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If all goes according to plan, I will be arriving at Salt Lake Greyhound from Boise at 5PM and leaving that night on the eastbound Zephyr (#6). After I get in to SLC, I'd like to go downtown for a meal. Problem is, Amtrak train station doesn't open until 10PM. Any ideas on what to do with my luggage? I don't see much point in getting a hotel room.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Sojourner, I admire your gumption, but I often wonder why you submit to the masochism that you do in your travels.
I think the restaurant at the Marriott-Temple Square is quite OK,; also in that immediate area, there is a Hilton with a Ruth's Chris located within.
Why not consider traveling West on #5 to Truckee, and with about 1hr layover, get on #6. If someone is way late, bail out at Reno. This way, you would have something that passes for a night's sleep.
I considered a rail option on my trips to SLC in both '10 and '14, but I ruled them both out in favor of driving. Had I chosen rail, I guarantee you, I would not have been sitting around a train station "not exactly" in the best part of town, and would have opted for what I outlined above.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Sommer, both the Union Pacific and D&RGW structures remain standing and have been reincarnated for an 'afterlife". The UP is part of a shopping center, while the D&RGW has become home of Utah Department of Heritage and Arts.
The "intermodal center", comprising "pooch", Utah Transit Authority rail, trolley cars, busses, and Amtrak, is about one block West of the two former stations. The separate Greyhound and Amtrak structures have no architectural significance whatever, and as Ms. Sojourner notes, Amtrak is open only for the "zero dark" departure of the two Zephyrs.
I've walked during daylight from there to the earlier noted Marriott at First and Temple, but for some of the trek, it was "keep moving and watch your back" mode. Not about to consider same after dark.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Not surprised about SLC at all; my son and his family lived in the city until a few years back. Bought a nice home in nearby Murray at the bottom of the market, and they're doing quite well there now.
DonNadeau Member # 61606
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@ sojourner
Why take along so much luggage that you have to store it?
For years, I've taken carry on only--what the airlines allow onboard--and this has been liberating. No worries about lost bags, having to take taxis to nearby hotels instead of walking, etc.
In my case, that includes a daypack with padding for a laptop and a conservatively-styled modest-sized gym bag.
I've taken trips over a month long with just this equipment.
The exceptions in my case are cruises, where I want more formal wear for evenings. An Amtrak trip does not require such.
Please give it a try.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Thank you Mr. Nadeau for endorsing my first rule of travel; "if you can't carry it (didn't say wheel it), don't bring it".
Funny how I went to Miami for three nights and everything I needed was in my over the shoulder flight bag and my "personal item" known as a tote bag. One week overseas (they DO dress up for concerts in Salzburg unlike some venues over here) and everything went into my under the seat suitcase (the tote bag was packed in the suitcase). In Miami two weeks ago, I used mass rail transit on both ends. Between Munich and Salzburg S-Bahn and DB, no wheels, no Porters. Even though at Salzburg I had Hbf to hotel mapped out, I did relent for a €6 taxicab ripoff as it was raining (I confess, on this end, I did use a "white glove" car service).
Haven't checked a bag with an airline in now thirty years - with Amtrak, never.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Sojourner, should you choose not to be "sleepless in Salt Lake", this Homewood Suites is closest to the Amtrak station. I would think such is within range of their courtesy van.
Even if an all-suite property, their rates appear to be quite attractive - much more so than the Marriott City Creek at which I stayed (that was closest to where I wanted to be in town) last year.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I thought about booking a hotel but I am spending so much on the rest of the trip I probably won't.
BTW, shuttles/vans for hotels almost never run 24 hours.
realbtl Member # 147328
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I've found that a $20 tip to the hotel desk/bell clerk results in them happily storing my bag for a few hours.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks, Realbtl. I am not staying in a hotel that day/night (am coming in to SLC by bus) but I will be in SLC hotel the week before so maybe I can go back to that one and do it!
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