By Cherry Moa
There are a lot of ways that you can travel across the country. Car, commercial bus, and plane to name a few. One that falls short on modern modes of transportation is traveling by train. Although the train system itself has a muddled past with the process of exploiting workers for labor and enslavement. The train itself is a huge foot of itself and it is something that can be accessible to the everyday traveler. Though people don’t know there are tips and tricks to make the train traveling experience better. I am here to show you that there are ways to optimize yours.
1. Preparation is Key:
There are certain things you need to consider while traveling across the country by train. First, you need to plan the route that you are going and where you plan to stop. A cross-country trip is no small feat. Planning your itinerary is a key competent, to having a stress-reduced trip. Amtrak is the only passenger train that is accessible in the U.S. Their information is very accessible as well as the ability to purchase a rail pass. It allows you to travel to many major cities at very reasonable prices while enjoying the many cities that the Unites States have to offer.
With preparation, you must consider what type of quarters you want to surround yourself in. They offer a wider variety number of rooming options depending on your needs. From a 2-person roomette to a family bedroom, and accessible bedrooms. Thinking about what you can withstand while being on a train for 12+ hours and you should accommodate so when you are considering price point you also want to consider that.
One of the perks that come along with riding the train is complimentary meals. This is one less thing that you need to prep for unless you have certain food restrictions. You can read up on the special dietary requirements that are provided on their site to get some more information. They do offer alternatives such as Kosher, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Gluten, and Peanut free meals to help with any restrictions you might have. They are very accommodating and transparent with the need to provide for their customers.
Though it seems self-explanatory, packing your luggage is essential to train travel. You must be prepared for any type of weather, either on or off the train. Limit it to a few bags depending on which type of room accommodations you will choose. Nevertheless, make sure you are equally prepared to embark on this long journey and to make sure the essentials are at your disposal. Maybe bring a fan if it gets too hot because you decided to travel in the summertime. Or some blankets and a cozy knit jumper if you decide to plan your trip in the winter. Be prepared for anything and everything. Making a detailed list beforehand will ensure you are optimizing the most out of your travel.
2. Safety Tips:
Just like any mode of transportation you should be always vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Although the last cited train robbery was in 1937 you still need to be able to protect the carry-on items that you bring with you on board. Roughguide.com suggests potentially getting a bike lock to secure your items if you do not plan on carrying them with you or attending to them the entire trip. Also make sure that you are still allowing yourself to be social, and do not let your fears of getting your stuff stolen make you miss out on the fun that trains traveling brings.
3. Scenic Views:
The most traditional reason why people enjoy train travel is the ability to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views of what the trains and routes have to offer. The most popular is the Coast Starlight train, which travels from Seattle to Los Angeles. Taking in the sights is one of the defining features. You can find some of the most unseen and luscious landscapes that make this country so beautiful.
Train travel although not the most common mode of transportation of 2021 it has a historical past and significance that shows what the U.S. was like in the beginning. Allowing yourself to immerse yourself in that as someone else takes the wheel is something that is both freeing and a great way to connect with the history of America.