Touring - bike tour, flying or taking train

this summer we are going on a tour from san fran to boston, and are looking at heading back in august by train or plane, what would be the lease expensive way and how to do that?

time is not much of an issue, since ill have about 2 weeks to get back home before school starts.


if i were to take the train/plane do we have to pack up the bike?

i have never gone on a trip were i had to fly back to my destination, but i have to fly back out for college at the end of the month, so there would be no way to bike back :thumb:

I found you a flight for $235 on southwest - friday the thirteenth, actually!@
Bikes are 50 bucks. 'Most all your luggage is free.

I found you a train for $193. Pack the bike like your true love! Pedal wrenches and stuff. 80-hour train ride.

Check on shipping the bikes. $50 to a bike shop, $50 to fedex, per bike that is, and your problems become few.

It all comes down to what you want to do, but you already knew that

I found you a flight for $235 on southwest - friday the thirteenth, actually!@
Bikes are 50 bucks. 'Most all your luggage is free.

I found you a train for $193. Pack the bike like your true love! Pedal wrenches and stuff. 80-hour train ride.

Check on shipping the bikes. $50 to a bike shop, $50 to fedex, per bike that is, and your problems become few.

It all comes down to what you want to do, but you already knew that

http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

Look it up. Read the site above. Pick an airline from the list. Go to their website. Check the baggage policy as it concerns bicycles because those policies change all the time. And make a decision.

And yes, if you fly, you'll have to pack the bicycle in some way. I suspect you'd have to do the same on Amtrak.

Amtrak charges $5 to check a bike as luggage - make sure that both the origin and destination have checked-bag service, not all stations do. On most trains, they require that the bike be boxed, but they aren't too concerned with the size of the box. When I went Philadelphia-Seattle, I found a box that was just the right size to lower the seat, turn the handlebars and roll the bike in without removing either wheel, and that was fine with them.

I love the trains, hate planes.. But of course fly one one has to...What I don't trust about putting your bike on a plane.. Insurance.. Check out what they will pay should they damage or loose your bike.. Because of the value of a bike, some airlines say. Their value exceeds what they will reimburse.. Once an airline sent my bike onto Tahiti without us.. For 10 days I had no idea where my bike was.. And no guarantee it would be found.. They would pay me back about 200 dollars on a 2000 dollar bike..
. About trains. Maybe they could loose a bike.? ?. Somehow I trust them more than the Airlines..
Regarding Amtrak. Last time I considered using them. They had a policy , you could get off board and continue on the train the very next day.. Stay in a local hotel and re-board the next day as a continuing passage..
Crossing the US, I 'd want to stop at Springfield , Ill. somewhere in Colorado,maybe Vegas. Particularly if i had my bike along to do a couple local rides or two..

Amtrak charges $5 to check a bike as luggage - make sure that both the origin and destination have checked-bag service, not all stations do. On most trains, they require that the bike be boxed, but they aren't too concerned with the size of the box. When I went Philadelphia-Seattle, I found a box that was just the right size to lower the seat, turn the handlebars and roll the bike in without removing either wheel, and that was fine with them.

For Amtrak, based on my single experience last spring...
By far the easiest is to call ahead to be sure they have a box. The Amtrak boxes are $15 I think and huge. Then just ride to the station, take the pedals off and rotate the handlebars. The boxes are so big you probably won't need to lower the seat. Packing is quick and easy and you can have the bike ready to ride in minutes on the other end.

Either stuff your panniers into a big duffel bag or strap them together. I managed to strap mine together into two bundles that were small enough to pass as carry on. The handlebar bag went as a personal item.

Be sure that all stops where you board or depart have baggage service. Also be sure you have a pedal wrench. They will most likely loan you a packing tape dispenser, but taking your own just in case is a good idea. I picked up some tape on the way to the station. On hind sight I should have asked about the tape when I called to verify they had a box.

My experience with Amtrak this Spring was a very positive one. One nice thing was that when I needed to change my travel date and time Amtrak just said OK, done. Changing plans at the last minute when flying can be a huge hassle.

My preference would be to go by train and get a sleeper car. I rode Amtrak from San Luis Obispo to Portland a couple summers ago. That involved riding overnight. I had to sit up in my seat. It was a miserable night. Other than that I love train travel, although you never get there on time. If I had to go a long way and couldn't afford a sleeper, I'd take a plane and get there on the same day.

My preference would be to go by train and get a sleeper car. I rode Amtrak from San Luis Obispo to Portland a couple summers ago. That involved riding overnight. I had to sit up in my seat. It was a miserable night. Other than that I love train travel, although you never get there on time. If I had to go a long way and couldn't afford a sleeper, I'd take a plane and get there on the same day.

Yeah, the seats were not the greatest for sleeping. It was barely OK for a 14 hour ride, but going coast to coast would be pretty uncomfortable unless you did it in hops doing stuff along the way. The sleeper car option is pretty pricey though.

Yeah, the seats were not the greatest for sleeping. It was barely OK for a 14 hour ride, but going coast to coast would be pretty uncomfortable unless you did it in hops doing stuff along the way. The sleeper car option is pretty pricey though.

Do the train and get a sleeper if you can afford it. Who knows you might bump into Eva Marie Saint. When I do my cross country I plan to use the train as it will just add to the adventure

Also, if you get a sleeper it includes meals in the dining car, which is real fun.


Do the train and get a sleeper if you can afford it. Who knows you might bump into Eva Marie Saint. When I do my cross country I plan to use the train as it will just add to the adventure

Also, if you get a sleeper it includes meals in the dining car, which is real fun.

I didn't realize that. It makes the price sound a lot better.

Do the train and get a sleeper if you can afford it.
(I posted yesterday - but it got lost in space.)

Do coach.
I serious doubt you can afford the sleeper -
Since it appears you guys are in college.
The cheapest roomette adds $632 to the price.
Amtrak's coach seats are at least twice the size of airline seats.

Here's the lowdown -
(Summer schedules may have slightly different times)
You leave Boston at 11:55am on the Lake Shore Limited
Arrive in Chicago the next morning at 9:45am
Leave Chicago at 2:00pm on the California Zephyr
Arrive in Emeryville at 4:10 two days later

You only have one train change in Chicago.
You don't have to worry about missing your stop
Since both Chicago and Emeryville are the end of the line for each train.
This will also help you bikes get there with you.

The station usually has big bike boxes for $15 - plus $5 baggage fee.
That is a lot easier than schlepping a bike box to the airport
And then finding someplace to disassemble it.
Plus, changes are a lot easier and cheaper on Amtrak in case you change plans.

Not to mention that it gives you time to recompose and see the country.
Plus you can have a nice lunch in Chicago on the lakefront.

(I posted yesterday - but it got lost in space.)

Do coach.
I serious doubt you can afford the sleeper -
Since it appears you guys are in college.
The cheapest roomette adds $632 to the price.
Amtrak's coach seats are at least twice the size of airline seats.

Here's the lowdown -
(Summer schedules may have slightly different times)
You leave Boston at 11:55am on the Lake Shore Limited
Arrive in Chicago the next morning at 9:45am
Leave Chicago at 2:00pm on the California Zephyr
Arrive in Emeryville at 4:10 two days later

You only have one train change in Chicago.
You don't have to worry about missing your stop
Since both Chicago and Emeryville are the end of the line for each train.
This will also help you bikes get there with you.

The station usually has big bike boxes for $15 - plus $5 baggage fee.
That is a lot easier than schlepping a bike box to the airport
And then finding someplace to disassemble it.
Plus, changes are a lot easier and cheaper on Amtrak in case you change plans.

Not to mention that it gives you time to recompose and see the country.
Plus you can have a nice lunch in Chicago on the lakefront.

:thumb::love:

I haven't taken Amtrak and a bike huge distances, but I have done Charleston, SC to Fayetteville, NC a couple of times with bikes. The first time I had my "big" bike with me, CHS had a used bike box they gave me, paid the $5 baggage fee. On my bike I had to lower the saddle, remove the pedals and turn the handle bars, took ten minutes tops. I left the box at the station in FAY.

The next two times I had my Raleigh Twenty with me, I basically folded it up, rotated the handle bars down and put it in a huge duffel bag, it went as checked baggage no fee.:D

It is only about a 3 hour ride from CHS to FAY but Amtrak beats the crap out of 4 hours of windshield time at 70mph and hoping you don't spend several hours at a dead stop due to someone's inability to keep their vehicle upright and between the lines.:rolleyes:

I ride this train at least twice a month round trip.

Flying "might" be a bit cheaper but IMHO it isn't really when you factor in all the hassles.

Aaron :)

Do the train and get a sleeper if you can afford it. Who knows you might bump into Eva Marie Saint. When I do my cross country I plan to use the train as it will just add to the adventure

I rode Amtrack during the summer on my way to Virgina Beach. I started at Newark New Jesey and ended at NewPort News Virginia for a total of almost 9 hours! I love trains and use them every day but for some reason, Amtrack seats are NOT comfortable after 5 hours! Since the trip started in the middle of the night, I tried to sleep on those seats and it was horrible. All the noise from the conductor calling each stop plus the uncomfortable seat had me waking up at all hours.

I ended up taking Greyhound back to New York and it was almost the same amount of time. However, I believe Greyhound spent quality time and money on those seats because it just felt more comfortable. I guess Greyhound had to focus on the seat because you really can't walk around. Unfortunately, Amtrak did not do this!

I looked on the net and sleeper cars are EXPENSIVE! Superliners are $166.00 dollars a day and a Delux Bedroom is $332.00 a day!

I too remember Eva Marie Saint in North by North West and she was hot! Eva is STILL acting and the last time I saw her was in Superman Returns where she played Clark Kent's adopted mother. I could barely recognize her because she looked about 100 years old! What a shame. Such a beautiful woman and how father time took it all away.

I rode Amtrack during the summer on my way to Virgina Beach. I started at Newark New Jesey and ended at NewPort News Virginia for a total of almost 9 hours! I love trains and use them every day but for some reason, Amtrack seats are NOT comfortable after 5 hours! Since the trip started in the middle of the night, I tried to sleep on those seats and it was horrible. All the noise from the conductor calling each stop plus the uncomfortable seat had me waking up at all hours.

I ended up taking Greyhound back to New York and it was almost the same amount of time. However, I believe Greyhound spent quality time and money on those seats because it just felt more comfortable. I guess Greyhound had to focus on the seat because you really can't walk around. Unfortunately, Amtrak did not do this!


Interesting ... because I rode Amtrak from Sacramento to Eugene back in 2005, and the seats were really comfortable and lovely. Then I took Greyhound from Eugene to Vancouver, and it was like riding a city bus ... only there's not usually a brawl in the back of the city busses I've been on. It was horrible!

For Amtrak, based on my single experience last spring...
By far the easiest is to call ahead to be sure they have a box. The Amtrak boxes are $15 I think and huge. Then just ride to the station, take the pedals off and rotate the handlebars. The boxes are so big you probably won't need to lower the seat. Packing is quick and easy and you can have the bike ready to ride in minutes on the other end.

I rode Amtrak last summer. They asked me to remove the pedals. I was specifically told that I couldn't put any additional luggage inside the box. My bike had a 100 or 110mm stem, drop bars with 89mm reach, and Shimano STI shifters. I had to remove the bars to get my bike to fit in the box; the stem was just too long to fit in the very narrow box I was given. I use a threadless stem, so this was quick and easy; just allow a few extra minutes for it.


My experience with Amtrak this Spring was a very positive one. One nice thing was that when I needed to change my travel date and time Amtrak just said OK, done. Changing plans at the last minute when flying can be a huge hassle.

I was surprised to find that Amtrak treats boxed bikes just like an airline would: poorly.

At my destination, my bike box was removed from the train, placed flat on a luggage cart, and then all of the other luggage being removed was stacked on top of it! The box was crushed, though the bike only received a couple of scratches; luckily the frame took most of the weight rather than, say, the wheels.

Based on this experience, I would offer two pieces of advice:

1) Bring a large Sharpie or Day-Glo orange stickers and add a bunch of "This Side Up" arrows to the box

2) Read the luggage contract very carefully before leaving the check-in window, especially the section about liability. On mine, there was a blank for the declared value of the bike which the ticket agent had helpfully filled in with "$100". I didn't notice that until I was looking at the scratched frame and trying to decide what to do. I believe there's also a clause about their maximum liability, though I forget what the limit is... maybe $1000?

I was surprised to find that Amtrak treats boxed bikes just like an airline would: poorly.


I just returned from a trip with Amtrak this afternoon. I took the train down from Portland to San Diego and did the HI-AYH Christmas Bike Ride. On the return, I spent a week in SF Bay Area before returning today.

I've flown with my bike >25 times and taken Amtrak ~10 times. On average, the boxes came out better on the train than flying. On this trip, I was pleasantly surprised and how good condition the box (and bike) did the trip both down and back. I'm sure there are situations where all other luggage is stacked on top of the bike box, though I've seen that at least as often on the plane and haven't personally experienced it yet on Amtrak.

I was surprised to find that Amtrak treats boxed bikes just like an airline would: poorly.

At my destination, my bike box was removed from the train, placed flat on a luggage cart, and then all of the other luggage being removed was stacked on top of it! The box was crushed, though the bike only received a couple of scratches; luckily the frame took most of the weight rather than, say, the wheels.


From my experience, if you're going with Amtrak, when the train pulls into the station at your destination, gather all your belongings together into the easiest to handle bundle ... a backpack would be good. Then look out the window and visually locate the cart on the platform. There won't likely be more than one. Then get ready to sprint off the train as soon as they open the door and grab the cart. If all goes well, everyone else will be hugging relatives. Your goal, however, is to get the cart. Then stand right next to the train, and as soon as they unload your bicycle ... grab it and put it on your cart.

Someone gave me that advice before my 2005 trip, and it seemed to work for me!

Has something changed in the last few years? In the summer of 2008 I could not bring my bicycle on the train from the East Coast(Maine). Could take the bicycle from Chicago all the way to the West Coast though. Something about the old rails/bridges and using the smaller trains.

Don't know if I was fed a line of bull but.... If I could have taken it along it would have saved me a hundred bucks in shipping UPS.

And although it was a really nice train trip.... It was 4 days... Yikes.

Has something changed in the last few years?

More likely it was (and perhaps still is) something specific to one particular train line. I've found differences occasionally in whether it was required for the bike to be boxed depending on what segment. What is also true is that not every station is a "baggage station" and hence they won't load/offload checked baggage at those stations.

Last time I came up the East Coast on Amtrak was more than a decade ago, but then I was able to take my bike from Savannah GA to Burlington VT on Amtrak.

Has something changed in the last few years? In the summer of 2008 I could not bring my bicycle on the train from the East Coast(Maine). Could take the bicycle from Chicago all the way to the West Coast though. Something about the old rails/bridges and using the smaller trains.

Don't know if I was fed a line of bull but.... If I could have taken it along it would have saved me a hundred bucks in shipping UPS.

And although it was a really nice train trip.... It was 4 days... Yikes.

AFAIK all east coast trains below the DC area will not allow a bicycle on board UNLESS it is a small folder bagged up or a full sized bike in a bike box traveling as luggage. It also may be true once you get a bit north of the NYC area. I have seen a couple of Brommies that were folded and in bags in the large suitcase area at the back of the passenger car, they belonged to a couple going from Savannah to the DC area. I most likely will be taking a full sized bike between NC and Boston in the spring. It will have to go as baggage.

There are quite a few stations that do not have baggage service, if they don't you are SOL unless you can carry a folder onboard.

Aaron:)

AFAIK all east coast trains below the DC area will not allow a bicycle on board UNLESS it is a small folder bagged up or a full sized bike in a bike box traveling as luggage. It also may be true once you get a bit north of the NYC area. I have seen a couple of Brommies that were folded and in bags in the large suitcase area at the back of the passenger car, they belonged to a couple going from Savannah to the DC area. I most likely will be taking a full sized bike between NC and Boston in the spring. It will have to go as baggage.

There are quite a few stations that do not have baggage service, if they don't you are SOL unless you can carry a folder onboard.

Aaron:)

This is what I was dealing with. Really did enjoy the train.. Just not the 4 days it took from coast to coast.

Does anyone with recent Amtrak experience know if they have any kind of WI-FI or outlets for plugging in a charger for phone/ipod?

I'm planning to take the Empire Builder from Mpls to Portland and then down to Salem in July for a tour in Oregon and having music will be critical for that long of a ride.

Does anyone with recent Amtrak experience know if they have any kind of WI-FI

Not generally, but I think the Acela trains do now. Some stations do as well.

I had a good experience with Amtrak. I boxed up my bike and sent it ahead of me. I also paid extra to increase the insurance - you pay extra for any declared value over $500. (I declared $1500, I think.) If your biek has large drop bars, you may have to remove them entirely to get the bike them into the box (I did). Aside from that and removing the pedals, you just roll the bike into the box and tape it closed. The baggage people in Newark were very friendly and helpful. If you've never removed your pedals or handlebars before, I'd recommend learning how ahead of time. You can strip the threads off your pedals if you don't know what you're doing, but it's really not all that hard. I had a stem failure on tour because I stripped the threads putting the handlebars back on. Live and learn!

Does anyone with recent Amtrak experience know if they have any kind of WI-FI or outlets for plugging in a charger for phone/ipod?

The train I was on from Los Angeles to San Jose had power outlets. No WiFi, though.

OP, look at Amtrak's US Rail Pass, they have three with different amounts of time you can travel and number of stops/reboardings you can make (the cheapest allows a 15-day travel period, the most expensive allows a 45-day travel period) . It's a very affordable alternative to air fare, plus you get to see more of the country, if you have the time to travel by train. I'm planning a couple of train trips this year, including heading back east to visit old friends, family and former colleagues. I can travel all the way to Ft. Lauderdale (with a stop over in my former home area--D.C.). This is a huge advantage for me because the Empire Builder (the line that runs between Seattle and Chicago) stops at the small town that I live near. I won't need to drive more than 3 hours to get to an over crowded airport where I'd have to take off my shoes during security processing. I'm actually shopping for a folder to take with me on these trips. I've got my selection narrowed down to 3 models and have to decide by next month so I can get it ordered.

Does anyone with recent Amtrak experience know if they have any kind of WI-FI or outlets for plugging in a charger for phone/ipod?

I'm planning to take the Empire Builder from Mpls to Portland and then down to Salem in July for a tour in Oregon and having music will be critical for that long of a ride.

Even the beat up Amfleet II coaches on the east coast have outlets, I have not seen any wifi. I do use an aircard from Verizon but it can be hit or miss in some more rural areas.

Aaron :)

The train I was on from Los Angeles to San Jose had power outlets. No WiFi, though.

On Saturday I came back on that same train (Coast Starlight). There were power outlets in some coach cars but not others, there were power outlets in sleeper. I didn't check some of the other cars e.g. observation car.

For a short time, the Parlor car had a wifi signal and for ~30 minutes I was able to connect with intermittent access. It was intermittent enough that I gave up after half an hour and then later in the day the signal wasn't there.

More likely it was (and perhaps still is) something specific to one particular train line. I've found differences occasionally in whether it was required for the bike to be boxed depending on what segment. What is also true is that not every station is a "baggage station" and hence they won't load/offload checked baggage at those stations.


Yes ... that's something you really have to watch. Rowan and I wanted to take the train from Denver to Le Claire Iowa for a 24-hour challenge a few years ago, but none of the stations anywhere near Le Claire were baggage stations. We would have been able to work with anything up to about 150 km around Le Claire, and then cycle the rest of the way, but there was nothing. Seems to me that the closest station was Chicago, about 260 km away.

Yes ... that's something you really have to watch. Rowan and I wanted to take the train from Denver to Le Claire Iowa for a 24-hour challenge a few years ago, but none of the stations anywhere near Le Claire were baggage stations. We would have been able to work with anything up to about 150 km around Le Claire, and then cycle the rest of the way, but there was nothing. Seems to me that the closest station was Chicago, about 260 km away.

I was looking at that this past summer (09) apparently none of the stations in Iowa are baggage stations. I have a letter under construction to Amtrak suggesting that at the very least they allow passengers to at least get their baggage off the train at non checked baggage stations. I have no clue how Amtrak decides which are baggage and which are non baggage, but intend to find out!

Aaron:)

thanks, as of right now we are looking at taking the train, but the thing is we are not sure when we are going to arrive in boston.


is there a way to buy a ticket ahead of time and change the time when we are leaving, when we get to boston? is that possible?

thanks, as of right now we are looking at taking the train, but the thing is we are not sure when we are going to arrive in boston.


is there a way to buy a ticket ahead of time and change the time when we are leaving, when we get to boston? is that possible?

In my general experience on most trains if you purchase ticket a week prior to when you need it the price is generally the lowest it is going to be, FWIW I use my AAA card for a 10% discount. Some routes and some days are going to be worse than others for getting tickets. On holiday weekends the routes I use sometimes sell out and quite often the price will increase by as much as 50%. AFAIK Amtrak does not charge for ticket changes as long as the seats are available. I have changed tickets from a night train to a next morning train due to a long delay, no charge.

Aaron:)

"I have a letter under construction to Amtrak suggesting that at the very least they allow passengers to at least get their baggage off the train at non checked baggage stations."

Being in the rail biz, I am sorry to say that such a thing is highly unlikely for liability reasons alone. They don't want people climbing up into possibly unlit baggage cars, fishing around for their luggage and then getting down from the cars. And what happens when grandma checks her luggage and is physically incapable of retrieving it. It might also violate union labor agreements.

My 2 x-country Amtrak trips with a bike and numerous Philly-Pittsburgh trips were extremely possitive.

The seats on the long haul trains are much more sleep condusive than seats on some other Amtrak equipment. Packing my 63 cm T-700 was easy and it was never damaged.

If you change in CHI, you can always check with the baggage people to make sure your bike made the transfer. I did this and the handlers in CHI were accomodating.

"I have a letter under construction to Amtrak suggesting that at the very least they allow passengers to at least get their baggage off the train at non checked baggage stations."

Being in the rail biz, I am sorry to say that such a thing is highly unlikely for liability reasons alone. They don't want people climbing up into possibly unlit baggage cars, fishing around for their luggage and then getting down from the cars. And what happens when grandma checks her luggage and is physically incapable of retrieving it. It might also violate union labor agreements.



My 2 x-country Amtrak trips with a bike and numerous Philly-Pittsburgh trips were extremely possitive.

The seats on the long haul trains are much more sleep condusive than seats on some other Amtrak equipment. Packing my 63 cm T-700 was easy and it was never damaged.

If you change in CHI, you can always check with the baggage people to make sure your bike made the transfer. I did this and the handlers in CHI were accomodating.

I was thinking of suggesting that the conductor (who I believe is the one that tosses the bags to the cart) could at least put the bags at the edge of the baggage car and let you grab them. I find it hard to believe that the Amtrak makes 5 stops in Iowa and not a single station is available for checked baggage. Perhaps they could institute a express baggage unload? No clue but the letter is on it's way. FWIW I am seriously considering a Brompton with the soft bag to use, so I can take it as carry on baggage just to cover my bases.

Aaron:)

Someone mentioned this last year when we used Amtrak on our Northern Tier venture, and we found it to be true: The ticket prices only get higher as the departure time approaches. As they start to sell more they add value the remaining seats. Figure out your departure date as soon as possible and book your trip. You can change your dates later if there is space available. The small sleeper rooms are MUCH better than coach. Food is included, and you can actually sleep.

Tom

The small sleeper rooms are MUCH better than coach. Food is included, and you can actually sleep.

+1. Well worth the money for longer trips. Here's the one we had in Florida last year:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/3153939910_3ba13d2694.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/3153939910/)
Amtrak sleeper car, known as a "roomette". Well worth the price for any ride longer than a couple of hours. Martha did not come with the room.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/3153940286_02aca59e75.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/3153940286/)
Luggage nook. You access it from the top bunk, which needs to be unfolded before you can use it. Being in these rooms is like living inside a Transformer.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/3153941102_9d3c9e0956.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/3153941102/)
Fold-out game table.

a quickr pickr (http://quickrpickr.com) post

+1. Well worth the money for longer trips.
I have to wonder since the OP had cost listed as a major concern. The cost for a room on a coast to cost ride is pretty substantial. When I priced it out for a trip from Baltimore to Seattle it $293 to $709. It would be better sharing the room between two people.

One thing that wasn't mentioned...

I personally think there are substantial advantages to getting the flight or train ride out of the way up front and riding toward home. These include:
You know when you want to start, but it is harder to plan when you will return. Not being tied to a particular return date is a substantial advantage to me. I hate having a hard deadline. This is a bigger deal if flying than it is with Amtrak though since Amtrak is pretty easy to deal with WRT changing plans.
It is nice to have family and friends able to meet you at the end. Friends and family threw us a picnic in Yorktown and it was a really great way to end the trip.
I think it is an advantage for it to be harder to bail on the trip, but some may feel the opposite.

well we are on the road right now, and have about.....a month left before we hit boston.

we have ran into some people saying that amtrac has charged them somewhere around 100 bucks per transfer. so for me it would be 2 stops. has anyone had that problem? on the site it says that the cost for bikes is 50 bucks, but it does not give the dimensions or anything.

that is probably the deciding factor between flying back (which we do not want to do, unless it is cheaper) and taking the train back.


if nobody really knows, well be making a call to the Amtrac HQ about it once we get in virginia.

on the site it says that the cost for bikes is 50 bucks, but it does not give the dimensions or anything.

Amtrak has their own bike boxes available for purchase ($15) at major stations. They and they are very generously sized. You roll the bike right into the box without removing the wheels. You will need to remove the pedals, turn the stem and bars, and probably lower the saddle, but that's about it.

According to Amtrak's site, the fee for checking a bike as baggage is only $5, not $50:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241267294303

I don't know what you mean by "transfer." I would be surprised if Amtrak charges that way. Try going to the cite and checking point to point fares.