Higher Gas Prices, Tighter Airport Security Makes Amtrak More Desirable for Vacation Travelers
December 1, 2006. According to an article in USA Today, higher gas prices and tighter airport security caused an increase in Amtrak ridership in some parts of the country. The one percent rise may not have been huge, but any good news for the subsidized train system must be welcome. The growth was also centered on areas with dense populations where commuting made sense—the Northeast, South and Midwest.
The article reminded me of my own Amtrak experience and spurred me to think about the possibilities of taking a train on my next vacation. The train ride from San Jose, California, to Sacramento afforded a relaxing opportunity to enjoy the countryside, from the beautiful Bay Area to the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley. Driving on the interstate, however, one normally sees cars, pavement and billboards. The train seats had plenty of leg room, passengers were free to move around, and the restaurant car sure beat the flight attendant cart. All in all, it was a great experience.
Amtrak operates about 300 trains on 34 routes, most of them connecting large cities. They span the country, following the seaboards, crossing the Great Plains and skirting the mountains. Boarding a train involves minimal hassle, with few luggage rules. Here are some ideas for destinations on Amtrak routes:
Vancouver – The Amtrak Cascades route connects to trains from the Midwest, California and Salt Lake City.
Los Angeles – The Southwest Chief travels from Chicago, passing through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and other states.
New York – The Lake Shore Limited can take residents of northern Illinois and northern Ohio to several regions of New York.
