I purchased Amtrak's USA Rail Pass to travel the country in 30 days. Here's what 170 hours in coach looked like.
A traveler shares their experience of spending 30 days traveling across the United States via Amtrak using a USA Rail Pass. The account details the logistical challenges of living out of a backpack while utilizing a folding bike for mobility.
Why it matters
It provides a practical, first-hand perspective on long-distance rail travel as a viable and affordable way to explore the country.
Taking Amtrak trains across the United States was an incredible experience. Frank Hoffmann I recently moved to the US, and spent 30 days on Amtrak trains in coach to get to know the country. The USA Rail Pass cost about $500, but allowed me to stop in so many cities across the nation. I traveled with just a backpack and a folding bike, which wasn't easy, but kept me hands-free. After recently moving to the United States from India, I wondered how best to familiarize myself with the country. As a lover of trains, the answer was easy: traveling across the nation via Amtrak. So, after booking an Amtrak USA Rail Pass for $499, I was ready to embark on 170 hours of train travel for 30 days — from Connecticut to California and back — all in coach.
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