First extended rail journey (SAS to VAC)

Hi,

We're traveling from Vancouver in May and opted to ride the train from San Antonio (SAS) to Vancouver (VAC), with an overnight in Seattle (SEA). We drove to Bellingham and then caught Amtrak from there. This time, we suppose we'll ride the train the entire way. We have coach seats (the rooms/roomettes were outrageously pricey!) We're on the Sunset Limited, the Coastal Starlight, and the Cascades. Came here seeking for suggestions and assistance for the trip. It takes 68 hours to go to Seattle.

Pay what you have to and book a Private Room. Anything other and you'll be on a "masochist express" - and surely be a "never again".

disclaimer: author 83yo with sufficient loot to do as suggested.

Mr. Norman is giving you good advice. Spending those nights in a coach seat will have you feeling absolutely miserable by the time you get to Seattle. This is one area that you don't want to skimp on.

If the others have not discouraged you from riding in coach over three nights, I highly suggest sitting in the lower level of the Superliner coach, if you do not mind looking out a window closer to the ground. There's a good chance few other will be sitting down there, making it easier to get some sleep. Most passengers wish to sit on the upper level. Talking the conductor into a lower seating assignment will be a difficult task, but not impossible.

I've been on most of those trains and even for each segment, coach would be brutal. If you want to save a few, perhaps coach LA to Sacramento and then sleeper to Seattle.

Few other tips:
-Pack a lot of snacks, the cafe prices are brutal and not that tasty.
-The cafe is a nice way to socialize, grab a cold beer even if pricey.
-If you have a room, bring a small bottle of Jack or such - a shot of whiskey or such will make you sleep so much better. This is prohibited in coach - don't do it (or be really low key)
-Eye masks and ear plugs help a lot
-Go to dinner if you have sleeper, even if you aren't hungry. It's free and a good way to meet people with a defined beginning/end to the conversation
-jam a hanger in the cabin door to get it to stop rattling

I rode the Sunset west around Christmas a few years back and decorated my cabin. It was a fun trip.

Mr. Curlpress, do listen to the likes of Mr. (Tadman) Dunville. He has traveled extensively both here and overseas.

For myself, I have not been near Amtrak since 2020, but have piled up a fair amount of "klicks" overseas. There is nothing "experiential", save traversing a mountain pass within the Alps or Tyrol, about such - especially from the Low Countries through the North German Plain; it's simply a means to get from here to there. It ain't cheap; but need it be when gas over there is about $8.00ga?

Was my last Amtrak trip, which was on a Northbound Auto Train that left on the day Kobe Bryant was killed a "bad trip"? No way, it was on time, Attendant was "exceptional", and food was "edible". But, I realized that to travel from Boca Raton to Chicago, it was costly and quite "out of the way", so, even though I go down to Florida every year (after "the 'Canes" have left town), United Airlines or rubber atop the 57, 24, and 75 does the trick.

I tell all this because you are planning a journey that will be devoid of any experiential travel. There are no showers for Coach passengers, nor any at en route stations. Something WILL go wrong on your journey with too much chance such will "hold you hostage". You could also be a "hostage" with Private Room; however, you at least have some modicum of privacy and comfort (think of "Don's doing time").

Can "things go wrong" in the skies (dismissing any possible in-flight emergencies)? Of course they can. Just ask Carol, my "GF of sorts" about her Xmas '22 Southwest horror story, where a 78yo gal spent two nights sitting in airport holding pens. "Oh, but they have showered me with, Points, POINTS, POINTS!!!" (suffice to say, she could give Points Guy a lesson or two; I personally could care less about them; use the hotel I pile up, donate the airline).

Now if for whatever, a "low level assault course" is what you seek, that's one thing, but "from here to there" either seek the airline of your choice, or get behind the wheel.

Good luck!!