USA Train Travel: An Overnight Trip on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight

QUESTION: Ever taken an "overnight" Amtrak trip?

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You may or may not agree that we’re attached to our cars. We’ve done many a road trip with our own vehicle or by renting a car on trips. But, if you have the time for a longer journey that allows you to sit back and relax, then maybe consider train travel to the self-drive or flying. We did! Traveling by rail is less hassle than air travel. It’s easy to stretch your legs. It’s less stressful than driving!

"A Grand West Coast Train Adventure, en route daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight train passes through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is unsurpassed." –Amtrak

OUR COAST STARLIGHT ITINERARY

11 Coast Starlight
Duration: 35 hrs, 15 min
Departs: Seattle, WA (SEA), 30-JUN-10; 9:45 am
Arrives: Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX), 01-JUL-10; 9:00 pm
* Bedroom (includes toilet / shower)

Change Trains:

796 Pacific Surfliner
Duration: 2 hr, 40 min
Departs: Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX), 01-JUL-10; 10:10 pm
Arrives: San Diego, CA (SAN), 02-JUL-10; 12:50 am
* Unreserved Coach Seats

Cost of the Fare

Rail Fare: $238.00
Bedroom: $630.00
Total: $868.00 for 2

ARRIVING AT AMTRAK AND GETTING SETTLED IN

We had a leisure walk from Hotel 1000 where we had stayed to explore Seattle for a few days. The Amtrak station sure reminds me of London’s Big Ben.

Amtrak Station in Black & White

and the rest...

BEDROOM FEATURED AND AMENITIES

• Meals included
• Designed for two passengers
• Large picture window
• Upper and lower berths
• Armchair and sofa (converts to lower berth)
• Private sink, vanity, private toilet and shower
• Electrical outlets
• Climate control
• Individual reading lights
• Garment rack
• Fold-down table
• Fresh towels and bed linens
• Soap and shower amenities
• Personal service (turn-down, coffee, paper, make-up bed)
• Bottled water

More Info: Train’s Sleeping Accommodations

WHAT TO PACK

• For Checked Baggage: Each passenger can check up to 4 bags - 2 free of charge
• For Carry-On Items: Each passenger may bring 2 personal items

More Info: Amtrak’s Baggage Policy

Whatever you don’t check in you may have to carry up some stairs.

Don’t forget a travel blanket. Their A/C can pack a punch.

Do you have change of clothes in case you want to shower? Might as well include some flip-flops or slippers for the shower, as well.

PACK A PICNIC

Here’s the Menu to give you an idea of how much food prices are on the Amtrak.

Of course, since we reserved a Bedroom, all meals were included. If your meal isn’t included, bring your favorite snacks and a few beverages to sip along the way. Here's a current look at their Cafe Menu

We helped ourselves to juice and coffee.

Amtrak Meals

DON'T FORGET: Tipping on Amtrak Trains

Lunch was served. I chose Roast Beef with Scallion Cream Cheese and Cheddar on a Seeded Kaiser. Served with primavera vegetable pasta salad.

I don’t fully recall, but I think the Dining Car takes reservations and usually for multiple sittings. You’ll get to know your fellow train travelers.

THE CULTURE OF TRAIN TRAVEL CAN MAKE SOME GO STIR CRAZY

Our first leg, was 35 hours. What’s it like being on a train that long?

SIDENOTE: Plan for delays just like you would for air travel. There is an Amtrak app to get notified of things you need to know.

Slow, laid back and a relaxing setting. We enjoyed the quiet experience of passengers enjoying what scenery passes us by while in the Observation car. Some snuggled up with a good book or were journaling. The tech savvy enjoyed something on their laptop or phone with their earbuds for entertainment… as we did in the Lounge car.

Notice the outlets to plug-in to.

On the second level of the Parlor Car, had a movie theater. They screen family movies every evening and we caught - Planet 51

From time-to-time, we’d retreat back to our bedroom.

OBSERVATION DOME CAR’S ALMOST FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS

SCENERY BETWEEN SEATTLE AND LOS ANGELES ON THE AMTRAK

Photo Caption: The Tacoma Cable-stayed (SR 509 Bridge or ) Bridge over Thea Foss Waterway replaced the Murray Morgan bridge built in 1913. Reference: Cable-stayed bridge over Tacoma's Thea Foss Waterway opens on January 22, 1997.

Photo Caption: Museum of Glass (Tacoma, WA)

Photo Caption: Northern Fish Co. (Tacoma, WA)

Photo Caption: Tacoma Fireboat No. 1 situated next to Duke’s Seafood & Chowder restaurant (Tacoma, WA)

Photo Caption: Homes along Pugent Sound</<p>p>

Photo Caption: In the distance, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Photo Caption: Union Station (Portland, OR)

Photo Caption: NW Broadway Bridge (Portland, OR) with the Fremont Bridge… a steel tied-arch bridge over the Willamette River… seen behind it.

Photo Caption: Office Bridge, (Westfir, OR)

Photo Caption: Jack London Square (OKJ), Oakland, CA

Photo Caption: Vineyards

The Salinas stop is a great place to stretch your legs as the Salinas Railroad Museum and the Historic Harvey-Baker House (First Mayor's House)... the oldest home in Salinas, California... are steps away.

Photo Caption: Salinas Street Transit Center (SNS), Salinas, CA