As an American that regularly watches your channel I am shocked and embarrassed that’s the nicest we have to offer!!! It’s downright GRUBBY for $888!!!!!!
Once you are on the train and see the view, the pricetag goes away I went from Cincinnati to LA for $1200 and I'd do it all over again. In a smaller room that Kuga!
Your videos are calming. I love that you don't have some overly "enthusiastic" voiceover like many RUclipsrs do. Instead you use quiet understated humor. It's nice to see your face now and again too!
I have ridden this train many times over the past 20 years. It is fairly basic but comfortable. Hard to call it luxurious, but I like to take it when I have the time and avoid airport hassles.
Agreed! I almost had a panic attack when seeing how dated and kinda dirty looking that room was! And for that price too! Here in Sweden you can take a 16-20 hours something sleeper train, with en suite toilet and shower, comfy bed, and proper table (not that rickety trash Amtrak uses) and the journey may cost you in the range of $100-$300 or so depending on when you go and when you booked the ticket. The Swedish sleeper trains aren't exactly made yesterday, but they're well kept so their making decade doesn't call and ask for its train back. I don't know if it still exists now, but I remember seeing it in the 90's when the sleeper trains passed by my town, some (maybe even all) of them even had a cinema car on the train so people could go watch a movie on the train. Food on Swedish trains are generally a selection of various sandwiches (pretty good ones at that) and microwave meals that aren't super processed. I don't know why, but just seeing Amtrak trains makes me cringe and feel uncomfortable because of how dated and dirty they look. Not to mention the standard roomette with a damn toilet right next to the bed and table 🤢
Thank you for another informative and well done sharing. You were very polite in not comparing the condition of your room to any of the trains in Japan ☻. I felt a bit ashamed that this was what you got for that fare. Hope you had a great time in Chicago!
And, as a taxpayer you subsidized that Amtrak fare he paid and he isn't even a taxpayer. Think about that. We helped rebuild Japan after the war. That left little to rebuild our own infrastructure badly worn out by increased wartime usage. Wartime usage we would not have needed except for an expansionist Japan's ambitions in the Far East. So, yes, they have a better passenger rail system than we do. Think about that a bit. Today's Japan and her people are wonderful allies. So are the Germans. Much help and many US dollars went to rebuild Europe after WW2. Is it any wonder the US didn't have much left for itself? We love doing for others; often to our own detriment. And yet, few others in the world really respect the loud, brash Americans until they need us again. They do like the dollar and the theory of democracy. But still expect us to lead and do much for them. They let us spend our treasure (financial and human) and that saves theirs. That's how it works. Tell your Congressperson or, better still, save your postage. It is a lost cause.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm I agree with you. For too long, the United States has expended resources overseas, and has paid for other people's freedom with the lives of our military personnel. It never stops because big wig people in power keep the war machinery rolling so they and other wealthy can benefit. Second and third generations after WWII don't realize what they've gained from the US.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm, if it's such a 'lost cause', then why is Biden making improving rail infrastructure a key part of his domestic policy? Why is HSR being bult (albeit with a lot of NIMBY-caused delays) in California? Why is the Acela getting new trainsets and the Northeast Corridor getting upgraded? Also, where were people you when Obama was trying to get HSR built, and why didn't you give him any support?
You've certainly seen some scenic -- and not-so-scenic -- parts of North America. You've probably visited more of our country than most Americans have! -- James
Dang, Kuga, that was one worn-out sleeper car. I wish we had better for visitors like yourself. Thank you to Japan for a wonderful two weeks I recently spent on clean, modern, on-time Shinkansens.
I apologize for our lack of quality rail cars. Embarrassing. I hope you have other good experiences to make up for this. Train travel is not the best experience in America due to our auto centered culture.
@@user-wi9hv2pb2q "I apologize for our lack of quality rail cars. Embarrassing." Why would that be embarrassing, and it looked decent to me. " Train travel is not the best experience in America due to our auto centered culture." No, it's due to large distances between population centers and very low population density within each of those areas.
I love riding amtrak!!! Did a long hual once and really love watching the weather change and scenery. I traveled Coach and was plenty comfortable. The roomlettes look nice, but for the cost of having one round trips, you can fly first class....thanks for the video, enjoyed it!
@apara2005 - I often travel with a pricey guitar, which an airline would force me to check, and there’s a good chance of it being lost or arriving at our destination in pieces. So for peace of mind I travel via Amtrak, and my guitar never leaves my side, and for long trips the guitar even gets its own little bed (I usually take the top bunk of the roomette, and my guitar takes the bottom bunk). The roomette is less pricey than the room, and much less pricey than having to fix or replace a vintage guitar.
I’m not criticizing your observation, by the way: I’m just underlining that there are practical reasons - aside from the fact that the main ways U.S. airlines skimp on costs is by under-training and overworking pilots while skipping aircraft maintenance - why someone might choose train travel and spend a little extra on a roomette, other than for reasons of comfort and emissions reductions.
Thank you for taking us on another journey. I was really impressed with Chicago's Union Station, beautiful. I used to travel a lot when I was younger and I really love airports and train stations.
First, if you’re ever back in Chicago, the best Chicago style pizza is the tavern-style thin crust, especially from Pequod’s and Home Run Inn. Go to Manny’s for deli sandwiches. Also, I will not use Amtrak until they bring back their dining cars: those meals often times made the trip
Amtrak still have galley-cooked meals on all the routes west of the Mississippi, it’s just on those east of the Mississippi that the current c.e.o. has permanently downgraded meals to those crappy microwaved boxes … what began as an experiment during COVID-19 has unfortunately become the permanent reality from Chicago to New York - or, at least, the reality until the current idiot c.e.o. is replaced.
Passed through my hometown! Little place nobody likes to go but it's always a kick when I see people travel through in these vids. Hope my state gave you a pleasant time!
Hope you enjoyed Chicago. It is home for me. My favorite things to show visitors are the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, Michigan Avenue, The Chicago River Architecture Tour, and Afternoon Tea at the Drake Hotel.
Nope. The vast majority of travel for long distances in the USA is done by aircraft. The bumpy track is owned by freight railroads, and it works fine for their purposes; they move more freight every day than any other individual country in the world, over 160,000 miles of track.
@@wauweau "Public transport os not very common here in the states outside of big metropolitan areas" We call it public "transit". And 80% live in big metropolitan areas. But the point is, the big metropolitan areas are too far apart from each other to justify HSR. Our tech for high speed transportation is jet aircraft, and they are very safe and reliable and fast.
@@neutrino78x the cities are not too far apart, the entire reason US don't have HSR is because the government don't want to put in the money and it doesn't immediately give them more votes.
Welcome to "My kinda town, Chicago is...My kinda town!" If I knew you were coming I would have taken you to Lou's! That's the place for deep dish! The official pizza of the Taste of Chicago! But Chicago has lots of really good different style pizza! LOL. Glad you got to see Millennium Park. It's a pretty place! You got a good photo of the "L" Train too! EL or Elevated Train is also correct. I hope you had a nice stay. Love your channel! ❤❤❤
When you say nothing luxurious; have you tried the ones west of the Mississippi? They never changed to "flex dining" and still have diner cars where food is prepared by chefs. The Amtrak long distance trains out here are about the same as the ones in Australia. Of course, if you want to get from Point A to Point B at the typical distances found in North America and Australia, there is really no substitute for air travel. For example, NYC to Chicago, that's 800 miles, even a wheel on rail HSR like the Shinkansen in Japan or the TGV in France would take AT LEAST four hours, as opposed to a quick, convenient 2 hour flight). But if you want to go slow and comfortable, as opposed to getting there in a reasonable period of time, trains exist, and if you get a room on an Amtrak long distance train west of the Mississippi, it's luxurious. 🙂
@@stephenhunt2701 "The price of the ticket is certainly a luxurious price. Total rip off." Bear in mind, you can get just a normal seat on a long distance Amtrak. It's about the same price as if you got a ticket on a Greyhound bus. But if you want an experience that's like taking a cruise on land, you get the sleeper car west of the Mississippi, where you'll get the room AND "traditional dining", meaning it's prepared in a kitchen (not a microwaved tv dinner). Three meals are included for free: breakfast, lunch, and a four course dinner. For example, a ticket from San Jose to NYC. You can get a seat for $244. Or you can get a room for $1546. Greyhound is $224 for the same distance. You'd probably be more comfortable on Amtrak, and at least Amtrak has food available for purchase on the vehicle. You can buy food during the trip on Greyhound, but have to wait until they stop where you can buy food. You get what you pay for. 🙂
This is perhaps the most "luxurious" experience as far as regularly scheduled intercity service goes, but if you want actual luxury rail travel in the US and Canada, you have to check out the Rocky Mountaineer, a private luxury train company that takes you through the mountains with super fancy accomodations. Also, Via rail in Camada is pretty gpod if you want luxury accomodations, especially for the Canadian.
I ride the Lake Shore Limited(or Late Shore Limited as we like to call it) all the time between NYC and Utica. I useally get the roomettes for comfort and privacy. One of my favorite ways to travel. To bad I missed you. Your videos are great to watch.
Your timing on eating that Chicago pizza was perfect. It looked so delicious, and watching you eating it made me so hungry the end of the video released me to go seek supper! LOL Pizza of course. Cheers!
It wasn't designed to ever be luxurious. It is more utilitarian and simple. Operated by US government which, itself, is not in the luxury business either doing anything. But it is considered the 'best' sleeper compartment offered by Amtrak for two occupants. It is 2x the size of a roomette. Has its own bathroom with toilet and shower ensuite. You want luxury trains in North America? Try Rocky Mountaineer or other specialty trains but don't expect to go transcontinental.
@@johnp139 Sadly, I see Amtrak is still serving pre-prepared meals on many routes. Good tasty food but poorly presented. A system started in the COVID era for sanitation reasons but remains on some routes to this end of 2023 day. Remember it is government-operated and thus they try to cut costs, and subsidies, wherever and whenever possible. Doesn't make the taxpayers any happier but they can always say that they tried. Doesn't make the riders any happier either. It provides an essential service on a shoestring. And Kuga Travel calls it luxury. Misinterpretation in the translation or just smug sarcasm? Bad form Kuga.
Long distance trains west of Chicago tend to have freshly cooked meals made by an onboard chef, which imo are mostly pretty good. But still, we definitely lag behind Canada, Europe, and Japan in train quality.
My husband's family are the fields as in Marshall Field who helped turn Chicago from a small town into a big city there are statues of his relatives there.
Glad you enjoyed, even if it was quite overpriced. Personally, I find Amtrak's coach seats to be far better value for what you pay. While you don't get the privacy or special perks of a sleeper ticket, coach is still quite comfortable, with large seats with plenty of padding, legroom, and even extendable leg rests. If you.bring your own pillow and blanket, I find it a reasonably comfortable experience.
Coach is just fine. If you have the spare funds, try a sleeper room for the complete experience. There will be issues and problems. That's always possible and happens often as does late arrivals. Plan for challenges. Put a bit more time into your schedule and don't expect perfection in them, or, yourself.
Great trip. Finally you try Amtrak Viewliner Sleeper Train. Actually there's two train connected New York and Chicago, first is your Train which the name is Lake Shore Limited using direct route via Upper New York State, this train running daily. The second one is the cardinal, running via DC and Appalachian Mountain route, this train running just few times per week.
I checked, and you are absolutely correct, but I wonder if this is a recent change? I’ve only ever ridden the Lake Shore Limited, but the last time I did (in 2021) I seem to recall being offered the Cardinal route as an option for all seven days of the week. I wonder whether the Cardinal now runs less frequently owing to budget cuts (Amtrak’s current c.e.o. is basically ruining rail travel, such as by eliminating the galleys on all routes east of the Mississippi and serving crappy little boxed microwave meals on those routes instead), or whether I’m simply misremembering what I was last offered?
@@danopticon The Cardinal have long history of rerouting and reschedule of timetable. It's predecessor mostly running daily until 1982 when the Cardinal revival, it's running just three time per week. The current route which running until New York via DC is used since 2004. Before that it's just reach DC only.
They brought in "Flexible Dining" (I call it Flexible Indigestion, worse than Automat food) during the pandemic. East Coast trains still have it, but from Chicago west, you get the Traditional Dining, except on the Texas Eagle from Chicago to San Antonio. Thanks for another great video.
One of the reasons I enjoy watching these travel videos from you and Solo is that the Japanese people are so courteous and considerate. When you two guys travel through the US, you see how rude, inconsiderate, and selfish many of the US citizens are... not all, but many... I admire the civilized behavior of the Japanese...
Was training as a truck driver and was out in LA when my “ trainer” decided he didn’t want me on his truck anymore ( pretty sure he was trying to steal my stuff when I caught him going through my bag) . We had a difference of opinion and he kicked me off the truck. Thankfully I had enough money on hand to get a ticket home. I booked a big room from an Amtrak train from LA to Pittsburgh through NYC. ( the train from NY to Pittsburgh was a standard train but I still got the private room ) I called home after I booked my trip and my dad was nice enough to get me a cab from the train station to hopewell pa. It was a nice comfortable ride home and helped me forget the disaster that was the truck driver and trucking company. It was actually cheaper then flying, helped me relax and gave me time to find another job that fit my needs better
Well done Kuga san on another great video. I was expecting to see Mike or Sully from Monsters inc come through your toilet door. Its all an experience and you are living the dream. Gidday from Down Under 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘
Wow a bit expensive for what you got...then again here in Australia as you know too well we are still using refurbished 60s rolling stock...also a tip for future journeys never book a cabin/sleeping berth over the bogies or wheels try to get either just off the center of the car or even center.......over the wheels you Rock and Roll...a tip from an old train driver...all the best for Christmas Eve and the New Year regards Doc from Down Under in Australia.
@justinnampui4757 that's a mean suggestion. Greyhound and Trailways were always an "interesting" and exhausting way to travel in the US but post pandemic Greyhound has deteriorated to be an absolute disgrace. I feel sorry for anyone who due to economic reasons has no other option.
I must have missed something 🤷🏾♀️ Spent 3 +days from NY to Dallas TX. Beautiful relaxing sleeper, full bed, private bathroom with toilet and door. Storage, closet and overhead storage. Attendants were wonderful, had beverage station at end of car. Menus for our chef made meals were given each night, sat at spacious tables with table clothes. My bed was turn down while at dinner. I loved my Amtrak adventure. I can't wait to go somewhere else soon. The cheesecake was excellent. I did learn cost depends on when u purchase ur ticket, they change it all the time.
Just for your information, pizza is a meal that is eaten by hand, without fork & knife. Try it next time you have some! It's really good eaten that way! Thanks for your videos, it's interesting seeing the difference between countries!
Great Video.. I just took the regular train from ny to Amsterdam ny. the sleeper is way cooler(but not cheap). Maybe ill do this to visit my brother in indiana
5:15 Oh no, that blue.... Oh God, this feels like deja vu... 9:00 OMG LOL 😂 Are they the same people? Is this the same exact train? Same room? Wow, the only way I can describe this are the 2 people I'm thinking about.... Ku-So.
I love traveling by train and have looked forward to every trip since I was 5. I’m 82 now and I still dream of fabulous train trips. We often take the Auto-Train from Virginia to Florida. And we once crossed America by train (1956) and traveled the west coast from Southern California to Washington State and back east. It was two weeks of heaven for an adventurous kid but now Amtrak needs to take some serious lessons from the Orient Express and particularly the Japanese. THEY know what comfort and artistry is in train travel! Everything about traveling on Japanese trains, especially the luxury trains is a special and exciting experience. Amtrak and even the Canadian trains’ quality is so far beneath Japanese standards. It is embarrassing! Upgrade, seriously! We deserve so much better! Give the airlines a run for their money with what you could offer. Consider nicer amenities. Create an elegant Amtrak logo and personalize your Amtrak items - pillows, sheets, towels, napkins, cups. Show pride in being Amtrak. You are America’s premier rail system. Act like it!
Penn Station itself is still that same hole in the ground. LIRR and NJT still go out of there, and it is as depressing as it has always been, But they did move the Amtrak across the street to the old Farley Post Office. That part is quite an upgrade. Perhaps we will live long enough to see them tear the old place down and build something worthy of the City. We can only hope.
There is a live streaming camera just before the Rochester station, at Fairport, where you can see this train pass by every night. And then after the stop in Depew NY (just outside of Buffalo), it goes over a bridge that is 30 seconds from my house. Kind of fun that for a few seconds we were more or less in the same place! 🙂 ETA: Also, the engine shown at 13:12 is known by the railfans on the livestream camera as the "Pepsi Can" because of the stripes 😆
I have to laugh at the beatboxing door, because that's a standard feature on Amtrak. Our train service is more utilitarian than anything. I'm also happy for you that it was on time, because the route that passes through my city (Union Builder) is kind of known for being...not on time.
Man, New York City is beautiful! 🥲 Even just those few seconds of video of your departure made me get all misty for the city. I hope NYC - one of our world’s greatest cities! - was everything you’d hoped for. Certainly the Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall “Metropolitan Lounge” is the best one Amtrak’s got. Glad you enjoyed the bedroom! I’ve only ever tried the roomettes, but I’m hoping to try the bedroom on my next Viewliner trip. 🚅❤🤗
Alas, you had Amtrak's boring Flex Dining experience. Try one of our longer routes and you will find the food more enjoyable. Traditional dining is fresh cooked.
Every single review I have seen for the last month states how good the butter cakes are. It doesn’t make up for the distressed cars though. I hate flying. I hate worrying about making he flight, being pat down or put in a scanner, I hate the little itty bitty seats, I just hate everything about flying! I am watching all these reviews to see if I want to take a train or suck up my displeasure and fly. Thanks for the info!
Lived in Cleveland for a few years and took this train to go back to NJ. Found the bus was cheaper and quicker plus good food at the truck stops was better
Kuga -- the ones west of the Mississippi have "traditional dining" that's made in a kitchen. I haven't tried a long distance Amtrak east of the Mississippi, but I'm told most of them have the new "tv dinner" type food that you got on this train. Western ones are about the same except you get three free meals a day, cooked in a kitchen: breakfast, lunch, and four course dinner, all included in the price of the room. 🙂 Also, the one I rode, Coast Starlight, has a sightseeing lounge, with chairs that are oriented so you look out the window, it's very popular. 🙂
That is expensive. But then train stations are often more conveniently located than airports.🙂 As you have gathered by now all American sweet stuff is extra sweet compared to almost everywhere else.😁
$900 for that prison cell?😱 And you can't even get the door open to go to the toilet. No wonder Americans prefer the airplane instead of a train journey. I would have loved to see you do the triple axel on that bed sheet. That would have been amazing!😂 The pizza looks delicious! But American small is European large.😅 Can't wait to see your next adventure! Saying hi from the Netherlands 🤗 🇳🇱
My another video🚞
ruclips.net/video/cNEE4YwBGnM/видео.html
As an American that regularly watches your channel I am shocked and embarrassed that’s the nicest we have to offer!!! It’s downright GRUBBY for $888!!!!!!
Once you are on the train and see the view, the pricetag goes away I went from Cincinnati to LA for $1200 and I'd do it all over again. In a smaller room that Kuga!
Thank you for just straight up without commentary
Your videos are calming. I love that you don't have some overly "enthusiastic" voiceover like many RUclipsrs do. Instead you use quiet understated humor. It's nice to see your face now and again too!
I have ridden this train many times over the past 20 years. It is fairly basic but comfortable. Hard to call it luxurious, but I like to take it when I have the time and avoid airport hassles.
Well this is a "luxury" transport .I am unlikely to ever take. What an embarrassment.
Looks like that cabin could do with a complete refurbishment. If I had paid all that money for this journey I would be very disappointed.
I thought the exact same thing. This doesn't look anything close to what you expect for that price.
The Viewliners are being refurbished at this very moment.
Agreed! I almost had a panic attack when seeing how dated and kinda dirty looking that room was! And for that price too! Here in Sweden you can take a 16-20 hours something sleeper train, with en suite toilet and shower, comfy bed, and proper table (not that rickety trash Amtrak uses) and the journey may cost you in the range of $100-$300 or so depending on when you go and when you booked the ticket. The Swedish sleeper trains aren't exactly made yesterday, but they're well kept so their making decade doesn't call and ask for its train back. I don't know if it still exists now, but I remember seeing it in the 90's when the sleeper trains passed by my town, some (maybe even all) of them even had a cinema car on the train so people could go watch a movie on the train. Food on Swedish trains are generally a selection of various sandwiches (pretty good ones at that) and microwave meals that aren't super processed.
I don't know why, but just seeing Amtrak trains makes me cringe and feel uncomfortable because of how dated and dirty they look. Not to mention the standard roomette with a damn toilet right next to the bed and table 🤢
Amtrak is getting brand-new Viewliners from CAF along with the new locomotives from Siemens.
Thank you for another informative and well done sharing. You were very polite in not comparing the condition of your room to any of the trains in Japan ☻. I felt a bit ashamed that this was what you got for that fare. Hope you had a great time in Chicago!
And, as a taxpayer you subsidized that Amtrak fare he paid and he isn't even a taxpayer. Think about that. We helped rebuild Japan after the war. That left little to rebuild our own infrastructure badly worn out by increased wartime usage. Wartime usage we would not have needed except for an expansionist Japan's ambitions in the Far East. So, yes, they have a better passenger rail system than we do. Think about that a bit. Today's Japan and her people are wonderful allies. So are the Germans. Much help and many US dollars went to rebuild Europe after WW2. Is it any wonder the US didn't have much left for itself? We love doing for others; often to our own detriment. And yet, few others in the world really respect the loud, brash Americans until they need us again. They do like the dollar and the theory of democracy. But still expect us to lead and do much for them. They let us spend our treasure (financial and human) and that saves theirs. That's how it works. Tell your Congressperson or, better still, save your postage. It is a lost cause.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm I agree with you. For too long, the United States has expended resources overseas, and has paid for other people's freedom with the lives of our military personnel. It never stops because big wig people in power keep the war machinery rolling so they and other wealthy can benefit. Second and third generations after WWII don't realize what they've gained from the US.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm, if it's such a 'lost cause', then why is Biden making improving rail infrastructure a key part of his domestic policy? Why is HSR being bult (albeit with a lot of NIMBY-caused delays) in California? Why is the Acela getting new trainsets and the Northeast Corridor getting upgraded? Also, where were people you when Obama was trying to get HSR built, and why didn't you give him any support?
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pmYOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SAID!❤
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pmI meant YOU ARE 100% on this opinion that you have said!!
You've certainly seen some scenic -- and not-so-scenic -- parts of North America. You've probably visited more of our country than most Americans have!
-- James
doubt it
Dang, Kuga, that was one worn-out sleeper car. I wish we had better for visitors like yourself. Thank you to Japan for a wonderful two weeks I recently spent on clean, modern, on-time Shinkansens.
Looked good to me. HSR is not applicable to North America and Australia. Regions are too far apart, not enough density in said regions either.
I apologize for our lack of quality rail cars. Embarrassing.
I hope you have other good experiences to make up for this. Train travel is not the best experience in America due to our auto centered culture.
@@user-wi9hv2pb2q
"I apologize for our lack of quality rail cars. Embarrassing."
Why would that be embarrassing, and it looked decent to me.
" Train travel is not the best experience in America due to our auto centered culture."
No, it's due to large distances between population centers and very low population density within each of those areas.
更新を楽しみにしています。
電車の旅、食、見入ってしまいます。編集も見やすく、明確で短いセンテンスのキャプションがリズミカルで好きです。
Thank you Kuga!😊
I think you would love California Zephyr, which crosses Rocky Mountains to California all the way!
He has a video on it already
Thanks!
Thank you!🤝
I love riding amtrak!!! Did a long hual once and really love watching the weather change and scenery. I traveled Coach and was plenty comfortable. The roomlettes look nice, but for the cost of having one round trips, you can fly first class....thanks for the video, enjoyed it!
@apara2005 - I often travel with a pricey guitar, which an airline would force me to check, and there’s a good chance of it being lost or arriving at our destination in pieces.
So for peace of mind I travel via Amtrak, and my guitar never leaves my side, and for long trips the guitar even gets its own little bed (I usually take the top bunk of the roomette, and my guitar takes the bottom bunk).
The roomette is less pricey than the room, and much less pricey than having to fix or replace a vintage guitar.
I’m not criticizing your observation, by the way: I’m just underlining that there are practical reasons - aside from the fact that the main ways U.S. airlines skimp on costs is by under-training and overworking pilots while skipping aircraft maintenance - why someone might choose train travel and spend a little extra on a roomette, other than for reasons of comfort and emissions reductions.
@@danopticon Step down carefully from that upper berth.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm - lol, thank you! the guitar lives in a hard-shell case, though. :-) but I appreciate your concern!
Thank you for taking us on another journey. I was really impressed with Chicago's Union Station, beautiful. I used to travel a lot when I was younger and I really love airports and train stations.
I've been on Amtrak to New York been to New York 4 times love to visit Japan
First, if you’re ever back in Chicago, the best Chicago style pizza is the tavern-style thin crust, especially from Pequod’s and Home Run Inn. Go to Manny’s for deli sandwiches.
Also, I will not use Amtrak until they bring back their dining cars: those meals often times made the trip
Amtrak still have galley-cooked meals on all the routes west of the Mississippi, it’s just on those east of the Mississippi that the current c.e.o. has permanently downgraded meals to those crappy microwaved boxes … what began as an experiment during COVID-19 has unfortunately become the permanent reality from Chicago to New York - or, at least, the reality until the current idiot c.e.o. is replaced.
Passed through my hometown! Little place nobody likes to go but it's always a kick when I see people travel through in these vids. Hope my state gave you a pleasant time!
I enjoyed this video. thank you! greetings from Croatia!
Hope you enjoyed Chicago. It is home for me. My favorite things to show visitors are the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, Michigan Avenue, The Chicago River Architecture Tour, and Afternoon Tea at the Drake Hotel.
Thank you Kuga for another very nice video.
You asked, "What is this noise" at 9:03. That's the sound of America falling apart in a blaze of glory. 🤣
While faux populists in office (and seeking…) continue to shout to the rooftops that this isn’t the case…
Nope. The vast majority of travel for long distances in the USA is done by aircraft.
The bumpy track is owned by freight railroads, and it works fine for their purposes; they move more freight every day than any other individual country in the world, over 160,000 miles of track.
@@neutrino78xyeah. Public transport os not very common here in the states outside of big metropolitan areas
@@wauweau
"Public transport os not very common here in the states outside of big metropolitan areas"
We call it public "transit".
And 80% live in big metropolitan areas. But the point is, the big metropolitan areas are too far apart from each other to justify HSR.
Our tech for high speed transportation is jet aircraft, and they are very safe and reliable and fast.
@@neutrino78x the cities are not too far apart, the entire reason US don't have HSR is because the government don't want to put in the money and it doesn't immediately give them more votes.
Welcome to "My kinda town, Chicago is...My kinda town!" If I knew you were coming I would have taken you to Lou's! That's the place for deep dish! The official pizza of the Taste of Chicago! But Chicago has lots of really good different style pizza! LOL. Glad you got to see Millennium Park. It's a pretty place! You got a good photo of the "L" Train too! EL or Elevated Train is also correct. I hope you had a nice stay. Love your channel! ❤❤❤
As Nj resident who had to take these trains majority of my life, id like to offer a sincere apology.
The blanket is the most luxurious thing I have seen on the train.
Especially when the Japanese Trains are always spotless and efficient.
I rode this overnight from Albany to Chicago last year in coach. Quite a different experience!
How so?
There has never been anything "luxurious" about Amtrak. But, putting that on video descriptions is what gets people to watch.
The price of the ticket is certainly a luxurious price. Total rip off.
I think thats how amtrak described it. They compared to the other nyc systems 😂
@@marquisethomas5611 I don't think Amtrak officials have ever ridden Amtrak. 😉
When you say nothing luxurious; have you tried the ones west of the Mississippi? They never changed to "flex dining" and still have diner cars where food is prepared by chefs.
The Amtrak long distance trains out here are about the same as the ones in Australia.
Of course, if you want to get from Point A to Point B at the typical distances found in North America and Australia, there is really no substitute for air travel. For example, NYC to Chicago, that's 800 miles, even a wheel on rail HSR like the Shinkansen in Japan or the TGV in France would take AT LEAST four hours, as opposed to a quick, convenient 2 hour flight).
But if you want to go slow and comfortable, as opposed to getting there in a reasonable period of time, trains exist, and if you get a room on an Amtrak long distance train west of the Mississippi, it's luxurious. 🙂
@@stephenhunt2701
"The price of the ticket is certainly a luxurious price. Total rip off."
Bear in mind, you can get just a normal seat on a long distance Amtrak. It's about the same price as if you got a ticket on a Greyhound bus.
But if you want an experience that's like taking a cruise on land, you get the sleeper car west of the Mississippi, where you'll get the room AND "traditional dining", meaning it's prepared in a kitchen (not a microwaved tv dinner). Three meals are included for free: breakfast, lunch, and a four course dinner.
For example, a ticket from San Jose to NYC. You can get a seat for $244. Or you can get a room for $1546.
Greyhound is $224 for the same distance. You'd probably be more comfortable on Amtrak, and at least Amtrak has food available for purchase on the vehicle. You can buy food during the trip on Greyhound, but have to wait until they stop where you can buy food.
You get what you pay for. 🙂
I think last time those trains got an upgrade was in the 70s 😅😢 get it together us lol .
This is perhaps the most "luxurious" experience as far as regularly scheduled intercity service goes, but if you want actual luxury rail travel in the US and Canada, you have to check out the Rocky Mountaineer, a private luxury train company that takes you through the mountains with super fancy accomodations. Also, Via rail in Camada is pretty gpod if you want luxury accomodations, especially for the Canadian.
This channel has recent videos of both the Rocky Mountaineer AND the Canadian.
A toilet in the middle of the room... We might have different way of understanding what "luxurious" means
@@Michael-iw3ek, pretty much that, but most of the detractors don't get it, or why it's not as fast as they want it to be.
😂😂 your sense of humor is delightful , happy travels ❤
Užila jsem si tvé video 😊děkuji
Lovely video. I hope we Americans were as nice to you as we should have been!
I do not know if you were home for the new year but i hope all is well with you and yours from the earthquake! You bring much joy to your subscribers!
Really enjoyed this video. We are thinking about maybe trying a sleeping train to go somewhere in the USA. ❤Wish you safe travels
I ride the Lake Shore Limited(or Late Shore Limited as we like to call it) all the time between NYC and Utica. I useally get the roomettes for comfort and privacy. One of my favorite ways to travel. To bad I missed you. Your videos are great to watch.
"Too" bad....
I had such a super amazing time watching this and traveling with you! Awesome!
Your route took you right past where we live! Our house is within a half mile of the track. :) (belated wave)
Еще одно прекрасное путешествие!
Your timing on eating that Chicago pizza was perfect. It looked so delicious, and watching you eating it made me so hungry the end of the video released me to go seek supper! LOL Pizza of course. Cheers!
That’s their most luxurious?? 😂 No wonder we all prefer Japanese trains!
At least it has a dining car.
It wasn't designed to ever be luxurious. It is more utilitarian and simple. Operated by US government which, itself, is not in the luxury business either doing anything. But it is considered the 'best' sleeper compartment offered by Amtrak for two occupants. It is 2x the size of a roomette. Has its own bathroom with toilet and shower ensuite. You want luxury trains in North America? Try Rocky Mountaineer or other specialty trains but don't expect to go transcontinental.
@@johnp139 Sadly, I see Amtrak is still serving pre-prepared meals on many routes. Good tasty food but poorly presented. A system started in the COVID era for sanitation reasons but remains on some routes to this end of 2023 day. Remember it is government-operated and thus they try to cut costs, and subsidies, wherever and whenever possible. Doesn't make the taxpayers any happier but they can always say that they tried. Doesn't make the riders any happier either. It provides an essential service on a shoestring. And Kuga Travel calls it luxury. Misinterpretation in the translation or just smug sarcasm? Bad form Kuga.
Long distance trains west of Chicago tend to have freshly cooked meals made by an onboard chef, which imo are mostly pretty good. But still, we definitely lag behind Canada, Europe, and Japan in train quality.
@@Cyke101 Yes, well stated and spot on.
You are a brave young man is all I can say. God Bless and Merry Christmas
My husband's family are the fields as in Marshall Field who helped turn Chicago from a small town into a big city there are statues of his relatives there.
Glad you enjoyed, even if it was quite overpriced. Personally, I find Amtrak's coach seats to be far better value for what you pay. While you don't get the privacy or special perks of a sleeper ticket, coach is still quite comfortable, with large seats with plenty of padding, legroom, and even extendable leg rests. If you.bring your own pillow and blanket, I find it a reasonably comfortable experience.
Coach is just fine. If you have the spare funds, try a sleeper room for the complete experience. There will be issues and problems. That's always possible and happens often as does late arrivals. Plan for challenges. Put a bit more time into your schedule and don't expect perfection in them, or, yourself.
Imagine paying almost $900 to have your meals catered by Chef Mike Rowave..
O.M.G. 😂😂
Haha, genius!
Love your videos ❤❤
Great trip. Finally you try Amtrak Viewliner Sleeper Train. Actually there's two train connected New York and Chicago, first is your Train which the name is Lake Shore Limited using direct route via Upper New York State, this train running daily. The second one is the cardinal, running via DC and Appalachian Mountain route, this train running just few times per week.
I checked, and you are absolutely correct, but I wonder if this is a recent change? I’ve only ever ridden the Lake Shore Limited, but the last time I did (in 2021) I seem to recall being offered the Cardinal route as an option for all seven days of the week. I wonder whether the Cardinal now runs less frequently owing to budget cuts (Amtrak’s current c.e.o. is basically ruining rail travel, such as by eliminating the galleys on all routes east of the Mississippi and serving crappy little boxed microwave meals on those routes instead), or whether I’m simply misremembering what I was last offered?
@@danopticon The Cardinal have long history of rerouting and reschedule of timetable. It's predecessor mostly running daily until 1982 when the Cardinal revival, it's running just three time per week. The current route which running until New York via DC is used since 2004. Before that it's just reach DC only.
Travel by Rail in US is.... No comparable to Europe and Japan.
Design of train and its facilities are
Basic...
They brought in "Flexible Dining" (I call it Flexible Indigestion, worse than Automat food) during the pandemic. East Coast trains still have it, but from Chicago west, you get the Traditional Dining, except on the Texas Eagle from Chicago to San Antonio. Thanks for another great video.
Nice video! Please, don't erase it never, never.
One of the reasons I enjoy watching these travel videos from you and Solo is that the Japanese people are so courteous and considerate. When you two guys travel through the US, you see how rude, inconsiderate, and selfish many of the US citizens are... not all, but many... I admire the civilized behavior of the Japanese...
Wonderful program ! Felt like I was really on that train ! Maybe someday! Thank you so much.😅❤😅❤😅😅😅❤?
Was training as a truck driver and was out in LA when my “ trainer” decided he didn’t want me on his truck anymore ( pretty sure he was trying to steal my stuff when I caught him going through my bag) . We had a difference of opinion and he kicked me off the truck. Thankfully I had enough money on hand to get a ticket home. I booked a big room from an Amtrak train from LA to Pittsburgh through NYC. ( the train from NY to Pittsburgh was a standard train but I still got the private room ) I called home after I booked my trip and my dad was nice enough to get me a cab from the train station to hopewell pa. It was a nice comfortable ride home and helped me forget the disaster that was the truck driver and trucking company. It was actually cheaper then flying, helped me relax and gave me time to find another job that fit my needs better
Well done Kuga san on another great video. I was expecting to see Mike or Sully from Monsters inc come through your toilet door. Its all an experience and you are living the dream. Gidday from Down Under 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘
Wow a bit expensive for what you got...then again here in Australia as you know too well we are still using refurbished 60s rolling stock...also a tip for future journeys never book a cabin/sleeping berth over the bogies or wheels try to get either just off the center of the car or even center.......over the wheels you Rock and Roll...a tip from an old train driver...all the best for Christmas Eve and the New Year regards Doc from Down Under in Australia.
What a pleasant video. Thank you!
Marshmallow pillows love it. FUNNY I like your travels. Minnesota cold now 6 below zero
lives in the uk and i have subscribed to your channel and i like watching your videos that you share when you go travelling and thankyou kuga 🥰
Thanks for subscribing to my channel!
My channel has many videos of my travels in the UK.
Don't forget to check them out as well!😉
@@kugastravel5180 you're welcome and i watch all your videos on your channel 🥰
I did the autotrain from DC to Orlando once. Aside from getting stuck in North Carolina, it wasn’t that bad nor was the food.
열차 여행에 진심인 유튜버!
Appreciated the video...rode that train many times!
It would be epic if you tried riding greyhound bus lines lol
Now why would you tell him to do that lol. Seriously?
@justinnampui4757 that's a mean suggestion. Greyhound and Trailways were always an "interesting" and exhausting way to travel in the US but post pandemic Greyhound has deteriorated to be an absolute disgrace. I feel sorry for anyone who due to economic reasons has no other option.
NO! NO!
😡
I must have missed something 🤷🏾♀️ Spent 3 +days from NY to Dallas TX. Beautiful relaxing sleeper, full bed, private bathroom with toilet and door. Storage, closet and overhead storage. Attendants were wonderful, had beverage station at end of car. Menus for our chef made meals were given each night, sat at spacious tables with table clothes. My bed was turn down while at dinner. I loved my Amtrak adventure. I can't wait to go somewhere else soon. The cheesecake was excellent. I did learn cost depends on when u purchase ur ticket, they change it all the time.
Pozdrawiam i dziekuje ☀️☀️☀️🇵🇱
Just for your information, pizza is a meal that is eaten by hand, without fork & knife. Try it next time you have some! It's really good eaten that way! Thanks for your videos, it's interesting seeing the difference between countries!
great video
I really enjoy your videos thank you for doing this! Amtrak is definitely expensive!
"Congratulations on the marriage" 😂
懐かしい！たまたま空いていたので僕は車椅子対応の個室を取ることができました。シカゴでサウスウエストチーフに乗り継いでロサンゼルスまで行ったのを思い出します！
Great Video.. I just took the regular train from ny to Amsterdam ny. the sleeper is way cooler(but not cheap). Maybe ill do this to visit my brother in indiana
It looks good!
Hahahahahahahaha.... "American Small!"... LOL.... that made me giggle...
Hi Kuga! I really like your videos. Thanks for sharing.
5:15 Oh no, that blue.... Oh God, this feels like deja vu...
9:00 OMG LOL 😂 Are they the same people? Is this the same exact train? Same room? Wow, the only way I can describe this are the 2 people I'm thinking about.... Ku-So.
Nice video thanks from morocco
nice journey 🙂
I love traveling by train and have looked forward to every trip since I was 5. I’m 82 now and I still dream of fabulous train trips. We often take the Auto-Train from Virginia to Florida. And we once crossed America by train (1956) and traveled the west coast from Southern California to Washington State and back east. It was two weeks of heaven for an adventurous kid but now Amtrak needs to take some serious lessons from the Orient Express and particularly the Japanese. THEY know what comfort and artistry is in train travel! Everything about traveling on Japanese trains, especially the luxury trains is a special and exciting experience. Amtrak and even the Canadian trains’ quality is so far beneath Japanese standards. It is embarrassing! Upgrade, seriously! We deserve so much better! Give the airlines a run for their money with what you could offer. Consider nicer amenities. Create an elegant Amtrak logo and personalize your Amtrak items - pillows, sheets, towels, napkins, cups. Show pride in being Amtrak. You are America’s premier rail system. Act like it!
Been a long time since I've been home, Penn Station was never so well-lit platform side. Have to get back, see the changes they made.
Penn Station itself is still that same hole in the ground. LIRR and NJT still go out of there, and it is as depressing as it has always been, But they did move the Amtrak across the street to the old Farley Post Office. That part is quite an upgrade. Perhaps we will live long enough to see them tear the old place down and build something worthy of the City. We can only hope.
There is a live streaming camera just before the Rochester station, at Fairport, where you can see this train pass by every night. And then after the stop in Depew NY (just outside of Buffalo), it goes over a bridge that is 30 seconds from my house. Kind of fun that for a few seconds we were more or less in the same place! 🙂
ETA: Also, the engine shown at 13:12 is known by the railfans on the livestream camera as the "Pepsi Can" because of the stripes 😆
Great content. Thank you for this video. I just subscribed.
Thanks for sharing.
Boa viagem no trem amtrak trem cama de luxooso
Please tell me there is a video coming of you riding the L in Chicago
I have to laugh at the beatboxing door, because that's a standard feature on Amtrak. Our train service is more utilitarian than anything. I'm also happy for you that it was on time, because the route that passes through my city (Union Builder) is kind of known for being...not on time.
That looks great not sure but I'm sure I heard kuga talk in the background if it was him he sounded pretty cool ❤❤❤
Ive taking this train 4 hours to upstate Ny many times, i cant believe they charge 900 dollars for a 20 hour trip
Man, New York City is beautiful! 🥲
Even just those few seconds of video of your departure made me get all misty for the city.
I hope NYC - one of our world’s greatest cities! - was everything you’d hoped for. Certainly the Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall “Metropolitan Lounge” is the best one Amtrak’s got.
Glad you enjoyed the bedroom! I’ve only ever tried the roomettes, but I’m hoping to try the bedroom on my next Viewliner trip. 🚅❤🤗
Mmm.. in Sept 2022, and as an Irishman, I did this trip the other way: Chicsgo->NYC. Enjoyed it.
Alas, you had Amtrak's boring Flex Dining experience. Try one of our longer routes and you will find the food more enjoyable. Traditional dining is fresh cooked.
Thank you for sharing!
Every single review I have seen for the last month states how good the butter cakes are. It doesn’t make up for the distressed cars though. I hate flying. I hate worrying about making he flight, being pat down or put in a scanner, I hate the little itty bitty seats, I just hate everything about flying! I am watching all these reviews to see if I want to take a train or suck up my displeasure and fly. Thanks for the info!
Lived in Cleveland for a few years and took this train to go back to NJ. Found the bus was cheaper and quicker plus good food at the truck stops was better
Kuga -- the ones west of the Mississippi have "traditional dining" that's made in a kitchen. I haven't tried a long distance Amtrak east of the Mississippi, but I'm told most of them have the new "tv dinner" type food that you got on this train. Western ones are about the same except you get three free meals a day, cooked in a kitchen: breakfast, lunch, and four course dinner, all included in the price of the room. 🙂
Also, the one I rode, Coast Starlight, has a sightseeing lounge, with chairs that are oriented so you look out the window, it's very popular. 🙂
That is expensive. But then train stations are often more conveniently located than airports.🙂 As you have gathered by now all American sweet stuff is extra sweet compared to almost everywhere else.😁
Expensive is an understatemet for what he got. A dirty ass chouchet and some perna de frozen food
Wrong. There are more airports to get closer to your destination than Amtrak stations.
Sort of depends what your destination is. City centre hotels, which were mostly morning and many tourists' I suspect not.
Very nice. Thank you.
Ayyy I saw your channel shouted out on Safiya Nygaard's channel lol
17:54 - your 5% battery is giving me anxiety LOLOLOLOL
$900 for that prison cell?😱 And you can't even get the door open to go to the toilet.
No wonder Americans prefer the airplane instead of a train journey.
I would have loved to see you do the triple axel on that bed sheet. That would have been amazing!😂
The pizza looks delicious! But American small is European large.😅
Can't wait to see your next adventure!
Saying hi from the Netherlands 🤗 🇳🇱
I just did an overnight train trip in Italy of comparable length (21 hours, Palermo to Venice). $150 for a private cabin
888 bucks is quite steep for a sub par room microwave dinners and honey buns for dessert but the scenery is good
When it was the "20th Century Limited", it made the run in 16 hours.
You went right by my area in Ohio I would of waved if I knew you were coming