Going on a trip? Want tips from locals or others who’ve been there?
This is the spot for you.
Just back from a trip? Want to share your adventure? This is also the spot for you.
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I’ll get us started. I’m on a big train trip from Maine to Minnesota to Colorado and back.
This winter I spent 6 weeks traveling around Europe mainly on the rails so it made me want to check out our US options.
Amtrak is still pretty good. I far prefer it to flying (assuming one has the time), but their user interface for buying tickets is, in my opinion, a bit of a PITA. I found navigating the European ones in foreign languages a bit more user friendly.
Anyhoo, we’re using the US Rail Pass - 10 segments for $499 (to be used within 30 days of the first one being used). Seems like a real bargain, but has some limitations. If you’re considering something similar, let me know if you have any questions.
Saw a bunch of sandhill cranes in the fields today (MPLS to CHI). Wouldn’t see those from a plane!
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Here’s where I am now:
It was a long train ride from Chicago, then a 2.5 hour drive.
The train ride from Denver to Grand Junction was one of the prettiest routes. From the train:
From the gondola in town - free public transportation up and over the mountain!
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Pretty 
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Please give us a report when you get back!
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I’ve been across the USA three times and Canada once on the train. This was when I was a kid - before Amtrak - and I still remember it fondly. It’s a much more civilized way to travel.
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I made a photo slide from some of my favorites of the semi-cross-country train trip. In no particular order.
Our land is so beautiful! And most people are so kind. Met so many really nice people on the trains.
Oh, and here’s a great one I got of T. Noel as we neared a station, retiring in 3 months.
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I so want to do a train trip someday, but here in the US they’re priced and scheduled like a luxury cruise. I guess I should just start budgeting and planning now to do one a few years out.
So wild when people from other countries talk about their train trips compared to how it is here.
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If you’re willing to travel coach, we did the whole thing on the USA Rail Pass, $499 each, and we had some segments left over.
Still not as great as Europe, but pretty affordable, compared to other travel modes.
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