The_Bouncer

I need to travel from Phoenix to Houston in December and am looking at taking the Sunset Limited.

1. The train leaves from Maricopa station early in the morning (0640) and I am not finding much in the way of accommodation around the station. Should I just stay in Phoenix and get a cab to the station in the morning?

2. I am travelling solo and planning to book a Superliner Roomette. The website states this is for 1-2 passengers. Will the fare quoted ($396) give me sole use of this room (no sharing with strangers)?

3. What is the onboard experience like? Is it worth doing this, rather than just flying to IAH?

serpens

1. Can't help you, sorry.

2. You will have sole use of the room. If you had a travel companion, the companion would pay a rail fare but no extra for the room.

3. The on-board experience on Amtrak is wildly variable, and riders' interpretations of their on-board experiences are also wildly variable. Given a choice of Amtrak or flying, I would take Amtrak 100% of the time. "A bad day on Amtrak is better than a good day on the airplane." As a sleeping car passenger, you will have already paid for your meals in the dining car, or as Americans like to say, meals are free. This does not include alcohol, gratuity, or anything from the lounge car.

If you have experience with train travel in Europe, you might find Amtrak a bit patronizing, but that is more common in larger cities.

I assume you know that the Sunset Limited only runs three days per week. Also, the fare can vary from day to day (both day of travel and day of booking). If you have flexibility on your departure date, amsnag.net can help identify cheaper days.

The_Bouncer

Thanks very much Serpens. Yes, I am Europe-based and the only experience I have of Amtrak was New York to Boston a year or two back. I have never tried the sleeper product in the US, although I am used to sleeper trains in Europe.

3Cforme

Compared to the Northeast Regional or Acela product you may have tried, the western long-distance trains are a lot more casual. Casual with regard to schedule adherance... But you will also meet people who find the train very relaxing, and you're likely to find them very engaging in a way that can be a little forward or very charming, depending on your willingness to participate. Meals are a very social time: you will be seated at a table and they will likely fill all four seats even as other tables stay empty.

The_Bouncer

Thanks. This is sounding more and more like a good idea, the more I read about it.

hi55us

That's a pretty reasonable fare for the sleeper, I would go for it! I've never riden that route but it's always an interesting way to check out the American scenery if you're from overseas.

The_Bouncer

Many thanks guys. I'm all booked. Boarding at Tucson, as the logistics of accommodation and rental car return seem much easier. Also not such an early start (09:15).
Interestingly, the fare from Tucson was a good bit lower at $309.

octr202

For a European experiencing the national Amtrak network (not the Northeast Corridor or some of the other short-distance routes), remember your train is an outsider on a freight rail network. As I once heard about freight railroads, "remember, they tell time with a calendar, not a clock." Hope that keeps the experience in perspective. :-)

seat38a

Here's my photo album from my trip on Sunset Limited. https://www.flickr.com/photos/115569...57640159976306

if you want to see what a roommette will be like, take a look at my album from the Coast Starlight:https://www.flickr.com/photos/115569...57652980656950

Unlike most of the world, Amtrak you buy the whole room not just a bed, so the roommette is all yours.

The_Bouncer

Many thanks for this, seat38a! It looks like a good trip.

Dianne47

I see you solved the night-before accommodation problem by boarding in Tucson. That is a better place to board the train if you have a rental car to turn in.

For those who want to board Amtrak in Maricopa there is a hotel within the Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino and Resort. It's located about 4 miles south of the Amtrak station. I don't know if there are any rental car offices there.

Globehopper

Good choice to board from Tuscon instead of Phoenix. There's a fair bit to see/do in the Tuscon area and logistically the car rental return and hotel situation is better than a trek to Maricopa Station. Once upon a time the Sunset served PHX.

Keep in mind the train may be hours late before it arrives Tuscon, so it is a good idea to check on Amtrak.com regarding the train status before heading out to the station or relinquishing your hire car.

Enjoy your trip!

The_Bouncer

Thanks. I had hoped I was doing the right thing boarding in Tucson. It was also $80+ cheaper.

calwatch

For future reference there is the Maricopa Shuttle which operates a shuttle for $65. There is also City of Maricopa Transit to Chandler: http://www.maricopa-az.gov/web/livin...transportation operating Tuesdays and Thursdays at an infrequent schedule. Ultimately, if you are coming from the east, it's easier to get off in Tucson and take Greyhound from downtown Tucson to Phoenix. You're not missing much.

jimhudson

Excellent idea to use Tucson! There is no "there" there in Maricopa, it's a small Station with no facilities in a distant Phoenix Suburb.

Be sure to check out the Historic Congress Hotel across the street from the Tucson Station. If only to look around while waiting for the Sunset. Nice patio Cafe but you'll have breakfast on the train if #2 is on time into Tucson.