Hello Reader,
Welcome back if you have been with me for a while, and welcome to everyone who joined this newsletter this week.
Is Amtrak Really Competing with Airlines — Or Road Trips?
People often compare Amtrak to flying, and I understand why.
On the surface, that comparison makes sense. When planning trips such as Chicago to California, New York to New Orleans, or Seattle to Chicago, the first thing many people do is compare the train time with the flight time.
And yes, if you only look at the clock, the airplane almost always wins. Depending on the trip, it may win on price as well.
But I do not think that is always the appropriate comparison.
Amtrak is not competing with the same thing on every route.
For regional trains, yes, Amtrak can compete with airlines and, in some cases, beat them. But for long-distance trains, I think the real competition is often a road trip, a bus ride, or a vacation where the journey itself is part of the experience.
Regional trains are where Amtrak can compete with flying
Regional trains connect cities over shorter distances, often with multiple departures each day. Examples include the Northeast Regional, Acela, Hiawatha, Keystone, Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor, Borealis, and other corridor-style services.
On these trips, Amtrak can be a practical alternative to flying or driving. In some cases, the train can even be cheaper, easier, and nearly as fast when you consider the entire trip.
For example, I have taken the trip from Milwaukee to Chicago by train, bus, and plane.
A flight from Milwaukee to Chicago O’Hare may only be about an hour in the air, but that is not the whole trip. You still need to get to the airport early, go through security, board, deplane, and then get from O’Hare to where you actually want to be in Chicago.
By comparison, the Hiawatha and Borealis can take you directly from Milwaukee Airport Station to Chicago Union Station in about 1.4 to 1.5 hours. Fares typically run around $28 to $30 each way, while a one-way flight from Milwaukee to Chicago can be much higher, sometimes $200 or more, and you still need to get from O’Hare into the city.
For this short trip, the train is usually the more practical and affordable option. It can also spare you the hassle of tollways, traffic, and finding and paying for parking once you arrive.
You do not have to arrive at the station two hours early. You do not have to go through airport security. Many stations are closer to downtown than the airport. You can usually keep your bag with you, get up and walk around, use your phone more freely, and arrive closer to where you want to be.
That matters.
A short flight may look faster on paper, but that does not include getting to the airport, parking, checking bags, waiting at security, boarding, deplaning, and getting from the airport to your final destination.
For some city pairs, the train may not always win on speed alone, but it can be easier, less stressful, more affordable, or simply more convenient. Chicago to St. Louis is another example where considering the whole trip can make the train worth it, and often it costs under $30!
That is where Amtrak has a strong case.
Long-distance trains are different
Long-distance trains are a different matter.
When someone asks, “Why would I take the California Zephyr when I could fly from Chicago to the Bay Area in a few hours?” my answer is usually, “Because it is not the same kind of trip.”
Yes, both can get you from the Midwest to California, and if transportation is your only concern, flying is the better option. But overall, they serve different travel needs.
A flight is mostly about getting there, while a long-distance train can be about getting there, but it can also be about the experience.
I have even combined both. Last year, I flew to Los Angeles so I could ride the Southwest Chief back. In that case, the flight got me to the train, but the train ride back was the experience I wanted.
That is hard to compare with a flight.
You are watching the country change outside your window. You are seeing small towns, rivers, mountains, plains, backyards, farms, and places most travelers fly over without noticing, especially those stuck in the middle seat, which Amtrak does not offer. Additionally, there are wonderful views that only people on the train can see.
You can enjoy a meal as the scenery rolls by. On some trains, you can sit in the Sightseer Lounge, talk with other travelers, read, nap, or simply stare out the window without feeling you should be doing something else.
That is not quite the same as flying, and there are no middle seats.
The better comparison is often a road trip
For long-distance Amtrak trips, I think the better comparison is often a road trip with someone else taking care of the "driving."
That changes how you view the trip.
If you are driving from the Midwest to the West Coast, the cost is more than gas. You also have to pay for hotels, meals, parking, tolls, vehicle wear and tear or rental, and the mental energy required to drive for hours each day. All of those costs can add up fast.
Someone has to stay alert. Someone has to watch the road. Someone has to handle traffic, construction, bad weather, fuel stops, parking, and the question of how far you can safely drive before stopping for the night.
On the train, the crew handles the driving, so all you need to do is relax.
That is not a minor matter.
That is true whether the other driver is behind the wheel of a car or a bus. If you are booking coach primarily to save money, a bus may beat Amtrak on price and might serve places Amtrak does not. And it still means you can chill during the trip.
But on a long-distance route, you are usually trading away room to walk around, café car access, and restroom access whenever you want them, just to save a few dollars. The “someone else is driving” logic still applies — you are just choosing which version of that trade-off matters more to you.
This is especially worth considering when comparing a sleeper ticket with a road trip.
A roomette or bedroom can seem expensive if you compare it only to a plane ticket. But a sleeper fare is not just transportation. It includes transportation, a place to sleep, and meals while you are onboard.
Run the numbers on a real trip.
A roomette on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles might run around $1,000 or more for two people, depending on when you book, but it includes lodging and meals while on board.
Now compare that with driving.
Chicago to Los Angeles is about 2,000 miles by road and roughly 30 hours of driving time, not including rest stops, fuel stops, meals, traffic, or overnight breaks. At current gas prices, fuel could cost around $265 to $315, depending on your vehicle. Add about $340 or more for two nights in hotels, before taxes and fees, plus meals along the way.
Even with modest meal costs, that road trip can easily cost between $800 and $900 before tolls, parking, vehicle wear and tear, or any extra sightseeing stops. On average, total wear and depreciation costs come to about $0.40 per mile.
That does not mean Amtrak is always cheaper. Sometimes it is not. But it is a more honest comparison than simply comparing a sleeper fare to an airline ticket. With a roomette, you are not just paying for transportation. You also get a place to sleep, meals on board, and the chance to cross the country without driving. For me, driving that far is not an option or something I really want to do.
So, is Amtrak competing with airlines?
Yes and no.
For regional trains, absolutely. Amtrak can be a real alternative to flying, especially when it connects city centers, avoids airport hassles, and offers a simpler way to travel between nearby cities.
But for long-distance trains, I do not think airlines are always the main competition.
A long-distance train often competes with a road trip, a bus ride, or a vacation where the journey is part of the experience.
That is why comparing a long-distance train only to flight time misses the point.
If you need to get somewhere quickly, flying is usually the best option.
If you want the lowest possible price, taking a bus may be the best option.
But if you want to see the country without doing the driving, avoid booking hotels along the way, have meals included with a sleeper, and make the trip itself part of the adventure, long-distance Amtrak starts to make more sense.
That is one of the things I love about train travel. It offers another way to get around.
Sometimes Amtrak is just transportation, but for many of us, it is part of the vacation experience.
And sometimes, it is both.
What Is Kev Up To?
This week reminded me why community matters. I spent a good chunk of it with a friend going through a rough patch — nothing I'll get into here, just one of those weeks when you show up for someone, and it's good to know they'd do the same for me.
That sense of showing up without quite knowing what you're doing carried over to my other job, too. Most weeks, playing the organ at church is about as low-stress as it gets. I have a funeral today, and I'm going in without a clear sense of what to expect. It's made me realize how much of this depends on planning that nobody outside the process ever sees — the music doesn't just happen, and if you've never had to coordinate it, you'd have no reason to know that. And when musicians are part of that planning, they should be compensated for it like any other professional brought in for the day. It got me thinking I should put together an actual guide for handling funerals — something to make the process less stressful for everyone involved, including the organist.
On a brighter note, my niece Mackenzie and I have been planning a few more adventures to take together, either before or after the rest of her family makes it to Wisconsin. Details to come — but if our last trip together is any indication, it'll be a good one.
Thank You!
Thanks to Lillie F., Lauretta J., and Janet O. for hitting the green tip button last week. I appreciate it.
June is my birthday month, and for no particular reason, I'm offering you 49% off your first month on Patreon. If you join, you'll receive a postcard from me, and you can cancel at any time. Use code 15CE5. The older I get, the bigger that discount gets!
If you'd like to help keep Travels with Kev going, click the green button below to visit my support page.
Anyone who supports $5 or more receives a postcard if they want one. If you support via PayPal, I am often able to send one. If you use the button below, reply to the thank-you email, and I’ll send one your way, too. If you don't reply, I cannot send you one.
Until Next Week!
Safe travels & Happy Planning,
Kev Monteith
 |
Help Travels With Kev
If you appreciate my work and would like to show your support, this is a fantastic way to do so!
Your contribution... Read more |
