Be prepared to come out of those layers. It depends on your body. I'm prefer it on the cooler side! I was just on a 12 hour trip, and I was feeling hot in the beginning!
Yep that's why the layers are important, so you can add or take away as needed throughout the day 👍🏻 If you're sitting in direct sunlight for a long time, you'll probably get warm (and need sunscreen) but after the sun goes down you'll probably need a sweater over your tshirt. If you don't mind sharing, where did you ride the train? Do you think they had a heater on?
Yes i am usually in the sleeping car since my travel is long distance and refuse to do that in coach😱😱😱 But it does get cold and thats because cold air kills germs same way hot water kills stuff
Coach on Amtrak isn't bad at all though! It's definitely not for everyone, but it has worked perfectly well for us on those long, cross-country train rides 🙂 Though I've been wondering if there's any kind of temperature control inside each of the private rooms, or if it's a one-size-fits-all approach like it is in coach. It sounds like from your experiences it's the latter.
What I find is that it's less about which car you're in and more about which part of the country you're in. I took two round trips on Amtrak going coach (I can't afford anything else) between Florida and NYC and I felt relatively comfortable until the train got to Jacksonville, where it got noticeably cooler. On the third trip, which was in winter I honestly don't remember how the temperature was.
@@DTD110865 It sounds like they cranked up the AC on the train while you were in Florida, which makes sense. But if you don't remember how the temperature on the train was during your winter trip, I'm going to assume that means you weren't uncomfortable, so that's good 🙂 That's a long train ride that we haven't done though, NYC to Jacksonville. How did you like it?
@@inthegreatwide First, let me point out that I started these train trips in three different locations in Florida. 1)Dade City. 2)Orlando. 3)Tampa. Unfortunately, I found them to be longer than Greyhound, but less crowded. It did give me the chance to see more interesting parts of the country though. I probably wouldn't have learned about Ashland, Virginia, Jarratt, Virginia, or how many downtowns in the Southeast are disturbingly run down. As I mentioned in another post, the sleeping issue is the bigger drawback. I'm just shy of 6 feet, so while there's more room to recline than on Greyhound, I need more than that. Plus, any stories of people who find romance on trains I just dismiss. I'd love to take Auto Train someday, but not if I have to go coach.
@@DTD110865 I would take the longer trip on an Amtrak train over a shorter trip on a Greyhound bus just about any day. It's sad to see old towns that have fallen into decline, but I do still really enjoy seeing all the small towns as we roll through. There's so much to this country and riding the train really helps keep those different American experiences in perspective. Have you taken any of the Amtrak trains west of the Mississippi? Routes like the California Zephyr, Sunset Limited, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, and Coast Starlight. I'm wondering because of how different the coach sleeping experience may or may not be.
@@wizerdjuice9589 I've heard that pillows and blankets are provided in the private rooms but they aren't the best. If anyone else reads this and has personal experience with it, please chime in!
We've definitely noticed a difference in temperature between the coach cars and the observation car. It's usually colder in the observation car 🥶 But I think they probably crank the AC up in there because of all the direct sunlight coming in through the larger windows. Was your experience something like that?
@ yes and in the car that was warm had a very elderly fellow. That may have asked for temperature change. The attendants on were all very accommodating in making sure my 4 granddaughters and I were seated together in couch. I really enjoy your videos. Have you been to Yellowstone? Would love to hear your stories if you have any insight
@@DorothyHawkins-ng3tk That's good to hear that the attendants helped make sure you could all sit together. If you don't mind sharing, what Amtrak route were you on? We haven't been to Yellowstone yet, unfortunately ☹ We just started exploring national parks about a year ago. So far, we've been to Joshua Tree, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Death Valley, plus the Gulf Islands National Seashore (a historic site also operated by the NPS in Pensacola). We'll definitely be making our way to more national parks next year though.
Question - what do you do with personal belongings when you head to the bathroom or the cafe,? Getting ready to take my first Amtrak train ride from Eugene OR to Los Angeles CA.
Hi Deb, welcome! 👋🏻 We actually have a Q&A video about leaving bags unattended in coach: ruclips.net/video/knRu7IzIOh0/видео.html And I just want to say YAY Coast Starlight! Make sure you ask to sit on the west side of the train and utilize the observation car! (and take sunscreen!)
And in case u r unprepared..amtrak conductors will never understand that u r genuinely cold. During my maiden Amtrak trip from houston to LA, the night was sheer torture. The conductor thought i was high on something when i sat at empty section of cafe car where AC was shut off.. So harshly they told me to return to the cold seat. Very bad...i never used Amteak after that. Comfort of coach travellers is last priority on amtrak. Europeans trains r heaven in comparison.
I've never had any problem in many, many years, and Amtrak personnel are some of the best to work with anywhere. You can usually purchase blankets and pillows in coach...
I have traveled all over the USA by train since childhood. We were always prepared, and knew to find out about potential issues before hand. Amtrak staff are great to work with, but they do become very busy once the train departs. In cold weather, wear proper clothing. This is not your 75° home...cold is a defense against germs. A neck pillow is relaxing and warm.
@mosmae I'm so sad to hear about your bad experience. I know some Amtrak routes sell "comfort" packages out of the cafe car that include stuff like a neck pillow. We'll have to look/ask specifically the next time we travel with them if they have blankets for coach passengers / for sale. It would be stupid of them to not at least offer them for sale with how cold it can get at night. How long ago was that?
@@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401 I appreciate your input, but please do not shame someone for not knowing what you know that helps you be prepared. Our community around this channel is all about helping each other find ways to make experiences better. There's no shame in not knowing and hopefully we can all learn from each others' mistakes 🙂
@inthegreatwide last December. After that it's always been a RV or plane. No more Amtrak. We enjoyed PCH and rest of trip was brilliant. I still don't understand wat did the conductor gain by speaking in such an authoritarian unhelpful tone. The whole service staff was like that. Very unfriendly and they all appeared unhappy with their jobs. All the stations stops were so remote. But then that's why that route was so picturesque. You must try it. Sunset limited I think was the brand.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Be prepared to come out of those layers. It depends on your body. I'm prefer it on the cooler side! I was just on a 12 hour trip, and I was feeling hot in the beginning!
Yep that's why the layers are important, so you can add or take away as needed throughout the day 👍🏻 If you're sitting in direct sunlight for a long time, you'll probably get warm (and need sunscreen) but after the sun goes down you'll probably need a sweater over your tshirt. If you don't mind sharing, where did you ride the train? Do you think they had a heater on?
Amazon has these really cool blankets that roll up into this little pouch like a pillow I’ve used that on the Amtrak many times it works great
Sounds perfect! Do you have a link so we can look at them?
@ PAVILIA Travel Blanket Pillow, Soft Airplane Blanket 2-in-1 Combo Set, Plane Blanket Compact Packable, look it up
How do you two make such a good pair?
Aw, shucks! 🥰
Yes i am usually in the sleeping car since my travel is long distance and refuse to do that in coach😱😱😱 But it does get cold and thats because cold air kills germs same way hot water kills stuff
Coach on Amtrak isn't bad at all though! It's definitely not for everyone, but it has worked perfectly well for us on those long, cross-country train rides 🙂 Though I've been wondering if there's any kind of temperature control inside each of the private rooms, or if it's a one-size-fits-all approach like it is in coach. It sounds like from your experiences it's the latter.
What I find is that it's less about which car you're in and more about which part of the country you're in. I took two round trips on Amtrak going coach (I can't afford anything else) between Florida and NYC and I felt relatively comfortable until the train got to Jacksonville, where it got noticeably cooler. On the third trip, which was in winter I honestly don't remember how the temperature was.
@@DTD110865 It sounds like they cranked up the AC on the train while you were in Florida, which makes sense. But if you don't remember how the temperature on the train was during your winter trip, I'm going to assume that means you weren't uncomfortable, so that's good 🙂 That's a long train ride that we haven't done though, NYC to Jacksonville. How did you like it?
@@inthegreatwide First, let me point out that I started these train trips in three different locations in Florida. 1)Dade City. 2)Orlando. 3)Tampa. Unfortunately, I found them to be longer than Greyhound, but less crowded. It did give me the chance to see more interesting parts of the country though. I probably wouldn't have learned about Ashland, Virginia, Jarratt, Virginia, or how many downtowns in the Southeast are disturbingly run down. As I mentioned in another post, the sleeping issue is the bigger drawback. I'm just shy of 6 feet, so while there's more room to recline than on Greyhound, I need more than that. Plus, any stories of people who find romance on trains I just dismiss. I'd love to take Auto Train someday, but not if I have to go coach.
@@DTD110865 I would take the longer trip on an Amtrak train over a shorter trip on a Greyhound bus just about any day. It's sad to see old towns that have fallen into decline, but I do still really enjoy seeing all the small towns as we roll through. There's so much to this country and riding the train really helps keep those different American experiences in perspective.
Have you taken any of the Amtrak trains west of the Mississippi? Routes like the California Zephyr, Sunset Limited, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, and Coast Starlight. I'm wondering because of how different the coach sleeping experience may or may not be.
Cold at night yes. Blanket, hat and jackets.
Have you ridden in one of the private rooms? I wonder how it might be different, temperature-wise.
@ have not and they come with blankets and maybe a thermostat.
@@wizerdjuice9589 I've heard that pillows and blankets are provided in the private rooms but they aren't the best. If anyone else reads this and has personal experience with it, please chime in!
@@inthegreatwide
You control the temperature in the rooms.
@@wizerdjuice9589
Very comfortable bedding and thermostat
I took my granddaughters on a short 2 hour train ride in found it odd that how different the temperature was from one car to another.
We've definitely noticed a difference in temperature between the coach cars and the observation car. It's usually colder in the observation car 🥶 But I think they probably crank the AC up in there because of all the direct sunlight coming in through the larger windows. Was your experience something like that?
@ yes and in the car that was warm had a very elderly fellow. That may have asked for temperature change. The attendants on were all very accommodating in making sure my 4 granddaughters and I were seated together in couch. I really enjoy your videos. Have you been to Yellowstone? Would love to hear your stories if you have any insight
@@DorothyHawkins-ng3tk That's good to hear that the attendants helped make sure you could all sit together. If you don't mind sharing, what Amtrak route were you on?
We haven't been to Yellowstone yet, unfortunately ☹ We just started exploring national parks about a year ago. So far, we've been to Joshua Tree, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Death Valley, plus the Gulf Islands National Seashore (a historic site also operated by the NPS in Pensacola). We'll definitely be making our way to more national parks next year though.
Question - what do you do with personal belongings when you head to the bathroom or the cafe,?
Getting ready to take my first Amtrak train ride from Eugene OR to Los Angeles CA.
Hi Deb, welcome! 👋🏻 We actually have a Q&A video about leaving bags unattended in coach: ruclips.net/video/knRu7IzIOh0/видео.html
And I just want to say YAY Coast Starlight! Make sure you ask to sit on the west side of the train and utilize the observation car! (and take sunscreen!)
Coldest I've ever been confronted with for general public. Gave me pneumonia on a ride from Atl.to Penn.
So sorry...usually the conductor will move you to another seat.
Oof. That's crazy that it was so cold! Did you speak to an employee on the train about it? If so, what did they say? How long ago was that?
And in case u r unprepared..amtrak conductors will never understand that u r genuinely cold. During my maiden Amtrak trip from houston to LA, the night was sheer torture. The conductor thought i was high on something when i sat at empty section of cafe car where AC was shut off.. So harshly they told me to return to the cold seat. Very bad...i never used Amteak after that. Comfort of coach travellers is last priority on amtrak. Europeans trains r heaven in comparison.
I've never had any problem in many, many years, and Amtrak personnel are some of the best to work with anywhere. You can usually purchase blankets and pillows in coach...
I have traveled all over the USA by train since childhood. We were always prepared, and knew to find out about potential issues before hand. Amtrak staff are great to work with, but they do become very busy once the train departs. In cold weather, wear proper clothing. This is not your 75° home...cold is a defense against germs. A neck pillow is relaxing and warm.
@mosmae I'm so sad to hear about your bad experience. I know some Amtrak routes sell "comfort" packages out of the cafe car that include stuff like a neck pillow. We'll have to look/ask specifically the next time we travel with them if they have blankets for coach passengers / for sale. It would be stupid of them to not at least offer them for sale with how cold it can get at night. How long ago was that?
@@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401 I appreciate your input, but please do not shame someone for not knowing what you know that helps you be prepared. Our community around this channel is all about helping each other find ways to make experiences better. There's no shame in not knowing and hopefully we can all learn from each others' mistakes 🙂
@inthegreatwide last December. After that it's always been a RV or plane. No more Amtrak. We enjoyed PCH and rest of trip was brilliant. I still don't understand wat did the conductor gain by speaking in such an authoritarian unhelpful tone. The whole service staff was like that. Very unfriendly and they all appeared unhappy with their jobs. All the stations stops were so remote. But then that's why that route was so picturesque. You must try it. Sunset limited I think was the brand.