Vacation by rail?

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

Another thread revived this brain cell.

My wife and I have always talked about a train vacation as "something completely different", but I have NO experience with this, nor do any of my friends.

Can anyone recommend an exceptional experience they have had that involved rail travel as the central theme? US in preferred, but overseas is definitely an option. Scenery, history is what we like. I don't know enough to specify anything more.

Thanks for your inputs.

[GB-man]

There's the transiberian railway from Moscow to Beijing.

Never done it though.

[Dan Pierce]

Had an amazing trip via rail from Toronto to Vancouver. Highly recommended.
dP

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by GB-man

There's the transiberian railway from Moscow to Beijing.

Never done it though.

I have, in 1990 when it cost US$62 for the 5.5 day trip. Kind of boring for most of the way, just a lot of silver birch trees and snow, as I recall.

The Japan Rail Pass is a great bargain...seven days unlimited travel on all but the fastest bullet trains for about US$290. www.japanrailpass.net.

[Relyt]

Horrible. We had a "room." Not like in the movies where they look like lavish hotel rooms.

1) boring
2) tight
3) can't go anywhere on foot
4) boring
5) when you get off the train (4-5 days for me), I felt like I was on it for the following week.
6) boring.


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[Runnin' Rebel]

I did Eurail when in Paris, that's where we had the hotel. Just got up everyday and took it to different cities all over Europe. Best time I ever had with people watching and looks at the country side. Most time was in a sleeper car loaded with liquor and we'd invite who ever we wanted back to the cabin. I was single then.

I also did a California to Chicago ride, not as impressive but it was great. I was by myself and had my own sleeper with room service, steward, shower and bar area. It was fun but when I got to Chicago it was like 90 degrees and so humid. Not use to that kinda humidity. It was a great relaxing. Like 5-6 days round trip.

I'd do It again. All of it.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I have, in 1990 when it cost US$62 for the 5.5 day trip. Kind of boring for most of the way, just a lot of silver birch trees and snow, as I recall.

The Japan Rail Pass is a great bargain...seven days unlimited travel on all but the fastest bullet trains for about US$290. www.japanrailpass.net.

I figured as much Adam

I too would much rather travel on modern infrastructure. Still very cool that you have done it

It's not anything special but I took a train from Montreal to Quebec City in the winter to stay at the Hotel De Glacé ice hotel and the train ride was like the polar express

[Abdullah71601]

Some friends took an Amtrak getaway. It cost about the same as a cruise, but they were locked in a cabin for days on end. You don't get to stop and enjoy the locales, you just keep plodding along. Their description was exactly the same as Tye's.

The missus and I looked into this, but we decided we would be better off driving and spending the money on nice hotels and restaurants.

[Lamone]

The auto-train from VA to FL is great. Done the trip a few times and really enjoyed it.

[Relyt]

I went from east coast to Utah. I would not do it again. I'm not claustrophobic in the least bit..... But I was debating on jumping out by the time we hit the Rocky Mountains.


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[MonBK]

West Palm Beach to Miami, the worst 20 minutes of my life.

[OmegaJJH]

Never done it but why don't you look at travelling around Europe.

Just think how beautiful the scenery will be going through Switzerland etc.

Plus there are many many cities to visit in a 'relatively' small area.

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by MonBK

West Palm Beach to Miami, the worst 20 minutes of my life.