[explaininjs]

Amtrak absolutely blows. Always prefer the regional provider ticket if you can. But then so does eurail (as perceived by the end user, I’m sure some independent providers are similarly fine).

Small regional trains in general are decent, but they’re no match for planes across any long distance.

I just earlier today was trying to get a Eurail pass for some traveling around europe over the next couple weeks. The minimum you pay is $211 for 4 days of use across a month, but every train worth using has a “seat reservation fee” on top of that. I literally couldn’t find a more expensive way to do that route I had planned.

[bigstrat2003]

I've had the exact opposite experience with long distance Amtrak travel. Nice sized seats which are much more comfortable, better views, no getting groped by a TSA agent. Other than the time it takes to travel being much shorter, planes aren't even in the same league as Amtrak.

[wolverine876]

> time it takes to travel being much shorter

And that depends on how far you travel, of course:

Fixed overhead for planes is around 2.5 hours (depending on airport, etc.) for parking, travel to terminal, security, time to gate, 'deplaning', time from gate to ride/car. For Amtrak, that's about 40 minutes IME.

Marginal time cost for distance is, of course, far less on a plane.

[explaininjs]

If I want to get somewhere slowly I’ll just drive. Even taking my gas guzzling 2004 V8 truck at CA gas prices is far cheaper than Amtrak, and my dog can come. And that’s with just me, for 2+ people there’s no contest whatsoever.

[ThePowerOfFuet]

>no getting groped by a TSA agent

Don't worry, they're working on remedying that.

[bigstrat2003]

I know. :(