OUR FIRST AMTRAK TRAIN EXPERIENCE | 21 HOURS FROM CHICAGO TO DALLAS ON AMTRAK'S TEXAS EAGLE!!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend 21 hours on an Amtrak train? In coach?
In today's video we traveled from Chicago, Illinois to Dallas, Texas on Amtrak's Texas Eagle in coach class! This was our first ever Amtrak train journey and it was quite the adventure! Would we do it again? I don't know. You tell us :)
Thanks so much for watching! Sorry we interrupted the Portugal travel series, but we really wanted to share these videos in real time :)
XO,
Aimara & Gordon
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Пікірлер: 100

  • @waysoftheworld_
    @waysoftheworld_ Жыл бұрын

    So... what do you think? Would you guys take a 21 hour train ride? :)

  • @Columbus1152
    @Columbus11528 ай бұрын

    Every once in a while we'll travel by train on an overnight route in coach, we've found the difference between comfy and misery is to be well prepared. We put together a comfort bag with travel pillows, travel blanket, slippers, toiletries, games, computers, movies. We also pack a snack sack, it can beat the rations offered in the cafe, we bring fruit, nuts, some veggies, and a little junk food. The coach seats are plenty roomy and we can both fall asleep in a recliner at home, so we're well rested when we get to our destination instead of nerve racked from driving.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    8 ай бұрын

    These are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing!! 😊 We will do it again some time when we're back in the US 🚊

  • @ronclark9724

    @ronclark9724

    6 ай бұрын

    Bring a power strip to power and recharge your devices, usually there is only one outlet per seat or roomette. Being a diabetic I bring a good book and a few apples, avoiding all of the starches. The only bread I eat now is 100 percent whole wheat, nothing else...

  • @gletschert
    @gletschert Жыл бұрын

    I can't believe how quickly those 21 hours went by! Time flies when you're riding the Texas Eagle and eating grilled cheese sandwiches 😎

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    hahaha I guess so 😂 must have been the grilled cheese sandwiches 😂

  • @michaeltuffin8147

    @michaeltuffin8147

    4 ай бұрын

    They were lucky. That train often runs 4-10 hours late, usually due to freight. my longest Dallas to Chicago trip took 34 hours.

  • @albertocruz3752
    @albertocruz3752 Жыл бұрын

    Great video guys . We love train travel you definitely get to see more of the country.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes! And trains in the US were a whole different experience! We can't wait to do it again :)

  • @hydeyoungg17
    @hydeyoungg17 Жыл бұрын

    Hello. American videos are also good. Looking forward to more of these videos. See you.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi :) Glad to hear you liked it! We have 2 more US videos to share, but hopefully we can make more next year!

  • @davepov
    @davepov Жыл бұрын

    I don't believe they have eliminated all Observation cars. I know they still have them for long distance trains that pass through the Rocky Mountains. I thought the Texas Eagle even had one that is added on in San Antonio along with some other cars from the Sunset Limited train before it continues its journey on to Los Angeles. So, I took the Texas Eagle, overnight, in coach a few months back and did my own KZread video about the experience from the point-of-view of a senior citizen which I am. It's tough on someone my age but I tried it and it was was cheap compared to the rooms. I highly recommend the Texas Eagle and if you can afford a room, go all the way from Chicago to LA, it's Amtrak's single longest train ride.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    We hope you're right! But that's what the lady who work there told us 😳 We really want to do that journey from Chicago to LA, but can't afford the room just yet 🤣

  • @PleasureTripping23
    @PleasureTripping236 ай бұрын

    Great video! I was excited to hear Rachel's voice. I met her on my very first trip on Amtrak. It was my birthday and she gave me a brownie to commemorate the experience. She is awesome!

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    6 ай бұрын

    Haha how funny - Rachel is famous! She is a wonderful human. I can totally see her treating you with a bday brownie 😊

  • @waysofstyle_
    @waysofstyle_ Жыл бұрын

    I know we will look back at these long travel days one day and have the best memories! Can’t wait to show you Dallas in the next 2 videos :)

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes ❤️🚊

  • @Alex81257
    @Alex81257 Жыл бұрын

    I love a long train travel ,the best travel💪👍❤️ for me anyways.Can,t wayt to see what Dallas has to offer ,take good care of u and hope u have a great time there💖💖💖 All the best for U from ROMANIA 🇷🇴👍💪🙏🇺🇸👋

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    We have fallen in love with the long train travel days too! You're like us ❤️ And thank you. We can't wait to share those 2 Dallas videos and more US videos next year! Thanks for being here :) We send you a big hug from Florida 🙂

  • @Alex81257

    @Alex81257

    Жыл бұрын

    @@waysoftheworld_ Thank u for righting back ,u do that every time and that is all that really matters ❤️🙏not manny vloggers does this but they want subscribers and milions of them if posible☺️ All my love for U ❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🔥🌹🌹🌹🇺🇸🙏👋

  • @AlabasterRadiance
    @AlabasterRadiance20 күн бұрын

    Great video. I'm actually contemplating that trip for a convention in Feb 2025 on this very same route. Good tips to know and it doesn't seem that bad. Private room seems nice, but dunno if I could justify the cost. Sad to know they got rid of the observation cars. Would have loved to spend most of the time up there.

  • @NickP16
    @NickP1610 ай бұрын

    Rachel is legendary on the Texas Eagle Great Video. They removed the sightseer Lounge from the Texas Eagle during the pandemic, and chances are they're never going to bring it back to that route. It truly is a shame but it still has a great ride all the same! Ive done Chicago to Fort Worth, & Dallas to Chicago before. Next May I'm going to take that train from Los Angeles all the way to Chicago. It only runs three days a week and it's two extra cars on the Texas eagle, but it's the longest passenger train route in America

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    9 ай бұрын

    hahaha we love Rachel!!! This is cool to know. Hope you have a great time. We want to do that train route in the future as well :)

  • @mihaigrosu5005
    @mihaigrosu5005 Жыл бұрын

    Hi friends, glad to see another train ride video , you know me.. I work with trains 😁. Waiting forward for some American vlogs. Have a great one !

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    hahaha yes! We knew you would enjoy this one :)

  • @brucebelcher4995
    @brucebelcher49958 ай бұрын

    I've taken many trips on Amtrak. Going on coach is a tough grind on a long Amtrak trip. A roomette is more expensive, but it gives you a private enclosed space, and you also get to sleep in a bed. Roomette also is first class so you would get Dining Car meals as part of your ticket, rather than having to purchase mediocre meals in the cafe car. Also, you can print coach car tickets or any other tickets at home; I have a couple coach tickets for the Wolverine here now. All of that being said, I love Amtrak, and it's great to see the American countryside!

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    8 ай бұрын

    We can't wait to take more Amtrak trains in the US. For sure would splurge on a roomette for a longer trip! :) Thanks for watching!

  • @michaeltuffin8147

    @michaeltuffin8147

    4 ай бұрын

    Never had any issues with sleeping in coach seats-it’s the common 4-10 hour delays that soured me on the Texas eagle

  • @syrax101
    @syrax101 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful vid! Amtrak has a lot to offer. I think if they upgrade their fleet to current standards, people would use it more. 21 hours goes really fast on a train for some odd reason… I did 3 days from east to west and even that feels short when I got the time lol

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! And yes, not sure why either but time flies by! So cool you got to do that super long train journey! We are thinking about taking the Amtrak from Miami to LA next year :) We'll see! It helps to know that 3 days felt short somehow ;) Happy Holidays to you 🙂

  • @DOSBoxMom
    @DOSBoxMom3 ай бұрын

    My husband & I will be riding the Texas Eagle to Fort Worth in October. We sprang for the sleeping car, so we'll be getting the Flex Dining meals. (We ate from the Cafe Car menu on the Missouri River Runner/Lincoln Service last year, and your Cafe Car food looks better than what we got!)

  • @sherrinisly388
    @sherrinisly388 Жыл бұрын

    I am planning on doing this trip around May or June from Cleveland to Chicago to Dallas. I am taking my service animal with me. Thank you for the video and the tips for riding.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Safe travels!! Thanks so much Sherri! Happy to hear you liked the video and that you found it useful ☺️

  • @kimberlyvinson9047
    @kimberlyvinson9047 Жыл бұрын

    I love Amtrak, haven't ridden in years because prices were ridiculous, and so I've just been flying or driving or riding as a passenger . Would love to go again soon.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    We had a blast! It was such a cool travel experience. They've been having promos here and there... that's how we found these cheap tickets! 🙏🏼

  • @marcyl2003
    @marcyl20032 сағат бұрын

    Y'all 😅 thats cute this was good detailed review. I'm taking the Texas Eagle to Austin drom Detroit.

  • @JackA19
    @JackA19 Жыл бұрын

    Awwww I didn't know thos existed till a passage told me my jokes were on KZread 😊 and they sent it to me...sorry about the grilled cheese😢.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Awww hi Rachel :) You made our train ride so much more enjoyable! ❤️

  • @foxtrotdeltausn4757
    @foxtrotdeltausn47574 ай бұрын

    "Somewhere in the middle of Missouri," That's Arcadia MO. Being from the area, I am so glad they have a station here so I can hop on and go anywhere in the country.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    3 ай бұрын

    Yes, that's amazing! Beautiful area too!

  • @ayalacleaning
    @ayalacleaning Жыл бұрын

    Me and my daughter when to missouri last week, it was great, except they should have assigned seats for passengers riding together. We get on the train in dallas and couldn't find a seat together. So my 13 year old daughter have to seat with a stranger, and far from me. It was so uncomfortable. Luckily the lady seating next to me saw how worried I was about my daughter been far from me and switched seats with her!

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    That's crazy! We were among the last to board the train in Chicago and were lucky to find seats next to each other. I agree that there should at least be some exceptions for assigned seats, like parents traveling with their kids, or elderly passengers sitting with their caretaker. Glad the kind lady switched seats with you!!

  • @jackjules7552

    @jackjules7552

    Жыл бұрын

    We used to ride the train quite often when I was a child and even back then there were no assigned seats in coach on the train. For some reason it was no big deal if different members of the family sat with "a stranger." Actually as a child I used to want to sit with "a stranger" so I could meet someone new. I sat with many "strangers" as a child on the train and met many interesting people. Actually, I thought it was kind of boring sitting with my own family as I already knew them and as long as we were travelling I wanted to meet new people.

  • @JesusArreola-cw6sl
    @JesusArreola-cw6sl Жыл бұрын

    no observation cart? what the what? thats the whole point lol. Oh well, boo amtrak. At least theres the dining cart 🤙

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    I know! We said the same thing!!! We were looking forward to spending our time there :( but the dining cart was fun and Rachel made the ride a lot smoother :)

  • @luisfduran

    @luisfduran

    Жыл бұрын

    Amtrak still does the observation cars. It’s just that on the Texas Eagle, the observation deck is attached in San Antonio when heading to Las Angeles. Same with the dining car and traditional dining. 1 day trips from Chicago to SA are much more limited than cross country. 😃

  • @ronclark9724

    @ronclark9724

    6 ай бұрын

    @@waysoftheworld_ Amtrak is presently refurbishing the entire Superliner fleet. Obviously cars have to be pulled from service to refurbish them. Unfortunately while there are more numerous coach and sleeper cars on a train set, there is only one diner and one sightseeing lounge per train set... Amtrak chose to pull them from the shared train sets of the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited and not from those trains serving the WEST... Of note, that coach you rode on has recently been refurbished...

  • @chrisdobrowolski2783

    @chrisdobrowolski2783

    3 ай бұрын

    No observation car since the sunset limited connnects to the Texas Eagle in San Antonio and that train has an observation car

  • @mannjaye
    @mannjaye Жыл бұрын

    No more observation cart!!!! That was the only reason I, and many others choose the train. Flying until it’s back

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah we hope it's not true. Some people have said it's not true for all of the trains though... we will try and take more trains next year and see it for ourselves :)

  • @mannjaye

    @mannjaye

    Жыл бұрын

    The staff also told us it’s not all trains. But one is to many on a 30 plus hour trip. The staff told us they removed it during Covid. They just never put it back. I took the trip from Chicago to texas

  • @billsfo6400
    @billsfo640013 күн бұрын

    The Observation Cars still exist to LA, Bay Area, PDX, or Seattle.

  • @mabelmayorca1562
    @mabelmayorca1562 Жыл бұрын

    I think my adventurous spirit couldn’t stand a 21 hrs trip in a train. Being in a limited space drives me crazy!

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    hahaha it wasn't that bad 🙂

  • @ronclark9724

    @ronclark9724

    6 ай бұрын

    Get up and walk about on the train, and walk around the platform at the longer smoke/fresh air stops... My hardest trip was flying nearly all day and all night on an airliner from Dallas to Sydney....

  • @Grahzzyvtvlog
    @Grahzzyvtvlog4 ай бұрын

    Been on all the routes 😂

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    3 ай бұрын

    That's awesome! We want to do it again :)

  • @SantaClaus111
    @SantaClaus111 Жыл бұрын

    Wow that's a long ride.. Did you had big stops .. to buy some drinks or food?

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    It was long, but it felt surprisingly short 😂 and yes, some of the stops were maybe up to 20 minutes? So enough time to get off the train, but we never did 🤷🏻‍♀️ they had everything we needed in the dining cart (and we had snacks 🙂)

  • @missmii13
    @missmii13Ай бұрын

    Did you guys checked in luggages? If so, how was the drop off and pick-up? Also, how early did you get to the station before departure?

  • @christopherbranski1720
    @christopherbranski17208 ай бұрын

    I lived in Madison, WI prior to COVID and would frequently take the Texas Eagle from Chicago to Dallas in coach. The coaches were quite comfortable, and you could still get meals in an actual dining car (the steak was especially good). Amtrak kind of shot themselves in the foot by cutting back on amenities and not reducing fares

  • @ronclark9724
    @ronclark97246 ай бұрын

    Congress funded new coaches to replace Amfleet I, Horizon, and Talgo coaches for the regional day trains, but only refurbishments for the Amfleet II, Viewliner I, and Superliner I & II fleets. Of note is that the TE coach you rode in has recently been refurbished with new seat upholstery, and the carpet on the floor replaced with black rubber (mats). Unfortunately there are considerably more coaches and sleepers for a train set than a diner or a sightseeing lounge. Since Amtrak doesn't many extras of those cars, Amtrak had to pull some out of service to refurbish. The shared train sets of the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited were targeted to lose theirs until all of the fleet have been refurbished. Hopefully soon the Texas Eagle and Capitol Limited will see the return of their diner and sightseeing lounge cars. They are truly missed...

  • @nicknack6042
    @nicknack6042 Жыл бұрын

    I just booked it from Dallas to Chicago. We'll fly home from Chicago but what the heck.. You only live once and we want a train adventure.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Heck yes! Nothing beats a train adventure in our opinion :) Enjoy the ride!

  • @donaldwallace7934
    @donaldwallace79347 ай бұрын

    I just completed a trip on the Texas Eagle to and from Dallas by way of Chicago. You are absolutely correct, the restrooms are terrible!!! I won’t be using Amtrak again!! 👎🏻👎🏻

  • @deRose03
    @deRose03 Жыл бұрын

    I wonder if it's safe to leave the luggage in that big storage while you are in the dining cart. It's just sitting there unattended.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    We're not sure... but that's a common practice in a lot of trains and we've never had a problem... so I guess it's probably fine 🤞🏼

  • @jackjules7552

    @jackjules7552

    Жыл бұрын

    It's probably ok..I have done it, but you never know in today's world..so many people have no principles to live by.

  • @conniecollins793
    @conniecollins7939 ай бұрын

    What was the cost for your 1st dinner?

  • @larrylairsonjr5129
    @larrylairsonjr5129 Жыл бұрын

    the observation cars are only on the long distance trains.😊

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh this is good to know! Thanks for sharing! But do you know what's considered a long distance train? I guess not 21 hours 😂

  • @josephj.6478

    @josephj.6478

    Жыл бұрын

    @@waysoftheworld_ I believe they have observation cars operating on most Amtrak routes just not the Texas Eagle and the Cardinal😕

  • @larrylairsonjr5129

    @larrylairsonjr5129

    Жыл бұрын

    The California Zephyr,the Empire Builder, the Southwest Chief I believe are the train’s that have the observation cars but Amtrak is working on improving the system so….?😊

  • @nataliajimenez1870

    @nataliajimenez1870

    Жыл бұрын

    If you are taking the Texas Eagle West of San Antonio, you get an Observation car because the train is attached to the Sunset Limited coming from NOLA

  • @Itsnotartitstrash

    @Itsnotartitstrash

    Жыл бұрын

    The observation car gets added to that train your on in San Antonio I think, along with a dining car.

  • @joshuajuarez3471
    @joshuajuarez34716 ай бұрын

    What you mean no observation car? What’s the point

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    6 ай бұрын

    Yea it was a total bummer! Though we didn't have much daylight during our winter journey, so I guess we didn't miss out too much.

  • @joshuajuarez3471

    @joshuajuarez3471

    6 ай бұрын

    @@waysoftheworld_ dang maybe they are trying to save fuel and cost. Idk. I was looking forward to that. But still would go. Think it would be a great experience

  • @joshuajuarez3471
    @joshuajuarez34716 ай бұрын

    I think they have to save money. So they cut down on cars to save fuel. Amtrak doesn’t make a profit

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    5 ай бұрын

    Yea I guess so. It's a shame

  • @chrisdeming9287
    @chrisdeming928711 ай бұрын

    Do you think the roomette would be worth it for a trip this long? Have you ever tried a roomette on Amtrak?

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    11 ай бұрын

    We wanted it but it was too expensive. We've never tried it before! This was our first and has been our only Amtrak experience so far. I think we could justify the cost of the roomette for a longer trip. Somehow this one flew by 😮

  • @ronclark9724

    @ronclark9724

    6 ай бұрын

    Join Amtrak's club to receive notifications of great promotions usually during the off peak times during the year. I have discovered that every night in a roomette is one LESS night at an expensive hotel somewhat reducing the price shock of a roomette. Amtrak provides three meals a day with a sleeper accommodation, usually the best a hotel provides is a continental breakfast... Off peak means not during the Christmas or other holidays... Amtrak fares are dynamic like the rest of the transportation and hospitality industry, book as early as possible to get the lowest fares outside of a promotion...

  • @jackjules7552
    @jackjules7552 Жыл бұрын

    I have ridden many overnight long distance trains. Fortunately I have the money to ride in a private compartment with a bathroom. I would never ride coach overnight. I just rode Amtrak to California six months ago and they did have an observation car. So I am puzzled that you did not have an observation car.

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea private would definitely be more comfortable haha. But coach overnight wasn't so bad, we are used to long trips. I think only certain routes still have the observation car, with the scenic ones in California being some of the ones that do

  • @shelleysmith9532
    @shelleysmith9532 Жыл бұрын

    I am. From ft lauderdale to nj

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    safe travels :)

  • @shelleysmith9532
    @shelleysmith9532 Жыл бұрын

    How fresh is the grilled cheese

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    not fresh at all lol

  • @Timmyjl25
    @Timmyjl256 ай бұрын

    I want to do this but from Dallas-Fort to Chicago. Im antisocial and rather have a room

  • @King_David_97
    @King_David_977 ай бұрын

    Do the Cowboys use this train? IDK.

  • @user-wo3nj6pk4e
    @user-wo3nj6pk4e10 ай бұрын

    If there was no WIFI, did you use your phone as a hot spot?

  • @ronclark9724

    @ronclark9724

    6 ай бұрын

    Even cell phone coverage is limited in many areas of the WEST... Don't pretend to think there are cell phone towers in the middle of a desert a dozen or more miles from a highway or town...

  • @KillerDoc42
    @KillerDoc42 Жыл бұрын

    She bit that sandwich from the wrong end! Who does that?

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    Жыл бұрын

    😂🤷🏻‍♀️👻

  • @brettgoddard1292
    @brettgoddard12926 ай бұрын

    I cannot believe you said St Louis Ark it's not a boat man it's an arch. The St Louis Arch

  • @waysoftheworld_

    @waysoftheworld_

    6 ай бұрын

    🥱