DD wants me to come up to OU for their Mom’s weekend, unfortunately I’ll be traveling cross country right before that date. I was concerned I’d be too tried to make the drive by myself and started to look into alternate travel arrangements. I was very surprised at how affordable Amtrak was!
Out of curiosity I checked Amtrak fares to between Austin and Dallas and it’s only $23 each way! As a bonus the times seem reasonable. There is public transportation between Amtrak and UTD or the cost of a cab or uber is only another $20 or so. The Texas Eagle line runs from LA to Chicago (lounge car, snack car, dining car). Might be something to consider… They even have deals for college visits buy one ticket get one 50% off
https://www.amtrak.com/buy-one-get-one-50-off-with-college-campus-visit
I would love to hear your review if you do choose that option…
@BingeWatcher I will be taking Amtrak to OU in April it’s a bit more involved because I have to change trains in Ft. Worth with a layover. The train leaves Austin at 9:30 and arrives Ft. Worth at 2:00 change trains, depart at 6:00 and arrives Norman at 9:00. The return trip will be better with a much shorter lay over, I’ll leave Norman at 9:00 and be in Austin by 6:30 when you factor in stopping for food and gas it’s about the same amount of time it would take me to drive. Times also work well for DH to drop me off and pick me up at the train station.
The train route between Austin and Dallas is much easier because you don’t have to change trains!
Austin to Dallas departs 9:30 arrives 3:30
Dallas to Austin departs noon arrives 6:30
(times are rounded because trains aren’t known for being exactly on time anyway;-))
@GTAustin do you, or anyone else, have suggestions for the best way to get between UTD and the Dallas Amtrak station?
DART from Downtown to PGBT station in Richardson, or Uber from downtown.
@BingeWatcher here you go:
Review of Amtrak between Austin and Fort Worth, to Dallas you would stay on the same train for one more stop. I had to change trains in Fort Worth to get to Norman.
The train arrived and left Austin about a half hour late and arrived Fort Worth about 20 minutes late. Evidently it is not uncommon for Amtrak to run late because they share the tracks with freight trains and those have priority. We also had several disabled passengers board at Austin and I was very pleased to witness how caring and helpful the train attendants where with these individuals. I checked my bag to Ft. Worth so I didn’t have to carry it on the train and was allowed to leave it in the secure baggage claim room in Ft. Worth until my next train. The second train did not offer checked baggage but the attendant helped me lift the suitcase on and off the train and store it in the luggage rack near the door. Every Amtrak employee I dealt with was pleasant. I did have to show my ID when they scanned my ticket but no endless lines, metal detectors or having my bags searched. I’m not sure if it’s the new normal for TSA to search everyone’s checked bags when you fly but after every flight I’ve been on in the past several years I’ve found my checked bag had be riffled through and a note from TSA. Oh, and you can even bring bikes on the train!
There was tons of room on the train! I’ve flown first class with much less room! The seats recline and there’s a foot rest like a LazyBoy recliner. The tray table was large enough for my laptop and papers and water bottle and there were power outlets by my seat. The train was not very full, most people traveling alone had an empty seat next to them. The train had a dinning car for full sit down meals and sleeper cars for people traveling longer distances which I didn’t visit. I did spend time in the lounge car, upstairs they have large windows that extend halfway across the ceiling. There was both table seating and seats that looked out towards the windows, there were power outlets there too. Downstairs they had more table seating and a snack bar. Many people brought their own stacks for the trip.
I would think that this is an excellent way for students to travel between Austin and Dallas, they can do homework, read, sleep or as is more likely with DS, play video games on his phone:-) It does take longer than driving but I think that really depends on the time and day, traffic from Dallas can be a real bear! The Austin train station is as downtown as you can get but it was surprisingly easy to get in and out of with ample free parking.
We plan to take the train up for visit in the Fall, that way we can check out the logistics of getting from the the Dallas train station to campus.
@3scoutsmom, that sounds like a great way to travel! Where is the Austin downtown station?
That might end up being a good option for S if he ends up at UTD. We’re in a Houston suburb but thinking of moving into Houston proper after S starts college, to be closer to H’s job. Currently we’re too far outside Houston for it to make sense but if we were closer to the train station it might be great! Thanks for the tip @3scoutsmom
@GTAustin round trip it’s about $50 and you can have two checked bags and two carry ons, plus the have some sort of frequent traveler perk points that I’m just now educating myself on;-)
That’s a great deal. Its a little bit longer than driving but alot safer and they can actually relax or study. It is a great option.
@traveler98 not sure if I would do the train from Houston, you have to take the train to San Antonio and then change trains with a long lay over. He’s need to take the train to San Antonio about 5 hours, have a 7 hour lay over, and then another 8 hours to Dallas for about $120 round trip, for that I’d go ahead and fly!
@3scoutsmom, yikes! Never mind then!
Thank you for the great report @3scoutsmom