Add a Cross Country Train Trip to Your Bucket List

Taking a cross country train trip is not exactly the cheapest way to travel across the country, but taking a train across the US (or another country) will definitely be an experience you won’t forget. You can kick back, look at aÂ new landscape that you don’t normally see on the road, and meet new people.

In this podcast episode, I interviewed Luke Menasco on his experience from taking an Amtrak train across the country from Florida to Central Oregon, which took him 5 days from start to finish. You could extend your cross country train trip in the US by using a Rail Pass from Amtrak that allows you to spend up to 15 days, 30 days, or 45 days exploring the country and taking multiple segments and stops so it breaks up your trip a bit.

Check out Luke’s Video on his Amtrak Cross Country Train Trip

How much did the cross-country train trip cost on Amtrak?

The train ticket was $369, coach seats the whole trip. Sleeper cars can range anywhere from $200 to as much as $1,000 per leg of the trip, depending on the time of year.

How long did it take to travel cross-country on Amtrak, and what was the route?

The train left Orlando, Florida on Monday evening, and it arrives in Portland, Oregon on Friday Morning. So 4 nights total. My trip was a bit farther as I had to go from Portland, Oregon to Chemult, Oregon, which arrived Friday evening. Orlando—Washington DC—Chicago—Portland

Were you on the train the entire time?

No. There were two extended layovers – one in Washington DC for about 9 hours. There is a metro station at Union Station – so easy access to get anywhere you need to go. In Chicago, my layover was about 5.5 hours. Enough time to get out, see some sights and get some food. You can check your bags at the train stations as well, for about $10.

What were some must-have items on the train?

Earplugs and an eye mask were crucial. Those two in particular. Earplugs to drown out the noise of other passengers, the noise of the train on the rails, the train horn. Crucial. Eye mask because there are lights in the train at night. It’s dim like an airplane would be, but still lighting here and there. Snacks. Tablet. Headphones. Chargers. Each seat has 2 110V outlets, and each of the tables in the observation cars does as well, so power is never an issue. Neck pillow. Blanket.

You didn’t mention the food. How was the food?

I would say that train food is slightly better than airplane food. The menu in the dining car on all of the trains was the same – so it did get a bit old. For breakfast, prices ranged from $8 to $14, lunch $12-$15 and dinner $16-$25. There is also a snack bar that has candy, snacks, drinks (beer and wine), as well as some sandwiches and burgers. The service in the dining car was very good, and the staff was all very friendly. Traveling alone, meals in the dining car were always fun because you’re typically paired with 1-3 strangers. So you’re typically exchanging stories for around an hour. Here is a link to the dining page on Amtrak:

Sleeping in coach on Amtrak. Was it that bad?

I’d say, yes. If it were an overnight trip, not so bad. Even 2 nights. But by night 3 and 4 – it started to take a toll. The first 2 nights of the trip I had someone in the seat right next to me. That changes the experience quite a bit, as it’s pretty close quarters. Having two seats to yourself makes a pretty big difference. Not in comfort as much as just feeling a bit of privacy. Comfort wise, it’s just difficult to really get comfortable in those seats. There’s not really any getting around that. Earplugs and an eye mask are pretty invaluable. //

How were the bathrooms? Were there showers on the train?

The bathrooms were similar to an airplane bathroom. And there were plenty of bathrooms, so you never felt like you had to hurry, or had someone waiting for you. There was also a larger bathroom with a bit more space with a changing area. No showers. There are showers in the sleeper cars if you went that route.

Were your belongings safe on the train?

I had a backpack with camera gear, tablet, headphones, chargers, etc. that I kept with me 90% of the time. Generally, I felt like my things would have been safe on my seat – but better safe than sorry. My carry on luggage (airplane overhead bin size) – I kept in storage racks on the bottom level of the train. In theory, anyone could have grabbed it and stepped off the train at their stop, but it made it with me the whole trip.

Is Amtrak Wheelchair Accessible?

Amtrak does offer ADA friendly restrooms and allows mobility devices on the train. Also, there is one accessible room in each sleeping car. Make sure you check for wheelchair accessible options when you purchase your ticket. Find out more information on Amtrak accessible travel options here.

Also, note that Amtrak offers a 10% discount for passengers with a disability, sometimes more depending on the route. Children with a disability can receive 50% off the ticket price.

Are you looking for more adventures to add to your bucket list? Check out our other adventure podcast episodes for more experiences to add to your bucket list!

Cross Country Train Trip on Amtrak