I spent 77 hours traveling from California to DC by train. It was worth it, but there are a few things everyone should know before hitting the rails for a long ride.

I rode two Amtrak trains to get from California to Washington, DC.

Diana Kruzman

I took Amtrak trains from California to Washington, DC, which took 77 hours over four days.
Bring a book, pillow, coat, and snacks, but there will be hot water for instant meals and tea.
If the observation car is too crowded, try grabbing a spot right below it to take in the views.

A few years ago, when flight prices were awfully expensive, I saw an Amtrak ticket from California to Washington, DC, for just $250 and snapped it up.

First, I hopped on the California Zephyr for a 53-hour ride from Emeryville to Chicago. Then, I transferred to the Cardinal line, which took me through the Appalachian Mountains to the nation’s capital in 24 hours.

I’d traveled by train numerous times before, but there were still some parts of the experience that surprised me — and some parts that I was glad I was prepared for.

There’s no WiFi on certain Amtrak routes. And even when there is, it can be spotty.

The views were different on each side of the train.

Diana Kruzman

When I boarded the California Zephyr at the first stop of the line in Emeryville (right across the bay from San Francisco), I was able to pick my seat.

I made sure to take advantage of it because the seat you pick matters in terms of views.

If you want to see San Francisco Bay, Donner Lake, and the Rocky Mountains, sit on the left side. But the right is better if you prefer being up close to the Colorado River.

Whichever side you pick, you can always go to the observation car for even better views.

It can get cold on the train, so remember to bring a jacket and some comfortable clothes.

I found pretty views under the observation car and avoided the crowds.

Diana Kruzman

Everyone wants to be in the observation car during the most scenic stretches of the Zephyr’s route (especially through the Rocky Mountains), making it tricky to find a seat.

If it’s full, head to the café car, which is right below the observation deck on the Zephyr. There are tables right up against the large windows, and you’ll have almost as good a view as you’d get upstairs.

You have to buy something to sit there, but I thought it was worth it for a change of scenery.

Bring snacks, especially if you’re not a fan of the options in the café car.

Delays can be a problem if you have connecting trains.

Diana Kruzman

The railroads that Amtrak trains travel on are owned by private companies that also cater to freight trains. That leads to a lot of delays, as Amtrak waits to let other trains pass.

A longer route like the California Zephyr’s can fall behind schedule by hours each time.

I was lucky that my train to Chicago was only about an hour delayed, so I ended up having two hours to make my connection to the Cardinal. But if you have a tight layover, it’s something to keep in mind when purchasing your ticket.

There was free hot water on the trains.

I was glad I brought a comfortable pillow.

Diana Kruzman

My seats leaned back and had a leg rest that extended outward, making it much easier to sleep than on a plane.

Even so, a pillow is essential — either a travel pillow that you can use to sleep upright or a standard one that you can lean against the window.

A blanket was great to have, too. My jacket wasn’t enough to keep me warm at night when it got really chilly.

Step out and enjoy the stations when you have time.

Union Station in Denver.

Diana Kruzman

Amtrak stops tend to be pretty short — you can’t even get off the train for many of them, and others are just 10-minute smoke breaks.

Occasionally, at major stops, though, there’s enough time to get out and enjoy the station. If you get off, just listen closely to the announcements from the conductor to know when your train will be leaving.

Union Station in Denver had great restaurants, shops, and bars to enjoy while I waited for my train to depart.

This story was originally published in September 2022 and most recently updated on August 29, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

source:https://www.businessinsider.com/what-everyone-should-know-before-taking-long-train-77-hours-2022-9