Q:
I'm intrigued by a recent QofD that involved an Amtrak (Chicago) to Kingman, Ariz., trip and then on to Laughlin and Vegas by bus. Sounds like a lot of fun. Any idea how much it would cost and how long it would take? The airline fares are killing us folks these days!
A:
We checked it out, using March 27, 2009, as the hypothetical date of travel. Here's what we found:
- Amtrak Chicago to Arizona:
Chicago, IL -- Union Station to Kingman, AZ
Fare: $137
Travel time: 34 hours, 24 minutes
Greyhound Bus from Arizona to Las Vegas:
Fare: $39 refundable; $33 non-refundable, $27 7-day advance purchase
Total: $176, $170, or $164
Travel time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Total fare: $176/$170/164
Total travel time: 36 hours, 14 minutes
- Chicago O'Hare to Las McCarran Airport:
American Airlines: $280.50; flight time 4 hours (direct flight)
United Airlines: $179.50; flight time 4 hours (direct)
Continental Airlines: $243 and would take 6 hours 55 minutes (with stops)
So, if you're in no hurry, enjoy the actual process of traveling, and don't mind being cooped up with your companions for a day and a half, right now you can save about $100-$200 per person by going the train/bus route.
But if time is money to you, or you just don't want to spend three days of your vacation in transit, then we'd recommend biting the hundred-dollar bullet and sticking to air travel.
Update 16 December 2008
And here's some from a real-life conductor, who posted on the LVA message boards!
"As a conductor for BNSF, the parties might consider the question of time of arrival in Kingman AZ. The Amtrak train must be in L.A. by about noon, so I think Kingman AZ arrival(to L.A.) and departure back east is in the early morning."
More reader comments:
"It seems obvious the person answering today's question on taking the train to Vegas has never ridden the train. Of course one doesn't take the train to save time. But one does take the train to have an enriched experience and meet (and have actual conversation with) new, and mostly fascinating people.
"When was the last time you talked with anyone on a plane? Or had room to stand up and move about? We rode the train from San Diego to Seattle this fall, had a great trip and enjoyed great food---provided with your sleeper car ticket---and enjoyed wine tasting each evening.
"One is not cooped up on the train, but one is surely cooped up on a plane. It's all about enjoyment---and I find absolutely no enjoyment in flying these days. Nor any appreciation by the airline industry for my patronage." (Larry from Wisconsin)
"If you travel First Class on the train all your meals are provided at no cost, including room service." (Russ S.)
More feedback:
"With regard to the QoD of 12/16 (about train travel to LV) you might want to clarify to readers that the low train fare you quoted from Chicago to Kingman is for a reserved seat, NOT a roommette as described by the reader who originated the question. Roommettes are definitely the way to go (vs. trying to sleep in a crowded and loud coach train car for a day and a half) but the cost is WELL over $1,000 round trip with a roommette. Also, for those who would care, Amtrak's roommettes differ route by route, and the ones from Chicago to the West do NOT have private toilet facilities in the roommette (unlike the east coast trains which do) so even in a roommette, passengers share shower and toilet facilities."
12/15/2008 Here's an "update" that was submitted before this answer even ran, for which the usual thanks:
"To comment on the QoD of Dec 16: My sister and I took Amtrak last March from Chicago to Kingman AZ, then a bus on to Vegas. I am not current on the fares but as with an airline ticket, the earlier you book the cheaper you can get a ticket. For us it was the experience that was worth it. We had a roomette (sleeps 2 adults) which qualifies as first class so when boarding at Union station in Chicago we were escorted to our car then cheerfully greeted as we stepped onto the train. It was a pleasant departure from the airline experience of a grumpy TSA agent telling you to remove yet another piece of clothing before proceeding. Another plus to the train experience is all the interesting people you meet on the trip. From Chicago to Kingman it was a day and a half (approx 36 hours). We had a blast and I look forward to doing it again on my next trip to Vegas (or Laughlin or maybe even Reno)."
No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.
