| More and more people are turning to Amtrak as | | | | nap and to play. Most of the family sleeping |
| a reliable way to travel for the holidays. | | | | cars offer enough space for two adults and |
| After the terrorist attacks of 09/11/01, | | | | two children comfortably. |
| airport security has become increasingly | | | | |
| difficult to get through. As a result most | | | | You will find great holiday travel deals on |
| airports have long lines and delays taking | | | | Amtrak when you reserve a sleep car as well. |
| place around the holidays because they don't | | | | Many times you will get coupons for free |
| want to become lax even when it is busy. | | | | meals offered in the dining car. This is an |
| | | | expense you will have to cover on your own |
| Traveling with children for the holidays can | | | | otherwise so it helps offset the cost of the |
| be stressful, especially if you are traveling | | | | sleep car. |
| with them alone. Keeping them entertained in | | | | |
| a car for the trip is often a two person job | | | | Make sure you make reservations for Amtrak |
| so one can drive and one can play games or | | | | early though. They tickets often sell out |
| offer snacks to keep everyone in the vehicle | | | | quickly for holiday travel and they have a |
| happy for the duration of the trip. | | | | limited number of sleeping cars. You don't |
| | | | want to be stuck without one or have to |
| Airplanes are very cramped and most people | | | | accept one that is too small for comfort |
| don't do well with children roaming the isles | | | | because you waited too long to make your |
| or crying during the flight. For younger | | | | reservation. |
| children, the amount of pressure that can | | | | |
| build in their ears on an airplane is very | | | | Most train stations are very well set up and |
| painful. Being stuck on a runway for hours | | | | you can even leave your car there when you |
| will definitely make children uncomfortable | | | | board the Amtrak for free. Most airports |
| and these delays often happen around the | | | | charge you by the day to leave your vehicle |
| holidays. If you have ever tried to change | | | | behind and that is an expense that quickly |
| diapers in the small airplane bathrooms you | | | | adds up. You can either have your family or |
| will know that it isn't an easy feat to | | | | friends pick you up at the train station for |
| accomplish. | | | | your destination or choose alternate modes of |
| | | | transportation. There will likely be rental |
| Amtrak is very family oriented so this may be | | | | cars at the terminal or you can take a taxi |
| the best mode of transportation for your | | | | cab. |
| holiday travel. The cars are roomy and you | | | | |
| are able to get up and walk around freely. | | | | You can go online to find out the various |
| There is plenty of scenery along the railway | | | | destinations that Amtrak travels to. If they |
| routes too for you to enjoy. | | | | don't go to your exact location but within |
| | | | 100 miles you may want to consider having |
| If you are be going on a long trip for the | | | | someone pick you up there or to rent a car to |
| holidays, Amtrak offers sleeping cars of | | | | go the rest of the way. Amtrak is affordable |
| various sizes. This is a great way for your | | | | and much more comfortable than taking an |
| children to have the room they need to take a | | | | airplane or traveling all that way in a car. |