Amtrak's new Floridian runs from Chicago across Indiana and Ohio, through the Allegheny Mountains to Pittsburgh, past scenic Harper's Ferry, through the Potomac Valley to Washington, DC, and then across the south towards Florida's beaches, cities, and family attractions. If that sounds like a mouthful and perhaps a circuitous way to get to Florida, you're not mistaken. So, is it hassle-free and worth the time?

The journey from Chicago to Miami takes 47 hours. And it's even longer when taking the train from Missouri. So, how do you do it, and is it worth it?

Getting From Missouri to Chicago

The fastest way to do it from the Kansas City area is to take Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Kansas City's Union Station to Chicago, where you'll have a four-hour layover to catch the Floridian for the rest of your trip. The fastest way to return is the same: the Floridian to Chicago and the Southwest Chief back to Kansas City.

There is another Miami, Washington DC, and New York City train called the Silver Meteor that you could take from Florida to either DC or New York City. Still, both require extra time sitting in train stations waiting for a connection. If you opt for DC, you will be on the Floridian anyway. If you opt for New York, they'll put you on the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago.

The fastest way to do it from St. Louis is to take Amtrak's Texas Eagle from St. Louis to Chicago, where you'll have a five-hour layover before the Floridian makes tracks for Florida via Washington. The fastest way to return is to do the same thing. On the return, you can ride some Lincoln Service Trains to St. Louis, although times aren't that attractive.

River Runner / Lincoln Service

What about the Missouri River Runner? The River Runner/Lincoln Service train that leaves Kansas City in the morning and arrives in Chicago at night isn't a great option because it comes into Chicago at 8:00 PM, an hour and twenty minutes after the Floridian departs. So, if you're considering doing this, you'll need to spend the night in Chicago on your dime, and you will be leaving for Florida the following evening.

You can't book a Lincoln Service train from St. Louis to Chicago and then transfer to the Floridian on one itinerary; however, you can on the return. Amtrak's system doesn't let you book tickets that don't make sense or are unrealistic connections.

There is a 4:30 AM and a 6:35 AM Lincon Service train to Chicago, yet you are looking at a nine- or seven-hour layover in Chicago until the Floridian departs. Amtrak won't let you do that on one itinerary; you'd need to buy separate tickets for each part of the trip.

The advantage to booking on one itinerary is if there's a train delay and you get stuck in Chicago, Amtrak will most likely take care of an overnight stay or bus transportation to get you to your destination, or at least to another train, to get you to your destination.

So it's Doable, Is It Easy?

The first thing to consider is the travel time. It is 57 hours from St. Louis and 59 hours from Kansas City, which is almost two and a half days. Do it in both directions, and you will spend five days traveling. If time is an issue or taking the train isn't necessarily what you consider part of the vacation, you might be better off flying.

Also, price becomes a consideration if you want sleeper accommodations from Chicago to Florida. I priced out a roomette for one round trip between Chicago and Miami and a coach between Chicago and Kansas City, and my cost was $3,290. Sleeper accommodations do include meals. Coach, which doesn't, you can do for $514 round trip. With travel on the exact two dates at their cheapest fares, Southwest Airlines got me a ticket for $427.

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Finally, one last thing to consider is train travel itself. There's always a little bit of an unknown on a rail journey. Will the trains be on time? How could delays make my trip harder? How will the weather impact my travel?  How do I feel about being on trains for 57 hours straight or longer? How do I think I'll feel about riding in a coach with others for that entire time? Or spending a lot of time in a small private room?

Yes, Amtrak to Miami is doable. Easy? Well, I don't know if I'd characterize a two-and-a-half-day trip that requires a layover in Chicago as easy. Leisurely, yes. Easy, maybe not.