# Amtrak 25 Hacker News commenters recommended Amtrak and 20 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months. **Verdict:** People recommend it for scenic window travel, roomy seats, and fares often cheaper than flying, especially on routes where it runs well. The common caveat is that trips are slow and often delayed. ## Why people recommend it - Works well on certain routes (4 comments): "Amtrak is decent on very specific routes and still an absolute joke to anyone who has used trains in Europe, Japan, Taiwan" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46597083)) "that train corridor is overwhelmingly successful as well so the idea that amtrak isn't a good deal is at odds with reality" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47940297)) "I ALSO love taking it from Oakland or Richmond to Sacramento and sipping a beer while I look through the window" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47572203)) - Scenic views from the window (3 comments): "I ALSO love taking it from Oakland or Richmond to Sacramento and sipping a beer while I look through the window" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47572203)) "When I take Amtrak, it's because I want to look out of a window for a few dozen hours" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46555008)) "Beautiful all the way, but incredibly slow" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47571408)) - Often cheaper than flying (3 comments): "The family and I are looking at taking a X-country trip on AMTRAK and it looks to be significantly cheaper than flying." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46556134)) "Prices are comparable to the dirtiest, cheapiest dirt cheap flights with no checked baggage" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47569786)) "a ticket is only $30-50, so about a tank of gas" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46555165)) - Memorable, enjoyable travel experience (3 comments): "Ride it once and you'll realize why it's the better way to travel in every way but cost and time" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47567106)) "it was the highlight of that year for me and one of the best memories of my life" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46555404)) "The experience and the people I've met make it worth it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47568962)) ## What people warn about - Very slow, long journeys (4 comments): "Beautiful all the way, but incredibly slow" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47571408)) "Amtrak tends to be quite a bit more expensive than the equivalent trip by air. And far slower." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49634476)) "So Amtrak here is the worst combination of inconvenient and slow." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45831639)) - Frequent delays and unreliable service (3 comments): "Amtrak doesn't get priority reliably enforced outside the Northeast and the delays are legendary." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49211306)) "It was originally scheduled to enter the chat at 2:42 AM, but was delayed until 6:01 AM." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45916346)) "In the Midwest, there are no guarantees with trains other than you'll get there." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47568032)) - Often pricier than flying (2 comments): "Amtrak tends to be quite a bit more expensive than the equivalent trip by air. And far slower." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49634476)) "But it was more expensive than flying and like 25 hours." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46554969)) - Losses and conflicting mission (2 comments): "It has conflicting missions so it's never going to be competitive in service." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47568143)) "Losing $1.8B/year ($55/ride) isn't anything to be proud of." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49648770)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [SBB](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sbb.md): 11 recommend - [ÖBB](https://hackerapproved.com/p/bb.md): 8 recommend - [SNCF TGV](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tgv.md): 6 recommend - [NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ns.md): 5 recommend - [Swiss Federal Railways](https://hackerapproved.com/p/swiss-federal-railways.md): 5 recommend ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Amtrak", https://hackerapproved.com/p/amtrak/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).