posted
I was wanting to take a different route to Chicago in March just for the fun of it. I've traveled the Empire Builder, Chief and Zypher and wanted to take the Eagle for a new view of the nation. Here's my question. A roomette all the way to Chicago is $593 on the Texas Eagle, but if you book the Sunset to San Antonio and the Eagle to Chicago both rooomettes together cost $307. Am I to assume that if you book the Sunset/Eagle you must get off the train and wait from arrival at 10:25PM to Departure on the Eagle at 7:00AM? $286 is a heffty price to pay for a roomette for one night if thats the case. I am so happy to be riding Amtrak and if it werent for the delays in the airlines I would have never thought of it. I just got tired of spending so much time waiting to take off and after one coast to coast trip where I waited a total of 6 hours in an airplane waiting to take off the light went on in my head that there was another way to travel.
Posts: 139 | From: myrtle creek oregon | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Actually when the Sunset arrives in San Antonio, you grab your stuff and walk all the way to the end Eagle sleeper and go to your room there. You don't have to wait for the departure time the next morning. Just be sure to walk quickly to the end sleeper becuase if the Sunset is late then they will try to disconnect the Eagle section as fast as they can, so the Sunset can make up some time.
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Even though I cannot claim 'been there done that' (I've never seen SAS by light of day; only now closed SAM), it is certain that you would be required to vacate your Sunset sleeper upon arrival and would not be able to occupy your Eagle sleeper until departure.
Think of the premium you note as your convenient hotel in San Antonio.
Amtrak fares in both classes are governed by supply and demand; apparently, there is greater Sleeper demand (and I think you will find Coach as well) on Train 422 (that's the through LA-Chi cars) than on either #2 Sunset and/or #22 Eagle. in railroadese, "more throughs than shorts".
Posts: 9983 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I wouldn't go for the hotel. We did a trip from ELP to Austin in March and we sprang for the #422 Sleeper. Even though its a lot more expensive, its worth it. You won't have to wake up in the middle of the night when they switch cars. Plus either way you're going to end up in that Sleeper anyway because its the only full Sleeper on the Eagle. The nearest hotel near the San Antonio station is the Hilton. Why bother paying for a hotel room for maybe 2 hours of sleep when you could either book the 422 Sleeper, or walk down the platform to the Sleeper when the Sunset arrives in San Antonio.
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Mr. Schillinger, I believe you are overlooking that a passenger could not occupy the Sleeper on The Eagle until maybe 630A, and, even though the station is open all night, any sane passenger would not wish to be a vagrant sleeping on a station bench if it could be avoided.
But I certainly agree not only that seeking out a San Antonio hotel would not be very cost effective and would result in very little sleep, but also that the #422 Sleeper would be "worth it".
Posts: 9983 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Assuming that your split ticket has you booked into two different sleeping cars, it's true that -- officially -- you won't be entitled to claim your room on the Texas Eagle until shortly before departure from San Antonio. However, throughout the Amtrak system, I've found that onboard crews are sometimes willing to reinterpret the rules as they see fit.
A Texas Eagle sleeping car attendant who prefers to stick to protocol (or simply doesn't enjoy his or her job) will just say "sorry" to your request to claim your room a few hours ahead of time. On the other hand, provided your room-to-be is empty and ready for occupancy, many attendants will have no problem with it. After all, you do have a ticket, you're already on the train, and you may already be in the same car. For the record, I've made similar requests four or five times over the years, on various long distance trains. I've never been refused.
If saving money is the deciding factor and you do decide to split your ticket, I'd advise making "friends" with the Texas Eagle attendant earlier during your trip. Mention that you'll be switching sleepers. Ask if it will be okay to take possession of your room as soon as the train arrives in San Antonio. If he or she is agreeable, don't even bother to get off the train. Just walk through the cars, find your new room, and let the attendant know you've arrived.
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They change sleeping car attendants in SAS in the 421/422 sleeper, so make sure the current attendant tells the new attendant what's going on.
You could also tell the sleeping car attendant that it was a "goof" in the Amtrak res system and they might be more willing to accomodate you. If that room is unoccupied for the entire way, they might just let you stay in the same car the entire way.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Thanks guys--you have been a great help--this is part of the reson I like Amtrak so much, human inter action and puts the fun back into getting there.
Posts: 139 | From: myrtle creek oregon | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
One other possibility: if the fares are favourable, why not try changing from the New Orleans sleeper to the Chicago sleeper when the train arrives in Del Rio, the stop before San Antonio. That way you are "officially" in the Chicago sleeper in San Antonio when it is pulled off the Sunset and is hooked on to the waiting Texas Eagle. Whether it is worthwhile or not would depend on the tariffs charged to and from Del Rio. Perhaps worth looking into.
Posts: 524 | From: Toronto Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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