This morning I stated on Twitter that I was looking at traveling to Austin in March overground. Why? Because while I’ve lived in the US and visited on several occasions its usually involved airports and lots of planes to get around any distance. So while I am working for myself I thought I would take the opportunity to spend a month traveling across the US stealing desk space where I end up.
So my plan is to fly to the US around the 1st of March, probably NYC so I can spend a week or so seeing old friends while stealing some of there office space. Then make my way towards Austin in time for the SXSWi kickoff on March 11th. After SXSWi im planning to head to Vegas for a few days before finishing up in San Francisco for a few days and a flight back to the UK.
Right the important part, the overground segment I came up starts with a few hour bus or train ride to Washington DC, and as it will be my first time in the capital spend a few days seeing the sights (Who has White House tour tickets?). Following this its a quick walk to Union Station to join the Capitol Limited for the 18 hour trip to Chicago. Arriving in Chicago in time for breakfast and a quick bit of sightseeing before jumping aboard the Texas Eagle in the early afternoon for a 28 hour trip, arriving in Austin during the early evening of the 11th March.
I should be clear this is not your standard British rail ride, its more like a small cruise ship on rails. Both the trains have lounge cars showing movies, restaurant cars serving freshly cooked food, and sleeper cars for you to sleep in.
So what it comes down to isnt so much the time taken, its the cost:
- Fare for the trip: $193 per person
- Roomette on the Capitol Limited: $123 per room (takes 2 people)
- Roomette on the Texas Eagle: $178 per room (takes 2 people)
- Total: $494
So this total includes your travel, of some several thousand miles, 2 nights on rail, and several meals. On the other hand a flight is around $120, plus the two nights your travelling would need to be in a hotel and then theres getting to and from the airport at either end.
So it may not be a huge difference at the end of the day. So question is anyone else heading to SXSWi this year looking for a bit of adventure, and up for sharing a room let me know.
Cristiano Gerard Betta 9:09 pm on January 2, 2010 Permalink
Two new countries? Ever been to NL? I’m still thinking of doing a “geeks go to a country” trip.