ernok1923
04-04-07, 04:24 AM
we all hear about horror stories related to airlines either losing, damaging, and/or overcharging bicycles. have people had more luck on trains like amtrak?
Touring - trains vs. planes
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acorn_user
04-04-07, 08:17 PM
Had no trouble taking my bike on AMTRAK. It was easier than I had expected. You can always take them as checked baggage. Some trains apparently have racks. That way you wouldn't have to bag/box the bike first.
jharte
04-04-07, 08:26 PM
Amtrak is really a pretty good way to go if you have the time. Like acorn said, you don't have to box your bike. I only had one unpleasant experience (new attitude). I happened to get on a 30mph track and was 4 hours late getting to my destination. I arrived in Alton, IL after dark so it was a little hard finding a camping spot. I was told most passenger trains are suppose to be on the 70mph track and freight on the slower track. I don't know. I'll take the Amtrak several times this year.
Machka
04-04-07, 08:44 PM
I had no problem with my bicycle on Amtrak ... but if you go that route, just add an extra day or two for travel. Amtrak is notoriously late ... and not just 15 minutes or half an hour or something ... more like 8 -12 hours. Oh, bring a pillow so you can sleep more comfortably on the hard wooden benches in the station.
becnal
04-05-07, 02:25 AM
Bikes and Trains around here are like peanutbutter and jelly. They belong together
stokell
04-07-07, 03:26 PM
I love VIA, the Canadian passenger train service. Sadly you have to choose your train carefully. Not everyone has a baggage car to take your bike.
GOOD NEWS
As an experiment, VIA will be allowing bikes on the the Toronto - Niagara run this summer. Check it out! (http://www.biketrain.ca/)
GOOD NEWS
As an experiment, VIA will be allowing bikes on the the Toronto - Niagara run this summer. Check it out! (http://www.biketrain.ca/)
tacomee
04-07-07, 03:55 PM
East coast USA-- Amtrak runs pretty much on time, taking the bike aboard is pretty easy.
West Coast America has some trouble with late trains...really late trains, like days late. Although some local runs like Seattle to Portland run on time.
Greyhound Bus-- easy to take a boxed bike, a great cheap choice for short hops (less then say, 400 miles)
Planes.... No telling here in the USA. sometimes it costs more money, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it's a problem, sometimes it's not.
West Coast America has some trouble with late trains...really late trains, like days late. Although some local runs like Seattle to Portland run on time.
Greyhound Bus-- easy to take a boxed bike, a great cheap choice for short hops (less then say, 400 miles)
Planes.... No telling here in the USA. sometimes it costs more money, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it's a problem, sometimes it's not.