posted
Hi All I'm planning to take the Coast Starlight early in October from Seattle to San Francisco; I'll be travelling alone. I was going to book a Reserved Coach Seat but read that it's probably a good idea to get a Roomette. But at $260 that's outside my budget. I read somewhere that sometimes it's possible to get cancellations or empty sleepers once you get aboard. I also read that sometimes there are special offers and discounts offered. So here is where I'm hoping to get some help with answers if anyone can oblige: a. Is it realistic to hope that I might get a much cheaper price at the Amtrak Station as I leave Seattle, or onboard? b. As I'd have to pay for the whole roomette for myself but only need one bed, do people (fellow passengers) ever "double up" and split the cost ? Is there any system for this? Maybe via the train staff? I'm thinking that it can't be an unusual problem for single travellers, but maybe they just have to either stick to coach or find the extra money.... Any advice much appreciated.
Posts: 2 | From: Scotland | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
It is possible to get an on-board upgrade for a discounted price, but it is hit and miss. Its not something you can count on. Early October it might be easier, especially if you travel on a weekday.
I've never heard of doubling up with anyone you don't know. I don't believe there is a procedure. Perhaps by pure chance you might find an agreeable companion on board, but I think it would be extremely unlikely. Personally, I wouldn't want to share a room with someone I just met.
But if your budget isn't up to a sleeper, don't sweat it. I rode overnight in coach many, many times during my school daze. Coach seats are quite comfortable, provide ample legroom to stretch your legs straight out (or close), a foot rest, a leg rest, and they recline. It takes little to get used to sleeping in them, but it is very doable.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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Several things that make my overnight coach rides easier:
Ear plugs (foam rubber kind, a real blessing)
Night mask (covers my eyes from outide passing halogen lights if the curtains dont close all the way and from the lights inside the train)
Your own pillow and 'blankey' (even if they are small, they are from home and REALLY help)
CD player on 'Repeat', headset over the earplugs, with some smooth jazz or classical music (bring extra batteries)
Breath Right menthol nasal strips and Snore Relief (so I dont iritate the people around me)
I usually sleep thru the night.
-------------------- The best part of life is the journey, not the destination. Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Thanks for the replies. I'll take your advice and stick to the coach seat. Thanks.
Posts: 2 | From: Scotland | Registered: Aug 2005
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On Saturday morning in KC I upgraded from coach to a Superliner Roomette for about half the price. Overall, as most probably would agree, the experience even on coach the Superliners are pleasant.
My experience with the roomette was great. First off, with a limited number of rooms in your car (there were four compartments on lower level, with larger rooms upstairs), the shared bathrooms still worked out to almost one per person. Second, with the prospect of a delay, it was easy just to put the bed out and nap while we waited for them to clear the mess off the tracks over in the next town. The attendant was very pleasant and good humored, a bit more than a steward in his role. He made it a point of remembering all our names. Apprehension over not meeting anyone dissipated as we got to know eachother during the smoke stops (which I use for stretching), and this carried over into the train where we'd smalltalk between the compartments. Being able to sit crosslegged on my bed while watching the clouds and the farmland speed by was very comfortable for me, unlike the aching I get from the coach class chairs.
quote:Originally posted by GDM: Hi All I'm planning to take the Coast Starlight early in October from Seattle to San Francisco; I'll be travelling alone. I was going to book a Reserved Coach Seat but read that it's probably a good idea to get a Roomette. But at $260 that's outside my budget. I read somewhere that sometimes it's possible to get cancellations or empty sleepers once you get aboard. I also read that sometimes there are special offers and discounts offered. So here is where I'm hoping to get some help with answers if anyone can oblige: a. Is it realistic to hope that I might get a much cheaper price at the Amtrak Station as I leave Seattle, or onboard? b. As I'd have to pay for the whole roomette for myself but only need one bed, do people (fellow passengers) ever "double up" and split the cost ? Is there any system for this? Maybe via the train staff? I'm thinking that it can't be an unusual problem for single travellers, but maybe they just have to either stick to coach or find the extra money.... Any advice much appreciated.
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