Not sure if I'll be able to go..

[RE10491]

Well, I went to the Amtrack website and checked the fare price for a train from Houston, TX to Washington D.C. and it came out to be about $370..

So after adding that up with what I'll probably be spending at a hotel + food costs, ect. I'm not so sure if I'll be able to make this trip..


If anyone knows any cheaper way of getting there I'd really appreciate it.
(not so sure how much a bus there would cost because I haven't checked yet, but I'm doing that right now)

 

[MRoCkEd]

start walking man because you better not miss this

no but really, get in touch with local meetups who may be arranging group transportation or something

 

[Agent CSL]

Bus would be much cheaper, but bumpier. I'm in a situation without a job and I live in Washington STATE - that's all the way across the country. But I have 3-4 months to raise the money.

The best bet is to get in with a group rate. Group rates are lower and you can look out for eachother.

 

[Cap'n Crunk]

even if you take a plane it'll be like 100 bucks cheaper.

 

[Kevlar]

Just checked Greyhound: http://www.greyhound.com/home/

They gave me an estimate of $320, round trip, from California to DC.

 

[Kevlar]

I found a round trip flight (including hotel) on Yahoo travel for under $500: http://travel.yahoo.com/

 

[sheepledog]

Well, I went to the Amtrack website and checked the fare price for a train from Houston, TX to Washington D.C. and it came out to be about $370..

So after adding that up with what I'll probably be spending at a hotel + food costs, ect. I'm not so sure if I'll be able to make this trip..


If anyone knows any cheaper way of getting there I'd really appreciate it.
(not so sure how much a bus there would cost because I haven't checked yet, but I'm doing that right now)

I'm from Houston, too and I am also considering using Amtrak. I was thinking tho, if enough people around here were interested, maybe we could all pool our $ and charter a bus or something. However, I know nothing about how much that would cost.

I'm also having doubts as to whether or not my family and I can afford to go--so I'm currently trying to look at all the options......

 

[RE10491]

I'm from Houston, too and I am also considering using Amtrak. I was thinking tho, if enough people around here were interested, maybe we could all pool our $ and charter a bus or something. However, I know nothing about how much that would cost.

I'm also having doubts as to whether or not my family and I can afford to go--so I'm currently trying to look at all the options......

Ya, same here.

But flying is NOT an option for me!
I'll WALK all the way there if it comes down to that!! xD

 

[debbie53]

Look for any discounts or promotions you can find. Sometimes tickets are cheaper for certain day or off-times when fewer people travel. There may also be a discount for buying your tickets early, or buying them online. I think both Amtrack and Greyhound also offer some discount for groups. Check with them to see the lowest price they can give you. Do you or any member of your party qualify for any reduced rates---student, senior citizen, member of an auto club or other organization that offers travel perks to its members, etc.?

Don't give up. If these suggestions don't work for you, you can maybe find someone in one of your local Meetup groups who plans to drive, and has room for another passenger. As for food and hotel, I will camp if I have to, and bring bag lunches, buy food in the local grocery stores, etc. to keep down the cost.

 

[John of Des Moines]

Join your local meetup group as they'll probably chartering a bus. That's what we're beginning to do here in Des Moines. I saw a post here on the forums that a round trip charter bus rental from Memphis Tenn. ran something under $5,000 with 56 seats cost under $90.

At http://www.busrates.com/ it says it's $2.93 per mile for a bus rental.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Join your local meetup group as they'll probably chartering a bus. That's what we're beginning to do here in Des Moines. I saw a post here on the forums that a round trip charter bus rental from Memphis Tenn. ran something under $5,000 with 56 seats cost under $90.

At http://www.busrates.com/ it says it's $2.93 per mile for a bus rental.

And chartered busses should be able to be... decorated

 

[John of Des Moines]

And chartered busses should be able to be... decorated

And, they have vcrs, dvd players and allow alcohol as well. I've done a thumb nail estimate and from Des Moines it's about about $150 per person around trip to DC for a charter tour bus vs. $125 on Greyhound. I think my group will use at least 2 buses.