The Official 2010 Coachella Party Train: Amtrak Coast Starlight #11, April 14-15

[charolastra]

My brother and I are coming down from Oregon and thought we'd take the train — cheaper than flying, meals included with our sleeper car reservation, and we can booze it up the whole 24 hrs. from Bend. We'll get in Thursday night and stay with friends in LA before catching a ride to the festival with them the next day.

Anyone else from the northwest or Bay Area thinking of doing this?

[heyeric]

damn, not the train i was lookin for. im sure same goes for others checkin this thread

[medwid66]

do you plan on taking the train back?

[greengoddess]

I'm in Bend too, but hadn't considered taking the train. Doesn't that leave from Chemult?

[charolastra]

We'll be taking the train back, too.

Yep, it leaves from Chemult, about an hour south. I don't mind driving that distance, at least.

[greengoddess]

So what's the cost for the train each way? Does it take you to LA?

[charolastra]

Yeah, it goes to Union Station in L.A.

$168 per person round trip for a normal seat
$664 round trip for a two-person bedroom, which includes your meals
But the prices do go up as you get closer to the travel date.

Send me a PM if you end up taking the train; we might be able to share ground transportation in LA.

[greengoddess]

$664?! Holy shit that's expensive! I think it would be fun to take the train down and then fly back. I'll let you know what I decide. Thanks for the info.

[michaelmontanez]

Sunset Limited FTW

[beavington]

My brother and I are coming down from Oregon and thought we'd take the train — cheaper than flying, meals included with our sleeper car reservation, and we can booze it up the whole 24 hrs. from Bend. We'll get in Thursday night and stay with friends in LA before catching a ride to the festival with them the next day.

Anyone else from the northwest or Bay Area thinking of doing this?

really? Taking the train down with a sleeper car is cheaper than flying? Do you ride Amtrak? I have always found Amtrak to the most expensive way to travel.

[michaelmontanez]

riding coach to coach is cheap as hell.

[Theijuiel]

really? Taking the train down with a sleeper car is cheaper than flying? Do you ride Amtrak? I have always found Amtrak to the most expensive way to travel.

Isn't Amtrak the ONLY passenger train service in the country? With the exception of steam train tours and such.

[michaelmontanez]

pretty much, besides local things like Metrolink and such.

[beavington]

Isn't Amtrak the ONLY passenger train service in the country? With the exception of steam train tours and such.

yeah (i was being more sarcastic because i have never found Amtrak to be cheaper than the plane).

Cant wait til we get our own high speed train here.

[choice cat]

yes, LA to SF in 2 hours sounds really amazing.

[F/O/X/Y/5]

you should bring some beer with you from Deschutes Brewery from Bend.PLz

[Courtney]

In my years riding Amtrak, I think their stats for on-time arrivals are probably under 20%. Fun, but I would be nervous about anything with tight scheduling.

[michaelmontanez]

I've only gotten to places slightly early with Amtrak, even though they thought we would be late getting into LA from Tucson.

[Courtney]

Maybe it's an east coast thing?

[gaypalmsprings]