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Travel Advice for Singers During Audition Season
Tips from a young artist making her way through the US of A.
I took a 6 hour train by myself for the first time.
It was for an audition I had in Chicago, and living in St. Louis it’s pretty easy to travel up to Chicago. I’ve driven and flown before but never taken the train.
I wanted to see how much money I’d be saving if I took the train. Firstly, driving my car is pretty damn cheap because it only costs me around $18 to fill up the tank. It’s a tiny Prius hybrid hatchback and the tank lasts about 330 miles. I have to fill up about 1.5 times to get to Chicago one way? That sounds about right.
But here’s the thing: a round trip Amtrak ticket in coach costs $65… that’s just a touch more expensive than taking my car. Where I’m saving my money, though, is parking. I’m going to be walking where I need and since I’m only there for a day and a half, I just need to be in the vicinity of my audition. And parking in Chicago is a hassle AND expensive!
Luckily, my friend volunteered his place for me to stay so I saved $$ on a hotel ($87 to be exact. I know this because I paid for a hotel and then canceled it once he offered his place. Thank god for hospitable friends).
