Stress Free Travel

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a big fan of exploration.  Whether it’s a new restaurant, a new neighborhood, or a new city; I’m always the first to say ‘yes’ to a new experience.  Unfortunately, adventuring outside Boston usually involves a lot of driving, and sitting in a car for four or more hours can really get tiring after a while.  When I’m sitting inactive for so long, all I can think about is the other things I could be doing during those precious hours.  On my many drives to New York City to visit my family, I’ve wished that I was able to work on the blog, catch up on some reading, or even just answer emails without crushing my data plan and/or getting nauseas.

Enter Amtrak with the solution to all of my problems.

Taking a train to your destination opens up so much travel time.  When you’re traveling on the same schedule as everyone else is (namely weekends, especially of the ‘long’ and ‘summer’ variety), driving can take twice as long.  Amtrak trains don’t get stuck in weekend traffic, so you’re guaranteed to get to your destination on time.  The best part about this is that I was able to spend our four hour train ride from Boston to NYC (nearly impossible on a Friday during the summer!) doing whatever I wanted.  With onboard wifi, you’re able to catch up on sleep, reading, work, or even OITNB!  Having some time to be productive while traveling for a fun weekend makes adventuring so much more possible, and I loved being able to enjoy every second of my trip without stressing out about work or leaving at the ‘right time’ to avoid traffic!

If your ideal train doesn’t involve a gang of giggling girls going on vacation, Amtrak has a quiet car for a ‘library-like atmosphere’, perfect for sleeping or some intense studying!  The one on our car was located just past the snack car, which is a great excuse to get up and stretch your legs a bit and really convenient if you forgot to bring snacks!

For over 40 years, Amtrak has been providing this hassle-free transportation to over 500 destinations in the US and Canada.  If you’re a high school or college student, you can save 10% with the Student Advantage Card!.  Amtrak also offers all different deals and regional fares on their deals page that you can view here.  When you find the right rate, Amtrak can make all your traveling easy and stress-free.  I take the Boston to NYC trip several times a year, and never felt as relaxed as I did while taking the Amtrak train.  Knowing that I would pull into Penn Station, conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, on time without hitting any traffic after a productive trip allowed me to relax and calm my inner ragey Bostonian driver.

Have any of you ever taken an Amtrak train? I’d love to hear more about your experiences in the comments below!  I’m currently working on planning a long weekend trip with some friends, and Amtrak will definitely be on our planning radar this time around!

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!

xo, Caitlin

This post is sponsored by Amtrak and Her Campus Media.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Sol Compass possible!