Amtrak Experiences

48 hours on a train with two little kids? I'd drive before I'd do that, especially with the long layovers...

Edited to add: Seriously, just looked online, its about 18-19 hrs(depending exactly where in SC), that's two fairly easy days driving, stay overnight halfway in a hotel, you could prov even rent a car if necessary and come out WAY under $800 and less stressed. I did a 15 hr each way road trip by myself with three kids(3, 6, and 9) using one day each direction, very doable. I won't even attempt to address the flying, and by yourself with two kids isn't the time to do it.

Ok. My husband and I are the Amtrak Queen and King lol. It's the only way we travel, hate flying. The St. Paul to Chicago should be a piece of cake. When you say having a sleeper, what kind of a sleeper do you have. A bedroom or roomette? The leg from DC to SC might be a bit rougher because by then you are tired. What kind of a three year old do you have?
A spirited one or a quiet one? Kids generally do well on trains. Very exciting. Just bring enough to do for them. Meals are included when you get a sleeper car. Food is expensive in the cafe car. However, you have enough time with the layovers to get the kids so etching good to eat. When are you going. $800 seems awfully inexpensive. As far as luggage, you usually check it and it meets you at final destination. However, you have several layovers so I am not sure. Keep in mind, the trains are not always on time, so be prepared just in case. We have been very lucky and never really delayed. Oh once, we left 4 he's late from Sacramento due to a small earthquake. Tracks had to. E. heckled. We have gone around the whole country on Amtrak. If you want, PM me, I can answer every question imaginable about Amtrak. How are you getting back.

Expect the train to not be on time, expect some delays on the way there. Keep in touch with whomever is suppose to pick you up in DC and let them know what time you are getting in, because it rarely is the same time the schedule says.
That is the only negative thing I have to say about Amtrack. I have travelled this way my whole life, even taking the train once from San Francisco to Erie. Mostly I have traveled between here and Boston, and you will most likely be on the Lakeshore Limited like I was. You will find that Amtrak passengers are laid back and will strike up conversations with you easily. As a child, I found that there were usually playmates and/or adults willing to play with me to pass the time. Amtrak passengers are used to traveling with toddlers and babies, they aren't as uptight about the noise children make as airline passengers. Bring lots of fresh fruit and other snacks. My mother used to freeze juice in bottles and put them in a small cooler, we drank them as they thawed. We always brought cards, those activity books with lots of games in them, and our own pillows and a blanket. I've never stayed in the sleepers, but I know people that have and they really liked them. If I remember correctly, the cost of the sleepers include some of your food. Plus, it will give you someplace to keep the 3yo if he/she gets a little ornery ;)
Keep your baggage to a minimum, we could never check our bags in Erie because it was one of those stops that didn't allow it, but they do have places for larger suitcases if you think you can handle them between trains. At 8 years old, your child should be able to help you a lot, especially if you prepare him/her for it as an adventure. There is nothing like sitting at the window watching the country go by, places you will never see in a car or a plane. Give yourself and both children backpacks to keep their toys/games/books etc... Your 8yo and you both can handle anoputher two suitcases, and you probably won't need much more if you pack smart. I use to go to Boston for a week sharing a medium sized suitcase with my sister. Consider washing your clothes instead of bringing extra. So, for instance, bring 1-2 pair of jeans and wash them instead of bringing 4 pair.

Have fun! if I think of anything else, I'll edit my post.

To add to what patty k said, I traveled Amtrak with 9 yr old and infant. I also worked on the guest rewards program. Inside tip. If what you have is a roomette, the staff does generally go above and beyond. I usually book roomette, and for each trip staff moved me to either a bedroom, or gave me an adjoining roomette for extra room without me asking or paying sdditional. It was great! My oldest and I had a blast. Just make sure to bring entertainment and Dramamine for possible motion sickness. Also staff had no knowledge of my working on AGR program and I have heard lots of stories similar to mine, although if train is full, they obviously wouldn't be able to have done those things. Have fun and good luck!

From my limited experience, Amtrak trains are often delayed or even cancelled. On the route between Ann Arbor and Chicago, Amtrak doesn't own the track, and so it must allow other trains to go ahead of it. When the trip is cancelled due to some breakdown, you will be bussed to your destination. I'd want to know that I could be bussed directly, rather than going to DC, SC, or somewhere else as the organization tries to rectify the situation.

I do wish passenger trains were more reliable in the US.

Do have fun.

I would rather do a sleeper car during the overnight portion than during the MSP-CHI leg. I'm from the Twin Cities, so I make the MSP-CHI trip (driving) very often, and there is a lot of scenery to look at during the day. You could hang out in the Observation Car, which is all windows on the sides, swivel chairs and a much less restrictive feeling to it. You can all get up and walk around during the day. My sister did a sleeper from CHI-MSP (roundtrip) and found it helpful only during the night travel parts. During the day, they barely stayed in their roomette at all, but it was great for the kids to get some good sleep for their late arrival into MSP.

I would pay for a roomette for the overnight from CHI-DC, so you at least can have decent sleep. None of you will sleep well in the chairs, so getting a roomette that allows real beds should make a big difference.

I think your plan to mail the bulk of your luggage is a great idea. Yes, you do have to handle your own luggage on Amtrak.

i honestly think it's too much, at least for the 3 year old. it looks like 2 days traveling. no one will get much sleep, you least of all. i would rent a car, drive the whole way with a night hotel stay. that will still be under 800 including hotel and rental car.

I traveled from Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI on Amtrak and LOVED it. It cost me $99 round trip - I just got a regular seat vs a sleeper and I found the seat comfortable enough for the long trip. I read, rode and slept there with no problems. I didn't travel with children so I can't speak to that, but I do think our 11 and 14 year olds would have enjoyed it. There was much more seating and leg room than on a flight and I found the motion of the train to be relaxing.

I was on a 6 hour trip kid-less. There were kids behind us and I was floored at how well behaved they were. My kids, would not have acted like that! They would have been all over!
There were no kids on the train that were being annoying, which makes me never want to bring my kids on one. lol
You need, need, NEED to buy yourself a sleeper car. You will have your own private area and a place for the kids to sleep separately.
There are common areas where you can take your kids to get some space and let them move around.
This is possible, IF you get a sleeper car.
Each person can board with their own carry on. Each kids can have a suitcase as well as yourself. You may not need to send stuff in advance.
Good luck and have fun!!

I have planned many trips using Amtrak as the form of transportation. I think it would be so much fun.

I know the advice I've always seen is to take plenty of snacks, things that help with thirst like grapes or other juicy fruits will save you money and aren't as heavy as water. Fill one wheeled back pack with this sort of stuff all by itself.

Then another one with something to keep the 3 year old super busy. I would think a kid would get tired of movie after movie after movie but ours will sit for hours in the car when we buy a new one, they'll watch it over and over.

We love The Last Airbender, Avatar movie and finally decided to buy the cartoon TV show as a whole. So we have the live action movie for the 1st book, then the 2nd and 3rd books too. SO they can see the whole series now, watch the whole story.

There are hand held devices and all sorts of other things that kids, as an individual, can hold and do. BUT a 3 year old is going to get super tired of the same action.