In an era when the term "luxury" is often bandied about, a new service promises to truly redefine the travel experience between the Bay Area and Southern California. According to a recent San Francisco Chronicle article, travel startup Lunatrain is set to offer private charter services on Amtrak routes, making opulent rail travel accessible beyond the once exclusive realm of European royalty and Agatha Christie characters. Commencing this January, passengers can book a journey from Oakland to Los Angeles or from Emeryville to Denver, enjoying the comforts of a six-person car, complete with panoramic views, a personal chef, and a steward.
The venture is spearheaded by Mike Avena, founder and CEO of Lunatrain, who explained the vision behind this service in a statement obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle: "Our trips offer a chance to travel in ultimate luxury and view the scenery in a way that our passengers have never seen it before." This initiative not only offers an above first-class experience but also brings private rail car travel into a more accessible arena through Lunatrain's online booking platform. Avena also announced, via a LinkedIn post, a collaboration with one of the premier private rail car operators in the U.S., enhancing the experience with historical cars outfitted with modern amenities.
Costs for these novel excursions are in the ballpark of high-end air travel, with the San Francisco to Los Angeles trip priced at $10,000 for a party of six, while the longer Emeryville to Denver journey comes in at $18,500. Despite the price tag, the business model is seen as viable. Anna Marie Presutti, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association, cited in her interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, noted that luxury travel is in demand, with full first-class cabins on her recent trips to Paris and London.
Avena is not just to create an exclusive travel service, but also to envelop his passengers in the "certain magic to slow travel on rail." The initiative is part of Lunatrain's broader push to introduce excursion trips that originate from major cities across the nation. In alignment with this philosophy, the Halloway Platform, as per Avena's LinkedIn announcement, offers an array of services for private rail car owners and operators, including booking, fleet management, and coordination. It aims to streamline the process, allowing owners to concentrate on delivering exceptional experiences to their guests.
To experience the bygone allure of elegant railway travel, passengers can now conveniently book through Lunatrain's online platform.
