Amtrak’s passengers are injured 58 times as often as those on French railroads, but train travel in the U.S. is generally safe. Experts say that traveling by train is very safe, and derailments like the one Amtrak experienced on Monday are rare. Federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and.
Travel on Amtrak may seem daunting for newcomers, but it is generally considered safe. The company has implemented “immediate action” by combining mandatory masks, social-distancing rules and signage, and carry-out-only dining. Amtrak and other train companies have upgraded their technology, fleet, stations, and processes to make travel as seamless and safe as possible.
To ensure personal safety, passengers should stay alert, keep their belongings close, and report any safety concerns. Amtrak has upgraded its technology, fleet, stations, and processes to make travel as seamless and safe as possible. Only use authorized Amtrak Red Cap service for assistance, use seat backs and handrails while walking through the train, and watch your step when boarding.
In 2020, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics recorded 40,867 total deaths from travel. Trains are statistically much safer than driving, with no security lines and traffic, plus the benefit of wider seats and more legroom. However, among those who don’t travel Amtrak regularly, there are still concerns about safety.
📹 Is Amtrak Safe To Ride? | What To Expect On The Train
Today we discuss is Amtrak safe to ride? There have many comments about Amtrak safety. Today we share our responses to your …
Is it safe to ride Amtrak?
Amtrak has enhanced its technology, fleet, stations, and processes to ensure seamless and safe travel. The company has improved its Amtrak app, allowing customers to book, check train status, and receive real-time information before boarding. The company has also focused on making the experience touch-free, including contactless boarding, ticket scanning, and the installation of new kiosks. Amtrak has made significant investments to emerge as a new and improved company, combining safety efforts with the guidance of its medical director and partnering with George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. The company aims to boost customer confidence during the pandemic.
Is the Amtrak reliable?
Amtrak trains can experience delays, which can be as severe as airport delays. Michigan, for example, experiences a 75% delay rate. To avoid these issues, travelers should plan their own transportation methods and be aware of potential delays. Additionally, people should read the fine print when booking and bringing a pet on an Amtrak train to avoid any potential issues. Overall, Amtrak trains can be a significant factor in travel delays.
Is there security for Amtrak?
The Amtrak security apparatus encompasses over 400 personnel, deployed across 30 locations in 46 states. These personnel are responsible for the implementation of a range of security measures, the objective of which is to guarantee the safety and security of Amtrak employees, customers, and infrastructure.
Do I keep my luggage with me on Amtrak?
Personal items are to be stored beneath the seating area, while carry-on luggage is to be placed in the overhead storage compartments or luggage towers. The majority of buses are equipped with baggage storage compartments located beneath the floor, which can be accessed with the assistance of the bus driver. It is advisable to refrain from storing items in empty seats, aisles, or vestibules, as this may cause inconvenience or pose a safety hazard.
Do they check bags on Amtrak trains?
Checked baggage service is available at some stations and on many trains and Thruway Services. However, not all locations are equipped to handle checked baggage. Before traveling, check if your train and origin/destination stations accept checked baggage. Ensure your bags have a name and address tag, as free ID tags are available at all stations. Pack your baggage appropriately in suitable containers before arrival.
Are Amtrak trains usually on time?
In 2023, all long-distance routes failed to meet the Federal Railroad Administration’s 80 on-time standard. Although host railroad performance improved in the past year, there is still room for growth. All 15 long-distance routes and 15 of the 25 State-Supported routes failed to meet on-time performance metrics. Data analysis shows no correlation between freight rail volume and Amtrak delays. Despite a decrease in freight rail volumes from 2006 to 2019, Amtrak’s on-time performance worsened. However, when freight railroad leadership follows the law, on-time performance can improve overnight.
Should I use Amtrak?
Rail travel offers a quick and green alternative to road travel, offering spacious and comfortable seating, access to the Cafe Car and Quiet Car, and other thoughtful amenities onboard. Rail travel is eco-friendly, consuming less energy and producing less harmful pollutants than car or air travel. Amtrak trains save gas, daily wear and tear on cars, and reduce traffic congestion on roads and in the skies.
Rail travel also allows passengers to roam freely, allowing them to stretch their legs and walk around the train. This is not possible when traveling by bus, bus, or car. Additionally, passengers can chat with fellow passengers from all walks of life and parts of the world.
When a seat is available, passengers can relax in wide seats with plenty of legroom and enjoy views that most travelers will never see. This eco-friendly approach to travel is a significant advantage over other modes of transportation, such as flying, driving, or flying.
Is it safe to travel by train in the US?
Amtrak has reported fewer accidents in recent years, with only five fatalities in accidents from 2005 to 2014. The company has carried 300 million passengers since the 1987 Maryland crash, with the most recent crash causing eight fatalities. The average death rate for Amtrak and commuter rail lines is 0. 5 deaths per billion miles traveled, compared to the six deaths per billion miles for car and truck travel.
Are Amtrak trains comfortable?
Amtrak’s Coach Class offers comfortable and economical seating with large, reclining seats, fold-down tray tables, overhead reading lights, and luggage racks. The cabins also feature large, panoramic windows for a stunning view. Amtrak’s accommodations are designed to provide a relaxing and comfortable experience for passengers. The cabins also feature ample space for walking and restrooms in every car, ensuring a comfortable and convenient journey. The interior of the cabins is what truly matters, making it an ideal choice for Amtrak travelers.
What are the downsides of Amtrak?
The cost of long-distance rail travel is considerable, with fares often comparable to those for first-class air travel. Furthermore, the punctuality of such services is frequently poor. To ensure a comfortable journey, it is advisable to opt for a sleeper car. It is reasonable to assume that the trains will commence their journey at the scheduled time; however, it is probable that they will fall behind the published schedule as they proceed further along the route.
Can you sleep on Amtrak trains?
The Amtrak Sleeping Car fleet is comprised of two distinct types. The Amtrak Sleeping Car fleet is comprised of two distinct types: Superliner and Viewliner. The Superliner cars are equipped with two private rooms per car, whereas the Viewliner cars offer a single level of accommodation. The specific car type is contingent upon the selected route.
📹 The Don’ts of Amtrak Train Travel in the US
Hey there fellow train travelers, today we are going over the do’s and don’ts of traveling by train in the US. From when to buy train …
One of the main reasons for Amtrak’s poor on-time performance, is the fact that it has to share tracks with freight. In the US, freight trains have priority. Passenger rail is just an afterthought. So, Amtrak is often subject to freight scheduling, which is far slower, more random, and less time-critical.
Amtrak advice from someone who uses it somewhat frequently: Buy your tickets ahead of time to save money. They charge extra as time goes on and it’s possible that you get to your train and they only have the expensive tickets left. Also, I would highly recommend going from DC to Boston and stopping at almost every stop. So go to DC, spend a day or two, take the train/drive to Baltimore spend a day, train to Philly, spend a day, NYC, spend a day, maybe New Haven and spend a day, providence and spend a day. I will definitely be doing something similar in the future. Great way to see the “megalopolis”
In 2019, I did a loop of taking trains from Chicago to LA, then LA to Portland, then Portland back to Chicago. I had a roomette in a sleeper car on each train. It was a very nice way to see the country. The only thing that I would recommend to anyone else who wants to take the train is to take a small fan because climate control in the sleeper car is not the best and it always seemed to be too warm.
I have been riding the Amtrak long-distance routes for 15 years now. I take at least two and as many as 5 trips per year. I will confirm the rule “”Don’t disrespect the conductor.” The conductor is the actual Captain of the train. The rules for your conduct with all train staff and fellow passengers are the same as on an aircraft, as are the penalties. If you have to be removed from the train expect to be met by law enforcement. You can also be charged federally. Oh, and you forfeit the rest of your ticket. I have seen it happen a couple of times. One last “Don’t” is that if you are on a trip that allows for “Fresh Air Stops” where you can disembark and stretch your legs, take the warning about not leaving the platform seriously. If you wander off, the train will leave without you. No one will come looking for you or do a nose count. Twice I have seen people running alongside the train trying to get them to stop. You also forfeit the rest of your ticket. I love train travel. Yes, Amtrak is chronically late, at least on longer trips, but the gorgeous scenery, the great staff and the friendly passengers (for the most part) make it all worthwhile.
I myself took an Amtrak for the first time last year and it was a fantastic experience! Comfortable seats, great connectivity and nice scenery. Couldn’t agree more about the need to book early though as the tickets nearly tripled in price as much as two weeks from my travel date. Best advantage for me is that you get to beat the road traffic 😁
With regards to food, the long-distance dining cars on the trains that still have them are MUCH better than the café cars thanks to having real kitchens in them. Still probably pricier than one might expect but I’d say it’s worth the money (it is on a train after all) and it’s included with a sleeper ticket.
I use the general rule of about expect an hour or two delay for each state you pass through, even more in the winter when the track equipment can freeze. I used to take the Amtrak from Central Iowa to Cincinnati 5-6 times a year. Never got into either Chicago or Cincinnati on time. One thing the train has for it, it can run in the snow no problem – couple of winters I got home even with interstates and airports being closed.
Thank you! I am perplexed. I wouldn’t have expected to hear positive things about Amtrak. I used it very often from NYC to DC, Philly and Boston. But also the corridor to Niagara falls via Poughkeepsie. Even looking at the time it takes, I found Amtrak super comfy. A bit like German Intercity trains of the 1970ies or the old SNCF Corail service in France. Amtrak is the solution when the journey is part of your vacation – and not that the journey brings you to your vacation. You can get splendid views and being much more comfortable than in a bus. And I completed agree: Red cap service and the train conductors all behaved super friendly, helpful and giving Amtrak a very positive image. I am still planning on doing an Amtrak sleeper car trip from NYC Penn to LA. That ticket allowing you to spend a night at a station you like to stop and explore in the middle of nowhere. I always met the best people there.
I’d add one and an addendum: DON’T expect your arrival time to be accurate. Depending on your route, cargo shipment companies may get priority on the rails and things do happen that can cause delays. I generally add 10% to the total travel time just to be safe and it’s saved SO many headaches. ALSO: while sleeper car/bed tickets do come at a jump in cost, some of those overnight tickets do include breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the cost of the ticket. In my experience Canada’s ViaRail offer AMAZING meals. In the US, Amtrak can be hit and miss.
Even with the sleepers on the long distance overnight trains, factor into your price comparisons with airlines that every night on the train is one less night at a expensive hotel. Also plan to arrive to your destination a day early when you book, get there a day before a wedding or birthday. Long distance trains can run very late, several hours late, not just an hour or two. Furthermore when making connections in Chicago or another city to another train, plan on spending the night there. There is noting wrong with a overnight layover in a large city hotel, breaking up the boredom of train traveling over multiple days. Not worrying about whether the train is on time to catch the next train is wonderful. Enjoy your journey, don’t be a worry wart…
A couple of additional things I’d like to add to Mark’s excellent list of Amtrak don’ts: If you decide to change seats, take the paper ticket Mark mentioned and move it to the new seat, so you “save” your new spot. It can confuse things for the conductor, and the conductor who first looked at your ticket may not be aboard for the whole trip. Verify that the stations you’re departing from or arriving to have services available. Smaller stations may have only a platform and an “Amshack” (basically, like a bus shelter) and may not offer checked luggage, or you may have to buy your tickets through the website or on the train instead of at the station. Many stations may not have car rentals available, either.
Love taking Amtrak from Raleigh to DC. I have a card which gives me Amtrak points, so I always do the bedroom; quiet, private bathroom, no listening to someone’s music, no fighting over outlets. etc… 🙂 Couple more donts Don’t be pushing back hard on your chair and then engage the back rest angle button, if the person behind you has the tray down with an open drink on it, it get’s messy. Don’t be a jerk to the server in the café car, they don’t need some idiot yelling about slow service or out of stock on an item while they’re dealing with a dozen other customers. Listen for the notifications (or ask) on when the café will close for an hour or so, and don’t rush it 2 minutes before they close up for a break or restocking.
I just traveled on Amtrak I had a really good experience I was coming from Reno Nevada Nv too Falls Oregon. The conductors were very friendly. Unfortunately they were quite a few passengers that took up two seats. But my seat was assigned next to a very nice lady. I had a very enjoyable trip. Thank you Amtrak I will travel again with you…
As far as food goes, the food on the western long distance trains in the sleeper cars is pretty darn good now that they have the kitchens open again. Routes east of Chicago still kind of suck with the microwave flex dining — hopefully they go back to actual cooked food again. Regarding pricing — check what the “buckets” are for your trip. Search around multiple days and you’ll find what the various pricing tiers are, and if you can, plan your trip around that. Sometimes even on last-minute travel, the bottom bucket is still available and you can get a good fare if you pick the right day.
I’m on the Northeast Corridor a lot. Love that you did this article. Agree that cafe car food is garbage. Cafe car is for beer. Use a Red Cap to board in NYC. NYC is chaotic. It’s well worth the tip to get an unhurried escort to the train ahead of the crowd. Tip is 5-/bag or 5- without a bag but you just want the access. Also when you board, notice if you’re in the QUIET CAR. If you sit in this car, be quiet. Quiet car fans will report you. Lots of other cars for loud conversations and cellphone calls. From Boston to NY, left side of the train for better water views, right for the best city skyline views.
Another thing; when traveling on a long distance train and if you book a sleeper car don’t forget to bring a power strip. Most roomettes and bedrooms only have one or two outlets if you need to power your laptop, charge up a phone or any other electrical device. You won’t have to charge them up one at a time if you have a power strip. Also, be nice to your car attendants. Their jobs aren’t as easy as it looks.
Don’t be late, they won’t wait. I got there 1 minute late and even thought the train hadn’t left, the gate was closed. It cost me an extra $400 to go home because the only train leaving the next day had no seats left, so had to take a sleeper home. If you have the $$$, go with the sleeper. You will have access to the dining car for what ever meals that you are on the train, and it’s included in the price. You don’t get to pick and choose table mates if traveling solo, but it’s a great way to meet people from all over. I met a German tourist who was looking for must-see hiking places. And prior to the meals, a porter will ask what 15 minute time period you wish to eat. And if you aren’t feeling too sociable, he will bring the meal to you. Be prepared for unforeseen delays, like suicide by train. Got stuck in San Jose for 5 hours while they dragged the coroner out of bed at 10 PM.
My experience with Amtrak has always been “you will get there when you get there and expect the unexpected.” I have only taken the routes in California, and what I will say is pay close attention to your itinerary. Don’t expect a train ride the whole length of the way. You maybe on a bus for a portion of your trip. Trips from Los Angeles to the San Joaquin Valley involve a bus trip from LA to Bakersfield. Almost all California based trains have bus connections for points serving more rural locations. If starting on a bus, it doesn’t mean your connection is guaranteed so if stuck in traffic your train will leave without you. However, buses leaving from the train station are guaranteed connections so if that bus is linked to multiple trains, you will wait at the train station until ALL trains arrive. Example is in Martinez CA, that station is served by a few bus based routes that head to the more rural parts of northern CA. The San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor trains are linked to those buses. Don’t expect to be on your train the whole time. Sometimes your train will stop at a certain city due to adverse conditions. 2 Examples- Fires and Vandenburg Airforce base. The Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight run along a stretch of coast that goes through Vandenburg, and the Air Force will close that line if they need to. At Vandenburg if they are performing testing of missle launches etc… they will stop your train at their closest “serviced” station and then bus you around the closed stretch.
When I moved to San Francisco, I took Amtrack from Hartford to Oakland (Hartford -> Springfield -> Chicago -> Milwaukee (side trip) -> Chicago -> Oakland). It was delightful. I did get a sleeper, which was really cramped east of Chicago but nice to the west. At the time (years ago) the meals in the dining car were pretty darned good. They took on some fresh fish at Denver, and it was excellent. But yeah, it was running late and we wound up crossing the Great Salt Lake in the middle of the night instead of the daytime. When comparing train vs. plane, no, it’s not efficient (outside of the BosWash corridor) but it is a destination in itself and needs to be considered as that, while a plane is mostly just about getting you there. Thank you for the detailed overview.
Im going to add some stuff to this, as i believe that there is stuff missing. Not every Amtrak Train has only a Microwave, some long-distance trains like the Empire Builder has a whole diner car, with an entire floor dedicated for cooking There is only one type of Amtrak train that has “First Class” the Acela Express, all the other Amtrak trains has a premium like option that comes with reserve seating, Northeast Corridor has Business Class, all long haul services has sleeper cars, and especially on long haul services, get the sleepers, as you get free meals in the diner car for the entire time you are on there (doesnt apply to the cafe car on the long haul services, and on the Northeast Corridor) With trains being late, outside of the Northeast Corridor, its almost never Amtrak’s fault, this wasnt talked about in the article, but most of the rails here in the US is owned by private freight companies, while they do their best to keep trains on time, Murphy’s law causes one thing to happen, and your train can be (the worst for me) a day late (on the northeast corridor, power outage). It is very wise to have a buffer of at least 2 days just in case when you are scheduled to get to your destination for the long distance trains, if you pull in on time or a few hours late, great! Go around the town or city and enjoy it for a few days, if your train pulls in a decent amount of time late, you would be extremely thankful since you have time to still make your flight. If you are being picked up by a friend or family member, keep them in the loop regarding train delays, tell them stations you are at (look at the station sign or your map app on your phone), and give them a rough estimate on arrival, much better than you waiting for them, or them waiting for you Conductors, be nice to them, they go out of their way to make sure you are having an enjoyable time, and if you arent, they can throw you into local or federal prison, as ALL Amtrak employees are federal agents.
In Nov 2020, I took a total of 3 Amtrak trains from NJ to Portland, Oregon. I traveled Coach, and I was super nervous yet pleasantly surprised. I had 2 transfers (Pittsburgh & Chicago). My seat was very comfortable with plenty of leg room. I kept my backpack on the floor by my foot rest the entire time. I never had an issue with my belongings when I would leave to go to the cafe, bathroom, or observation car. I paid around $230 each way. When I arrived in Chicago, there was a 5-hour layover, so I had my backpack held at the station for $10 so I could explore the city and buy supplies. I found the staff to be extremely helpful, and yes, they will eject problematic riders. My trip was long, so there were smoke breaks pretty often (I don’t smoke). The Cafe menu wasn’t so bad. There were plenty of garbage bins if you brought on food (which I did).. I noticed that once we began to enter Washington State, the tracks were quite old, as our train began to tilt…. And there was even an incident earlier in the year where an amtrak fell off the track. I hope they keep this in mind and keep these tracks leveled because they are very old. Overall, I had a great time. My journey took me about 3 days, but it was worth it to see my father and have a new experience. ❤️
As a foreign tourist I can’t recommend Amtrak enough. Being s a young traveller back in the late 90’s I got a International visitor pass for around $170 unlimited travel on all routes for 30 days hop on and off. I got my monies worth by sleeping on the train and getting off to shower and stock up with food. I managed to see (from the Panoramic window car) around 15 states. They are slow, unreliable and you need to be flexible. On one occasion I missed my flight from Chicago and Amtrak paid for the Plaza Hotel, next day connection flight and cash for food. I went up as far as Vancouver (on their shuttle bus from Seattle) and as south to El Paso and east to west and back again. Awesome train conductors who gave advice and where to go. Best adventure for sure
A few points for clarity: 1) Baggage check isn’t offered at every station; if you think you’ll need to check your bag, ask ahead of time. 2) Many of the long-distance routes include a dining car, and meals are included in the fare for sleeper compartments. (FYI, dining car service was suspended in the first wave of the COVID pandemic; it’s been restored for the time being.) Everyone is charged for the prepackaged snacks and beverages in the café car. 3) Try not to get PO’ed at Amtrak about delays; often it’s beyond their control. Amtrak runs on rails owned by the rail freight companies; if a freight train and an Amtrak train are travelling the same stretch of rail, the dispatcher almost always gives right-of-way to the freight train, forcing the Amtrak train to wait. Amtrak has more dedicated rail on the east coast, which is why trains there have a better on-time record.
Thanks for posting a very good and informative article! Especially helpful for folks who are new to the Amtrak experience, you can’t overemphasize some of that stuff. Tha’s particularly true regarding tight scheduling. Amtrak in most of the country is at the mercy of the freight lines that actually own the tracks, and you often have to pull onto a siding to let a freight train pass. Or you may have mechanical problems, or you may be involved in an accident. A few years ago on the Sunset Limited, we hit a truck at a grade crossing and didn’t get to our destination until the next morning, a good 10 hours late. Probably won’t happen, but it can. For anyone planning to travel in a sleeper, be prepared to tip your sleeping car attendant and the dining car staff (meals are included in your sleeping car ticket). And believe me, 99.9% of the train staff deserve the gratuities, because they’re great!
Greetings from Cambodia. I use to travel by Amtrak in the ’90s. SO different then. Such a beautiful ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco. My fare from Portland to Chicago was $56…or, was it $36? I remember it being a VERY inexpensive way to travel through bargain deals (sometimes last minute and some great advance purchase discounts) and the food in the dining car was FANTASTIC. You could buy snacks, but the best way to go was the sit-down meal service that wasn’t overly priced. 3-4 people to a table back then. You were sat with people where there was space. It was fun to meet and enjoy a great meal with people who had vast differences in their reasons for traveling. I miss those days and sorry people nowadays don’t have the same opportunities in their travel adventures.
I really hope you see this. Millions of people, including me and my grandmother who love your content, are hard of hearing and really wish that content creators would include the official English subs as the auto-generated ones are so messy and often inaccurate! I know creators take great care in their articles; it would be very meaningful if people like us could fully enjoy your articles and be included in the process 🙁
I consider the long-distance trains part of the vacation, not just the transportation to get me to my destination. Seeing the sites, enjoying the dining care and the cafe car while perusal the scenery passing by is the real reason to take the long-distance trains. There is a reason why trains, especially the long-distance trains, get delayed is that AmTrak is running on rails owned by the freight rail companies therefore, they get lower priority than the freight traffic does so, quite often, you will wind up sitting on a siding for an hour or more while waiting for the freight train to pass on by. I took the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles once and we wound up being held up for over three hours just north of Sacramento. There were a couple of other shorter delays along the way as well. They even ran out of food in the dining car and the cafe. They did their best to try and make up some time but, in the end, what was supposed to be a 10pm arrival time became 2:30am. So, yeah, the longer the distance, the more likely and longer the delays are likely to be. The one thing I would HIGHLY recommend if you can at all afford it is to get a sleeper. The beds are pretty damn comfortable, they are private, and your meals are included. If you are traveling by yourself, the Roomettes are plenty roomy, if you are a couple, I highly recommend the full bedroom.
You are a well informed traveler. I love all your articles, so Thanks for sharing! I agree with everything you said in this article. I’m getting ready to take Amtrak in 2 weeks. Leaving from New York all the way to Chicago. I haven’t been there in a while, so I’m looking forward to the trip. Happy traveling and God bless you and your family 👪! ❤😊🤩
Great tips, Mark! One thing to note is that Amtrak offers reserved seating for the Acela and business class on some routes such as the Northeast Regional. Another tip – while the Acela is usually quite a bit more expensive than the NE Regional, it’s not always the case and you can sometimes snag a good fare on the Acela especially during non peak times.
Worth noting for leisure that Amtrak does have a USA rail pass, it’s not unlimited (it used to be), but ten journeys over 30 days is enough to take some long distance trains and see the country. Two long journeys will cover the cost alone. The seats are comfortable on the long distance routes, and I had little trouble sleeping in them – though I did this in my early twenties, and mileage may vary! I mention this because there isn’t an option with the pass to upgrade to a roomette, so if you think you can only sleep flat out then this option may not be for you.
I’ve travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak became nationwide (formerly individual railroad passengers companies became no longer confused with many transfers) for over 54 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because train travellings are blasting with wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I’m using mostly sleeper car that is including no extra cost eating in dining car is the best! And their real foods are great! Able to walk entire each cars or standing out of train car on platform if stop for 10 or more minutes (don’t wonder away from platform then the train will left by catch up on schedule or be on-time a minute or two before). While monitoring to the completely refueling in locomotives, done by exchanging suitcases in baggage car, finishing refueling water each car and less passengers hopping in or hopping out will be leaving early as a schedule. I used took Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose, now called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose). Once pandemic will be over and I will resume traveling again plus, dining car foods will resume standard real good food. For you guys are taking a short trip on any long distance Amtrak to see if you like the train before taking longer trip. Also, check train status (keeping repeating if a train is catch up) for the arrival to save your waiting.
Also, respect the tickets the conductor puts above a passenger’s seat. My son and I were on the Northeast Regional between DC and Philly. We waited until after the conductor placed the tickets above our seats to go to the cafe car. When we came back, the woman who was sitting across the aisle was sitting in our seats with her carry-on luggage sprawled across both seats and the floor in front of the seat. The lady didn’t put up too much of a fuss to move back to where she was before, but she called someone on her cell phone and began talking loudly. The conductor had to tell her to keep her voice down. Thankfully, her stop came quickly.
I might also add that if your stop will be in the middle of the night be certain you don’t fall asleep because I’ve seen numerous people wake up and think they’re getting close but they then look at the timetable and realize they slept through their stop. However my experience is the Conductors are pretty good at rounding up people for their stops, that’s why they have you on a specific car. IF you take your seat stub and move to a different car then you need to stay aware of your stop. On really packed Trains it can pretty hectic with people getting on and off.
Having ridden Amtrak often for a few decades, I would like to make a few comments. On most of the trains I have been on (only once from New York to New England), all the stations were announced, except between 10 p.m. and 7 or 8 a.m. You are right about the cafe car, but if you book a sleeper, you can eat in the dining car. That food is very good, although not quite as much on the few trains that haven’t yet restored traditional dining. One last thing,having also traveled in coach, if you are going to listen to music or watch articles, please use earphones so those who don’t want to hear it don’t have to—especially at night. And if you’re boarding a train at night while folks are sleeping, please be quiet so they can keep sleeping.
I live in Raleigh, and I used to ride on Amtrak a couple of times in 2018 & 2019. I’ve even ridden Amtrak to Mystic from Boston as a side trip when I went to New England in 2019. I understood a lot of these Don’ts when I rode. I rode the Silver Star down to Ft. Lauderdale & Tampa from Raleigh(half of the ride was overnight). They were long trips & they were about $90-$120 each way. I also rode our regional Piedmont train to Greensboro a few times for like $22 each way. They assigned me a seat when I boarded for the overnight trips, but I got to sit wherever I wanted on the Piedmont train to Greensboro. I would love to make another day trip to Greensboro or even Charlotte after the mask mandates end.
Don’t assume every station handles checked bags! Omaha will check bags but Rocklin, CA does not! You will show up at your departure with 2 lg suitcases only to be told that you can’t check them because your terminating station doesn’t do that. Further: only a VERY few stations will do checked bags! Instead, take 2 fully-packed carry-on suitcases and store them at the front of the car. Be sure to check the website or call to confirm BEFORE you travel!
Great article but I do want to add there are some differences between trains on the Northeast Corridor (between Boston and Washington) and most of the rest of the “long distance” trains. Those have dining cars (in addition to the cafe) and the food they cook (on real stoves) is very good. My “don’t” on those trains is: if you’re travelling overnight, don’t ride coach. MUCH more comfortable in a roomette or a full room. (More expensive, though, of course.)
Hey, thank you so much for this info. My 86 year old pop and I are taking Amtrak from Harrisburg, Pa to Pitt, to Chicago, and then picking up the #7 (The Empire Builder) to Seattle Washington to visit my sister. I’m super excitedfor this next travel style in my life. I refuse to take air travel these days. it’s a total sham with this new stupid Real ID BS, etc. and let’s face it — air travel compared to what you and I knew sucks. Anyway, thanks for these awesome tips. I look so forward to seeing America through a train window, making memories, and enjoying life. 🙂
Heavily enjoyed the Acela from DC to New York, it saved a lot of trouble compared to flying. A note to add for those looking into the California Zephyr from Chicago, especially around the summer traveling season, is to get to the observation car early as soon as the train departs Denver. The observation car gets really crowded from Denver to Glenwood Springs. Afterward it gets much quieter.
Here’s a Please Don’t from me: On the train, as on all public transportation, don’t play your music, etc., without headphones or earbuds. Your fellow-passengers may not share your tastes, and they may not have the option to move out of range. Last January on the Pennsylvanian a couple got in somewhere west of Harrisburg, sat down right behind my friend and me, and began to stream what sounded like an R-rated movie. After several minutes,it was clear they were in for the long haul with it and neither of us felt like confronting them. Happily for us, the car had enough vacant seats we could grab our seat cards and get out of earshot. But if the car had been crowded, it could have gotten awkward.
It is funny. We plan on visiting family in the US in 23 or 24 and since we do not do this very often we plan on a long stay (about 4 weeks with travelling a little). And ever since we started planning, you post articles on almost everything, we talk about – be it road trips, different cities the different branches of my family live in or now Amtrek. So, there are is only one question unanswered for us: Do you recomment a (short, half-a-day) ride with the Greyhounds?
My limited experience with AmTrak is taking the train from BWI Airport to DC Grand Central and back. I made the mistake of buying my tickets ahead of time. I could’ve saved time & money just buying them on arrival. On the way back to BWI, I decided I’d rather just kill time at BWI than DC Grand Central, so I got my ticket changed to an earlier train and it actually cost LESS to take that train because I was downgrading from an ACELA I guess. But it was super easy to get from BWI to downtown DC, then hop on the DC Metro to Mt. Vernon (red line then green line) which was mere blocks from my hotel….no need for a rental car or taxi, it was wonderful.
Couple of comments from a railfan. #1 Understand that the head conductor is “in charge” of the train, not the engineer (or in European parlance, the train driver). It’s his (or her) train and like the captain of a vessel the conductor (and subordinates) do have something approaching ultimate authority. #2 You say food is “pricey” but compared to airport food??? #3 Not all Amtrak trains are unreserved in coach — many long hauls are. #4 yes, the long hauls are not “cheap” compared to air, particularly in sleepers — but you’re getting lodging and meals. #5 On-time — if a 2-hour flight is 15 minutes late you’re OK, but if a 48-hour train is 2 hours late, you’re not — the first is 12.5% delayed, the second is 4.2% late, delay is proportional to the journey. Otherwise, love your article.
It costs more to travel by Amtrak then to fly to Cairo stay in a 4-5 star resort for 7 nights, or go to Athens for 9 nights in a resort or travel to Las Vegas for 5 nights flying first class. Biggest ripoff for travel is going by train across country, when it should be one of the cheapest forms of travel. This was based on me looking at trips from Charlotte, NC to go up to Seattle with some stops in like Chicago, and Denver to see a friend or 2 along the way you get a twin size bed basically. Price was over 3k dollars, Cairo was $1200, Athens $1400, and Vegas $1006, makes no damn sense.
Great recommendations, and so true about the difference between the US and European train reliability. My parents love to take Amtrak from South to North Florida to visit me. However they’ve had bad luck with drivers at crossings, removing themselves from the gene pool and delaying their trip by up to 8 hours. My dad keeps asking me to take it to visit him. I prefer the reliability of the drive.
For the non-Americans: As an American, Amtrak is great for short distances, like Mark mentioned in the Northeast. But if you want to use the train for commuting, not leisure, then I’d suggest flying or driving for longer distances. It’ll make life easier for you, in my opinion. An example of a longer distance would be going from Charleston, SC to Austin, TX. An example of a short distance would be going from NYC to Boston.
US needs to follow Japan’s example set in 1987. Split up Amtrak into separate regional companies and truly privatize them. Japan is light years ahead now regarding passenger rail service because of that bold step. Private companies have to make money and innovate, instead of just relying on huge government subsidies to survive (Which is what Amtrak currently does… why bother to improve customer experience when the government will just make up any shortfalls in revenue with more and more money.)
When it comes to sleeping, I can see where you are going, but at the same time, there are people like me who really fall asleep on trains all the time. I have never been on Amtrak, but here in Germany I ride trains often. Especially if I know the route, I sit down and fall alseep right away, no matter the time of day. When I still had a significant commute to work every deay, I missed the stop where I had to get off at least once a month because I simply fell asleep. Fortunately the train in the opposite direction was right there at the next stop, so I could jump on that one and go back. I wonder why you didn’t mention the biggest don’t when it comes to the restrooms. I first thought you’re going there when you mentioned the “water” on the floor – simply don’t pee while standing. Things would be so simple if people would follow this rule…
One tip: longer-range routes usually have more space and comfier seating. Example: St. Louis to Chicago and back runs twice a day. But you can also ride the Texas Eagle which uses the same route, but runs from Dallas to Chicago and back each day, and board in St. Louis. The Texas Eagle has larger cars with fully reclining seats and foot-rests. The shorter-range trains have conventional seats. Which, to be fair, are still better than airline seating.
Mark, I think I saw the inside of a Metra train car (Chicago area commuter rail) right at the 12 minute point in the article?🙂 Anyway, I’ve only taken the Amtrak from Chicago to Milwaukee on the Hiawatha Line. It was definitely a good experience and I’d recommend it for any visitors to Chicago who maybe want to take a day trip to another city and to give Amtrak a try. Even on that shorter route, the cars still had the more spacious seats in coach and a lot of space for luggage like you mentioned.
My biggest “don’t” for trains anywhere in the world: Don’t be noisy and annoying, don’t mess up everything with your rubbish and crumbs. I noticed the short platforms in some places and having to be in particular cars in order to be able to get out … Very peculiar. And to some of us, our feet are our shoes. We are always barefoot. It’s ok, our feet don’t smell, it’s none of anybody else’s business. And I actually heard that some regularly ride Amtrak barefoot and don’t get any problem for it. If anything they’re more likely to keep the ground clean. Better I avoid that puddle on the bathroom floor barefoot than step into it with my shoes and take it all over the train, right? I never had trouble for riding trains barefoot anywhere in the world (except once on a high speed train in China but that’s a different story).
You missed the MOST IMPORTANT “Don’t.” Don’t take Amtrak at all outside of the Northeast Corridor. Delays out of Chicago to Cincinnati often amount to FOUR hours on a six hour trip. It was a lot better to jump on a Megabus or any of the low-cost bus carriers. Also, in the Midwest, many of the trips arrive at weird hours. Have you ever been dropped off in remote towns at 4 am. Plan to sit outside and wait for hours for even taxi service.
Hi Walter, love your content. We’re from UK and holidaying in New England in Sep 22. We are planning on using Amtrak NE to get us from NY Penn Station to Providence. Coach is $50 return and Business is $132 – so big saving for 4 people on Coach. Our only concern is luggage we’ll have 4 large bags. Is this a consideration between Coach and Business?
A few extra don’ts of Amtrak from my own personal experiences: 1. If using the NE Corridor, DON’T forget that the line limit is a pitiful 90mph between DC & Newark. For this reason the NE Regional offers comparable travel times to the Acela for about 1/3rd the price. 2. If travelling between Eastern and Central time zones, DON’T forget that the bus (Or for Britons: Coach) is often quicker than the train. 3. And if using that Gods-forsaken „Empire Builder” route; DON’T bother – You’ll honestly reach Seattle quicker from Chicago on a bicycle than by taking train #7! Now that’s over, I have another question: Wasn’t that Acela in the article running wrong line? Or have Amtrak finally called Network Rail in for some much needed and overdue help? 😉
Every time I’ve taken Amtrak, the conductors announced every stop and they generally announced the time it would take before the next stop after that. Amtrak is fun, you really get a feel of the past when you go through the old industrial cities. Since covid, I don’t feel comfortable sitting next to strangers and some people get on their phones talking loudly like they’re at home. So get a roomette if you can.
My biggest complaint about AMTRAK, is that you are sealed in like on an air liner. You are not allowed to open ANY windows, especially, the one in the door at the entrance to the bi-level cars. That and the way they run out of food when they split up the Empire Builder at Spokane on the west bound trains. Wouldn’t be such an issue except that they were eleven hours late getting into Portland OR.
I’m European and I absolutely love travelling via train. And as someone who wants to visit the US I was kind of bumped about the fact the trains are not as prominent and fast as in Europe….but then I realized it is a different thing to go from west to east part of my country (takes 5 hours) than it is to go from Boston to Washington or from Chicago to Denver lol. It’s kind of obvious why airplanes are so popular in the US. It would take 3 and half days to from LA to NY and when the travelling would take more than 4-5 hours it is better to just hop on a plane.
I’m traveling a short way next month, Sacto to Stockton, for a concert. I switched my ride from Greyhound because those fraudsters had me sitting in the station for ELEVEN FREAKING HOURS and the bus to Redding for their show NEVER SHOWED!! I’m out a couple hundred $$$ from losing out on the show and the motel. I plan on a longer trip next summer for my 65th, to see the group Home Free, wherever they my be performing in the US so articles like this one are something I need for planning it. Thank you so much.
There are actually reserved seats at Coaches depending on days or trips. Another heads-up is to keep your large or heavy luggages at lower level storage just by door and stairs should you ride a double decker car on upper level since you will get a limited space cabin on your seat. For those who take the Chicago – Washington, Chicago – Boston or Chicago – NYC train (Amtrak calls them either Lake Shore or Capitol Limited) have your winter jacket on overnight, you will need it 😊
I like how you emphasized on only certain doors open. Not sure how it is on other regional corridors, but I know the Capitol Corridor which takes you between San Jose to Sacramento (though some routes will go as far as Auburn which is about 45 minutes north of Sacramento and at the 1,000 foot elevation mark, there is a stop at the Oakland Coliseum, with construction they tell you, exit through cars 1 and 2. Also the Cafe Cart doors don’t open. So you can enter or exit through there.
Went from Seattle to Oakland, for San Francisco. Overnight in economy. I needed to stretch out for a bit to sleep, so went down to the cafe/viewing car- it was shut, but I knew there was a long seat. Climbed over the bin they put on the stairs. Went to sleep, woke up to find a flat of beer next to me. They had stopped and had received deliveries. No I didn’t partake, I didn’t need the hassle.
LOL!! I used to take Amtrak all the time from Penn Sta in NYC. I never pretended to be asleep but I found if you dont make eye contact with the person coming up the aisle and pretend that you’re reading or busy with something, 99 times out of 100 they’ll pass you by. 😄. Oh, and I always brought my own food – a bagel or or big soft pretzel. 😋 The earlier you book, the cheaper it is. The Red Caps at Penn Sta were excellent!
A bit of advice from personal experience: If your city doesn’t have an Amtrak station but a Greyhound station, Amtrak will add a connecting Greyhound bus from their nearest station to your city. If you’re getting on a Greyhound bus AFTER your train ride, I’d say make sure there’s at least 2 hours of layover before the bus leaves (it’ll probably be at least an hour late picking you up anyways). If you’re getting on a Greyhound bus BEFORE your train ride, make sure there’s at least 4-5 hours of layover if possible. Greyhound is terrible when it comes to being on-time (much worse than Amtrak from personal experience). My greyhound bus to take me to a certain city after my train ride was one hour late, and when I eventually rode the bus back to the nearest Amtrak station it was FOUR hours late before the bus came to pick us up. When I arrived at the Greyhound station at 5AM there were people getting ready to board their bus, they were supposed to leave at MIDNIGHT, and we didn’t even leave until 9:15AM! Avoid Greyhound at all costs but if it’s your only option then try to leave lots of room for them to be late. Edit: To be fair to Greyhound, I took the most on-time long distance Amtrak route (City of New Orleans) and it actually arrived 15 minutes early both ways. A four hour delay is still unacceptable however.
Some more: Don’t expect every station to have checked baggage service. Some do not offer it, even on trains where it is available. Look up your start and end stations before taking your trip to make sure you can check bags. Acela trains now have assigned seating. Don’t expect to just walk in and grab a seat; your ticket will have a car and seat number. Sleeper accommodations are also assigned. Don’t expect the cafe to stay open all night. On most long distance Amtrak trains it closes somewhere around 10 pm; the crew will announce the closing time. Northeast Corridor trains are an exception; the cafe on those DOES stay open all night, except during the layover in New York City if your train has one. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to show your ticket again. On some trains that’s routine. On the Northeast Corridor you will be asked to show it again if your trip goes through New York City and continues on the other side. (On many of those trains there is a crew change in New York.) If you are a coach passenger on one of the long distance trains, don’t expect to be able to have a meal in the dining car. If you are in a train with traditional dining (a dining car with a real kitchen that prepares food on the train rather than serving pre-prepared meals) you MAY get offered a dining car seating, but it’s not guaranteed and you may not get much choice of timing if you are offered one. (If you DO get the offer, take it at least once for the experience.) Don’t worry if you get sleepy and want to rest, even at 10:30 am.
Thanks a lot for this, I’ve been super worried about the bags to the point of getting anxious 😅 I was wondering if I can use the train while having a checked bag, I’ve only see people with carry-ons or little bags in the train articles I’ve seen, but knowing there is actually a place on the train for bags makes me happy. Thanks a lot :yougotthis:
Just a thought, if shorter trips are cheap, could you make a longer trip with a series of short trips? Book A to B, B to C, C to D etc instead of A to D? Here in the UK, it can be cheaper to book a long distance trip that way, you stay on the same train for the whole trip, just make sure your ticket is open or book the right times.
It sounds a bit like Via Rail, a bit like the Go Train system, and a bit like the Canadian National train travel I did as an unaccompanied minor from Ottawa and Toronto (meeting my grandfather there) in the late 60’s and 70’s. Grandfather would call the night before to remind me to stay in my seat in Brockville, not to visit the club car for a snack, or else I might be going to Montreal and to wait for him under the clocks in Toronto. Hubby and I were considering “The Maple Leaf” when traveling from Toronto to Boston but decided to go with Via Rail to Montreal and the overnight Greyhound to Boston for our cruise last month. It was still nice to know where our luggage was. Maybe for a cruise out of Florida, we might consider that and “The Silver Service”.
I once took a train from Montreal to NYC. The night before there was a snow storm and that train came in hours late. Because of the storm Via Rail made the Amtrak train lay out in the yard. That train came in at 4AM when it was supposed to arrive at 9PM the night before. They had to leave the engine running because they had no shore power connection. So when the train did get turned around and in the station we had a surpise. On the back of the train was a Pullman sleeper car with a Bobtail observation car as well. Those 2 cars alone outweighed the 4 Amtrack coaches. We had a small loco that topped out at 60 MPH but with the Pullman dead weight it was less and since that was the last train to pull in the track in front of us were covered on about a foot of snow. At one point we had a frozen crossover and the crew had to do a manual switch and when the train cleared they had to reset the switch. Here we go chugging about 40 MPH watch snow blowing past the windows. We arrived at Albany/
You said there are no reservations on Amtrak except for the sleeping quarters. That depends on the train and the type of seating. The Capitol Limited and business class seats on the Northeast Corridor assign seats to passengers. The coach seats on the Capitol Limited and business class seats on the Northeast Corridor have more leg room than the coach seats on the Northeast Corridor. In addition, if you plan to ride the train in April, July, August, October, November, or December, book your ticket at least four months in advance because those are Amtrak’s peak months.
Don’t set your bags near the edge of the platform. We saw a guy loose his bag just before the train pulled in. The train sometimes runs routes away from the highway, so the views are unique and often beautiful. My favorite is through Colorado. I’d love to go from Denver to San Francisco some day. I took the northeastern a month ago. I wished I’d gotten on a stop before the major city, but my friend wanted to go to the big city Station. I walked past the 1st few open doors, then a bunch of doors were shut, so walked all the way down the platform to get to more open doors. Those cars were already full, and then people who’d entered those 1st open doors were looking for seats together. It was a mess. We ended up sitting in the dining car to sit together and sharing a table with a super friendly lady.
As a russian man and transport lover I should to say that absolutely all these rules are also work in Russia. You described aspects related with Amtrak food, doors, conductors and delays – all these aspects are familiar for me from my childhood. Maybe the only several differences: 1) We usually have regional express multiple electric unites for rides for 300 km, they are equppied with comfortable large seates. And locomotives with cars usually used as a sleepers, but sometimes you can see seating cars with locomotive, for example on the route between Moscow and Yaroslavl’. 2) Conductors usually remember all passangers in the car, because – one conductor = one car and in regional expresses conductor just check our tickets and passports. 3) Russian railway network in major is electrified and has more frequent passanger services then american. But because of imperfect tax system and the poverty of regional budgets, in the period from 2005 to 2013 russian railway had many reductions in commuter and long-distance trains, for nowadays the situation is ambiguous somewhere new train routes appear, and somewhere there is still a reduction in routes or just “nominal” movement with two trains per day. In the USA it was in 1950-70, but because of the competition between trains and buses or planes, as well as the lack of timely subsidies and attention to the railway problem from the American government. Thanks for the article and welcome from Moscow!
•Don’t put your feet where people eat. Footrests are for feet, tray tables are for food. •Don’t forget to PUSH THE BUTTON that flushes the toilet before leaving the restroom. •Don’t think that the staff is your own personal help as if they don’t have many other duties besides doing what you want, when you want them to. •Don’t think that the staff is on duty 24 hours. They are humans. They have hours of rest. •Don’t show up to the station 10 minutes before the train’s departure time trying to check your luggage. •Don’t show up to the station 3 minutes before the train’s departure time trying to buy a ticket to board. •Don’t forget that just like everywhere else, you need government issued identification. •Don’t bring weapons aboard the train. •Don’t harass the staff or other passengers just because you’re bored or irritable. •Don’t forget that the travel time is longer than on an airplane. If you prioritize cost more than promptness, then don’t complain and get there when you get there (wherever there is). •Don’t forget that Las Vegas, Nevada and Las Vegas, New Mexico are two different locations and make sure you know which one you’re buying a ticket for. •Don’t forget that the train doesn’t stop in every city in every county in every state in America. The train can get you close, but know how you’re getting to your exact destination.
Over the weekend I took the piedmont to charlotte North Carolina and the Amtrak conductors are very friendly and helpful when you are confused of where your supposed to be going we were at the station in Greensboro we got on the NC Amtrak train there it goes from Raleigh to charlotte for the piedmont and the Carolinian goes from charlotte to Raleigh they stop in Cary Durham Burlington Greensboro high point Salisbury kannapolis and finally in charlotte
So from what I learned, which was a while ago so not sure how true the information is now. The reason Amtrak is late so often is because it doesn’t have its own tracks. It “rents” the ability to use the tracks from the freight companies, and thus they have the right away. I can’t remember how many times I’ve been delayed because of freight trains.
Travelling the US (and Canada) by train is still one thing on my bucket list. I only used trains once in the US, almost 20 years ago NJ Transit….that’s just not the same. I did plan once to travel from NYC to Boston by Amtrak, but then we discovered the Chinatown buses…. I do still have a German magazine (Eisenbahn Kurier) from the ’90s with an amazing 25+ page story about a trip from Chicago to San Francisco with the California Zephyr, and back to Chicago with the Southwest Chief. I must have read that so often that it is starting to fall apart….
thank you for this very, informative article. my wife and i are thinking about a train trip somewhere. but we don’t know what to expect. I took a trip from NY to Washington state fair back in 1962 or so. great memories on that trip. maybe traveling on trains are different now a days. thanks for the current info.
Please do not forget that passengers wait in Amtrak train stations while they await their trains. Over a half of a century ago I waited at 30 th Street Station in the West Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania headed for Los Angeles (the city of Lost Angels), Los Angeles county, California. I fell asleep holding onto my suitcase. Another man around my age woke me up and told me that he saw another man who stole my suitcase. I was 20 then and he told me that I should never go to sleep at a train station. My Aunt Mary’ s sister – in – love Mrs. Kizia ( Kizzie) (Kiz) was recently widowed. She had given me her deceased husband’ s coat. He was Mr. Carl to me. She started crying because his coat was in that suitcase.
I’ve ridden trains for decades, and my wife used to take the pre Amtrak trains to ElPaso. Trains over the years is a mixed bad experience for the passengers. #1) if people still dressed better for public travel…we’d have fewer attitude types. Lots of people relatively dirty or dressed for lawn mowing…tends to tell troublesome people…no holds barred. #2) don’t expect too much for the food quality. WHY NOT. Amtrak food used to be good and the cafe/club car was at least as good as a neighborhood pub food. #3) those 2 things will make the experience better for everyone. Better food and people with business casual dress would make it much better in coach. Otherwise if it’s McDonalds bags, flip flops, pajamas and sweat stained odorous T shirts all day….may as well take Greyhound. Gets there faster and goes to more places. #1 and 2 would help the airlines too.
I love to travel Amtrak, and will never travel by bus ever again. I’m rarely on airplanes ✈️. The trains will rock back and forth, and relax you whereas buses have the worst of mankind going up and down the aisles, and the drivers rarely do anything about problems occurring on their busses. I’ve been lucky to have an extra seat most of the time on Amtrak to stretch out and enjoy the scenery, and I do put my backpack on the seats. If the staff tells me they need the seat, then I’m okay with moving my bag out of the seat for another. Trains will have a food car, and you are seated in any open seat that’s available by a staff member. I love to bring my own food to eat that’s healthier and tastes wonderful. The staff doesn’t go through every car very much and you have more freedom if the trains aren’t full. I haven’t checked the price of sleeping cars, but I can easily sleep in a window seat with my pillow. It’s too bad Amtrak and busses doesn’t allow 🦮 service animals or pets to be emotional support animals in car next to you.
Took Amtrak a few years ago from Jacksonville, FL to Phoenix, AZ. East of New Orleans the train moved in drips and drabs with the damn horn honking every 3-5 minutes. The scenery was everybody’s trash filled back yard. Overall a terrible experience. Once in Texas the train started hauling with a lot less horn but totally vacant scenery. An hour’s stop in a little piss pot town (Marfa) didn’t add anything pleasurable to the trip. The final run across NM and into Phoenix was after dark with several siding stops to let fast freights zoom by. We were 3 hours late which, according to some fellow passengers, was exceptional. Never again.
I was going to travel through 3 states on Amtrak and take a couple of battery powered tools to do some work. It was going to be checked, or stored, not in a carry-on. Their website says NO power tools, carry-on or checked. Anyone know the reason? It was a Ryobi drill and impact driver, not an industrial vacuum cleaner.
Ahh you gotta visit India and Indian Railways someday. Train rides in India are fun if you know how to cooperate. You will see a variety of trains here. Amtrak >= an Indian Premium train such as a Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express trains. The first class rides can go as much as 50 USD or so. 250 is 5 times this price.
It was very specific and I fully understood everything. When I heard you said that “Don’t take off your shoes if your feet are stinky”. I couldn’t manage myself and laughed. It was funny! I saw people behaving like that on the train before when I was on a trip. It’s should be careful because it’s the public area. Thank you very much for your introduction! If there is a chance, welcome to China! ~~~~
the difference between Europe and the US is it seems in Europe they fit the freight round the passenger service in the US the freight trains have priority, it’s their tracks . If you ask the average European about rail travel they think passenger trains, not freight. Even the website tunnel its passenger trains then transport carrying shuttle trains we are not told about freight-only services.
Thank you 🙏 This is giving me good information of what I want to know before I book an Amtrak ticket. By the way, are the train conductors very understanding of people with autism and mental disabilities? They probably are. But I still always worry about that! I’m thinking about getting a lanyard that says I have autism so please be patient with me. I can get a little turned around at times because of the way my mind is. But if the conductor is aware of this, I will feel more comfortable. That way I’ll know they’ll explain things clearly to me, so I know exactly what to do. I notice you said they put something on your seat so the conductor knows where you get off at. So that way I guess they know to wake you up when you’re getting close to your stop. When you say they don’t announce every place where people need to get off at does that mean sometimes they don’t even stop and you have to pull a chain or they may just stop without announcing? I was a little confused about that. Also, I was thinking about having just Amtrak’s be my whole vacation. What I mean is instead of taking the Amtrak’s from Florida to Boston and staying in Boston for a couple nights before heading back, that I would just go from Florida to Boston and then just come right back. So another words I wouldn’t stay at a hotel in Boston or anywhere. The whole vacation would be on Amtrak’s. Because that does seem like a fun way to spend a vacation. Of course I may decide I want to stay in Boston for a couple of nights.
One of the pleasures of train travel is the opportunity to chat with fellow passengers from different walks of life. Its ok with me if somebody wants to be left alone. But, unfortunately, too many Americans are afraid of strangers or have no experience of civilized public spaces. So, they pretend to be sleeping!
My advice is don’t assume people are pretending to be sleep. You don’t know peoples sleep schedule or what they do when they are not on the train.. conductors don’t always tell people to move their stuff on the seats.. conductors announce every stop.. conductors tell people where to get off for stops like mystic and westerly specifically. Technically there are no assumed seats but on acela first class has assigned seating
Ah, the people pretending to be asleep…..We have got these ***holes in my country, the Netherlands, as well! When I was in college some 30 years ago, there was a guy sitting opposite of me pretending to be asleep and on the seat beside him was a car battery and a can of petrol…Which you are not supposed to bring on public transit! He was kicked off the train at the next station by the conductor.
I ❤Amtrak, please be kind and respectful to all Amtrak emoloyees. They a VERY Helpful and kind. They put their hearts into their work. Thry will answer any questions you have to the best of their ability. And they do ask before your stop, yes they know, if you would like help with your luggage. Also, tips are not expected on long distance trains, but appreciated. The coach seating is the equivalent of first class air, space wise. The flexible dining is good… it isn’t all pretty and fancy, but it IS GOOD. I reccomend the vegan enchilada…YUM!! Dont forget, if you eat in the dining room, on a flexible dining train a tip, again not expected but appreciated, is nice $5-$10. I am a roomette snob, and I tip my attendant $50 each way, on an over night. I know I may be over tipping, but having worked with the public for years, I know what a PIA it can be and the attendants again pour their hearts into their work.