Cars and planes are the default summer travel modes within the U.S., but train and bus options are attracting travelers with luxury amenities.
The road trip is a beloved American tradition, but it sure has its downsides. To name a few: rising gas prices, exhausting hours behind the wheel, wear and tear on your vehicle, unpredictable weather, tolls, traffic, and road rage. Of the common modes of travel in the U.S., only motorcycles are more dangerous than cars. Traveling by plane is much safer, but it doesn’t always feel like it these days. Consistent news of air traffic failures, equipment breakdowns, and the lengthening lines at airport terminals are discouraging fliers.
Have you considered train or bus travel for your next cross-country trip? Many Americans don’t expect regional rail or bus to be comfortable, affordable, or convenient enough to merit consideration for interstate travel. But new and legacy carriers are introducing fresh life into these modes of transportation. Luxury amenities and new train and bus routes in different parts of the country could make your next vacation not only safer, but also more relaxing, eco-friendly, and fun.
Regional Rail
In Florida, Brightline is “the only privately owned and operated intercity railroad in the United States.” Founded in 2017, it aims to provide a comfortable, pleasant travel experience for Floridians and tourists traveling distances that are a little too long to drive, but not long enough to fly. Their seven stations are bright and modern (think more airport than subway), designed with accessibility in mind. Brightline offers both business and first-class seating; first class comes with snacks, beverages, and access to a lounge at the station. Since their stations connect to other transit options at the destination, you really don’t need a car to get to many popular Florida destinations.
Since 1990, Rocky Mountaineer has offered luxury train travel for tourists through the American Southwest and the Canadian Rockies. Their trains only travel in daylight, since the purpose is to enjoy the marvelous scenery. With names like “Journey Through the Clouds” and “Rockies to the Red Rocks,” the routes link cities in the rural West. The experience is decidedly upscale, with packages including meals and stays at hotels (since the travel is daytime only). Sort of like an overland cruise, a Rocky Mountaineer trip will never be the cheapest way to get from point A to point B, but it could be a dream car-free vacation.
Luxury Bus Travel
Several bus lines are reinventing the intercity bus experience. If it’s been years since you braved a Greyhound, you might be pleasantly surprised by these upgrades.
- Red Coach operates in and between Florida, Texas, and Georgia. Their goal is to set the new standard of comfort in bus travel. Most noticeably, that includes the option to upgrade to First Class for the ability to recline 140 degrees with extra legroom–and those extra degrees could mean the difference between a night of rest and the night of discomfort you more often associate with long bus trips. A one-way ticket from Miami to Orlando starts at $24.99.
- Vamoose opened in 2004 to fill a gap in the market: a clean and comfortable bus experience where you could call a real person to book on the phone. Today, they operate daily service between New York City and three suburbs of Washington, D.C. A one-way ticket from Lorton, Virginia to New York City starts around $35.
- Tufesa started in Mexico and now offers service in California, Utah, Arizona, and several other Western states. Fully reclining seats are almost nonexistent on U.S. bus carriers, but they’re common in other parts of the world. Tufesa is bringing that level of luxury here: for an extra fee, you can buy a ticket that lets you take a bus from Los Angeles to Sacramento while basically sleeping in a bed. Be aware that, unlike most U.S. coach buses today, some Tufesa buses don’t offer WiFi. A trip from L.A. to Las Vegas costs in the range of $54.
The Auto Train
Since 1971, Amtrak’s Auto Train has been transporting snowbirds and their vehicles from Virginia to Florida and back again. The 16 to 18 hour train ride saves travelers the nearly 900-mile drive. A single train can carry up to about 650 passengers and 330 vehicles.
Rates for individuals start at $95 for a one-way coach seat ticket, and around $285 for a standard vehicle, one-way. For a more comfortable and novel experience, travelers should consider booking a roomette or a bedroom in the sleeper car. These private accommodations allow for fully reclining and include meals in the price of the ticket. Passengers with a coach seat can purchase meals in the cafe car.
John and Bev Martin of the blog Retirement Travelers recently reviewed their Auto Train journey. Among the positive elements of the trip, they listed the comfort of the sleeper car, the relaxed atmosphere of the journey, the eco-friendliness, and the scenic views. Among the cons: there’s only the one route, the train is subject to delays, and the 16 to 18-hour trip is not the best option for people in a hurry (a flight between D.C. and Orlando takes about two hours).
As car and plane travel holds less appeal than ever, it’s encouraging to see train and bus companies stepping up their services. They’re not the fastest way to travel. But when you’re on vacation, being able to sit back and enjoy the ride without having to go through security? Now that’s luxury.
Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
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