I have only ridden Amtrak a small number of times. Something that frustrates me about the Amtrak website is that it is completely lacking in automated ability to suggest multi-segment trips. I know it can plan one train ride with an optional bus connection or two, but to get from San Francisco to Tucson — or really, anywhere outside of California, and some places within — I need to manually enter a stop at Bakersfield.
This seems a decade or so behind technology for booking plane flights or road trips. I want to be able to punch in two locations and see my options instead of seeing “0 results”.
Is there a tool or website out there that actually makes this easy?
I put in "San Francisco (Ferry building)" to Tucson and got options. One such option: Bus #6011, Train #11 (Coast Starlight), Train #422 (Texas Eagle).
I also tried San Francisco to Miami and got a number of results, one being nos 5006, 6, 30, 91.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I tried, on the Amtrak site, to punch in "Martinez, CA" to "Everett, WA". The pop-up box said that no train service was found. It would be nice if they could list the Empire Builder, Cascade, Sounder train, etc. that would provide a connection in Seattle. It didn't even mention the Coast Starlight. Maybe i'm expecting too much.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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It seems that if an overnight stay is required to make the connection the reservations system won't show the route. It will show a Spokane to Bellingham itinerary (no overnight break required), but it won't show a Redding to Everett itinerary (overnight stay required).
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Looks like you're right, Vincent. I tried a couple of late arrivals into Chicago which would not connect to LD trains the same day and - at least this time - despite "computer said no", did offer alternatives (earlier origin departures).
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Mr. Axel, it would appear that if you are prepared to "overnight" at an intermediate point, whether by choice or no same-day connection available, the Multi City screen at the Amtrak site is where you want to go. There, you can build any itinerary you want.
You can build, if you choose, a, say, Winona to Pittsburgh itinerary even though Amtrak does not guarantee the 8-CHI-30 connection at present. In such an instance, you would be on your own to obtain (and pay for) your meals and lodging if you chose to wait overnight for the next train.
Of interest, even though 8-CHI-30/59/et al connection has been broken, it appears that the previously broken 30-WAS-91 connection has been restored.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Though yesterday the 30-WAS-91 connection was not made.
I hardly ever use the multi-city planner at all. For the last few years I've only booked separate segments with built-in overnight layovers as a precaution.
And gee - I thought I was clicking on this thread to offer sound advice such as 'pack light' and if you feel the need to buy new clothes before your trip, leave the new clothes at home and pack some nearly worn out things that you can discard as you go......
I discarded several pairs of socks, a couple of old 'sleepwear t-shirts', and a pair of ratty slacks in various European train stations this past summer.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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"I hardly ever use the multi-city planner at all. For the last few years I've only booked separate segments with built-in overnight layovers as a precaution." - notelvis
This is quite wise, especially if holding a hard to obtain sleeper reservation, where there may not be availability the next day if you miss your connection.
I say overnight whenever you change from one long-distance to another. This does not apply, though, to most long-distance to short distance trains. For example, a connection from the SWC to a Surfliner going to Santa Barbara would have multiple alternatives later in the day if you miss your ticketed one.
Of course, my advice to overnight cannot apply to most Guest Rewards bookings because its rules prohibit overnight connections in most cases, with Crescent/Sunset at New Orleans being one of the exceptions.
posted
On my trip this year (completed in June), I was surprised that AMTRAK's multi-city reservation tool booked my connection from #20-WAS-#51, but I did make it. For many short connections like that, AMTRAK won't book on line.
I use the multi-city planner, but before I make any reservations, I use my common sense and experience of knowing which LD trains "generally" are consistently several hours late or consistently "more or less" on time (and that changes year by year -- the "AMTRAK delays" web site helps). Generally, if there is a 5-hour + connection listed on the same day for LD to LD, I will book it.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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