The pandemic has changed many aspects of life, including how and where we travel. Outdoor activities in open spaces, cleanliness, and social distancing are now must haves for any mode of transportation or destination. More people are opting for trips closer to home and traveling by car. But a vacation by train can be a perfect vacation alternative. Best of all, no passport or plane ticket is required. Here is my list of the top 10 reasons to take a bucket list train trip to see U.S. national parks, iconic sites, and cities.
1. Convenient
Traveling by by Amtrak is easy with more than 500 locations nationwide in 46 of the 48 continental United States (excluding South Dakota and Wyoming). You can also discover Alaska by train too. If you had an Alaskan cruise cancelled, an Amtrak vacation across Alaska is a great option to see Alaska’s vast and majestic terrain.
2. Booking flexibility
Book a trip as soon as two days or up to 24 months. When you are unsure when you might want to travel, the ability to go last minute is a great perk. But, if you are able to plan 24 months in advance and want to reserve the best accommodations available now, we’ve got you covered too.
3. Low Deposits
Book an Amtrak trip now through September 30, 2020, and the deposit is $250.00 per person, and you can modify your trip up to 5 days prior to travel. You can reschedule a trip booked prior to September 30, 2020 for any reason up to 5 days prior to departure without incurring any change fees.
4. Customized itineraries
Amtrak recognizes that everyone travels differently, so they can create a customized trip. Some ways a trip can be customized, include: length of your trip; hotel/lodge accommodations; round trip or one-way; car rental; excursions; tours; meals; private sleeper car with access to private lounges; and parlor car upgrades allowing majestic views, including perks such as two complimentary drinks, entertainment, and additional space.
5. Luxury accommodations
When you book a vacation with Amtrak, you can also book hotel accommodations – and with three, four, and five star hotels. Many national park accommodations are also difficult, if not impossible, to book without the booking through a travel agent with Amtrak Vacations too because of their special relationship with the national parks’ lodging.
6. No hassle, all-inclusive vacations
Your customized itinerary is all-inclusive. Your travel agent works with Amtrak to plan the details, including national park entrance, tours, excursions, hotel, car rental, etc. No need to coordinate with multiple travel providers. We’ve got you covered. But, if you like to plan some aspects on your trip, you also have that option too. For example, a personal car rental can be part of your itinerary instead of a group tour or excursion or to extend your stay in a certain destination.
7. Enhanced cleaning and safety measures
Below is a list of some of the safety and cleaning enhancements put in place to protect workers and passengers on Amtrak.
- Facial coverings are required by all staff and passengers outside of their roomettes or private sleepers.
- Amtrak is operating at 50% capacity by choice.
- Cashless and contactless payments.
- Social distancing throughout train.
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing every hour on board.
- More than 18,000 employees committed to implementing and enforcing the safety and cleaning measures.
8. Train accommodations
Below is a short description of three basic types of accommodations on board an Amtrak train. There may be more options depending on your destination.
- Private sleeper: can remove your face covering in your cabin; complimentary meals delivered to your room; board separately than other passengers (no lines); private bathroom, shower, and sink in room; you may bring and consume alcohol in your cabin; large windows for viewing sites; private attendant; some private lounges at stations; and connecting sleepers may be available.
- Roomette: can remove facial covering in your cabin; order and have food delivered to you in your room, you may bring and consume your own alcohol (but must be consumed in your cabin); large windows; restroom and shower accommodations only for roomette passengers.
- Coach: most economical option; no middle seat; facial coverings are required at all times unless dining; social distanced; also include plush seats that extend 45 degrees; picture windows; and convenient charging outlets.
9. Destinations
The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. No passport required! Amtrak will take you on your dream bucket list trip while you view the country from the convenience of your personal room or social distanced seats. Upgrades to parlor cars are also available. On the Grand Canyon Railway, for example, you can enjoy even more majestic views and space from the parlor car. Other national park destinations include the Grand Teton, Yellow Stone, Glacier, Crater Lake, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, Acadia, The Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah , and Harpers Ferry. You can also do a coast-to-coast trip or a trip to see the fall colors in New York, New England, or see the Rockies. So many travel opportunities exist with more than 500 stations domestically.
10. No passport required
Many international destinations have recently closed their borders to US travelers, but there is still a need and desire to travel to boost mental health, create new vacation memories, and to reconnect with the our loved ones as we travel. Traveling by train is convenient, clean, and spacious option for your next trip.
Reclaim your vacation and rediscover travel
More people are choosing train travel over flying or driving. In 2019, 31 million passenger trusted Amtrak. If you are interested in learning more about an Amtrak vacation, click here to schedule a call or email us at info@beautifultomorrowtravel.com for a quick, all-inclusive quote for a trip within a few days or up two years.