As a loyal reader of Conde Nast Traveler and an unrepentant lover of all things rail, I recently came across a deal that really is just about too good to be true. The Amtrak Rail Pass, at $499.00 per person, is about the best deal available for anyone who loves exploring the US by train. Here is how it works- for 30 days you are allowed unlimited train travel up to 10 segments. One travel segment occurs when you board and disembark a train. If there are no connections, the ride is one segment.
Ok…The California Zephyr goes from Chicago to Emeryville, California- which is located right outside San Francisco. The 30 minute bus that takes you from Emeryville to San Francisco is the second segment. This trip used up only 2 of the available 10 segments covered by the Rail Pass. In addition, unlike air travel, you have the scenery between the two cities. The trip is widely considered one of the most beautiful train treks in the country. Stay there for a few days and then use a few segments for a trip elsewhere or return to Chicago. The roundtrip journey will leave you with 6 segments left and plenty of time for further train exploration!
Several years ago, my husband and I took an Amtrak journey from Chicago to Seattle, with a week-long stop in Glacier National Park in Montana. I have written separately on both of these locations and how much we enjoyed them! We are seriously considering The California Zephyr for this summer or fall. Stay tuned!
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