A train trip isn't as fast and convenient as taking a flight, but it is fun if you plan your trip correctly. Also, if you put together a comprehensive budget for your train trip, you can save money, compared to other methods of travel. Make it a point to put together a written plan for how your train trip will go, as far as dates, times, stops, meals and transfers, so that you can cut costs and be prepared for any scenario.
Plan your train trip at least 2 months in advance. The cost of a train ticket is greatly reduced when you plan far in advance of the date of your trip. Also, 2 months will give you plenty of choices as far as seating, times and accommodations during your trip. The longer you wait to plan your train trip, the less likely you are to get the exact travel arrangements you want.
Take one or more people along with you on this train trip. Even if you don't know your travel buddies, this is a great way to save money. Many rail systems give group discounts when you travel with a group of five to 10 or more people.
Decide if you want sleeping accommodations on your train trip. This decision is mostly dependent on the length of the trip. If you will be traveling cross-country for several days, a bedroom sized cabin will be necessary (unless you are making stopovers to stay at a hotel) so that you can shower and sleep comfortably. If your trip is just for a day, a roomette sized cabin (no shower) will work. You can cut the cost of renting the cabin by traveling with a group of friends and getting a suite, which is two or more connected cabins.
Factor meal costs into your traveling budget---breakfast, lunch and dinner---if the trip will last 12 hours or more. In most cases, when you book a cabin for your train trip, meals are included.
Set your train departures for off-peak departure times. Peak travel times are the hours when business travelers commonly ride the train (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Plan a late-night train departure during the week, if you want to save money on this train trip. Weekends are also more expensive because of people traveling for pleasure.
Consider an alternate route for your train trip instead of a direct route, if you want to keep your trip under budget. For instance, instead of taking an express train to Atlanta, you may find that taking a train to a hub in the Midwest and then down to Atlanta will be less expensive. However, if your layover time will be more than a day, the direct route will probably be more cost-effective since you would have to make hotel accommodations between connecting trains.
