San Francisco-Eugene-Seattle-NYC in February: What are my transportation options?
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San Francisco-Eugene-Seattle-NYC in February: What are my transportation options?
Hi, In February, I'll be traveling with a friend to the Pacific Coast, and we have slightly different agendas. We would both like to go to SF I must go to Eugene Friend must go to Seattle Friend would
In February, I'll be traveling with a friend to the Pacific Coast, and we have slightly different agendas.
We would both like to go to SF
I must go to Eugene
Friend must go to Seattle
Friend would like to join me ln Eugene after Seattle
Both of us must be in NYC following Pacific Coast stays
Questions:
I love train travel, but is too long to take a train from San Francisco to Eugene? Is February a terrible time to do it? How often do the trains run? Can I also take a train from Eugene to Portland, and vice-versa?
Are there regular non-stop flights from to Eugene from San Francisco and from Seattle?
Is there a drop-off fee to rent a car in Eugene and drop it off in Portland?
If I am in Eugene and it is snowing, is it possible to get a train to Portland?
In February, where is the best place to stay in Portland if you are flying out of Portland. (I don't want to wait a long time for a bus in the cold.)
Any yays or nays for Aggressive Taxi Service in Portland?
Hi Mushroom: After all the great information I've read on your posts it is a pleasure to pass a bit of information to you.
Amtrak runs the Coast Starlight once a day to Eugene, Portland and on to Seattle It leaves the Bay Area (from Oakland or Emeryville) in the evening and gets to Eugene in the Am about 9:00. There is an Amtrak bus frpm San Francisco to Oakland but it may be easier to take Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). From Eugene north one can continue on the Starlight or the Amtrak Cascades which runs to Portland and then to Seattle about 4-5 times daily.
Snow is not generally a problem in western Oregon and Washington except in the Cascade Mountains. If there is snow it will be light and will be cleared promptly. You certainly will be able to get a train but probably would have no problem driving either.
Eugene is a minor airport and you would probably need to fly to Portland first anyway. I'm with you; take the train. If you decide to fly look at Southwest or Alaska Airline sites for flights.
Can't help you re drop off fees as it probably varies from company to company. As to weather you will almost certainly encounter frequent rain and possibly snow but it shouldn't stop you.
As you can see the Amtrak routes are very conveniently situated for you and your friend to make your various plans. Have a good trip.
Thanks Robert D. I am really hoping I can take the train. However, I'm pretty sure my friend will only want to fly from Seattle. I'm hoping there's a flight into Eugene. I'll check that out. (I'm also hoping that maybe we can take the train from Eugene to Portland. I'm assuming the amount of time is comparable to driving.
I've never stayed in Portland. Only at the airport. I'm thinking a night in downtown Portland would be nice if there is an easy way to get to the airport from the city. I'm not averse to a taxi so long as it doesn't get stuck in traffic.
Hmmmm. What's it like to fly a turborprop in February in Oregon? Are flights from Seattle to Eugene turboprop as well? I checked out Amtrak from Eugene to Portland and it is only 2.5 hours to the airport. That works pretty well for me. Posted by mushroom
Don't know what it feels like to fly it...but Eugene to Seattle (3x daily) is turboprop. If they're anything like the ones I've flown elsewhere, they're 45 to 60 seat planes from Dehavilland or Embraer.
I'm trying to remember if I've ever been on such a plane. I'm usually not a terribly nervous flyer, but I dislike turbulence, and I tend to think of flying along a coastline as being windy, maybe especially in late February/early March.
Anyway, that will be for my friend to decide because I'm hoping to take the train.
I've ridden the Coast Starlight twice from California to Seattle, once in February. The ride over the Cascades in the winter is spectacular with the snow. Lots of tunnels and bridges too. Definitely bring a camera!
If you want to be especially comfortable spring for a sleeper compartment which includes your meals in the dining car. Since the trip from central California to Klamath Falls is overnight, you'll appreciate getting a good night's sleep. However the coach cars have very comfortable seats, somewhat akin to an airplane's business class seating but not lie-flat. They are acceptable if you don't want to spend the money on a sleeper compartment.
Flying between Eugene and Seattle shouldn't be any more turbulent than any other route. In fact with the winter air you may find that your ride is smoother than what you'd experience in the summer months where there's more opportunity for warm and cold air to collide.
Thanks, P. Weber. You're probably right about the February weather in the air. I'll tell my friend (who probably isn't worried in the slightest).
I am definitely getting a sleeper/room if I take the train. I did it once crossing the entire US and just loved it. The train leaves so late from Oakland that I'll probably eat dinner before I board, and am likely to carry on my own breakfast. Any chance Amtrak has an espresso machine these days? (I mean, on the run headed to Starbucks country, it should!)
Look up this webpage: http://www.pacificparlourcar.com/ and check with Amtrak to see if this special first class car will be included on your train's consist (train set) when you travel. Truly a unique and wonderful experience which makes the Coast Starlight trip even more special.
