If you are planning to visit Dallas, why not consider taking the Dallas Amtrak’s Texas Eagle? With stops in Forth Worth, Chicago, Los Angeles and other locations, the Texas Eagle is an excellent alternative to other forms of transportation.
Taking this very special train is a bit like taking a trip back in time, to an era when rail travel was a major form of transportation. The Texas Eagle even has a special song in its honor recorded by John Secord, a standard tune associated with this particular train.
Today’s Texas Eagle offers numerous activities and amenities you’d never have found on older trains. This is train travel especially tailored for modern travelers who want to visit Dallas. It is definitely an option worth checking out. Groups of friends often enjoy this alternative to plane or auto transportation and it is also a fun way for families to travel to Dallas.
If you ride on the Texas Eagle, you can sit back and relax and let someone else handle the driving. There are bi-level Superliner cars and a full staff which is ready to tend to your needs.
You can either choose a coach seat or a standard sleeping compartment. Either way, you’ll have far more room than cramped airplane or auto seats. At the end of your trip, you’ll arrive in the impressive Union Station, with its magnificent architecture and notable history.
While traveling on the Texas Eagle, the dining car may be the feature that contrasts most distinctly when compared to airplane or auto travel. Imagine having full access to the luxury of a fine restaurant, only steps away from your seat or room.
You’ll have fresh flowers on every table and be served meals prepared by chefs who trained at the Culinary Institute of America. But unlike the average restaurant, the Texas Eagle’s dining car has a constantly changing view. If you are dining with less than four other people. you may be seated with other passengers, an opportunity to make new friends.
Whether you opt for a coach seat or private room, you’ll be surprised at the comfort of the Texas Eagle. In true Texas style, this train has extra large seats. You don’t have to bother with seat belts, either.
If you want to walk around or eat in the dining car, you have those options, unlike air travel. Coach seats also have reading lights, leg rests and tray tables so you can read books or magazines or enjoy snacks. In short, instead of being limited to a seat or a relatively limited area, you have a complete train to explore.
On the Texas Eagle, there are also a wide variety of sleeping compartments available. You may want to opt for a basic bedroom so you have more space as well as privacy.
Basic bedrooms convert to a sofa and extra chair during the day. At night, the room contains two very comfortable sleeping berths. Each bedroom contains a sink, vanity and private shower and toilet.
This is the ultimate in luxury travel, with an unparalleled view of the passing scenery (even when you are in bed, if desired). Larger bedrooms include family-sized accommodations which can handle a complete family of four, often two adults and two children. If you select bedroom options over coach seating, meals are included with the cost of tickets.
Areas worth enjoying on the Texas Eagle include the Sightseer Lounge Car, located atop the train in a special room. From here, you can take in the scenery with the incomparable vista afforded by wrap around windows.
At night, the view is also lovely. During hospitality hour you can enjoy free snacks and beverages. You don’t have to be concerned with boredom – even if you bring the kids along. In addition to the Sightseer Lounge, there is a special cafe with sandwiches, beverages, souvenirs (often train-related), playing cards and even postcards.
Whether you have kids or not, you can watch the most current movies every night before heading off to your seat or sleeping compartment. Special surprise activities are frequently offered during the day, including cartoons for the kids, trivia contests and other events.
Once you get to Dallas, you don’t have to be concerned with transportation from Union Station to your hotel. You can easily call a taxi or take the DART, the light rail system which provides access to downtown hotels as well as major business, shopping and entertainment centers in Dallas.
How much does the Dallas Amtrak cost and how long does it take to get there?…
It only takes an hour to go from FT Worth to Dallas on the train and costs $11 for a coach seat.
To go from Chicago to Dallas: if you left at 1:45 in the afternoon and tourists will arrive by 11:30 am the next day.
Cost is $220 (coach)
From L.A. to Dallas- the lowest price is $220. For a coach seat and bedrooms, these sell out QUICKLY even though they are $533. To get to Dallas, a sample timetable would be to leave at 2:40 pm on Wednesday and get there by 3:20 pm on Friday. Again, tourists should reserve bedrooms way in advance of their trip or risk sitting in a coach seat for 2 days.
The Dallas Amtrak is located at 400 South Houston Street. To contact Amtrak and plan a trip to Dallas, phone (800) 872-7245. Be sure to ask about special weekly discounts. Ticket prices vary, depending on your home city.