mean you'd have to give up the CZ and take the SW Chief to Chicago instead, and I haven't figured out the time requirements to see if it would get you back home in time. But if it does, I'd sacrifice the CZ for the southern portion of the CS's scenery. But, mind you, this is just one man's opinion.

 

[Dan1221]

I don't know if you have any flexibility in your routing, but if you do, I'd make one change to your itinerary, based on my west coast experience. Stay on the Coast Starlight all the way to Los Angeles. The trip across the Salinas Valley and then through the mountains to Santa Barbara is stunning, as is the coastal route from Santa Barbara to LA. Get a roomette and enjoy the Pacific Parlour Car's wine tasting and evening movie events as well as the spectacular scenery. It does mean you'd have to give up the CZ and take the SW Chief to Chicago instead, and I haven't figured out the time requirements to see if it would get you back home in time. But if it does, I'd sacrifice the CZ for the southern portion of the CS's scenery. But, mind you, this is just one man's opinion.

Thanks for the suggestion. Earlier today I saw that the CS stays closer to the coast from Emeryville to LA than it does in its northern half, and I'd like to see the Pacific (I've never been further west than Louisville!). I'd rather spend a day in San Fran than LA, but those coastal views might be worth the trade-off.

 

[sttsxm]

I agree...the scenery on the CS is lovely.....(though some of that might be at night?? brain not working, looked at the schedule but still can't recall)

Can't help you with the backpack....sorry! traveling light is not in my vocabulary.......

if you stick with staying in SF and not doing the starlight all the way, don't forget that there is the amtrak thruway bus that will take you wight into downtown SF (by the ferry terminal, or fishermans wharf.....i used the ferry terminal0actually a little building next door, and then i popped over to the ferry building (there's basically a farmers market inside with bakeries, etc...coffee too...YUMM, hot bread, but i digress)

I only mention the bus in case you are like me and didn't realize it was available, and that it is really easy!

other than that, sounds like lots of fun..

 

[Sam31452]

EMY/SFC may be a nice Idea, but why don't you get off at Sacramento already ?

Then you could visit: California State Railway Museum or even save a day to spend elsewhere.

EMY-LAX is a very scenic route, it's a good idea to travel south, but you will miss the CZ.

 

[caravanman]

Hi,

Good luck with your proposed trip. I am a great fan of the Zephyr, and would urge you to keep that as part of your route. Fantastic views along the Colorado River gorge, and again as you pass through the mountains. The Coast from EMY to LAX is nice, but to see that instead of the mountains would not be worth it, in my humble opinion.

As a foreigner, I loved San Francisco, the cable cars, trams, fishermans wharf, the golden gate bridge, and the old hippy area of Height Ashbury. It is a compact city to get around in too, with good public transport.

Portland I found an interesting city too, felt quite a cosmopolitan, broadminded sort of place, semi european feel to it.

I guess the thing about travel is to find places that are different from back home, I would try and have as many diverse stopovers as you can.

Bon Voyage!

Ed

 

[jb64]

I am working on a coast to coast trip, too, for next March. Here is my current routing, subject to change:

to CHI on Cardinal

to LAX on SWC

to San Francisco on CS (I get to enjoy the pacific coastline that way)

We will stay a few days in San Francisco (want to see Yosemite, Alcatraz, and other things)

We will return to Chi on CZ and then back home on the Cardinal.

I will miss the Northwest this way, but figure that will be on the next trip. I wanted to make sure I got on the PPC before it was removed in 2012.

 

[JayPea]

Sounds like a great trip! As far as Idaho goes, the only stop the westbound Empire Builder makes is in Sandpoint, at about 10 minutes to midnight. In Montana, if it were me, I'd stop at East Glacier. My uncle and I once rode from Spokane to East Glacier, rented a car, and spent the better part of the day driving over the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and exploring places along the way there in Glacier Park. There are motels and car rental places nearby at East Glacier, though I don't recall if the rental agencies are open when the EB stops at East Glacier around 6:30PM if it's on time. But since you're not me :lol: I would certainly look further into some of the other Montana towns as well.

 

[GAT]

I agree...the scenery on the CS is lovely.....(though some of that might be at night?? brain not working, looked at the schedule but still can't recall)

I believe going either way you will be in daylight for the scenic parts at that time of year (September). S/B CS arrives LAX at 11:00pm, but it should be daylight until about 9:45 - 10:00pm. The last hour or so of the ride is through the LA outskirts.

 

[the_traveler]

I agree...the scenery on the CS is lovely.....(though some of that might be at night?? brain not working, looked at the schedule but still can't recall)

I believe going either way you will be in daylight for the scenic parts at that time of year (September). S/B CS arrives LAX at 11:00pm, but it should be daylight until about 9:45 - 10:00pm. The last hour or so of the ride is through the LA outskirts.

When I took the CS in October 3 years ago southbound, the sunset was right over the Pacific near Santa Barbara. We actually stopped on a siding next to a bay to wait for a freight to pass!

(I was never so glad to wait for a freight!

)

 

[the_traveler]

I wanted to make sure I got on the PPC before it was removed in 2012.

You can still get a roomette from LA north - even though it all a day trip! You would be very surprised how many people do this. The sleepers may be almost full departing LAX, but by the time the CS gets to EMY, it is almost empty!

 

[Dan1221]

Thanks for all the great tips everybody! Still undecided on the CS to EMY or LAX, but I'm DEFINITELY going to spend a day at Glacier Park. It looks amazing! Who knows, maybe I'll spend 3 days there and just turn around and go back home.

 

[TraneMan]

If you want to rent a car, the Whitefish has a Budget car rental in the Depot building there. That's where we are going, and renting a car from there.

 

[hello]

We spent a week at Glacier National Park, on Amtrak from NOL to PDX .... and it STILL wasn't enough time!!

 

Have a wonderful time planning AND taking your trip!

 

[jb64]

I wanted to make sure I got on the PPC before it was removed in 2012.

You can still get a roomette from LA north - even though it all a day trip! You would be very surprised how many people do this. The sleepers may be almost full departing LAX, but by the time the CS gets to EMY, it is almost empty!

That is my plan. It will be part of a two zone bedroom AGR redemption, anyway, so it would include a bedroom on CS.

Can't wait.

 

[Dan1221]

After looking into Glacier National Park, I think I want to spend a few days there. This has led me to think about ending my trip at Seattle, and flying back to Philly.

Also, I don't know anything about Amtrak's pricing system, but their website is showing a roomette from Chicago to West/East Glacier leaving 9/3/2011 is $521. Is that right?! Will this price go down?

 

[TraneMan]

After looking into Glacier National Park, I think I want to spend a few days there. This has led me to think about ending my trip at Seattle, and flying back to Philly.

Also, I don't know anything about Amtrak's pricing system, but their website is showing a roomette from Chicago to West/East Glacier leaving 9/3/2011 is $521. Is that right?! Will this price go down?

Sounds about right. Price may go down... Just a reminder, food from the diner is part of this.

 

[Dan1221]

Thanks. I guess I'll stick to coach. Will a coach seat grant me access to what apparently is known as the lounge car? I'm talking about the one where the seats face large windows, sorry for my lack of knowledge!

 

[MrFSS]

Thanks. I guess I'll stick to coach. Will a coach seat grant me access to what apparently is known as the lounge car? I'm talking about the one where the seats face large windows, sorry for my lack of knowledge!

Yes - if the train has one, coach folks are welcome there.

 

[hello]

Dan1221, I know that you said you might be traveling "early September" ... IIRC some of the Glacier NP tours and shuttles stop by mid-September ... if you were planning on taking their tours, and not driving.

 

[Rail Freak]

Dan1221, I know that you said you might be traveling "early September" ... IIRC some of the Glacier NP tours and shuttles stop by mid-September ... if you were planning on taking their tours, and not driving.

Good point! I'm going to West Glacier on the 18th of June & have learned the Road To The Sun is open June 17 thru Sept 19, if weather permits! Even my hotel, the Inn at Apgar, is only open on those dates this year!

RF

 

[Dan1221]

Thanks! I'll be there the first few days of September. I wasn't counting on any guided tours, so I won't be heartbroken if they aren't being offered. Looking forward to my trip a whole lot now! I think I may take in a Mariners game when I hit Seattle as well.

 

[GAT]

Thanks! I'll be there the first few days of September. I wasn't counting on any guided tours, so I won't be heartbroken if they aren't being offered. Looking forward to my trip a whole lot now! I think I may take in a Mariners game when I hit Seattle as well.

A MARINERS game??? How sad!!! Why not wait until you reach EMY/San Francisco and watch a REAL major league team in action? :lol:

 

[Dan1221]

Thanks! I'll be there the first few days of September. I wasn't counting on any guided tours, so I won't be heartbroken if they aren't being offered. Looking forward to my trip a whole lot now! I think I may take in a Mariners game when I hit Seattle as well.

A MARINERS game??? How sad!!! Why not wait until you reach EMY/San Francisco and watch a REAL major league team in action? :lol:

I'm a Phillies fan, and I don't think I could handle seeing that 2010 Pennant flying in their park

 

[amamba]

It's not even about the guided tours in Glacier - if the Going to the Sun road is closed, there is really no point in going to Glacier (in my opinion). The winter comes early there.