The Southwest Chief is a really nice train, with an observation car, cafe car and a dining car. People are super friendly on the train in a way that never happens while flying.
I HIGHLY recommend getting a sleeper. That’s a long trip to take in coach. I do not rest well when I can’t lie flat and the trip can be miserable on a full train. The sleepers are more expensive but they include all meals, and you have a bed! Showers are down the hall for roomettes, and in the room for bedrooms. For me, there is no price for my mental and physical health. When I was younger I could tolerate traveling in misery, but no more.
If you’re alone, a roomette is definitely big enough. Nothing makes me happier than getting into my little roomette and watching the world go by all by myself. There’s nothing like locking the door, closing the curtain that looks out into the hallway, and staring out the window at the scenery like you’ve got your own personal railroad.
The only part of this trip that concerns me is that there’s just one day at the Grand Canyon. However, if you’re not a big hiker on your ultimate fantasy dream trip, you can probably spend enough time there in one day to really feel like you’ve experienced it. And sometimes I like traveling to a place and seeing just enough of it that I want to go back again.
You may find that this short trip inspires you to plan a longer one where you can do serious hiking or rafting. Or, you may feel like you’ve seen it and don’t need to do an intensive trip later.
Go! And spend the money! And have fun.
Train trip to Grand Canyon from Chicago (2014)
