Need to be in Orlando/Tampa in mid-April. I haven’t been on the Silver Service since the Heritage equipment days - and I’m itching for a train trip.
Not looking for necessarily the fastest trip - so if it takes a couple days (or even 3 days) it wouldn’t phase me.
I’ll probably use a combination of points and dollars. Here are the options I’m currently considering - just curious what you all think.
Option 1 - Cardinal to Meteor - transferring in CVS-RVR via bus
Shortest distance. Any eastbound Cardinal option is the most restrictive - because I can only leave late Saturday night to make it work.
Leave Indy late Saturday, arrive Orlando Monday noon
Option 2 - Cardinal to Star - transfer/overnight in WAS
Two longer, separate train rides with a hotel night in between.
Leave Indy late Saturday, arrive Tampa Tuesday noon.
Option 3 - Cardinal to Capitol to Meteor - xfers in CHI & WAS
Three train rides this time.
Leave Indy Monday morning, arrive Orlando Wednesday noon.
Option 4 - Flight to Star - transfer in NY
Focus on one long train ride. This is the shortest & cheapest.
Leave Monday early morning, arrive Tampa Tuesday noon.
Regardless of how I get there, I’ll likely fly home. There is very little cost difference between the Star and Meteor, and I can rent a car in either Orlando or Tampa - so destination isn’t that critical. With the downgrade in food service - I’m going to make lemonade out of lemons and bring my own food cooler a la Richie Rich (with a lot less booze LOL). I’m also considering bringing my bike with - which makes an all rail itinerary more attractive.
Final note - when I say my departure station is Indy, it’s really Crawfordsville IN. The times and parking are more convenient, and the IND station is a disgraceful hellhole.
Not looking for necessarily the fastest trip - so if it takes a couple days (or even 3 days) it wouldn’t phase me.
I’ll probably use a combination of points and dollars. Here are the options I’m currently considering - just curious what you all think.
Option 1 - Cardinal to Meteor - transferring in CVS-RVR via bus
Shortest distance. Any eastbound Cardinal option is the most restrictive - because I can only leave late Saturday night to make it work.
Leave Indy late Saturday, arrive Orlando Monday noon
Option 2 - Cardinal to Star - transfer/overnight in WAS
Two longer, separate train rides with a hotel night in between.
Leave Indy late Saturday, arrive Tampa Tuesday noon.
Option 3 - Cardinal to Capitol to Meteor - xfers in CHI & WAS
Three train rides this time.
Leave Indy Monday morning, arrive Orlando Wednesday noon.
Option 4 - Flight to Star - transfer in NY
Focus on one long train ride. This is the shortest & cheapest.
Leave Monday early morning, arrive Tampa Tuesday noon.
Regardless of how I get there, I’ll likely fly home. There is very little cost difference between the Star and Meteor, and I can rent a car in either Orlando or Tampa - so destination isn’t that critical. With the downgrade in food service - I’m going to make lemonade out of lemons and bring my own food cooler a la Richie Rich (with a lot less booze LOL). I’m also considering bringing my bike with - which makes an all rail itinerary more attractive.
Final note - when I say my departure station is Indy, it’s really Crawfordsville IN. The times and parking are more convenient, and the IND station is a disgraceful hellhole.
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