If you're planning a trip to Carbondale for the total solar eclipse on August 21st, you might consider riding the train.
Amtrak still has open seats at a discount rate for the eclipse weekend. Whether you're coming from the north or south, Amtrak's Media Relations Officer Marc Magliari says Amtrak is the way to go.
"Anyone who has driven the long slog up and down I-57 knows, there's a much better way. And the Illini and Saluki trains or the City of New Orleans, we're the better way."
But you better hurry as space is limited.
"We would be anticipating sell-out crowds. So the sooner you buy your ticket on amtrak.com or call the 800-USA-RAIL, the better off your going to be because Carbondale is the place to be on that day."
Magliari says it's best for most travelers to make a weekend trip to Carbondale.
"We suggest people come down the night before. If you're coming down from Champaign or Chicago. If you're coming up from Memphis you probably can arrive that morning, spend the day, and come back down towards Memphis and New Orleans that night. The schedule works pretty well that way."
For more information visit, amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
