- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 13
Hello everyone.
This is my first post on this board, and it's regarding plans for my first train trip ever. My family and I (husband, and four kids, ages 12, 12, 15 and 17) are booked on the Southwest Chief this summer. We are traveling by bus from Las Vegas to Kingman, AZ. From there we will catch the train and take it all the way to Chicago.
We are booked in coach. Unfortunately, there is no way I can afford sleeping rooms for all 6 of us, so we really didn't have a choice.
I have done days (weeks?) worth of research, reading all sorts of train forums, watching youtube videos, etc. trying to learn all I can about train travel. I have found a lot of great tips and was very excited to undertake this adventure with my family.
But, I'm also getting nervous. I've read stories of how awful and dirty the coach bathrooms can be, stories of unruly and intoxicated passengers, rude staff, etc. and I hope I'm not making a mistake taking my kids on this journey.
I also have a couple questions. First, is motion sickness on trains a problem, or common?
Second, it says there is no checked baggage on this trip. Each one of us will have a suitcase. Is there a luggage storage area? I tried to look that up, but was unclear on that.
Third, on the return trip, the train arrives in Kingman at 11:39 p.m. and the bus for Vegas leaves at 11:50 p.m. If the train is late, does that mean we can end up stuck at the station??
Finally, (at least for now, lol) I read that food is allowed to be carried on, but what's the easiest way to do that? Do people really bring coolers and such on board? Space in coach seems limited, so I'm confused on how people bring on their own food/snacks.
Sorry if these questions seem silly or naive. I've tried to do as much research on my own as I could, including on these forums. But, I'd love to hear from a few of you who can hopefully help alleviate some of my concerns. I was so excited for this adventure, and I really don't want to fly. I'm just getting nervous of the unknown, I guess.
Thanks in advance for any help, tips, or advice! I appreciate it.
This is my first post on this board, and it's regarding plans for my first train trip ever. My family and I (husband, and four kids, ages 12, 12, 15 and 17) are booked on the Southwest Chief this summer. We are traveling by bus from Las Vegas to Kingman, AZ. From there we will catch the train and take it all the way to Chicago.
We are booked in coach. Unfortunately, there is no way I can afford sleeping rooms for all 6 of us, so we really didn't have a choice.
I have done days (weeks?) worth of research, reading all sorts of train forums, watching youtube videos, etc. trying to learn all I can about train travel. I have found a lot of great tips and was very excited to undertake this adventure with my family.
But, I'm also getting nervous. I've read stories of how awful and dirty the coach bathrooms can be, stories of unruly and intoxicated passengers, rude staff, etc. and I hope I'm not making a mistake taking my kids on this journey.
I also have a couple questions. First, is motion sickness on trains a problem, or common?
Second, it says there is no checked baggage on this trip. Each one of us will have a suitcase. Is there a luggage storage area? I tried to look that up, but was unclear on that.
Third, on the return trip, the train arrives in Kingman at 11:39 p.m. and the bus for Vegas leaves at 11:50 p.m. If the train is late, does that mean we can end up stuck at the station??
Finally, (at least for now, lol) I read that food is allowed to be carried on, but what's the easiest way to do that? Do people really bring coolers and such on board? Space in coach seems limited, so I'm confused on how people bring on their own food/snacks.
Sorry if these questions seem silly or naive. I've tried to do as much research on my own as I could, including on these forums. But, I'd love to hear from a few of you who can hopefully help alleviate some of my concerns. I was so excited for this adventure, and I really don't want to fly. I'm just getting nervous of the unknown, I guess.
Thanks in advance for any help, tips, or advice! I appreciate it.