Plan a Train Trip in the United States
Flying by plane is not the only way to get around the United States. Many people prefer seeing the states from the ground as opposed to the air. People who enjoy traveling by train can see many things people who fly are not able to see. There are hundreds of miles of beautiful scenery throughout the United States, which is only viewable when you travel by land. People who have the time and the money to travel by train come away with a memorable experience they can share with others. To make the train trip that much more enjoyable, it is important to be prepared ahead of time. Learn how you can make the most of your train trip by following these helpful tips.
Steps
Train Rates Online
- Go to the website of the company you plan to travel with. Find the web page that lists the rates. Many train travel websites have you fill in the information about your trip, so they can give you a price for the trip. This information includes the destination, time of travel and the number of passengers included in your party. Once you type in this information, click the next button to see how much your trip will cost you.
- Check train rates online for alternate travel dates. When your travel dates are flexible, you could save extra money on the cost of your trip. Consider booking a round trip as opposed to a one-way ticket. Booking train trips this way can also save you a significant amount of money on the entire cost of your trip.
- Call the train company directly to see if the rates differ from the rates listed online. Many travel companies offer discounts for seniors and students. Make sure you include these discounts when calculating the cost.
- Make your travel reservations directly on the website or in person. Most train companies offer sleep cars; however, these tend to sell out rather quickly. When you travel more than a few days, you should consider purchasing a sleeper car a few months ahead of time. While the rates for sleeper cars are more expensive than remaining in your seat the entire duration of the trip, they help you get a well-rested night of sleep.
- Print out your confirmation number online or keep the receipt. Place the receipt and tickets in an envelope. Keep your travel tickets in a safe place for easy retrieval when you go on your train trip.
Preparation for the Train Trip
- Shop at the grocery store or discount store and buy any snacks or food you will eat between meals on your trip. Fruits, beef jerky, nuts and trail mixes fill you up and are better for you than junk food with high amounts of sugar.
- Purchase items at discount stores ahead of time. This can save you a lot of money on food you would have to pay twice as much for when you buy it on the road.
- Buy a nice travel pillow to keep you comfortable during your trip on the train. Purchase all of your toiletries you will use on the road. (Items such as antibacterial wash, Kleenex, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and aspirin.)
Tips
- Smokers should think about bringing some nicotine gum. The train may make stops for only a few minutes throughout the entire day, and these stops are only taken to allow passengers time to transfer to other trains.
- To make time go by faster, bring electronic equipment, such as a laptop, MP3 player or travel sized video games to play. Also, bring magazines or books you would like to read while you are traveling.
