Nick,
Not only nickel and dime, but even traveling with a family of 4
will cost you $1200-$1800 just normally, depending on what day
and time you choose to fly.
Over 40 years ago, Home Box Office had a special program called
"Money Matters". The segment (in 1980) highlighted Amtrak's shiny
new fleet of double decker Superliner trains.
In the segment, they noted "For a family of four, traveling from
Chicago to Seattle...the train and sleeping compartments cost less
than four one way plane tickets. Round trip, it's not quite as cheap
as airline super savers. But, you get to spend 2 days, and 2 nights
on the train, with no hotel bills.
In looking for a much needed, but economical vacation from Little
Rock, Arkansas to Huntsville, Alabama, for a big ham radio event,
there's a wide range of costs and modes. Also, the further out you
book the trip...and the fewer nights you need for lodging, the cheaper
it can be. Plus, if you're a senior citizen, you can get a bit of a
discount (usually 10 percent).
Most places offer breakfast (usually continental), and I'm sure
I could get other stuff ordered via DoorDash, if I wanted...or get
delivery (pizza, etc.).
As of Feb. 18, 2026, this is what I found:
Train: I would take Amtrak's Texas Eagle from Little Rock to Chicago...
then The Floridian (formerly The Capitol Limited) from Chicago to
Washington, DC...then The Crescent from Washington, DC to Birmingham,
Alabama. At Birmingham, I'd have to take Greyhound from there up to
Huntsville. While Amtrak doesn't serve Huntsville, they do have rail
lines in the area.
One way was around $275 for coach, and $1500 for a roomette (sleeping
car). With sleeping car accommodations, your dining car meals (except
for alcoholic beverages) are included in the price of the ticket.
This takes the longest to get there and back...but it has more legroom
than a bus or plane, even if you go coach. Being a railfan, I know that
delays, or other things "go with the territory".
Microwave sandwiches, etc. from the cafe car are moderately priced, as
are items in the Dining Car, for trains that have them. On some trains,
the "Dining Car" is for "sleeping car passengers", while coach passengers
are relegated to getting purchases from the cafe car.
Flying: I can't get an itinerary from AARP on the flight and stay
package, until I book it, but there are several options. However,
with the current TSA mess and flight delays from the government
shutdown (that term is redundant <G>), even with having the TSA
Pre-Check deal, I'm not keen on flying. At 30,000 feet, you may
be closer to Heaven...but, if something happens, you don't have
a prayer.
Bus: The last time I took the bus, it about did me in, but that was
before left hip replacement surgery a few years ago. However, price
wise, a round trip might run me $300. I would have a layover in
Memphis and Birmingham, before going to Huntsville. I could still
get a good deal on a hotel via AARP, even if I stayed more than 2
nights.
While in Huntsville, there is an excellent restaurant, called
"88 Buffet". It has Asian and American Cuisine (with some others),
along with seafood selections. Many of the ham radio operators
gather there to "graze" on Friday evening...the main event is all
day Saturday and much of the day on Sunday. I have never been there,
but a lot of folks I know via ham radio, have spoken highly of it.
Daryl
... Hangover: The wrath of grapes.
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