Riding Amtrak During COVID-19 - Baltimore, MD to Williamsburg, VA - 9/2020
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Overview of what's changed on Amtrak since COVID hit, including restrictions, service cuts, and ridership levels. Round trip from Penn Station in Baltimore, MD to Williamsburg, VA.
I’d previously done a comparison between Amtrak’s Business and Coach classes and decided to not even bother with Business for this trip, which was the right choice since the trains are running at about 1/6 of the ridership that they were pre-COVID. According to the employee at the café car, where they used to see 400 riders on the Northeast Regional, they’re now seeing 60-70. And on the pricier Acela it’s even worse: where there used to be 400 riders there are now 7-10! Unfortunately this means that furloughs are likely in the near future.
Amtrak wasn’t much different during COVID. You’re supposed to wear your mask when you’re not eating and drinking (and the Conductors were good about enforcing this). There were so many empty seats that social distancing wasn’t an issue - I think there were three other people in our car. And now that they have to ensure proper air circulation, the AC actually worked great, which had been a huge problem in the past on the NE Regional line, so that’s actually a big improvement!
Those who want to be super cautious would likely drive rather than taking Amtrak, but we felt very safe due to the extremely reduced ridership, and the convenience and relaxing experience make for a positive risk/reward ratio.
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Before covid, I took a train trip from Oregon to North Carolina. I loved it, so much better than flying. The only part that was stressful was trying to connect with other trains... sometimes there is barely enough time in the itinerary to get off one train and onto another, and especially in a big station like DC or Chicago it can be pretty frantic. Also they did lose my luggage temporarily and I had to come back for it, but I've had that happen on airplanes too.
Wow, that sounds like an awesome trip!
And yeah, connections with trains in Europe are tight like that, too. Difference is there that they're all exactly on time so you know you won't arrive 5min late and have to scramble.
Interesting looks like a nice way to travel 👍
Did you buy ticket online or just go in the station? Cuz i have a plan this coming december to VA beach
Thankyou
Bought it online. Much better pricing if you buy in advance. And to be honest, I'm not sure there was anybody in the Williamsburg station.
Sorry if I missed it, but how long was your ride and did it make any/many stops? Is the Williamsburg Amtrak station pretty central to the tourist stuff? Driving from PA to Williamsburg wasn't bad but I like the idea of relaxing on the train.
I don't think I mentioned it - it's about 3.5 hours from Baltimore to Williamsburg, and maybe 6 stops? I've done the drive a few times and have taken Amtrak twice now, and Amtrak is absolutely the way to go. The traffic around DC is so stressful, and Amtrak is so relaxing!
And yeah, the station is about 10 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, so very convenient.
My dog passed 9/2020.. haven't been the same since these times.
I agree compared to flying no comparison , much more room no squished and can get up and down at will, not the claustrophobic feeling , unfortunately any great distance takes forever. And the seats are just as uncomfortable but u can spread out much more room. but for shorter trips where u dont want to drive its a great alternative . cool vid . It didnt look like every other row was blocked off , do they just figure u will social distance on ur own?
Thanks! I agree 100% with all of that. Nope, they weren't blocking anything off - I guess they figure with how few people are riding that you can choose how far away you want to be from other people.
@@DarkSideOfDisney i
I dont travel especially via plane because of some bad experiences I had as a teen. But Ive heard nothing but good things about Amtrak.
It's a completely different (and much more relaxing) experience than modern-day plane travel.
Did you need a covid test for amtrak?
Nope!
I hope you return to Disney world videos. Especially now nobody is doing videos like you used to do. We need the darkside of disney to return.
Thanks! Hoping to get to the Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo parks later this year, so there will definitely be some good videos from that trip.