I am planning to take Amtrak Monday January 8 to Austin and spend the night in a Bed and Breakfast near the train station. On Tuesday I will go to San Antonio and spend two nights there in two different bed and breakfast near the train station. Thursday I will return from San Antonio straight through to Ft. Worth, then catch the Trinity Rail Express back to Irving. I will probably upgrade to a roomette for at least part of the trip and maybe all of it.
Amtrak goes on to Houston but I do not have time for that extension on this trip.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Have you tried the Texas Eagle part of Amtrak? Is there a ';best'; position on a train similar to some people prefering certain areas of a plane? Do you have suggestions for places to eat? Of course I will not rent a car.
Amtrak Train roundtrip -- Irving to Austin and San Antonio
My husband and I took Amtrak roundtrip from downtown Dallas to San Antonio. We also rented a ';roomette';, even though I don%26#39;t think it was called that at the time. It was basically a small room with two seats that faced each other. These seats would recline and turn into a sleeping berth, and another berth would let down from the wall to become a second sleeping berth. The room is very small and we spent much of our time in the observation car. They show movies in the observation car, and have seating next to large windows through which you can view the passing countryside.
Since renting one of these small rooms is considered first class, lunch and dinner were included in the price of the fare, and you are the first people called to the dining car when meals are served. There was also a small bar serving beer and wine on the lower floor of the train. We were able to wander the train, and also sat in some empty seats for a while in the coach area. At that time, they also had a smoking car for people who wished to smoke. This trip took place several years ago, and things may have changed since that time.
The train traveled through several very unattractive parts of Dallas and Ft. Worth, but once we got out of the cities, the ride became much more enjoyable. I would do it again if I wanted to take a leisurely trip to San Antonio.
Amtrak Train roundtrip -- Irving to Austin and San Antonio
For places to eat in SA: Schilos is an excellent choice! Check out - http://www.hollyeats.com/Schilos.htm
Most of my recommendations are off the Riverwalk - Guenther House has great breakfasts http://www.guentherhouse.com/Main.aspx, Mad Hatters has sandwiches http://www.madhatterstea.com/
Casbeers is a dive, but a great one! I like their burgers and put them at the very top. http://www.casbeers.com/
Blue Star has some great ';pub'; food along with their own beers http://www.bluestarcomplex.com/
The good news is that the downtown ';trolley'; routes are a great and inexpensive way to get around.
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