FAO US based bods and/or travel bods

[SKII]

Spending the next few days tightening up the itinerary for No2 Son's trip round the US in June. Looking for advice from anyone with experience of transport options in terms of going for flight v train or otherwise for a trip from San Francisco to LA.

Flights are £80 one way with Virgin per person

Amtrak seems to be suggesting $100 for two people to do the same trip - so about half the price.

Any pros and cons we should consider in deciding which way to go?

 

[Jack]

I've only driven it, both ways.

Not sure I'd be keen to do that again.

 

[SKII]

I've only driven it, both ways.

Not sure I'd be keen to do that again.

We've driven it too - with him in the back aged 6 . We broke the trip up in chunks. Stopped for a couple of days here and there. Final destination was actually the Grand Canyon - so a bit of a road trip. It's not an option for this trip for him. He's got some pre-booked legs of the trip using a combo of STA travel services (a studenty minibus camping tour of the canyons) and air. He was warned off the Greyhound by STA.

 

[Doc Shrink]

I've only driven it, both ways.

Not sure I'd be keen to do that again.

I've done a couple of Californian road trips too.

It's amazing how many elderly/middle aged farts you see driving Mustang convertibles with the Beach Boys blaring out...
:yas:

 

[Archie]

I've flown Virgin America (though not on this route) and found them to be very good. I've taken Amtrak a number of times, with variable results, again not on this route. One of the issues with the train is that in many areas the lines are owned by freight companies, so they get precedence. A trip of 270 miles in the NE took nine hours - and that was to timetable. So check the timing for the train journey. Because of this it is worth looking at the Amtrak extras such as roomettes etc. They are pretty comfortable and don't cost that much extra (and sometimes throw in free food). But this is based on the North East - maybe California is better.

 

[barney]

Spending the next few days tightening up the itinerary for No2 Son's trip round the US in June. Looking for advice from anyone with experience of transport options in terms of going for flight v train or otherwise for a trip from San Francisco to LA.

Flights are £80 one way with Virgin per person

Amtrak seems to be suggesting $100 for two people to do the same trip - so about half the price.

Any pros and cons we should consider in deciding which way to go?

no experience with Trains, but if he is passing thru ATL would be happy to feed and water. :bye

 

[southfieldhibby]

Train all the way. Centre to centre, no security, great scenery.

 

[SuperTortolano]

Drove San Fran to Las Vegas there and back. What a horrible horrible drive that was. I'd do the flights as it will cut his travel by train a good few hours. Make sure he goes to Alcatraz, I thought that was fascinating.