Cheaper travel via train: DC/New York

Regular Amtrack travel between New York City and Washington DC is about
$161.00 and 3:10 hours. Are there any days and times that are cheapest?

Similar to airlines, which are supposed to be cheaper Mon-Thursday.

Thanks,
Brett

Brett wrote:
Regular Amtrack travel between New York City and Washington DC is about
$161.00 and 3:10 hours. Are there any days and times that are cheapest?

It's $72 except on Friday and Sunday afternoons, when it's $89. Make sure
you choose a train marked 'U' for Unreserved or else you pay a lot more.

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/

"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
news
Brett wrote:
Regular Amtrack travel between New York City and Washington DC is about
$161.00 and 3:10 hours. Are there any days and times that are cheapest?

It's $72 except on Friday and Sunday afternoons, when it's $89. Make sure
you choose a train marked 'U' for Unreserved or else you pay a lot more.

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/

That's neat.

I must be doing something wrong. Both of these are unreserved and the price
drops to only $141:
http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/sid...accommodations.

130
From: Washington-Union StationNew
To: York-Penn. Station
Departs:11/24/03 6:30am
Arrives: 11/24/03 9:40am
Unreserved Coach

189
From: New York-Penn. Station
To: Washington-Union Station
Departs: 11/24/03 5:09pm
Arrives: 11/24/03 8:30pm
Unreserved Coach


Rail Fa$ 144.00
Accommodations Price:$ 0.00

TOTAL FA
$ 144.00

or is that because it is on the same day?


I can't find a return trip with an "unreserved". Why is that or how can I
find one?

I've even tried midnight and no unreserved on the return trip.


Thanks,
Brett

Brett wrote:
"Miguel Cruz" wrote:
Brett wrote:
Regular Amtrack travel between New York City and Washington DC is about
$161.00 and 3:10 hours. Are there any days and times that are cheapest?

It's $72 except on Friday and Sunday afternoons, when it's $89. Make sure
you choose a train marked 'U' for Unreserved or else you pay a lot more.

That's neat.

I must be doing something wrong. Both of these are unreserved and the price
drops to only $141:

From: Washington-Union StationNew
To: York-Penn. Station

From: New York-Penn. Station
To: Washington-Union Station

Rail Fa$ 144.00
Accommodations Price:$ 0.00

or is that because it is on the same day?

Oh, sorry, bad news - I thought you were talking about a one-way rather than
a return (since you said 3:10 hours). That's two $72 tickets there.

If you want to spend less than that you'll have to wait for a discount code
(20% off if you're lucky), come up with an AAA or Student Advantage
membership...

....or fly (as cheap as about $120 return), or take the bus (as cheap as
about $30 return).

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/

"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Brett wrote:
"Miguel Cruz" wrote:
Brett wrote:
Regular Amtrack travel between New York City and Washington DC is
about
$161.00 and 3:10 hours. Are there any days and times that are
cheapest?

It's $72 except on Friday and Sunday afternoons, when it's $89. Make
sure
you choose a train marked 'U' for Unreserved or else you pay a lot
more.

That's neat.

I must be doing something wrong. Both of these are unreserved and the
price
drops to only $141:

From: Washington-Union StationNew
To: York-Penn. Station

From: New York-Penn. Station
To: Washington-Union Station

Rail Fa$ 144.00
Accommodations Price:$ 0.00

or is that because it is on the same day?

Oh, sorry, bad news - I thought you were talking about a one-way rather
than
a return (since you said 3:10 hours). That's two $72 tickets there.

If you want to spend less than that you'll have to wait for a discount
code
(20% off if you're lucky), come up with an AAA or Student Advantage
membership...

...or fly (as cheap as about $120 return), or take the bus (as cheap as
about $30 return).

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/

Sorry. I wasn't clear.

Why do you say unreserved are cheapest? They are the same price as
reserved. It is also better to get a reserved than unreserved.

Thanks,
Brett

reserved. It is also better to get a reserved than unreserved.

Absolutely.

I did Philly to NYC in early August, and got bumped to the next train due
to engine failure before our choo-choo reached us (the first time I've been
bumped on Amtrak ever).

Reserved seating carried over with comfy seats and free drinks to spare;
Unreserved folk were standing in the aisles all the way.

"Fustanella" wrote in message
...
reserved. It is also better to get a reserved than unreserved.

Absolutely.

I did Philly to NYC in early August, and got bumped to the next train due
to engine failure before our choo-choo reached us (the first time I've
been
bumped on Amtrak ever).

Reserved seating carried over with comfy seats and free drinks to spare;
Unreserved folk were standing in the aisles all the way.

I still don't know why any one would want unreserved. Amtrak says its to
use if you don't know when you are returning. I guess that is for poeple
that walk up to the ticket counter and buy a ticket right there. It doesn't
seem difficult to schedule a reserve the day before. Then again, I'm not
spontaneous enough to buy a ticket at the counter as some people are.

What are the main differences, besides being slower, between train and plane
travel?

Is there more seat room?

How many seats to a row next to you? For example, on most planes, there are
three seats next to you, either on each side or two on one side.

If there are a bunch of people standing in the aisle and you are sitting in
an aisle seat, are you constantly being bumped by those that are standing
and swaying back and forth?

Is it possible to book, from the website, a window seat?

Is cell phone use allowed on trains at any time?

Thanks,
Brett

"Brett" wrote in message ...
"Fustanella" wrote in message
...
reserved. It is also better to get a reserved than unreserved.

Absolutely.

I did Philly to NYC in early August, and got bumped to the next train due
to engine failure before our choo-choo reached us (the first time I've
been
bumped on Amtrak ever).

Reserved seating carried over with comfy seats and free drinks to spare;
Unreserved folk were standing in the aisles all the way.

I still don't know why any one would want unreserved. Amtrak says its to
use if you don't know when you are returning. I guess that is for poeple
that walk up to the ticket counter and buy a ticket right there. It doesn't
seem difficult to schedule a reserve the day before. Then again, I'm not
spontaneous enough to buy a ticket at the counter as some people are.

What are the main differences, besides being slower, between train and plane
travel?

In terms of downtown-to-downtown times between many Northeast Corridor
points, the train isn't necessarily slower.

Is there more seat room?

Yes, seating is much roomier than airline coach.

How many seats to a row next to you? For example, on most planes, there are
three seats next to you, either on each side or two on one side.

Amtrak coach class, and most business class, has two seats on each
side of the aisle. First class in Acela Express trains consists of
two seats on one side, one on the other.

If there are a bunch of people standing in the aisle and you are sitting in
an aisle seat, are you constantly being bumped by those that are standing
and swaying back and forth?

Occasionally, but I have only rarely encountered an intercity
passenger train with standees. Jostling, if it happens at all, is
more likely to involve passengers passing through en route to the cafe
or the restroom.

Is it possible to book, from the website, a window seat?

Amtrak coach class reservations do not specify a particular seat;
they're just a means of limiting ticket sales to available space. It's
still up to the passenger to find a seat. (Sort of like Southwest
Airlines.)

Is cell phone use allowed on trains at any time?

Except in the designated "quiet cars" on some trains, yes

Alan Follett
Hercules, CA

Brett wrote:
Why do you say unreserved are cheapest?

I guess I always thought that was the case. But looking at the web site, you
are definitely right.

They are the same price as reserved. It is also better to get a reserved
than unreserved.

That's debatable, I guess. The main reason I often use the train instead of
flying is that's it's so hassle-free to just show up when I'm ready to go,
instead of having to keep to a schedule.

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/

Brett wrote:
I still don't know why any one would want unreserved. Amtrak says its to
use if you don't know when you are returning. I guess that is for poeple
that walk up to the ticket counter and buy a ticket right there. It doesn't
seem difficult to schedule a reserve the day before. Then again, I'm not
spontaneous enough to buy a ticket at the counter as some people are.

For those of us who usually but the ticket 10 minutes before departure, it's
a godsend!

What are the main differences, besides being slower, between train and plane
travel?

Is there more seat room?

How many seats to a row next to you? For example, on most planes, there are
three seats next to you, either on each side or two on one side.

The trains are 2x2. The seats are much more comfortable than coach class on
a plane (the shuttles between DCA and LGA are all-coach far as I've seen) -
wider, and with more legroom. Only downside is that there isn't an armrest
between you and the person next to you. And you're allowed to use the
bathroom.

The trains also have electrical outlets which is handy for laptops.

If there are a bunch of people standing in the aisle and you are sitting in
an aisle seat, are you constantly being bumped by those that are standing
and swaying back and forth?

Normally there are only standers on the train in the afternoon out of NYC,
until about Philadelphia.

Is cell phone use allowed on trains at any time?

Yes, except in the front car on most trains which is designated the quiet
car.

This (the fact that cellphones are allowed on the rest of the train) is a
big reason to fly. At least you can get half an hour of sleep or reading in,
vs none at all.

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/