Comments on: Who wins with high gas prices? Trains!

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:52:52 +0000

I took Amtrak from Toronto to Los Angeles (two legs) back in 2002. I was heading to cover the Oscars for my site. The sleeper room was great, the food was fantastic.

Nominee Benicio del Toro was on the train and the attendant said Julia Roberts was on the week before. Sure it takes a couple of days…but it’s like a land cruise.

By: Patricaj

Patricaj — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:23:57 +0000

I take a ferry/train combo to work sometimes. If gas prices continue to rise, it will become my primary means of transportation. It is also kinder to the environment.

By: Marilyn Terrell

Marilyn Terrell — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:11:26 +0000

I always prefer to take Amtrak instead of flying from DC to NYC, and if I can get a $69 one way fare, it’s probably cheaper than driving, especially if you take the price of NYC parking garages into account.

By: From the Mind of J

From the Mind of J — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:40:00 +0000

Living in the Pacific Northwest, there are several destinations such as Portland, Seattle, and (though I can’t really fathom wanting to go there) Spokane that would be far more practical to reach with high speed rail than air travel.

Provided accommodations are more luxurious onboard, I’d take a high speed train (180 mph total average) as far as southern California, and definitely from Seattle to San Francisco, even with a slightly lower average speed, though there’s only two cities worth stopping an express train between Seattle and SF.

By: Randy Hunt

Randy Hunt — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:34:10 +0000

I live in Chicago, where I can reach the better parts of three states easily and affordably by train, and usually much faster than by car.

I got rid of my car last November, and so far in the past six months I’ve found myself able to do all the commuting and traveling I want, easily by train and/or airplane.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:43:00 +0000

California’s Amtrak service ranks near the top in ridership and keeps on climbing! Amtrak is certainly a great way to travel!

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:21:50 +0000

I live in NC (Chapel Hill) and we’re traveling this weekend to Washington, DC metro area. Amtrak price: 160 to 294$ to go and 132$ to return. (two adults two children)! 132$ one way seems to be the cheapest. And it’s 6.5 hours. With only one choice, for the second one I have to drive 30+ minutes to Raleigh… It’s a no-brainer, we’re driving.

By: mps247

mps247 — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:57:49 +0000

It is also worth noting that trains take you from city centre to city centre. In most cases, the journey time may seem longer by train than by plane. However, on short haul routes, any time you save during the flight is lost (or at least drastically reduced) by getting to the airport in time for check-in and then getting to the city from your destination airport.

By: Jack from eyeflare.com

Jack from eyeflare.com — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:30:26 +0000

Yes, trains are turning into my default option when I can take them. In fact, I just put up a post listing the major train networks around the world today.

Trains are eco-friendly, fast, comfortable, and there are no charges for a second bag!