United States of America Travel Forum

Grey Hound us Amtrak

Thanks for the first tips... I need more...

My question is: Which is better company to visit USA.
I think Grey hound has many lines, but it is not comfortable to travel.
I think Amtrak has less lines, but it would be very comfortable to travel.

Any suggestions !!!!!!!!!

Thank again.!

For short trips Greyhound would not be bad, depends on where you would travel. I travelled around Ohio by Greyhound a few years ago, and that did it for me, never again, the buses were dirty, the people, well I better be careful what I say about that. You are right, Amtrak has limited lines, except in the Northeast and Southeast corriders, there trains are plentiful, but as you move towards the West most of Amtraks lines are East to West, with the exception of the City of New Orleans which travels from Chicago to New Orleans, the Coast Starlight runs South to North or North to South from LA to Seattle/ LA in the West and is a very nice trip with lots of places to stop along the way. Also travelling from Chicago to the West Coast, The California Zephyr would be an excellent choice, 2nd choice to the West Coast would be either the Southwest Chief or the Southwest Limited, skip The Empire Builder. All said and done, I would opt for the train.

like allready mentioned it's very different kinda people who travel amtrak and greyhound.
the amtrak is mostly used by tourists while the greyhound is for the poor americans mainly.

i'm one of the few who actually thinks the greyhound is an interesting experience.
i have done several trips that lasted more than 20 hours and found the people on the bus an interesting bunch, but they are surely very often the bottom of soceity.

You are absolutely correct about both. Except that Amtrak isn't all that comfortable. The people are a little more upscale, but it's not like the European trains, and the food is terrible. And the trains are frequently late. That said, I wouldn't take a Greyhound ride longer than 24 hours.

Could you combine the two methods or are you going to buy a pass? You could take the train for longer trips, but take the bus to get to places that aren't served by the train.

The train is definitely better, but, as noted, the routes are limited outside the Northeast corridor.

One thing you should note if you take Amtrak in the rest of the country is how amazing slow the train is (and, hence, how amazingly long the trips are). Gee, America is big, but not THAT big ;-)

The slow trains are because Amtrak does not typically own its own rail lines - it uses the rail tracks owned by rail freight companies. In many places (I know it's true in Texas), the speed limit is only 30 miles per hour on these lines, because the freight companies don't want to maintain the tracks to a higher standard - this is as opposed to Europe where the national railway owns the trains and the track, and is subsidized by the state as well.

In the U.S., we subsidize highways and airlines, and not the train, which shows...

That said, there's nothing wrong with the train on long trips (I don't know about the food), if you have all the time in the world...many people would advise you to look for discount airfares (see: www.southwest.com for one very well respected domestic carrier) for at least some of your trips...

Bill

I think that choosing between Amtrak and Greyhound would be like being asking if you would like an injection or would you prefer the electric chair?

You didn't say where in the U.S. you wanted to go. Check out Southwest Airlines and Jetblue. They're no frills carriers that would be a much better choice.

I think that choosing between Amtrak and Greyhound would be like being asking if you would like an injection or would you prefer the electric chair?

You didn't say where in the U.S. you wanted to go. Check out Southwest Airlines and Jetblue. They're no frills carriers that would be a much better choice.

amtrak The trips between Chicago and Denver, Chicago and LA and Chicago and Seattle all pass through magnificent countryside. The trip from Seattle to LA is also pitcturesque.

I find the bus experience in the US depressing. the stations are awful and if you are going a long way there will be long layovers.

amtak will likely be late (unless you are late-then it will leave on time) but it is very comfortable. Plus you can swill beer with your fellow passengers. if you can afford a splurge for a private room, go for it. It includes meals in the dining car which in my opinion are pretty good.

Short trips by greyhound would be OK but use caution around the stations.

Hi Vts !!

Thanks for all.
Your answers have been very useful. You have maked me very happy.

I weighed up the three, Amtrak-Grey Hound-Air lines.
I though of speed, money, comfort... and other factors.
I though several options:
One company alone, a pass alone, a pass and planes, two companies without passes, etc, etc
Well, I have time enough, and I have decided to spend some days seeing the countrysides of America. IŽll take the train. But definitely Mix Train (middle distances) with planes (large distances)is best option.

I expect to visit: Niagara falls, Grand Canyon, British Columbia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York.

THX.