AMTRAK to Grand Canyon Costs 4x MORE. Worth it (Ep3)
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Date: 2025-09-28
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Comments and reviews: 20
JustShelby888
I really enjoyed watching this trip the last couple weeks. But it does go to show that Amtrak could be so much better if they were just organized better like coming into major cities like Flagstaff. They should do that at like 8 o’clock in the morning, not 4 o’clock it would make it a more enjoyable experience. I noticed that a lot of major cities they roll in in the middle of the night or super Late in the evening. They could schedule it better for people doing trips. And I don’t understand how they don’t have a railroad going into LA. And there’s definitely demand for train travel here in America. They could be making so much more money running more trains more efficiently. I know I’ve said that 1 million times but it’s just frustrating to me because I love trains. And I wish I would take them more but due to all the things I’ve mentioned.
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I really enjoyed watching this trip the last couple weeks. But it does go to show that Amtrak could be so much better if they were just organized better like coming into major cities like Flagstaff. They should do that at like 8 o’clock in the morning, not 4 o’clock it would make it a more enjoyable experience. I noticed that a lot of major cities they roll in in the middle of the night or super Late in the evening. They could schedule it better for people doing trips. And I don’t understand how they don’t have a railroad going into LA. And there’s definitely demand for train travel here in America. They could be making so much more money running more trains more efficiently. I know I’ve said that 1 million times but it’s just frustrating to me because I love trains. And I wish I would take them more but due to all the things I’ve mentioned.
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blakescott2817
Jeb. as a side note, you can take YARTS from YOSE to Fresno (Depending on the time of the year) on the GOLD route. If someone comes from SF to YOSE via Merced - Through Mariposa-, this will offer different views of the park instead of going back to merced. You will go through Wawona, and then eventually down through Oakhurst, Coarse Gold, and onward to Fresno. And, you can catch the train 4 hours late there instead! Also, by the way, l ove your videos! - Former Yosemite Natl Park Ranger - Another note. You CAN take the Coast Starlight as you mentioned, to LA from SF. SO, instead of taking a Bus to LA, you take it to San Luis Obispo, and then catch the Coast Starlight. All that said. if you REALLY wanted, you could go BACK to SF, and then take the Coast Starlight to LA Direct. but that is a lot more time consuming.
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Jeb. as a side note, you can take YARTS from YOSE to Fresno (Depending on the time of the year) on the GOLD route. If someone comes from SF to YOSE via Merced - Through Mariposa-, this will offer different views of the park instead of going back to merced. You will go through Wawona, and then eventually down through Oakhurst, Coarse Gold, and onward to Fresno. And, you can catch the train 4 hours late there instead! Also, by the way, l ove your videos! - Former Yosemite Natl Park Ranger - Another note. You CAN take the Coast Starlight as you mentioned, to LA from SF. SO, instead of taking a Bus to LA, you take it to San Luis Obispo, and then catch the Coast Starlight. All that said. if you REALLY wanted, you could go BACK to SF, and then take the Coast Starlight to LA Direct. but that is a lot more time consuming.
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jamesrea329
Your trips are usually to far away places that mostly I’ll never get to, but not this one. I grew up in Fullerton within walking distance of the train station you passed through, and I’ve visited that station hundreds of times either to catch a train, to pick up someone from the station, or just to train watch. I’ve also gone from LA to Yosemite and back via the bus/train/bus combo. Fortunately for me the train wasn’t late, but for extra credit I made the trip back with a 102 fever (I didn’t know that until I got home. I’ve also taken the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago a couple of times. I never got off to go to the Grand Canyon, but I have been there by car. So this video covered a lot of familiar ground for me. Looking forward to your next adventure.
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Your trips are usually to far away places that mostly I’ll never get to, but not this one. I grew up in Fullerton within walking distance of the train station you passed through, and I’ve visited that station hundreds of times either to catch a train, to pick up someone from the station, or just to train watch. I’ve also gone from LA to Yosemite and back via the bus/train/bus combo. Fortunately for me the train wasn’t late, but for extra credit I made the trip back with a 102 fever (I didn’t know that until I got home. I’ve also taken the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago a couple of times. I never got off to go to the Grand Canyon, but I have been there by car. So this video covered a lot of familiar ground for me. Looking forward to your next adventure.
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JediTev
OMG! We were on the same train from Williams to the Grand Canyon less than a month before you guys! We were in the same car on the way up, you should've taken advantage of the GCR hotels! We stayed two nights at the hotel for the CGR and we stayed a different hotel on the South Rim. We took a Sunset tour which gave us a lunch at the Arizona Steakhouse. We also got four meals in Williams, two dinners and two breakfasts. it was an amazing trip!
And Suzanne wondered how long the drive was. From the SF Bay Area to Williams was around 9 hours or so. We split it into two days, we drove to Barstow the first day and then to Williams the next. I love driving I-40 and the old US 66! We didn't get much time in Williams, which we regret, but will take time next time.
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OMG! We were on the same train from Williams to the Grand Canyon less than a month before you guys! We were in the same car on the way up, you should've taken advantage of the GCR hotels! We stayed two nights at the hotel for the CGR and we stayed a different hotel on the South Rim. We took a Sunset tour which gave us a lunch at the Arizona Steakhouse. We also got four meals in Williams, two dinners and two breakfasts. it was an amazing trip!
And Suzanne wondered how long the drive was. From the SF Bay Area to Williams was around 9 hours or so. We split it into two days, we drove to Barstow the first day and then to Williams the next. I love driving I-40 and the old US 66! We didn't get much time in Williams, which we regret, but will take time next time.
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Alastriona
I have done this trip, sorta. I live in Bakersfield. I took Amtrak to St Louis. I took the bus LA and the SouthwestChief to Kansas City and the RiverRunner to St Louis. We took a family vacation and drove to Williams and stayed at the Railroad Hotel, the next day we took the train to the Grand Canyon in January. We saw the elusive 6th layer of the Grand Canyon, snow.
If you went the other way and took the SouthwestChief from Chicago to Flagstaff you would have passed through Petrified Forest National Park in Northern Arizona between Gallup NM and Winslow Az. The Petrified Forest is the only National Park that Amtrak passes through.
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I have done this trip, sorta. I live in Bakersfield. I took Amtrak to St Louis. I took the bus LA and the SouthwestChief to Kansas City and the RiverRunner to St Louis. We took a family vacation and drove to Williams and stayed at the Railroad Hotel, the next day we took the train to the Grand Canyon in January. We saw the elusive 6th layer of the Grand Canyon, snow.
If you went the other way and took the SouthwestChief from Chicago to Flagstaff you would have passed through Petrified Forest National Park in Northern Arizona between Gallup NM and Winslow Az. The Petrified Forest is the only National Park that Amtrak passes through.
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vickiewest1199
My husband and I went to the Grand Canyon for our honeymoon. We flew to Las Vegas then rented a car for the rest of the way. Went to the Hoover Dam and stayed there half a day. We took a helicopter ride through the canyon then stopped at a working ranch on the canyon floor, ate with the ranch hands then rode on horses and a wagon ride through the ranch. Back on the helicopter we rode through again taking a different direction back. We went the first week in December and the weather was fabulous! The only thing I would do different was stay two weeks instead of one
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My husband and I went to the Grand Canyon for our honeymoon. We flew to Las Vegas then rented a car for the rest of the way. Went to the Hoover Dam and stayed there half a day. We took a helicopter ride through the canyon then stopped at a working ranch on the canyon floor, ate with the ranch hands then rode on horses and a wagon ride through the ranch. Back on the helicopter we rode through again taking a different direction back. We went the first week in December and the weather was fabulous! The only thing I would do different was stay two weeks instead of one
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ArizonaRails
This is the video I've been looking forward to! Glad y'all made it to the Grand Canyon, Jeb and Suzanne! I'm also glad y'all finally got to see my favorite Amtrak station along the entire Amtrak network too, which is in Flagstaff! -AZRails
Update: Also, at 20: 17 in the video, I spy my favorite steam locomotive I've photographed, the one and only GCRY 4960, a 102 year old 2-8-2 Mikado that has been with Grand Canyon Railway since 1996! I was up there too on the same day y'all caught it arriving in!
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This is the video I've been looking forward to! Glad y'all made it to the Grand Canyon, Jeb and Suzanne! I'm also glad y'all finally got to see my favorite Amtrak station along the entire Amtrak network too, which is in Flagstaff! -AZRails
Update: Also, at 20: 17 in the video, I spy my favorite steam locomotive I've photographed, the one and only GCRY 4960, a 102 year old 2-8-2 Mikado that has been with Grand Canyon Railway since 1996! I was up there too on the same day y'all caught it arriving in!
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LisaMarli
We were driving across America, but we did stop at Williams and take the train to the Grand Canyon. We did spend one night at the Canyon, but we did it at the cheaper hotel a few hundred feet from the edge. The night sky was gorgeous and worth staying up late. But we also didn't hike the next morning. And I could time it that we got the steam engine going up to the canyon. Why a car Because we do crazy things like follow Route 66, one thing we were doing that trip.
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We were driving across America, but we did stop at Williams and take the train to the Grand Canyon. We did spend one night at the Canyon, but we did it at the cheaper hotel a few hundred feet from the edge. The night sky was gorgeous and worth staying up late. But we also didn't hike the next morning. And I could time it that we got the steam engine going up to the canyon. Why a car Because we do crazy things like follow Route 66, one thing we were doing that trip.
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italiana626sc
Oh yay! I was just on the Grand Canyon Railway in May. It was also my first time seeing the Grand Canyon - too incredible for words. So glad to revisit those sights! The next time I go - and there WILL be a next time - I'll stay in Williams. Didn't get to see much of the town (we stayed in Sedona) but it looked so cool. Thanks again for taking us with you on this epic journey!
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Oh yay! I was just on the Grand Canyon Railway in May. It was also my first time seeing the Grand Canyon - too incredible for words. So glad to revisit those sights! The next time I go - and there WILL be a next time - I'll stay in Williams. Didn't get to see much of the town (we stayed in Sedona) but it looked so cool. Thanks again for taking us with you on this epic journey!
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MJG-d6s
Train travel is wonderful. Yes, it's slower than fllying, but you don't spend hours waiting in an airport. Instead, you're travelling, able to work, read, and enjoy the scenery. It's relaxing and scenic. If you're travelling overnight, you get to go to bed properly and wake up in the morning, instead of hanging around an airport all night. And you get proper meals while you're travelling.
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Train travel is wonderful. Yes, it's slower than fllying, but you don't spend hours waiting in an airport. Instead, you're travelling, able to work, read, and enjoy the scenery. It's relaxing and scenic. If you're travelling overnight, you get to go to bed properly and wake up in the morning, instead of hanging around an airport all night. And you get proper meals while you're travelling.
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jeb_brooks
All I can say is wow! What a fantastic trip and I’m so glad that you two did it so I could just look at it I’m afraid at 80 years old. I’m just not up to doing all of that walking and switching trains and having trains not show upand you did it for me so thank you. I really enjoy all of your podcast. Keep up the good work.
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All I can say is wow! What a fantastic trip and I’m so glad that you two did it so I could just look at it I’m afraid at 80 years old. I’m just not up to doing all of that walking and switching trains and having trains not show upand you did it for me so thank you. I really enjoy all of your podcast. Keep up the good work.
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zrandom4896
i would love to use Amtrak for transportation / sightseeing but the price, mechanical delays and inconsistent quality of service are the main reasons i say its not worth it. = I'm also a aviation Nerd so any reason to justify air travel i will take it. I do need to try Amtrak again 1 day though.
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i would love to use Amtrak for transportation / sightseeing but the price, mechanical delays and inconsistent quality of service are the main reasons i say its not worth it. = I'm also a aviation Nerd so any reason to justify air travel i will take it. I do need to try Amtrak again 1 day though.
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seemorebutts3428
Wow what a beautiful trip. Jeb I truly believe your videos are the best with an Iphone. No comparison to all the other Gopro vid's, etc out there. I went to high school with Job's and Wozniak at Homestead High, Sunnyvale/Cupertino California. Thanks for the videos though. Aloha, Hilo Paul
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Wow what a beautiful trip. Jeb I truly believe your videos are the best with an Iphone. No comparison to all the other Gopro vid's, etc out there. I went to high school with Job's and Wozniak at Homestead High, Sunnyvale/Cupertino California. Thanks for the videos though. Aloha, Hilo Paul
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marthagaluszka8888
Once you experience the Grand Canyon, you are changed forever. Other than a train trip through the Rocky Mountains, you will feel how small and insignificant you are. You'll also marvel at what the first explorers went through to cross this terrifying and majestic country.
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Once you experience the Grand Canyon, you are changed forever. Other than a train trip through the Rocky Mountains, you will feel how small and insignificant you are. You'll also marvel at what the first explorers went through to cross this terrifying and majestic country.
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clayton2719
Amazing video. stuff I've never seen in person and might never see. The shot of the canyon at 21: 22 is stunning.
You guys come across as friends - something that's hard to do. I follow several travel vloggers and enjoy them all, but you two are at the top of my list.
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Amazing video. stuff I've never seen in person and might never see. The shot of the canyon at 21: 22 is stunning.
You guys come across as friends - something that's hard to do. I follow several travel vloggers and enjoy them all, but you two are at the top of my list.
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jfebacher
Merced is such a nice place to go. I had a very dear friend who lived there. She took me to Kings Canyon and other places. We also went to the aviation museum. I loved my time there and wish I could go back. She has since passed but I have wonderful memories of that place
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Merced is such a nice place to go. I had a very dear friend who lived there. She took me to Kings Canyon and other places. We also went to the aviation museum. I loved my time there and wish I could go back. She has since passed but I have wonderful memories of that place
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ArdenTheSnep
I really enjoyed the #GreatAmericanRailTrip so much, and I loved seeing this country by rail and bus! Yellowstone will always remain my favorite, but I need to add the other two to my list. Thanks for taking us along, and I can't wait for more national parks by rail!
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I really enjoyed the #GreatAmericanRailTrip so much, and I loved seeing this country by rail and bus! Yellowstone will always remain my favorite, but I need to add the other two to my list. Thanks for taking us along, and I can't wait for more national parks by rail!
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ashpilottt
Recently took a 3 hour train aboard V/Line (Victoria, Australia) from Bairnsdale to my hometown of Pakenham. Definitely a lot more reliable, you and Suzanne should definitely check out a V/Line route someday! (They're a lot more reliable than Amtrak if it's a good day)
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Recently took a 3 hour train aboard V/Line (Victoria, Australia) from Bairnsdale to my hometown of Pakenham. Definitely a lot more reliable, you and Suzanne should definitely check out a V/Line route someday! (They're a lot more reliable than Amtrak if it's a good day)
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eman13224
Once again, ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR! Magnificent. The scenery is incredible. I'm planning a solo trip on the Southwest Chief next year after I retire. I think you and Suzanne out did yourselves this time! PS= tell Suzanne that I'm also a fan of AVL!
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Once again, ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR! Magnificent. The scenery is incredible. I'm planning a solo trip on the Southwest Chief next year after I retire. I think you and Suzanne out did yourselves this time! PS= tell Suzanne that I'm also a fan of AVL!
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joermnyc
Not that it was rail accessible, but seeing that fire danger sign and knowing what happened to the lodge on the north rim is really sad. ALWAYS take those fire danger warnings seriously, wildfires are so tricky, the life you save might be yours.
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Not that it was rail accessible, but seeing that fire danger sign and knowing what happened to the lodge on the north rim is really sad. ALWAYS take those fire danger warnings seriously, wildfires are so tricky, the life you save might be yours.
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