Amtrak Across America 25N
By Loco Steve under CC - 2.0 Generic license.
USA / Canada
Start Los Angeles
North America
Finish Montreal
MARKER MAP
TRAIN INFORMATION
FLIGHTS
INSURANCE
.
Itinerary - (Guide Only)
Just look at the timetables and work out how long you want to stay in each place.
Los Angeles - 3N - (Union Station) Depart 9.51 am
San Francisco (Emeryville Station) - 2N - Arrive 9.31 pm - Depart 9.10 am
Truckee - 2N Arrive 2.38 pm - Depart 2.38 pm
Salt Lake City 2N Arrive 3.05 am - Depart 3.30 am
Glenwood Springs 1N Arrive 12.08 pm - Depart 12.10 pm
Boulder (Denver Union Station) 2N Arrive 6.38 pm
Overnight Train (Sleeper) 1N - Depart Denver Union Station 7.10 pm
Omaha 1N Arrive 4.59 am - Depart 5.14 am
Chicago 2N Arrive 2.50pm
Overnight Train (Sleeper) - Depart Chicago Union Station 9.30 pm
Buffalo (Depew Station) 2N Arrive 8.53 am - Depart 9.05 am
New York (Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station) 3N Arrive 6.42 pm - Depart Penn Station before 8 am
Montreal Central Station 3N Arrive around 7 pm
= 25N
Highlights -
Many of the USA's best sandwiches
Reno / Lake Tahoe - MS Dixie II
Sunsets at the Great Salt Lake
Pearl St Mall / Banjo Billy's Bus Tours - Boulder
Chicago River Walk / Evening boat tour on the First Lady
The High Line - New York
Old Montreal and the Old Port of Montreal - dates back to the 1600's
Jean-Talon market / Montreal Biodome
La-La Land - the Golden City - the Gayest City - the Happiest City - the Mile High City - the Windy City - the Queen City - the Big Apple and Sin City
Famous -
Venice Beach / Hollywood / Disneyland / Universal Studios
Chinatown / Fisherman's Wharf / Golden Gate Bridge / Alcatraz / Lombard St / Cable Car
Aspen - J-Bar
Boulder - the 4th best US city for Hippies
Chicago - Go to the Baseball at Wrigley Field
Buffalo - Niagara Falls
New York - Statue of Liberty / Empire State Building / etc / etc / etc / etc
The Adirondack Train (One of the Top 10 Most Scenic Train Rides in the World)
Montreal - Home of Cirque de Soleil
When -
April is the optimum month.
THE COAST STARLIGHT -
Head off from Union Station in LA and head up the Pacific Coast through Santa Barbara and get off in San Francisco for a night or two.
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR -
This is one of the most beautiful train rides in North America. As you cross through the heart of the Rockies you'll see why. Board the train in San Francisco and get off in Truckee for Lake Tahoe. Then the next legs are to - Salt Lake City - Glenwood Springs - Boulder - Omaha and Chicago Union Station.
LAKE SHORE LIMITED -
You will travel past some of the prettiest shorelines in the USA. If you want to skip New York for some reason you can get off the train at Albany and catch the Adirondack going north from there.
THE ADIRONDACK -
When you are ready to leave New York head to the Penn Station and board one of the world's great train rides. Head up through the wine country of the lush Hudson Valley. Arrive at your final destination the world's most unique city - Montreal. You will be in a different country and you will certainly notice the difference.
Classes -
Mix it up a bit depending on how long your leg is and what time of day you are travelling.
Seating -
Once you are on board you can upgrade if there is space available. There are 2 classes of Seating - Coach Class - your regular type seats and Business class with a bit more room and a few more perks. You can still use the dining car but have to pay.
Roomette -
2 day time seats turn into upper and lower night time berths. Meals are included. Big picture window. Access to private bathroom and shower on your carriage. Fresh linen and towels. You also get lounge access and priority boarding.
Bedroom -
Twice as big as a roomette with a sofa and armchair which turn into berths. Same perks as a rommette plus in room sink, rest room and shower.
You can combine to adjoining bedrooms and turn them into a "suite".
Families can get a room for 2 adults and 2 children aged from 2 - 12 years.
There are also wheelchair accessible bedrooms.
History -
A man called John Stevens is considered the father of USA railroads. He set up an experimental track on his property in New Jersey 3 years before Robert Louis Stevenson got his going in England.
He was granted the first railroad charter in 1815. The B & O (Baltimore and Ohio) was the first line.
Without the railroads the country couldn't have developed as well as it did. The "Golden Age" lasted 40 years from 1880 to 1920. After that road transport and air started to take over.
In the early 20th century Railroad Tycoons amassed fortunes as they set up the first networks. Cornelius Vanderbilt was one of the richest and most famous. He was also the first Robber Barron.
Another wealthy businessman Henry Flagler a founder of Standard Oil opened up Florida with his Florida East Coast Railway Company. He needed a transport system to support the hotels he was building. In 1912 his amazing achievement of the Over-Sea Railroad to Key West was completed. It included 156 miles of track mostly over the water.
Like all new industries a lot of fun and games went on before it became properly regulated. In 1934 the first diesel engine was put into service.
In the 50's and 60's there was a dramatic decline in railway use due to automobiles and air transport.
In 1970 Amtrak was created by the Rail Passenger Service Act to operate a national network and they began running in 1971. Twenty existing railroads decided to join up and handed over their passenger routes to the new company.
They bought new trains, restored lines and improved the services which brought people back to the railways. Some of the busiest routes were electrified and 150 mph trains put on them.
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Stay - poor value for accomodation in the USA & Canada
Los Angeles - 3N
pick up a car at the airport - stay down near Venice Beach and leave from Union Station. Try
Venice Suites *** - rooftop terrace, parking available
San Francisco - 2N
get off and back on at Emeryville Station and stay near Fishermmans Wharf. Try
You get off of the Coastal Starlight here and join the California Zephyr to Chicago.
Truckee - 2N
get off in Truckee and stay near the Historic Downtown Centre. Try the
Have a look around nearby Lake Tahoe.
Salt Lake City - 2N
Get off at Salt Lake City and stay at or near the
Salt Lake City Downtown near the city cantre and the train station.
Glenwood Springs - 1N
get off at Glenwood Springs Colorado and stay at or near the
in the historic neighbourhood north of the Colorado River.
Boulder - 2N
get off at Union Station in Denver and
outside at Union Station Gate B17 to Boulder which takes about 48 minutes. Stay at
which is a 10 minute walk from pearl Street. Stay closer to Pearl Street if you can afford it.
Omaha - 1N
get off at Omaha and stay at the
Hyatt Place Omaha / Downtown Old - Market *** -
in the city centre and a 10 minute walk from the train station.
Chicago - 2N
the Calfornia Zepyhr terminates at Chicago Union Station. Stay at or near the
in the centre and close to the riverwalk. Back to Chicago Union Station to take the Lake Shore Limited headed for New York.
Buffalo - 2N
get of at Buffalo Station and stay at or near the
Hyatt Regency Buffalo*** - in downtown.
New York - 3N
arrive at Penn Station in Manhattan. Stay at
Hampton Inn Madison Square Garden *** -
a few minutes walk from Penn Station - or anywhere else you want to on Manhattan Island. The Adirondack leaves from Penn Station as well.
Montreal - 3N
get off at Montreal Central Station and stay at or near
Sonder I Saint Paul - in the old town
or for something a lot cheaper
Auberge Alternative *** - also in the old town.
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About -
This trip features 4 classic train rides across 11 states, 1 province and 2 countries.
You could do this trip in either direction.
You could drop off the New York to Montreal leg to save time or money. It would be a pity as it is one of the world's most scenic.
Likewise at the other end you could start the trip in San Francisco.
Or you could get off in Chicago and go back to LA on #66 Get your kicks on Route 66 see Extras below.
Also you can get off the train from Chicago in Albany and catch the train to Montreal from there. This would bypass New York.
Fly to Los Angeles, hire a car and stay at Venice beach for a couple of days to shake off the jet lag and have a look around the City of Angels. You may find other stops along the way where it is convenient to hire a car for a day or two. Like Truckee so you can get to Lake Tahoe and Reno.
#1 thing to do in LA is to get your
Philippe's the Original French Dipped sandwich.
Which just happens to be very close to Union Station where you'll be starting your journey. Ride the Coast Starlight up to (Emeryville Station) San Francisco and have a look around the "City by the Bay".
Hop on the California Zephyr and have six stops on the way to Chicago.
After a look around the "Windy City" it's off to their version of Union Station and on the Lake Shore Limited to New York with a stop off at Niagara Falls.
From New York it's off to Penn Station for one of the world's most scenic rides, the Adirondack to Montreal. You might feel like you've arrived in another continent not just another country. Head straight to a Patisserie in Old Montreal and take it from there.
Budget -
Quite large. It will depend on the value of the $US, the value of your currency and what class you travel on the train. Coach is cheaper than flying. Getting a room is on par but remember accommodation in US cities is very expensive plus you're getting meals and access to a shower.
Accommodation along the way is expensive. You could save money by looking for places in Hostelworld. Unfortunately they only have places in the larger cities. Cheap motels could be another option, though not very desirable.
Mix it up a bit depending on the length and time of day of your trip.
If money is a problem there are options to cut out Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Montreal. See About.
Airports -
Los Angeles (LAX) - San Francisco (SFO) - New York (EWR) - (JFK) - (LGA) - Montreal (YUL)
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See -
Hollywood - Venice Beach - Universal Studios
Alcatraz - Fishermans Wharf - Golden gate Bridge
Truckee -
Check out the Cal Neva - very interesting history and inspiration for a recent movie - Lake Tahoe
Glenwood Springs ---
Boulder -
Omaha ---
Strategic Air and Space Museum
Buffalo -
Niagra Falls
New York -
9 / 11 Memorial / Broadway / Central Park / Guggenheim Museum
Montreal -
Do -
Glenwood Springs - Iron Mountain Hot Springs ---- Underground Spa --- Hike to the Doc Holliday grave marker ---- Bair Ranch - Whitewater rafting - paddle-boarding - horseback riding - off-roading - paragliding - zip-lining and hiking
Red Rocks - Boulder / Denver - see if there's something on at this legendary music venue while you're in town
Topgolf Omaha - where the real and virtual worlds collide
Visit the Old Market in Omaha
Museum of Illusions in Chicago - blow your mind
Montreal - Go to the Ice hockey / Visit a Sugar Shack to see Maple Syrup produced
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Eat -
French Dipped Sandwich in Los Angeles
in a Sourdough Bread Bowl at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco - Dungeness Crab (In season) -
Crab Benedict
is still open in Salt Lake City - The Colonels restaurant in Kentucky was called Harman's Cafe. It was knocked down in 2004 and a new one built but it still has a heap of memorabillia. They offer a buffet.
Utah Scones - Pastrami Burgers
Glenwood Springs - Old School
and Butter Brickle Ice Cream in Omaha where they were invented + Rocky Mountain Oysters - Raisin Pie - Cheese Frenchees - Runzas (Cabbage and beef bierocks) & have a steak in the Beef State
Deep-dish pizza, Chicago Style Hot Dogs, Brownies and the Rainbow Cone ice cream (All invented here) in Chicago + Italian Beef Sandwich at Al's #1 Italian Beef - Chicken Vesuvio - Caramel and cheese popcorn - Swedish cinnamon rolls - Egg Custards at Saint Anna
Buffalo Wings at the Anchor Bar where they were invented then go wing hopping - West Side Bazaar sprawling market with a bit of everything from Burmese to Ethiopian - Beef on Weck (Roll) at Charlie the Butcher - Ted's Hotdogs - Old fashioned sub sandwich at Dibella's - For late night drinking eats try a "Garbage Plate"
New York - Pastrami Sandwich at Katz's Deli / Russ and Daughters for your bagels / Hot Dogs from Gray's Papaya / Cheesecake from Junior's Restaurant / Pizza from Lombardi's the first pizzeria in the USA / Russian Tea Room for Afternoon Tea and Vodka / Oysters at Grand Central Station / Eggs Benedict at at Delmonico's the city's oldest restaurant where they were allegedely created in 1860 / Soup from the inspiration for the Soup Nazi now known as the Original Soup Kitchen at 259A West 55th St.
Poutine in Montreal / Smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's Deli / Pizzaghetti / Foie Gras / Lobster Spaghetti at Joe Beef / Dic Ann's Burger, not your average burger
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Drink -
The Viper Room and Whisky a Go Go on Sunset and the Frolic room in West Hollywood
or Union Square in San Francisco
Glenwood Springs
Green Onion Lounge - Omaha
Head out to Hubbard Street or Wrigleyville when you're in Chicago + The Green Mill 1907 where Al Capone used to hang out, good for live Jazz - Hala Kahiki Tiki Bar & Lounge has been Tiki-ing it since the 1950's - Billy Goat Tavern, responsible for a famous baseball curse - Kingston MInes, the most famous Blues place and still has live music 7 days a week
The Anchor Bar - Buffalo + The Old Pink - Chippewa and Allen Streets (2 areas) - Summer Booze Cruises
New York - The White Horse Tavern Est 1880 - New York + Pete's Tavern, over 150 years old (Disguised as a florist during prohibition) indoor / outdoor - McSorley's Old Ale House Est 1854, women weren't allowed in until 1970 and it took another 15 years for them to get a toilet!! - Old Town Bar 45 East 18th Street - the Beer Garden at Bohemian Hall Queens - Dante, it has been named the best bar in the world, twice - Fraunces Tavern is so old that George Washington drank here, opened in 1762 there is a museum on the first floor
Montreal - Mile End - The Plateau - Notre Dame de Grace - The Village - Downtown - Old Montreal
Don't Miss -
Philippe's French Dipped Sandwiches in LA
Hot Doug's premium hot dog at Wrigley Field Chicago - available nowhere else
Souvenirs -
Maple Syrup - Anchor Bar T-shirt
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Visas - Check here
USA -
At the moment 37 countries participate in the Visa Waver Program. They will need to go online and get a Electronic System for Travel Authorization. You will get 90 days on arrival. Check with your local consulate.
CANADA -
Citizens from over 50 countries only need an online Electronic Travel Authorization for short trips into Canada. As always check with your local Embassy.
Tips -
On the California Zephyr get to the observation car early for the Colorado section
Snowballs can only be thrown in Buffalo in designated areas
Hire cars whenever necesary to get around or use Uber
Extra -
You could do this trip one way to Chicago then come back on Route 66 - See #66 Get your Kicks in USA in Countries M - Z.
Or you could continue on from Montreal to St. John's in Newfoundland. Have a look at French to Irish Canada in Canada in Countries A - L. Also have a look at Fogo in islands.
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