Long an under-appreciated part of the U.S. travel scene, train travel is making a comeback. Amtrak ferried 31.2 million passengers around the country in fiscal year 2012, an all-time record for the railroad. With the economy still slumping, train travel is looking increasingly attractive to budget-conscious travellers. Plus, a scenic train ride can even be a vacation in itself. Need more reasons to take the train? You've come to the right place.
Money Savings
Trains are an increasingly cost-effective alternative to planes, particularly if you're going a relatively short distance or if you're traveling in the busy Northeast Corridor, where train service is fast and frequent. Amtrak and other rail operators usually give discounts to children, seniors, students, AAA members, military personnel and other key demographics.
Stable Fares
Anyone who's agonized over when to purchase airfare knows how arcane and frustrating the airlines' pricing structures can be. (We're still waiting for a logical explanation of why a one-way ticket often costs so much more than a round trip. Anyone? Anyone?) Train fares tend to be the same day after day on any particular route, whether it's Monday or Saturday, April or August, two months in advance or two days before departure. While some increases may occur (particularly at peak times or over the holidays) and occasional sales may be available, you can usually count on the stability of train fares, even at the last minute.
Flexibility
Except on long-haul or infrequently travelled routes, trains tend to offer travellers a great deal of flexibility. Missed the 10 a.m. train? Just catch the 10:30 or 11 a.m. train instead. Most short trips do not require prior reservations, and you can simply show up at the station the day of your trip and grab a ticket for the next train - without paying an exorbitant last-minute fare.
More Baggage...
These days, nearly all the major airlines to check a bag or two - and a couple (Spirit and Allegiant) now charge for carry-on bags as well. Compare these stingy policies to Amtrak's baggage allowance: two carry-on items up to 50 pounds each (as well as personal items such as purses, strollers and diaper bags) and up to four checked bags up to 50 pounds each, the first two of which are free. Third and fourth checked bags cost $20 each. In short, Amtrak allows you to bring 200 pounds of luggage - plus personal items - for free. Try bringing that on a plane!
Less Hassle
Imagine taking a trip and not having to arrive two hours early, wait in a long security line, take off your shoes for inspection, or ration out your liquids and gels. Welcome to the world of train travel. In most cases you can arrive 30 minutes ahead of time and walk straight to your platform.
Door-to-Door Convenience
Unlike airports, most major train stations are located right downtown in the heart of the cities they serve. Instead of taking an expensive airport cab ride from miles outside of town, you can step off your train and be just moments from your hotel.
Eco-Friendliness
Trains are more energy-efficient per passenger mile than planes or cars, making them one of the most eco-friendly transportation options around (short of walking or riding your bike!). Carbon emissions from trains are less damaging to the environment than those of airplanes because train emissions are not released directly into the upper atmosphere. As a bonus, the relative energy-efficiency of trains means that the industry is less vulnerable to increases in fuel prices - making train fares more stable in an unstable economy.
Old-Fashioned Charm
There's something refreshingly traditional about taking a train, particularly if you're traveling over a long, multi-night route. The days of silverware and fine china in coach class may be long gone in the airline industry, but on overnight trains you'll still find dining cars with full-service meals and uniformed wait staff. During the day, many train travellers choose to read books, play cards or simply enjoy the scenery rushing by.
Comfort and Relaxation
Rather than cramming yourself into an ever-shrinking airplane seat or squinting at road signs trying to figure out where to make your next turn, why not relax on a train? It's one of the least stressful forms of transportation out there: someone else does the driving; you'll have more legroom than you would on an airplane and you'll be able to move around at will - not just when the captain turns the seatbelt sign off.
Beyond Just Transportation
Unlike airplanes, which whisk you from point A to point B with barely a glimpse of what's in between, a train ride can be a destination in and of itself. Consider the California Zephyr, a dramatic route that wends its way through the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains from Chicago to San Francisco. A ride on this popular Amtrak service offers spectacular scenery. During fall foliage season, try a ride on the Ethan Allen Express from New York to Vermont and enjoy the autumn colours.
