<p>I have to plan ahead.<br>
The air fair is so expensive, and there are extra charge for luggages.
I'm thinking about bring everything she will need in college, especially the winter jackets and boots.
At least 4 luggages, I think.
We are looking at Amtrak website, thinking about the possibility take train from TX to Chicago then rent a car to her college. It's a 20 hours train. Is it safe for mother and daughter? And return trip, just me.
Or, we should fly and send the luggage by UPS or maybe USPS?
Any comments? Thanks.</p>
<p>My parents once took Amtrak from St.Louis to Dallas. The train was 4 hours late. It seems that freight trains have right of way over passenger, so they had to pull onto other tracks and wait for a freight train quite a few times. So plan for your 20 hour trip to be maybe 28. Plan on the food costing a fortune also.</p>
<p>If you book 30 days in advance and stay over a Saturday, air fare is almost always cheaper than train. Also consider driving to DFW, for some reason the fares are often much less than from IAH.</p>
<p>It’s safe but not very comfortable for such a long ride. The train cabins sell out fast. I don’t know if you rode the train as a kid, but it’s not the same.</p>
<p>I would look at two options: 1> rent a car, with a one-way drop off at Chicago, and you could pack all the stuff that can fit in the car, or 2> bring only essential stuff that can fit in a suitcase and buy the others, jackets and boots (bulky), when you get there. Whichever is less expensive would be my choice.</p>
<p>We had a miserable Amtrak experience years ago and I vowed to never do it again. </p>
<p>Houston to Chicago–Southwest!! You each get two bags free and their prices are the best.</p>
<p>I take the train a lot, and I enjoy it. However, for the trip you are describing, I think I would either ship the stuff or buy it when you get there, and fly. Not because the train is not safe (it is). However, you would inevitably find yourself hauling your heavy luggage pieces around quite a bit at the train stations and car rental (exhausting, annoying, etc.), and it sounds like you will be riding coach (in an open seat, not a sleeper), so you might not be very rested when you arrive. And yes, sometimes the train arrives late.</p>
<p>Or you could just drive up there, as someone suggested, in a one-way car rental, and fly back. Actually, the train ride back (without all the luggage, and no stress) would be ok too.</p>
<p>
I agree. Fly with four suitcases.
We moved my D from Ohio to Texas by each of us checking two bags on the plane and then sending down two boxes of bulky stuff via Fed Ex ground, which is pretty cheap. Did you know that you can buy stuff like blankets and dorm room supplies on line and then have it waiting for you at the nearest Bed Bath and Beyond? You just go pick it up. That helps with distance moves like this.</p>
<p>Thank you everybody. We gave up train. We have to wait more than 8 hours in Chicago for another train to UIUC or we can take bus. And with luggages, it’s a headach to move from station to station. I check orbitz, the air fair drop a lot (last time I look at it was Monday), very reason price now, so, I just bought it.
We will also stay at Chicago for two days, never been there before. I read from another CC thread about chicago, very interesting, really looking forward for the trip !!!</p>
<p>When we moved my daughter, she left home a medium sized box labeled “mail in October” that I shipped to her by fed ex ground shortly before Halloween. Things she needed for cool weather and a few favorite Halloween costume things. That was helpful - It was good not to have to deal with everything.</p>