I took the eight hour route from San Antonio to Alpine on the Texas Eagle.
I wish I had my own blanket and pillow in my coach-class seat.
The gourmet meals and shower on the train weren't available to travelers.
I traveled from San Antonio to Alpine on a train for $47.
The drive from my home in San Antonio to Alpine takes about five hours.
I left my car at home and bought a ticket for the Texas Eagle, which runs between Chicago and San Antonio, because I wasn't in a rush on my most recent trip.
I wish I had my own pillow and blanket in the coach class seats.
The seat on the Texas Eagle was big and comfortable.
The section had no middle seats and each chair had its own power outlet. The feeling of being in Texas Eagle's coach class was similar to being in business class.
I would like to bring a blanket and neck pillow.
I wanted to get some sleep after my train left from San Antonio. I had to use my jacket because Amtrak doesn't provide pillows or blankets for passengers.
Coach passengers weren't able to take advantage of the impressive amenities on the trains.
The Texas Eagle allowed passengers to eat in the dining car with the option to order gourmet meals. There were omelets, steaks, crab cakes, and more. The food was included in the price.
The cafe is open to all passengers, and I ate there when I was in the coach. Hot food and snacks can be found at the café, which is similar to a snack bar.
Some of the showers in higher category rooms were not public. I didn't have to shower on the plane.
The observation car was the highlight of the train ride.
The Texas Eagle is a two-level train. The observation car had floor-to-ceiling windows that gave amazing views of the landscape.
The sun rose over the desert while I was in the observation car. I sat in the observation car until about 7 a.m. because the train seemed to be at half capacity.
The other passengers were interested in what I was doing.
I don't want to have conversations with other passengers so I wear headphones when I fly alone. The Texas Eagle made me want to be more social.
Couples in their 70s were the majority of the other passengers. A man told me that he and his wife preferred rail travel because she was afraid of flying. The retirees liked the slower pace of train travel.
The other riders were delighted to share their best train- travel hacks and I felt a sense of camaraderie with them.
The train ride wasn't as smooth as expected and it took a while to get used to.
The train ride was a bit rough. It felt like a cross between plane turbulence and the side-to-side motion you feel on a boat.
I found the movement to be relaxing once I got used to it.
The lack of internet connection in the train cars surprised me. I didn't have cell service for most of the ride because the route took us through remote areas of Texas.
My experience on this trip was unaffected by the lack of wi-fi. If I were to take a longer ride or travel during the day it would be more frustrating.
I'll make sure to download movies and books before I go.
I'll stick to driving when I go to Alpine.
The train ride from San Antonio to Alpine was a one-and-done experience for me. I will drive next time, which is quicker and easier. I will not have to leave at night.
If I traveled with a partner, I would consider going on a scenic long-haul train trip, but I wouldn't want to stay in a coach for more than 10 to 12 hours.
The higher category accommodations I've been looking at are more expensive than the cheaper ones. The rooms cost between $230 and $640 and are more expensive than some flights.
Train rides can be booked as far in advance as possible. If I booked the San Antonio route to Alpine route two or more weeks in advance, the price would be as low as $34.
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