Amtrak cross country help- first time AMTRAK

[packer]

hello- we are leaving SAT for trip from WI to Portland, OR to visit daughter
never ridden AMTRAK before- do you think I can sleep? or just go without CPAP for 1 night? trip is 42 hours
are there outlets in bedroom? [ we splurged and bought the bedroom]
after visit we drive to Crater Lake and the down to see Redwoods - then back up OR coast to return to Portland
any helpful hints from people here greatly appreciated on both CPAP and OR vacation

[Bookbear]

Nearly EVERY Amtrak passenger car has outlets (by the seats in chair cars and commuters, several locations in each compartment in bedroom cars). 120 v throughout. You should have no problem with your cpap. One of the joys of rail travel, aside from the leisure and scenic aspects, is that you will not have to open luggage for inspection, and there are no 3 oz. no more/clear plastic bottles/shoes off/open the cpap and take it out for separate xray inspection/carry on limits to fuss with.


Enjoy your trip!

[bdp522]

Here's a link to an old thread about Amtrak travel;

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20018&p=172967&hilit=amtrak#p172967

Hope it helps
Brenda

[jules]

Lots of nice beach on the Oregon Coast. If you are into Salt Water Taffy there used to be a great store in Depoe Bay (Depoe Bay is the site of the fishing boat expedition in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) - you might have to find Depoe Bay as part of what is now Lincoln City.

[Abbi-Normal]

Take an extra blanket. I rode Amtrak once years ago and about froze my buns off. Make sure you take your time and see the sights along the coast. The Oregon coast is absolutely beautiful and there are numerous places to pull over and take a walk along the beach. This is also the perfect time to go since most of the rug-rats are back in school. ENJOY !!!!!

[momadams]

Eat at Tidal Raves at Depoe Bay!

[jules]

Is this now a lets visit Depoe Bay thread?

As a kid (many centuries ago), we used to go to Cannon Beach, then migrated south over the years to what is now Lincoln City but I haven't been on the Oregon Coast for years.

However, the Washington coast, that is different story.

And yes, all the kids should be back in school - oh to look forward to next Wed (local kids still have Tuesday off here).

[packer]

thanks for the nice replies
today I signed up to go on Rogue River boat at Grants Pass-
then down to see Redwoods- any tips on seeing Redwoods?

thanks again to this great community ! Packer

[sleepycarol]

Hope you have a great time!!!

I would love to see the country on Amtrak. A couple of summers ago a friend of mine and myself went on the Amtrak to Chicago (a 12 hour ride from us) and absolutely loved it!!! When we were hungry we went to the dining car, if we needed a restroom it was right there, comfy seats, plenty of pretty countryside to see, nice folks to visit with, etc. We couldn't have asked for more.

We didn't have a problem being too cold -- it was just right for us. I thought it would be cool to tour the country on Amtrak in one of their sleeping cars!!

Please let us know how it goes!!

[Leonbergergirl]

If you get a couchette, there is one plug for your CPAP, and not really any place to set your machine.
When i took the train from Wisconsin to Seattle a few months ago, i just placed the machine on my berth.
If you wish to go more cheaply, you can't: in the coach class, regardless of how roomy and comfortable
the reclining seats are, there are NO outlets. I don't think i want to risk any more w/o a CPAP.

I will be visiting my friend again in a month or so, and will just repeat what was a great, relaxing
experience. Besides, $600 + for a roundtrip ticket, good meals included, is worth it!
Have a lovely trip,
Green Bay janet

[Bert_Mathews]

I have made three trips from Michigan to Salt Lake Utah on Amtrak ---- It's a PLEASURE and COMFORTABLE Free Meals with a sleeping car -- 120 volts almost anywhere on the train .. Red Cap's help you get around and porters will HELP you with any problems you might have even setup the CPAP equipment if you want.

If you have leg problems you can get a ride from the depot to your train car the handycap car is great & same price as sleeper they even deliver your meals if you want < A tip is worth the service > ---- Not having to be there 4 hours early and having your luggage and equipment searched having to take off your shoes or seat in a small seat without being able to move, MAKING Train travel worth a zillion Dollars.

Just a NOTE: your train will be late getting to the otherside of the country maybe 3-4 hours -- Don't get excited, If its meal time they will feed you or you miss a layover they put you up in a hotel and meals <Free> to make you happy "That's SERVICE"
The air service just tells you TROUGH-SH!T ..............

If you call the Amtrak SERVICE 800 number in 24hrs. and tell them your train was late they will give you a reimbursement or discount on your next trip... Find an airline that will do that.

P.S. the meals a GREAT...... and coffee or juice around the clock.

BERT
If this SOUND like an ENDORSEMENT ----------------- IT IS!!!!!
All priced the same as the airlines......

[Bookbear]

If you wish to go more cheaply, you can't: in the coach class, regardless of how roomy and comfortable
the reclining seats are, there are NO outlets. I don't think i want to risk any more w/o a CPAP.

You may have been in a 'legacy' car, one of the older (and now almost completely retired) chair cars. Any of the Amtrak coaches I've been on have had a pair of outlets just under the windows for each pair of seats. I agree with the comment about the roomettes...they are, um, 'compact' ! However, the newer Superliner roomettes (cheapest private rooms) all have multiple outlets and a shelf by eah of the two berths. The bedrooms are more spacious, but also more expensive. I seem to remember a fold-down shelf by the berth in them.

As always, bring an extension cord and/or a multi-tap.

[Bert_Mathews]

I posted a question a couple months ago about riding GrayHound Buss..... Instead of a TRAIN........

Well there is NO CONTEST the BUS was a real pain they had 120v plug but NO comfort <none!>
You need a shoe horn to get into the bathroom < If you want to call them that! > Seats made of concrete or similar substance -- Cost was good -BUT- the stations & all the stops were NOT enjoyable.. Even had one stretch of the rip where a few rides had to stand because of NO SEATS < the driver just said they sell tickets not seats?? >

So if your looking for comfort & pleasurable trip AMTRAK is the answer -- Time between the train and bus was only a couple hours & that was between Battle Creek Michigan and Salt Lake City Utah. The train cost was about the same as the air ticket!

NOTE previous complaints about air travel!!

BERT

[Plus size]

I am considering an amtrak trip. Are the bathrooms and dining car booths, hallways, etc. roomy enough for very plus size people to use in comfort? Airplane seats are totally miserable for me.

[Slinky]

I've always been one to drive if the destination was 24 hours or less. But I'm seriously considering Flint, Michigan to Rochester, MN (actually, Winona) via Amtrak. There's two kind of coach seats offered, but no explanation of the difference. One is $82 one way and the other $102 one way. Carry-on luggage only. Just how much is considered carry-on? I was thinking one of those small carts to hold a suitcase for 2 weeks clothing, laptop, CPAP, DVD/radio, all strapped onto the wheelie thing. 12 hour trip w/3 hour layover in Chicago. I have no idea of return date so don't know if they offer open-end round trip tickets and didn't price round-trip.

What do you guys think or have to offer regarding the coach seat? the amount of "carry-on" luggage and the round trip ticket bit? Any advice or suggestions? Much more than $100 one way I can drive it as cheaply. Two tanks of gas one way and 12 hour drive.