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ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter!

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Last week, I told you that I had planned a trip, and I thought sharing how I chose my destination might be helpful.

How I Planned My Next Amtrak Trip

When I am looking at taking a trip, I start with a question:

👉 Why do I want to take this trip?

It may seem obvious, but addressing this can significantly enhance your planning and provide clarity.

Sometimes, I travel with a specific destination in mind; this can make planning a little easier.

Other times, I want to enjoy a train ride, so I must decide where to go. In this case, my decision-making process is a bit different.

That was the case for this trip.

I knew I wanted a short getaway—a day trip or a one or two-night stay—without spending too much money.

With that in mind, I started my planning process.

Step 1: Listing My Options

Since I was taking Amtrak, my first step was to explore my options. All but one required me to take Metra to Chicago Union Station, so I needed to consider that.

My realistic choices included communities in:

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Wisconsin (past Milwaukee)

There are many options available, so I needed to narrow them down.

Due to my experience, I knew which routes to take and how far I could go for day trips. But if I spent the night, I could go further, and I liked that idea better.

To save time, I could eliminate several routes.

I also knew that a few routes didn’t work, like the Lake Shore Limited and the City of New Orleans—some routes I didn’t want to take, like most of the long-distance routes out of Chicago. However, the Empire Builder could work as part of this trip.

Step 2: Removing Destinations That Didn’t Work

Once I had my list, I started eliminating places based on:

• Train schedules
• Cost (both train tickets and hotels)
• Convenience (how easy it would be to get around once I arrived)

Here’s how that played out for this trip:

• Michigan was my first thought. I haven't been there in a while. However, I quickly ruled it out—the first train left too early for a comfortable Metra connection. There are later trains, but I would arrive in those communities later than I wanted.
• Although the Borealis and Empire Builder would be enticing options, they are too costly for this trip. I could stay with a friend, which would help reduce the expenses. I thought this could be a fantastic fall getaway.
• The Lincoln Service and Missouri River Runner had a reasonable train fare, but hotel prices were higher than I wanted to pay.

That left me considering my top two choices: Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr to Quincy or Saluki/Illini to Carbondale.

I appreciated the idea of taking a route from start to finish, and these routes provided that option.

Step 3: Making the Final Choice

Between the two, the Saluki and Illini to Carbondale won because:

• Although the train fare was slightly higher, it still fit within the trip's budget.
• Unlike a few other places, the hotel was within walking distance of the station.
• I would arrive at a decent time, which makes walking more enjoyable and hopefully warmer.
• The lodging price was fantastic. I could stay two nights for the cost of one in St. Louis.
• There was a grocery store nearby, which could cut costs.
• The Saluki and Illini are currently using the Superliner coach cars, which also appealed to me.

Considering all this, Carbondale was the best choice for what I wanted from this trip—a simple, affordable getaway.

Key Takeaways for Planning Your Trip

When planning a train trip, I always recommend:

• Start with your goal. What do you want from this trip? A getaway? A scenic ride? A bucket-list destination?
• Look at your options – Check train routes and available schedules.
• Compare costs – Consider both train fares and hotel prices. Sometimes they can balance out; for example, a cheaper hotel with a more expensive train trip can still fit within your budget. Always crunch the numbers before eliminating a train or destination.
• Think about logistics – Consider walking distances, public transport, food options, and things to do.
• Be flexible – Sometimes, the best trip isn’t your first choice, but the one that works best for your budget and schedule.

I hope this helps and gives you something to consider regarding your next trip.

What has Kev been up to?

I was supposed to leave Florida on Thursday but didn't leave until Sunday. A few things went wrong.

The airline kept messaging me, saying, "Hey, can you reschedule your trip? We won't charge you extra." That cold snap and winter storm disrupted many transportation forms, and because I was flying into Milwaukee, my flights were right in the middle of it.

So I did.

However, my dear littlest niece gave me a cold, and I didn't feel like flying anyway. In the end, it all worked out. I came home Sunday, and all was well.

I still have remnants of the cold, but for the most part, I’m back to normal.

Not much happened while I was in Florida, mainly because I was not feeling great. However, I did get some walks in.

Although I miss the kids, working without interruptions is nice. They will be here this summer, and we might take a few train trips together.

Looking at the Marker 🚂

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Until Next Week…

Happy planning and safe travels,
Kev Monteith