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Top ten reasons to take Amtrak on your family vacation
Background: We took the train to our vacation in St. Augustine. Our toddler boys love trains so we thought it would be an adventure. It was.
10) Seats. The seats feel like, as a friend described it, a barber’s chair. There’s a footrest, a comfy headrest and friendly people around you (with whom you sometimes even want to chat).
9) Dining car. Not that the kids sat still, but it’s a cool picture later on.
8) Conductors. Sure, they’re on commuter trains, too, but we don’t ride those much down here. And for a 3-year-old, nothing is cooler than getting your train ticket punched.
7) Windows. Kids can stare at all those trucks, cows and orange groves in Central Florida. When they start crying, point at something out the window.
6) The coffee. It's good, and helps you survive the long ride.
5) Sleeper cars. We didn’t take one (trip was seven hours), but our 3-year-old was still fascinated by them. How can you not be?
4) Café car. Another distraction, even with the spilled milk and juice.
3) Regular stops. It’s the train, so who cares if the kid is crying? If somebody can’t handle it, they can get off at the next stop.
2) No traffic. Watch the traffic jams on I-95.
1) Your kid’s face when the train pulls in: You can’t beat that.
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Comments
Agreed for a young one, but I took Amtrak from Philly to Palm Beach with a sleeper car. The cost was the same as a flight in terms of cash, but Ugh. After the novelty wears off, no so good.
We were walking the train and whenever we entered and empty car, it seemed a conductor was there to toss us out.
A bit disconcerting that they told us to stay away from the windows as we entered Palm Beach because the gangs and homeless throw rocks and sometimes shoot at the train. I guess i am glad they were looking out for us.
But for a longer trip---I vote for the plane. ANd to a three year old---just as cool!
Posted by: John F | April 11, 2009 9:01 AM
Hi John, this is a really great top ten list. I would add being able to pay attention to your kids, which you can't do in the car if you're driving. You can post this to our site http://www.toptentopten.com/ and then link back to your site. We are looking for top ten lists and our users can track back to your site. The coolest feature is you can let other people vote on the rankings of your list.
Posted by: Vince | April 11, 2009 2:32 PM
Trains are an anachronism but if you have the extra cash and time to spend you might want to try it . I don't believe taxpayers should subsidize train fares and fares should reflect the true cost of the trip.
Posted by: savant | April 14, 2009 9:43 AM
Thanks for the comments. I agree that a long trip may not work as well on the train.
Posted by: Matthew | April 14, 2009 6:07 PM
I took Amtrak from Kirkwood Mo to KC Mo. I think it is the ONLY way to travel. Teenagers can be in one car when you are in another. Also can play cards or any other game which you can't do when your driving. I will look into Amtrak whenever I travel. I LOVE AMTRAK
Posted by: Mary Ann | August 14, 2009 4:08 PM