Amtrak Superliner Lounge Car Access

[Anonymous]

I am thinking about taking my two sons ages 5 and 10 for a day trip on the California Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake City. Since it departs Denver at 730AM and arrives Salt Lake City at 1145pm, we be purchasing coach seats. My Question is, who has access to the lounge cars that have the large windows on the second level? Can coach fare passengers use them, or are they restricted to those who purchase sleeping car fares? I have noticed on most photos I have seen the lounge cars are aft of the sleeping cars. I read on the AMTRAK website that sleeping car access is limited to persons who purchase sleeping care fares....for obvious reasons that I understand. I was thinking of going from Denver all the way to Emeryville, but I don't believe my 5 year old will stay interested, and that makes much work for dad taking away from seeing the scenery. If access to the lounge cars is restricted, then being limited to the coach section would be a bummer.

Thanks for your help.

Mike in Tulsa.

[Anonymous]

I think such a long trip may tire the children. Would it be better instead to purchase a roomette and have the access to the diner and lounge? A day in the coach seat is a trial of endurance for a adult and almost too long for a child. They would want to lie down from time to time. Perhaps this will help make the day trip a little more "easy" and foster a better memory for the kids.

I dont have any amtrak experience but plenty of greyhound (too much)

[espeefoamer]

[:)] The Sightseer lounge car is open to ALL passengers,coach as well as Pullman, as is the diner.I'm sure your kids will enjoy the trip.The scenery through the Rockies is awesome[8D]! The scenery over Soldier Summit,in Utah,is also great.You will see this in the morning on the eastbound trip.All of you will enjoy eating in the diner.Have a great trip!

[Anonymous]

The coach seats are roughly the same size as a first class airline seat, have a deep recline and leg rests. I don't think the kids will have any problems. You can probably also talk a sleeping car attendant into giving the kids a tour of a sleeper.

[Anonymous]

Good luck on actually leaving Denver at 7:30AM and arriving at 11:45.

[jchnhtfd]

I don't think you'll have any problem with the kids! Two suggestions, though -- do use the diner, but do make reservations for it; it's likely to be in demand. But a meal in a diner is something your kids will never ever forget! And do keep track of them -- a train is a remarkably big place!

I took my two on a cross-country trip a few years back; they were a little older than yours at the time. Since it was cross-country (Boston to LA to Seattle to Boston) we did use the sleeping cars, of course. The kids have never forgotten it, and never will -- we had a wonderful time.

I highly recommend such an adventrue -- there is no way, simply (sorry to shout) NO WAY that a person can get a feel for this great and varied country (or of Canada) without taking such a trip, and my own opinion is that every child should have the chance, at least once in their school life, to do it.

There is no comparison at all between a trip in a Greyhound and a trip on a train -- two hours is a Greyhound is cruel and unusual punishment!

[jeaton]

I am right on with all the post above. I have been on board with Amtrak when families are traveling with young children. Sometimes they get a little antsy, but the trip you are planning should work. Thinking that the Salt Lake arrival may be a little past their bed time you may want to take small blankets or comforters. Sometimes the cars are a little cool and they might sleep better covered up.

Have fun.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the input. I must have miss read the info on the AMTRAK website. I was under the impression that the lounge cars were for the sleeping car passengers only. If coach passengers can use them, I believe the DEN-SLC may be the best option for us.

One more question. Are the coach seats assigned, or are they first come first serve?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

depends on the train, sometimes they are assinged when you get on, sometimes they just let you get on and find a place. The lounge that is for sleepers only is on the Coast Starlight, they have a Parlor Car for the sleepers, and a lounge for the whole train. That is a great ride, and also all the way to emerville is great as well. I am surprised they haven't done a rocky mountaineer type thing with that scenery yet!
Brad

[daveklepper]

I'd suggest you go all the way to Emeryville. There will be enough on the train to keep the kids interested . When they get bored they can take a nap, that is if you can afford an economy room, which I do recommend for overnight. Hope you can spend some time in San Francisco, the cable cars, the high speed BART system, the restored antique trolleys on Market Street, a front window ride on a CalTrans push-pull, the Muny Metro, particularly the J Church line with its great view of the city. But the scenery Denver - SLC is enough of an attraction by itiself. But Donner Pass is quite fine too.