Amtrak from California (LA, SanJose) for 2014

[Malachite Ice]

I'm planning to take Amtrak up to the con this year (train route #14, up the coast). Given my previous experiences with Amtrak, I'm aiming to arrive Thursday night (so a 12-18 hour delay won't be an issue), boarding in San Jose, California.

Anyone else interested in that trip?

[Sitrein]

I was planning on driving up but depending on cost, it would be pretty awesome to do a "TrainCon to PaizoCon!" =D Just saying. Idea shamelessly stolen from Know Direction Podcast.

[Malachite Ice]

Sitrein wrote:

I was planning on driving up but ...

Train is a little less than airfare; but a 24 hour trip from San Jose, CA. My plan -- and I've got tickets at this point. Given that time has value, too, I am train-ing up, and flying back. Price depends on where you board.

[Feral]

You got me considering the train but as far as I can tell it's more expensive than flying.

I'm looking at $238 for flight or $300 for amtrak.

[miniaturepeddler]

Yeah, the train would be fun, but 180 for flight versus 325 for the train. :(

[Malachite Ice]

It depends on where you board, I suppose.

[miniaturepeddler]

So I am looking now at 250 round trip for amtrak.

Given budget I am thinking of starting the trip on the 30th, arriving on the evening of the fourth. And then heading back the 8th.

Anyone else?

[Malachite Ice]

miniaturepeddler wrote:

So I am looking now at 250 round trip for amtrak.

Given budget I am thinking of starting the trip on the 30th, arriving on the evening of the fourth. And then heading back the 8th.

Anyone else?

Yay!

I already have my ticket ... train 14, supposedly arriving 8:37 PM 3 July 2014 at King's St. Station

MI

[Zantumal]

miniaturepeddler wrote:

I am thinking of starting the trip on the 30th, arriving on the evening of the fourth. And then heading back the 8th.

(Look of confusion) It takes ~5 business days to go from San Jose to Seattle by train?

[miniaturepeddler]

It takes 40 hours to travel from Socal to Washington. So my post is a little confused.
It is cheaper to travel starting the 30th rather than the 1st or 2nd by about $50.

[Malachite Ice]

Zantumal wrote:

(Look of confusion) It takes ~5 business days to go from San Jose to Seattle by train?

Just a tad over 24 hours, as scheduled, San Jose ==> Seattle. Although my experience is generally that these trips have delays ...

MI

[Pat Luther]

Speaking of Amtrak: I just bought my ticket. I'll be on the Cascades 508, boarding Portland at 6:50 in Portland, arriving at 10:30 Wednesday night.

Anybody else gonna be on the same train and want to do some card games or anything during the three and a half hour trip? :)

[Malachite Ice]

Pat Luther wrote:

Speaking of Amtrak: I just bought my ticket. I'll be on the Cascades 508, boarding Portland at 6:50 in Portland, arriving at 10:30 Wednesday night...

Wrong direction for me :-( but perhaps we can meet at the con

Cheers,
MI