TRAVEL

How to Ride the Rails for Less
Adriane Berg
Decision Center

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Savings on Amtrak tend to fall into certain strict categories:
Schedule specials - one week fares, weekend travel, round trips; Age related - Those over 65 get a 15 percent discount below the lowest fares except Christmas holidays;

Destination rates, such as the "All Aboard Fares." Amtrak has divided the country into three regions: East, Central and West. You can travel between these zones and get off at any three points for a packaged price: $140 one zone, $180 two zones and $225 three zones, which encompasses New York to Los Angeles.

Special purpose trips - For ski packages in New Mexico and Colorado, call 1-800-841-9800; for Stowe, Vt., call Go Go Tours, 1-800-899-2558.
f
rom the Pullman Orient-Express to the Nozomi jet train of Japan, no mode of travel conjures up as much romance and intrigue as trains. Whether a train ride is your hypnotic decompression chamber, or your road to adventure, there are specialists to get you on the right track. And no matter why you choose to travel by train, here are three rules that'll keep you safe and happy on board.
1.  Get the best price

Traveling by train is not necessarily the most economical or efficient mode of transportation. If your main interest is enjoying the sites of a specific area for as long as possible, airplane travel is your better bet. But train travel allows you to relax and enjoy the scenery. And you can get good deals.

Your first pricing decision is whether or not to travel first class. Second class (called coach in the United States) will save you about 25 percent. On day trips you'll probably opt to save the money, but on overnights in second class, you may have to sleep sitting up. On Amtrak, first class often includes all meals, except alcoholic beverages. And meals are brought to your seat. On foreign trains, first class can be indistinguishable from coach, and there are "third class" tickets to save even more.

Next, whatever class you choose, get the best fare. In the United States, Amtrak offers fare promotions and frequent traveler programs. Amtrak magazine and its companion Web site post routes, packages, hotels, tours and special deals. There are many opportunities to combine car, air, bus and even cruise travel with train travel.

Should you get a pass?

Foreign rail passes save you money over individual fares if you are traveling to several destinations over a short period of time. Caveat: Passes do you little good if you need a single round-trip ticket.

Passes usually cover just a daytime seat. Overnight sleeping accommodations, private compartments, meals and premium (speed) trains are extra. But travel is unlimited during the pass dates. Some passes specify unlimited travel on certain days of the week, giving you sightseeing time in between.

As with Amtrak, foreign trains offer promotions that include companion passes for two and group passes for three or more. Most rail passes work in much the same way: For a fixed price, you get unlimited train travel within a specified time. Some passes have only full-time options. You can travel on any day on which the pass is valid. Other passes are flexible, good for travel on a set number of days anytime during the pass's validity period.

The key is to buy the narrowest pass that will get you where you want to go. For multinational travel within Europe, the Eurail pass is best. It includes 17 countries in Western Europe and, Hungary and entitles you to free or discounted travel on some suburban trains, private railways, national buses and even some ferries and excursion boats. The Eurail Saver pass requires different numbers of travelers during winter and summer, but gives special discounts to seniors and students.
2.  Plan ahead

As with hotels, trains offer a brochure with room layouts. Accommodations vary widely for each train. For example, Amtrak trains east of the Mississippi have "roomettes" with wide armchairs, a toilet, sink and pullout bed. A "bedroom" has two beds, a sofa and chair. West of the Mississippi, there are larger accommodations available, including a family bedroom.

Before you select your berth or seat, know the location of the bathroom and don't take a seat or room nearby. If you have a pull-down bed, be sure that you can get to the toilet in the room without putting the bed back up.

Bringing blankets, pillows and extension cords is up to you. Fussy sleepers will need them. Others find carrying the bulky luggage more of a pain than a lumpy pillow. Do bring your own soap and plenty of batteries for laptops. The plug may be in the bathroom.

Train food can be anywhere from gourmet to horrible. You can get a copy of the on-board menu before you travel.

Finally, remember that not all trains are created equal. The East Coast Viewliner from Boston to Miami is a dream come true. But, I suffered in the smoke-filled "Coughing Lounges" of the famous Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles). Ask about smoking, especially in foreign trains, as well as the size of viewing windows and domed viewing cars.
3.  Learn the schedules

Start with Amtrak for scheduling information in the United States.

For foreign travel, study the scheduling "bible," the Thomas Cook's Overseas Timetable. It's a compilation published every two months of rail schedules throughout the world (except for Europe, which has its own timetable).

Be forewarned that if you take a scenic ride, poor scheduling may take you through the best sites in the dead of night. Watch for time zones.   green square


Before you select your berth or seat, know the location of the bathroom and don't take a seat or room nearby.
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Illustration by Terry Allen  Copyright 1998 Microsoft Corporation