University of Montana, Missoula – Five Guidelines to Vacation to Missoula by Amtrak Coach and Bus

Missoula, Montana is the state’s second biggest metropolis and one particular of the most scenic metropolitan places in the country. The College of Montana offers an academic and cultural anchor to this western Montana town. Regrettably, Missoula missing its Amtrak provider in 1979 and the only lower fare airline to the city flies instantly to the Southwest.

For UM learners and other residents of the Missoula location, utilizing a combination of Amtrak and buses is the most affordable way to vacation to other components of the country. Here are 5 guidelines/hints for efficiently traveling to/from Missoula by land:

1: If you are likely westbound to Missoula, ignore Amtrak’s advice to connect with the prepare at Whitefish. On Amtrak’s plan for the Empire Builder that operates involving Chicago and Seattle/Portland, there is an indication that connecting service is out there between Whitefish, MT and Missoula. Rimrock Stages, which is section of the Trailways technique, gives the provider. Sadly, Rimrock’s schedule does not get the job done very well with Amtrak’s westbound timetable.

The only bus from Whitefish leaves at 11:35 am and arrives in Missoula close to 3 ½ hrs afterwards. That operates properly if you are coming from Washington Point out or Idaho and the train comes at Whitefish at 7:26 am. It is not practical if you are coming from the east and the practice arrives in Whitefish at 9:16 pm. You will have to get a lodge just before using the bus residence the future day.

Two: If you are coming from Missoula, you ought to not hook up to Amtrak at Whitefish in any circumstance. The only Rimrock bus from Missoula leaves at 8:00 am and arrives at Whitefish about 11:25 am. You will have currently missed the eastbound Empire Builder coach for the working day. The westbound train will leave Whitefish about 10 hours afterwards – a lengthy wait certainly!

Three: The very best way to link with Amtrak from Missoula is by way of Spokane, Washington. Greyhound Lines has a handy schedule that is effective effectively with Amtrak’s. Element of the attractiveness of the connecting by way of Spokane is that the trains arrive and depart in the early early morning from equally instructions. Hence, if you are heading to Missoula, your educate will get there in Spokane no afterwards than 2:00 am. You can take the 5:05 am Greyhound bus and get there in Missoula at 10:30 am. From Missoula, there is a 9:10 pm bus that arrives in Spokane at 12:35 am. The earliest teach leaves Spokane at 1:15 am.

Four: Connecting in Spokane is easy because Greyhound works by using the Spokane coach station as its depot. Given that the connections acquire put in the middle of the night, this is quite practical.

5: The Empire Builder is an all-reserved prepare. Regardless of whether you will be experiencing Amtrak’s improved coach services with at-seat food support and significant pillows or the Superliner sleeping accommodations, you have to make sophisticated reservations. By getting your tickets in progress for equally Amtrak and Greyhound providers, you may perhaps be equipped to acquire discounted progress invest in fares or unique fares for learners and seniors.