Let's Take a Day Trip

ST. LOUIS — Before flying became a hobby of mine, taking long road trips and riding Amtrak were my go-to modes of transportation. This weekend, following a quick flight from Chicago to St. Louis to watch the Chicago White Sox play the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, my son Gregory and I decided to switch things up and take Amtrak’s Lincoln Service from St. Louis to Joliet, Illinois.

The route is part of Amtrak’s passenger rail service connecting St. Louis and Chicago, with several stops throughout Illinois. For the two of us, the trip cost roughly $54 total. And while it had been a long time since I had spent several hours traveling by train, it was Gregory’s first time.

The ride surprised me — in a good way.

From the moment we settled into our seats, one of the first things I noticed was just how much room we had. Compared with flying, there was no feeling of being squeezed into a small space for the duration of the trip. There was plenty of legroom, and being able to get up, stretch, and walk around made the journey feel much less restrictive.

The environment was also mostly quiet. Passengers seemed to settle into their own routines — sleeping, looking out the window, working, or using their devices. At no point did I feel uncomfortable or unsafe. For a father traveling with his teenage son, that matters.

And here’s something I never thought would make it into one of my travel stories: I was impressed by the bathroom.

Seriously.

The restroom aboard our train was surprisingly spacious — certainly more spacious than what you would find on an airplane. There was enough room to move around comfortably, along with a sink, mirror, and other basics you would expect. It’s a small detail, but on a several-hour trip, those little conveniences make a difference.

The onboard Wi-Fi was another pleasant surprise. It worked effectively for most of our journey and allowed us to stay connected without relying entirely on cellular service. For someone who is almost always on his phone, computer, or another device while traveling, reliable Wi-Fi makes a long ride much easier.

Of course, train travel has its drawbacks.

The biggest one is time. Passenger trains sometimes have to contend with freight traffic using the same rail corridors, which can contribute to delays. If you are traveling on a tight schedule, that possibility is worth keeping in mind. The train won’t compete with a nonstop flight between Chicago and St. Louis when speed is the only consideration.

But that’s not really the point either.

There was something refreshing about not having to drive for hours or deal with the usual airport routine. We could simply sit down, relax, and let someone else handle the transportation. Instead of concentrating on Interstate 55 for hundreds of miles, I could spend that time talking with Gregory, using my phone, watching the scenery, or just closing my eyes.

And at roughly $27 per person for our tickets, it was hard to argue with the value.

I’ve become accustomed to looking toward the airport whenever Gregory and I are going somewhere. Flying is still one of my favorite ways to travel, and that’s probably not changing anytime soon. But this trip reminded me that sometimes the journey itself can be part of the experience.

For regional trips where we’re not in a rush, Amtrak may have just worked its way back into our travel rotation.

After our Lincoln Service experience, I can easily see Gregory and me boarding a train again for another father-son adventure — especially when the price is right.

Sometimes you don’t need a boarding pass and 30,000 feet to enjoy the ride.