excited about amtrack - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**raysen** · 08-09-2006, 01:44 PM

Ok, been through alot of thoughts about amtracking some places in USA, then for a 10 ish days renting a car and grey hound other places etc. (Were going 78 days) and was going to stick to east cost NY/Boston/Niagara/Florida etc.

BUT

We have stumbled across the unlimited national rail pass with amtrak. - 30 days from first use anywhere anywhere in usa - its 390 usdollars i think. And to be honest Think its alot cheaper than renting a car/traking/greyhounding all over the show.

SO

We are going to be in NYC for 3 days then busing to and around boston/marthas vineyard/capecod and then Start our amtrak pass to get up to Niagara falls stay there for a couple of days, then travel across to west coast in which ever route takes our fancy, meet up with a friend who happens to be on holiday in las vegas for 3 weeks travel around california for a bit and make our way back to florida - by which time we plan the 30 days to be roughly up and we wil have about 2 nd half weeks left before our flight home so all we want to do is go busch gardens and ever glades - then fly out from miami.

REALLY

Excited

25 days left before we leave!!

xxxx

xanthuos · 08-09-2006, 01:58 PM

And you won't regret going Amtrak, especially cross-country!
A reminder that you can bring food and such on the train on your carryon luggage...
And though technically you're only supposed to do this if you have a private bedroom, you can bring booze on board (just hide it well).

**omisan** · 08-09-2006, 02:00 PM

the best part of all this? NOT taking greyhound.

**lauren313** · 08-09-2006, 03:23 PM

I LOVE how down people are on Greyhound! It always makes me laugh.

Your trip sounds really exciting by the way, not long to wait now!

**tumblezweedz** · 08-09-2006, 11:00 PM

I got a similar pass a few years back, and loved it - over 10,000 miles all over the US...it was fantastic. Have a great time and remember to stock up on snacks and drinks before you board - you have to eat in the dining car a couple of times for the experience, but everything on board is totally overpriced. They did have sandwiches in the bar car if you don't want to splurge on the dining car.

**patchouli Lover** · 08-10-2006, 06:17 AM

Wow man your trip souns great! I get to have my first amtrak experience here on the 24th.... of course mine is a combo of bus-train-bus, but whatever. Enjoy the cross country scenery, it rocks! And even though I live in the states I never heard about the 30 day pass thing.... I might have to use that one summer... :D

xanthuos · 08-10-2006, 11:03 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patchouli Lover @ Aug 10 2006, 08:17 AM) [snapback]134437[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Wow man your trip souns great! I get to have my first amtrak experience here on the 24th.... of course mine is a combo of bus-train-bus, but whatever. Enjoy the cross country scenery, it rocks! And even though I live in the states I never heard about the 30 day pass thing.... I might have to use that one summer... :D
[/b]

It's only available for international visitors. The North American rail pass, including both the US and Canada, is more expensive for residents of North America.

DJ_VeeeNoM · 08-10-2006, 11:20 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(omisan @ Aug 9 2006, 05:00 PM) [snapback]134370[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

the best part of all this? NOT taking greyhound.

[/b]

What's wrong with greyhound?
^---That's a joke. Oh has anyone ever noticed that the PeterPan logo looks just like Micheal Jackson? it does dude it's sooo Mr. Jefferson. :greenguy:

**raysen** · 08-10-2006, 01:13 PM

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/selectpass/

we are going for the National Pass 30 day off peak $395

Haven't brought it just yet but probably best to before we leave.

Really excited
yyeeeee

**patchouli Lover** · 08-12-2006, 11:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xanthuos @ Aug 10 2006, 01:03 PM) [snapback]134504[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It's only available for international visitors. The North American rail pass, including both the US and Canada, is more expensive for residents of North America.
[/b]

Well that fucking sucks. How much more we talking?

xanthuos · 08-13-2006, 01:37 AM

$709 versus $395, and the off-peak period starts Oct 16, over a month later than the Sept 5 off-peak start of the International pass.
Also, you're required to use it to take at least one trip between the United States and Canada.