Has anyone taken the Amtrack

[irisblue]

From Chicago to Spokane to LA, then NOLA then to Chicago again?
Thinking on a trip.

[waddirum]

1. I've taken the City of New Orleans

round trip from Chicago to NOLA. It takes like 17.5 hours each way (longer with delays). There is not much scenery until you get close to NOLA. Most of Tennessee and Mississippi are just looking at ditches and trees.

I hear that the Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle) has lots of great scenery, but some of the best parts you go through at night. I’ve never taken it so I can’t say for sure.

For a truly scenic train ride, take the Adirondack train from NYC to Montreal.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. That Trip Is Going To Get WAY Faster, Soon

The high speed tracks are almost completely done through IL. The trains will be going 85 where they used to go 50, 110 where they used to go 75, and 140, where they used to do 90. Once south of Champaign, that train is going to be roaring toward Memphis. The really high speeds are supposed to be through the mostly rural part of the run once it leaves Memphis. They're talking about 10.5 to 11 hours, Chicago to NOLA.

[Control-Z]

2. I took Amtrack

from So Cal to NOLA
NOLA to Atlanta, GA
Atlanta to Raleigh, NC
Raleigh to DC
DC to CT
New Hampshire to Chicago
Chicago to So Cal (OC, CA)
The last leg of the trip the train stopped to pick up more passengers - could have been Washington. I don't remember because we didn't get off.

So it was a similar trip but in reverse, and without the East Coast. Now that I think about it, it really wasn't much like your trip at all, was it? Lol.

But I love traveling by train - especially long distances in a sleeper car. Just hanging out with a good book. Going to the dining car for meals. Watching the scenery change on the longer stretches. So much fun!

[Purrfessor]

3. I rode Amtrak last November from Huntington, WV to New York City...

to watch my daughter march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Ohio University Marching 110.

I reserved a sleeper which was perfect for me. For a long trip like you are planning you should go with a sleeper. Yes, it’s more expensive but the comfort factor is worth every penny.

Check YouTube for videos on what features the sleeper has.

[IrishEyes]

4. I've done a lot of train rides on Amtrak.

They have usually been very good. I always bring a good book or two and snacks. I eat in the dining car but it is nice to have some snacks on me as well.

[pansypoo53219]

5. 1 thing LEG & HEAD ROOM!

[wasupaloopa]

6. I've taken the Coast Starlight twice.

Make sure you get a room in a sleeping car.

I could not sleep sitting up this last time in August. Took a sleeper two years before and it was a much better time.

Plus your meals are paid for if you are a sleeping car passenger.

[Ohiya]

7. I love taking AMTRAK, just don't plan on arriving anywhere on time!

At least that's been my experience.

[Trailrider1951]

8. I love traveling on Amtrak! I've been all over the western US on the trains and they are my

favorite way to travel! When I lived in Texas, I used to take the Texas Eagle from Taylor, TX (just north of Austin) to Los Angeles, and then took the Coast Starlight northbound to Seattle, where my son and his family live. That train has the second most spectacular scenery of all the western long-distance trains (the most scenic train is the California Zephyr, San Francisco area to Chicago). I've also taken the Empire Builder eastbound from Seattle to Chicago, and the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Galesburg IL where I transfered to the southbound Texas Eagle at Springfield IL, eliminating the overnight in Chicago. I usually travel in coach, but if you can afford it, go with a sleeper. You might check out the Amtrak forum here:

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/

Also, join Amtrak Guest Rewards (https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/ ) You earn points with each paid ticket, and can earn enough to get free trips or free upgrade to sleeper. If you are not adverse to such things, get the Amtrak credit card too. That way you can earn 2 points for every dollar spent on Amtrak travel, and if you travel at certain times of the year, you can earn double the points! That's 4 points for every dollar!

Also, did you know you can take 2 carry on bags plus a purse or briefcase, and you can check two bags for free! The train is a great way to travel! Hope this helps!

[irisblue]

9. I'm thinking on

Detroit to Chicago then at Spokane to LA then NOLA. Stopping here ,cuz it's NOLA Then back to Chicago- then Detoit and home


3 weeks? travel time?

[Recursion]

10. I've done NOLA to Chi-town

Beautiful ride. Southbound is the "Midnight Special" that passes by Parchman Farm. Northbound is Casey Jones's old route. Both directions you pass through the Old Crossroads near Clarksdale.

[Demovictory9]

12. not that far, but i have taken it. good way to travel if you have time

[jmowreader]

13. I did some of that

This is your actual trip:

Chicago to either Seattle or Portland on Empire Builder. (Half the train is the Chicago-Seattle train, the other half is the Chicago-Portland train. They separate them in Spokane...at 1:40 am, so you won't be seeing the sights.)

From that town to Los Angeles on Coast Starlight.

From there to New Orleans on Sunset Limited

And from there to Chicago on City of New Orleans.

Now! If you have two weeks to spare, buy a 15-day USA Rail Pass for $459 (sleep in a coach seat and pay for your own onboard meals) and do this trip instead:

Your choice:
Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco) on California Zephyr
Chicago to Los Angeles on Southwest Chief

That city to Seattle on Coast Starlight
Seattle to Chicago on Empire Builder

Your choice:
Chicago to New York on Lake Shore Limited
Chicago to Washington on Capitol Limited
Chicago to Washington on Cardinal

Either of those cities to New Orleans on Crescent
New Orleans to Chicago on City of New Orleans

For cheap lodging along the way every city I mentioned has hostels.

The major problem with the route you mentioned is the Sunset Limited train. Unless you LOVE staring at endless stretches of desert, it's not for you. (It also only runs three days a week.) California Zephyr takes you through the Rockies and across the Donner Pass, and you do flyover country at night.

We shall now discuss getting from Chicago to the Crescent train. All three routes have their charms and disadvantages.

Chicago to New York:
You arrive in New York about 7 pm, and the train to NOLA leaves at 2:30 pm. You'll need to budget at least one night in New York into your trip, and you really should budget two.

Capitol Limited:
You arrive in Washington before 2 pm and the train to NOLA leaves about 6 pm. In theory you could get there and leave the same day. In reality you need a day in DC to see the sights.

Cardinal:
This one WILL require a night in DC; the train arrives in Washington 15 minutes after the Crescent departs. It will take you through the very scenic West Virginia countryside in the middle of the day.

Now...if you want to take the trip I did in 2015 you'll need to start in Spokane, but I did this:
Spokane to Chicago on Empire Builder
Chicago to Washington on Capitol Limited
Washington to Boston on Northeast Regional (the last train from WAS deposits you at South Station at 7 am. Very handy for saving a day of sightseeing.)
Boston to New York on Northeast Regional
New York to Chicago on Lake Shore Limited
Chicago to Emeryville on California Zephyr
Emeryville to Seattle on Sunset Limited
...and then I took a Greyhound back home because it was cheaper, and dropped me off almost at my front door. If you're flying out of Chicago to meet the Empire Builder, go to Seattle and cross the Cascades in early evening.