Travels with Kev

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome to all the new readers, and thank you to everyone who has been here for a while. I genuinely enjoy putting these newsletters together and sharing stories, thoughts, and travel lessons that do not always fit into a regular post on the site. This week, I want to talk about getting started with travel — and why I think many people overcomplicate it before they even leave home. I know I have. You Don’t Need to Know Everything Before You...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This week serves as a reminder to check your Amtrak Guest Rewards account. If you haven't ridden in a while, your points may be closer to expiring than you realize. I have a new post discussing the costs of an Amtrak trip and how to find prices on your own. Additionally, I'll provide a quick update on what I've been up to. Have You Checked Your Amtrak Points Lately? If you haven't taken an Amtrak trip in the past couple of years, this is a...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, One thing every traveler deals with is the budget — but are we actually looking at how we spend those dollars? Find out! When “Cheaper” Isn’t Actually Cheaper When I started, I made the classic rookie mistake — booking trips based on the lowest price. Sometimes it worked out fine. Other times… it got interesting. What I didn't realize was that those 'cheap' fares sometimes cost me more than I thought. Over time, I began paying attention to...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, A few months ago, I mentioned that Amtrak's Superliners might be phased out. Last Wednesday, Amtrak confirmed this, and the plan is even more extensive than I anticipated. They issued a Request for Proposals for over 800 new railcars, replacing all Superliners in the West and every Viewliner I sleeper and Amfleet II coach on the Eastern overnight routes. This will be one combined fleet, marking the largest long-distance equipment order in...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, While daydreaming on the Amtrak website, I found a few Amtrak service changes that aren't listed on Amtrak's Service and Alert Notices page, and I thought I would share them with you. And a fun story that came from last week's newsletter! Texas Eagle — Upcoming Bus Bridge If you're booking the Texas Eagle and see "canceled" on certain dates, don't panic — it's not the entire route. From April 20 through 27, Amtrak is operating a bus bridge...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This week, I'm talking about one of my favorite trains. Then again, most long-distance trains are my favorite — so take that with a grain of salt. What I love about this one in particular is the chance to escape the Midwest scenery for something completely different. I have nothing against the Midwest; I live here, after all, but there's something unique about seeing a landscape outside your window that doesn't resemble home. The Sunset...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, Today, we are going to "chat" about the different types of Amtrak accommodations. It might be new for some or a review for others, or maybe it will give you a different way to choose what is right for you. If there is something you want me to cover, let me know! Which Amtrak Accommodation Is Right for You? Booking an Amtrak trip often raises a common question for many new passengers: Do I need a sleeping accommodation, or is coach a...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, While we all love train travel, let's talk about my other passion, luggage. Weird, I know, but I enjoy exploring what's out there. This week, I bought a new bag, and I want to share the steps I followed when choosing luggage. If there is something you want me to cover, let me know! Choosing the Right Bag for Your Travels (And Why Most People Get It Wrong) I’ve been using the same SwissGear backpack for over ten years—through brewery runs,...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This week, we learn that Amtrak updated two South Carolina stations on the Floridian (Silver Star) line. Additionally, my Amtrak Long-Distance on-time performance page has been updated with January figures. Two South Carolina Stations Get Major Upgrades Amtrak has wrapped up renovation projects at two South Carolina stops on the Floridian (Silver Star), Camden (CAM), and Denmark (DNK), and both are now noticeably better places to board a...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, Amtrak rail expansion in the cheese state, and I made it home safe! Hiawatha to Madison: 2030s Is the Target Amtrak has announced a timeline for the long-anticipated Madison extension to its Hiawatha service. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the agency aims to start the line “as early in the 2030s as possible.” The Hiawatha is a state-supported route, with Wisconsin and Illinois DOTs sharing some...