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[quote user="gardendance"][quote user="alphas"] [/quote]You didn't compare Austin to State College air vs train. I've done it a couple of times because I'm a foamer. Amtrak Eagle overnight to Chicago, change to the old Broadway Limited, overnight to Philly. I'm assuming the closest station to State College would be Lewistown, but I think I remember some schedule notes about Harrisburg to State College bus connection.[/quote]Assuming a person is traveling from Austin to State College on Wednesday, August 13th, which should give him or her the best fare (midweek), this is what the fly vs. train options would look like. The quickest flight from Austin to the State College takes 6 hours and 54 minutes.  It costs $498.  The cheapest flight takes 7 hours and 58 minutes and costs $455.  Most of the options require two plane changes; however, several one change of plane options are available, but the fare jumps to $615.The quickest all surface option using Amtrak whenever possible would include the Texas Eagle from Austin to Chicago, the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Pittsburgh, and Greyhound from Pittsburgh to State College.  If our traveler opts for coach class, the fare would be $172 from Austin to Pittsburgh, plus $24 for the bus from Pittsburgh to State College, for a total transportation outlay of $196.  If our train traveler eats in the dinning car and does not blow his budget in the lounge car, he is looking at another $40 to $80 for meals and libations.  Let's split the difference and call it $60.  This brings the tab for transportation and meals to $256 or $199 less than the cost of flying.  The Texas Eagle departs Austin at 9:31 a.m. and arrives in Chicago at 2:14 p.m. the next day, if it is on time, which in the case of the Eagle is a big if.  It's on time arrival record into Chicago is a blazing 4.1 per cent over the last 12 months.  The Capitol Limited departs Chicago at 7:05 p.m. on August 14th and arrives at Pittsburgh at 5:30 a.m. on August 15th.  The dog (Greyhound) departs Pittsburgh at 8:45 the same day and arrives in State College at 1:45 p.m. The total travel time would be 52 hours and 44 minutes.      If our traveler does not want to sit up for two nights in a coach, he could opt for a roomette.  The fare, which includes meals, would be $496, plus $24 for the bus from Pittsburgh to State College.  The total for the sleeper option would be $520 plus the cost of breakfast upon arrival into Pittsburgh.  The dinning car on the Capitol does not open until 6:30 a.m.  If we add $5 for breakfast, the total outlay for this option is $525 or $70 more than flying.  If time is not a factor, taking the train and bus could be a reasonable option.  But for most people time is a factor.  And this is why the Texas Eagle has a low average passenger load factor south of St. Louis.  Very few people in Texas believe that it is a serious option.
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