Frequently Asked Questions about Traveling the Country by Train

As technology advances and we find ways to make our lives easier, naturally the old ways get left behind for the new. This is the same for travel. Once the train was the peak for travel, now it’s planes, because they are faster and, debatably, cooler. But I would like to put forth the idea that just because something is quicker and the expect method of transportation for long distances, doesn’t mean you can’t choose other options.

And while most of us have traveled by train before, most of us haven’t traveled long distances by train. I assume if you are considering this avenue, you have some questions. Here are a few questions I get asked a lot about traveling the country by train.

What should I pack?

When in doubt, pack less. I did an in-depth post about what to pack, but besides the essentials, you should also be packing a blanket, eye-mask, melatonin, a good book, and only the absolutely necessary toiletries.

How much does the train ticket cost?

Unfortunately, there is not one answer for this. But, I just dug through my email to find the exact number and I was surprised by what I found (I totally forgot how much it cost, clearly) and for two tickets across the whole country it was $394. Less than $200 each. This was booked in August of 2020, so who knows how the prices have changed since then, but Amtrak is always offering deals!

Actually, I just went through the process again, booking the same exact route and it was $394 for one ticket. We must have used a deal to book at the time, but either way you shouldn’t be paying full price.

Disclaimer: This is the cost for a standard coach seat, a sleeper car will be more expensive.

Why would you travel by train when you can take a plane?

The experience friends! The experience, and the vibes. With that being said, if you don’t have the extra time on your hands and the destination is the bulk of the experience, then maybe traveling by train isn’t the best this time. If you are unsure, ask yourself these six questions first to get some clarity.

How long does it take?

To go from one coast to the next will take almost exactly 72 hours if you go straight across, if you take the route we took. It could potentially take 4-5 days with transfers to other trains or if you stay in different cities along the way. We also had a delay on our trip where we were completely stopped on the track for almost four hours, so always consider a delay could happen.

Do you have to take more than one train?

Yes, there is not one train that can go all the way across, you will have to take at least two trains. Because of that, there are many different options for your trip!

How do you shower?

The honest answer, you don’t? If you book a standard seat, there isn’t access to showers, at least not that I knew of! The different options for sleeper cars did have showers. So yes, we didn’t shower for three days but it was the first thing we did once we got off the train on the other side of the country. (Actually, I think we ordered food first, priorities.)

But when you have to make the transfer to your second train, you will probably have a layover. In that time you could probably find a shower, whether in a Planet Fitness or somewhere else.

Was it worth it?

Yes, I can honestly say, for me, it was worth it. It wasn’t glamorous accommodations or healthy meals (legit had microwaveable meals and processed muffins) but it was a trip I will never forget.