Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

When I was young, my parents took me to Quebec. We drove. It was horrific... like geez 18 hours of driving or something like that. I cringe to think of it. However, it was the most beautiful place I've ever been. I really want to take DH back, who has never been.

Flight costs: around 570 bucks round trip per person so over $1,100 total to FLY there. And you have to go from Newark.

Now, my Grandaddy used to take Amtrak everywhere because my Grandmother was terrified of flying. He used to tell me how 'beautiful' and relaxing it was to go places by train. So, I thought - am I nuts? Maybe it is a lot cheaper.

Train: Two people, NYC (Penn) to Montreal (you have to connect and take Montreal to Quebec) but the tickets are $126

The trip is ten hours... but you can get a 'sleeper' or something like that, so I am told, and yeah you aren't there in TWO hours like with the flight but you are saving an ARM and a leg!

What would you do? Bring a really good book and save the money or splurge? I mean, if we do the train, we could probably stay there five days instead of TWO lol. We can also see Montreal as well because we have to stop there -- the train from Montreal to Quebec is about two hours. So, twelve total.

What do you think? Honestly, what would you do? Am I cheap?

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

I would research it on the internet like crazy, read reviews, for on Tripadviser.com's forums under related cities and if I heard no alarming info--like the train is disgusting, etc--I would totally do it!

We actually did take the train from Montreal to Quebec, and that was a perfectly pleasant experience.

I like trains, they are definitely an undeservingly forgotten way of travel.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

It would depend what the bottom line cost would be to take the train vs flying but it sounds significant enough to seriously consider.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

$126 per person or in total?? Even if its per person I would definitely consider the train! Check and see if your husband is ok with the train I say go for it!! That's a $900 savings Like u said that can be used to extend your trip!! The sleeper is a good idea!

Message edited 1/26/2012 9:04:12 AM.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

I love travel by train, when I was in college in Buffalo I used to take the train, it wasn't quite as romantic as taking trains across Europe, but I love watching the coutnryside unfold through the window while relaxing...

I say do it. If you have the time to add to your journey, the train will be a great experience. Enjoy!

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

Would it be more economical to take a flight to Montreal out of JFK or LGA, and then take the train to Quebec ?

I did that years ago with some friends. I remember we flew out of LGA and stayed in Montreal. I alone took the train to Quebec to go sightseeing, while my friends went shopping in Montreal.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

Posted by WhatNow

We actually did take the train from Montreal to Quebec, and that was a perfectly pleasant experience.

I like trains, they are definitely an undeservingly forgotten way of travel.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

OK so for flying to Montreal (out of LaGuardia) is like $420 per person, round-trip. So, it's definitely cheaper than flying to Quebec and easier b/c it is no longer Newark, it is LGA... but the difference is around $250 bucks total. I can probably get there for $250 total by train... hmm, I'll present to DH. He is a man that likes convenience, but he likes his wallet much more. This should be an interesting decision!

TY!

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

i did a train from ny (penn) to florida in 2007 and it was pretty cool - it was about 24 hours

honestly, the sleeper cars aren't worth the extra money, esp only for a 10 hour trip. the train i was on, people who got sleeper cars had problems with their toilets, showers, etc.

the worst part, honestly, was the bathroom. they dont clean it throughout the trip so after 24 hours (it terminated in miami so tehre were 4 additional hours from when i got off) - it was pretty nasty. i brushed my teeth in a bottle of water

but for 10 hours, i say do it. they have dining cars where you can order snack food or an actual restaurant car where you can order a real meal with a waitress. it was a great experience- i would do it again but next time remember to bring a bigger basin to brush my teeth in

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

DH and I did the train from Penn to Montreal a few years ago and we had a great time! Granted, it's a long trip but having done it, I can vouch for the fact that it's very scenic so you have a lot to look at

We ended up in the dining car for a bit drinking and laughing with the bartender. They also gather people into one of the cars at times and talk about historical sights on the route and whatnot.

We chose Amtrak over flying because we were both young and it was the most economical way to go, but quite honestly, if we visited Montreal again (and we really want to; what a beautiful city it is..and the food, oh myyyyyy...but I digress!), we would do the train again because it was pretty enjoyable. Scenic. It was early fall, so as we traveled more and more north, the colors of the leaves got more and more vibrant. And the money saved is pretty substantial.

My only complaint (and why do I remember this? LOL) is that the soap in the bathrooms on the train was really drying and smelled weird. So the only thing I would do differently if I traveled on Amtrak again would be to bring a small bottle of my own handsoap.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

This is great info..... thanks so much everyone!

My grandaddy would be beaming! lol!

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

I just googled it b/c I went with camp when I was younger and didn't remember it being 18 hours... NYC to quebec city is about 500 miles, probably could do it in less than 9 hours.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

The train sounds VERY romantic to me, and if it's the difference of being able to spend more time in Quebec, I'd go for it.

ETA: I don't know if you are planning to have kids, but it's not the kind of trip that would be easy to take with small kids in tow. If you have kids, you'll probably end up driving (s0 you can take stops when they get restless) or flying, and also the 10 hours in the train would probably drive you crqazy instead of being quiet time taking in the sights with DH. I'd go for it.

Message edited 1/26/2012 4:09:10 PM.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

With savings like that I'd probably take the train! I'd just bring lots of stuff to do & enjoy the scenery.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

Posted by DaniRella

Posted by WhatNow

We actually did take the train from Montreal to Quebec, and that was a perfectly pleasant experience.

I like trains, they are definitely an undeservingly forgotten way of travel.

Yes, I needed to find info out on that -- meaning, the connection from Montreal to Quebec -- how do you book that? Is it also Amtrak or some kind of Canadian rail system?

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

if you are going to take the train, you may as well drive. that would be even cheaper, i am guessing. plus, u can stop n rest.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

Posted by WhatNow

Posted by DaniRella

Posted by WhatNow

We actually did take the train from Montreal to Quebec, and that was a perfectly pleasant experience.

I like trains, they are definitely an undeservingly forgotten way of travel.

Yes, I needed to find info out on that -- meaning, the connection from Montreal to Quebec -- how do you book that? Is it also Amtrak or some kind of Canadian rail system?

The train from Quebec to Montreal is run by Viarail, it's the Canadian Amtrack. :)
Here is where you buy tickets: Viarail website

There are many different options and ironically, the tickets from Montreal to Quebec will definitely cost you more than tickets from New York to Montreal (still cheaper than flying though;)). I suggest you call their customer service and have them explain everything to you. After pocking around on their website for quite a bit and gave up and just gave them a call and spoke to a very nice woman who explain everything to me in details, which helped me get the cheapest tickets. I can't remember the details now as it was 2 years ago but it's all about what time and which day of the week you travel. She told me about options that I didn't realize they had.

Definitely let me know if you have questions about this!

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

I took Amtrak from NYC to Montreal with DH for our first vacation together when we were 24. Everyone thought we were nuts, but we were poor, and I got a train/hotel package.

We didn't drive b/c I don't & I didn't want DH to do all that driving on his own.

It was great, b/c I really just wanted to not be at work, and to be with DH, so we basically spent what amounted to a work day, on the train, but we together & just hanging out, talking reading, etc. And in parts, the view is pretty.

It takes up time though--we had 6 days off, so 2 were for travelling & 4 in Montreal.

I have also gone with my family by car to both Montreal & Quebec (different trips).

Its definitely worth if it there is a significant cost difference, but I do have to say, that I flew to Montreal for business, and damn, was that a quick flight!

Message edited 1/27/2012 10:59:53 AM.

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?

If you are able to take the train overnight, I would definitely do the train!

Re: Quebec: Flight VS. Train... Am I crazy?