Railway travel has always evoked romantic memories among the millions who avail of their services. And when the routes and the on-board services are top class, the experience can really be a pleasure. Amtrak has certainly tried to achieve this with over thirty routes in the US and Canada, making rail travel a very viable option for your next vacation. The great on board service and the excellent accommodation promises you and your family some great times together.



While air travel might be shorter in duration, the only sights that you see from "up there" are clouds and more clouds, while on a train, you see the rolling country side flowing past you, the various types of farm animals, the people and the sights while passing through town. It is the ideal choice for people afraid to fly. Somehow, there's nothing quite like a train ride to set the tone for a perfect holiday.

Trains also offer something that virtually no plane can offer, especially on long distance journeys - accommodation that compares with good hotels and F&B services to match. You can avail of private suites if your budget allows it or there are semi private bunk beds where the entire family can snuggle in after a good meal in the dining car. The suites can accommodate up to four adults very comfortably and the swaying motion of the train is guaranteed to lull you to sleep.

Amtrak policy allows you to take on board five pieces of luggage - two of them with you in the suite/compartment and three in the baggage car. Baggage weighing more than fifty pounds will not be allowed in the compartment and will need to be checked in. Bicycles are allowed! Like in any public transport, baggage will need to go through security checks before being loaded, and they have their list of "banned" items as well, similar to air travel. Again like air travel, there are different classes of seating. Acela Express and Metroliner are costlier but offer larger seats and more facilities than the regular seating. This is not recommended for the budget traveller.

When travelling with young children, trains could be the ideal choice. While the duration will be longer than by air, the child has a lot of activities to participate while on board a train. Not the least of them being watching different cities and towns as they roll by, something no geography text book can show. They have the room to move about unlike in a plane, and this itself can be a boon for parents.

While planning your next holiday, think of train travel, it might not sound as glamorous as air travel, but think of the benefits that you and your family can enjoy at a far lower price and also think of the quality time that your family will be spending together. On the whole, you will find that train travel not only keeps the family together, but also develops bonds over the duration of the journey that no air travel can replicate.